Merry Christmas!

One of the homes in our area, well…

goes "all out" for Christmas lights… Enjoy!  

Christmas Blessings from our home to yours...

Santa on the Fire Truck!

Ever year, we enjoy (and look forward to) the tradition of

Santa Claus Coming through town, riding on

the well appointed Fire truck of our borough 

fire department: Woodstown Reliance Fire Company.

Here they are, driving by our home
(Santa's on the second truck!)

Snow on Cedars!

Our backyard this afternoon, as a "surprise" snowfall arrived here

in South Jersey… by dusk, the cedar boughs in the back were heavy

and sighing under the weight of this "white-stuff!"

The bird-bath is a good measure of amounts…

And to think that I just mentioned to Katie on Friday afternoon that we

have lilies emerging near the house, it has been so warm!

(sleep tight and rest little lilies…)

Saint Nick… a Thrift Store Find!

Katie and and I just returned from a week away…

up in Vermont with our kids, for Thanksgiving!

One of our favorite "stops" is the local hospital

thrift shop: "Neat Repeats!"

This past Tuesday, I found this hand-carved, primitive wooden

Saint Nick… just sitting on the floor waiting for me;

at the bargain price of $3.00 (he stands 15 inches high)

The "as is" note referring to his missing boot toes!

(click on the pic to enlarge and see the wonderful crackling!)

Nine years ago… I found this original, signed Netty LaCroix

doll at the same store, for around $5.00 a treasure for sure.

They make a handsome couple, don't they!

Life is… Bittersweet!

It is one of the simple pleasures enjoyed here

in Salem County, this time of the year…

tangled and intertwined "bittersweet" growing along the roadside.

I spotted a bunch growing along the roadside today…

after making a home-visit.

Clipping an armful... some of it found the perfect spot

hanging over a grapevine wreath on our six foot "plus"

circa 1910 church shutters from Addison, Vermont.

Angel of the Shadow Children

"Engel der Schatten Kinder"

I attended a three-week workshop with Virginia Fry on grief and loss in the lives of children and their families. In that workshop, she introduced us to the German term: “schatten kinder” which translated into English is: “shadow children.”  Virginia explained that Hospice care in Germany during the past ten years has recognized the often forgotten voice of the siblings of terminally ill children.  These children, young and old alike, often “fall into the shadows” during this time of grief and loss.

With that in mind, I am designing a series of three angels for the “schatten kinder” among us; their guardians, of sorts…   In the following ancient Hebrew text taken from Isaiah 49:15...  I am reminded that we, like they, are not forgotten, nor left in the shadows.  

“Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you."

Inspired by the work of Russian artist Roman Shustrov…  I will be working with traditional paper maché paste, strips of newspaper and brown craft paper applied to this Styrofoam and wire mesh armature.  I have also included in the design of this angel a reliquary space, in which I will hang either a rusted heart, or perhaps a vintage skeleton key.

Good Night… Allegheny Mountains

We just returned from four days in West Virginia with friends…

artisan galleries, small eateries tucked away in rural towns,

and night skies that seem to explode with starlight. 

American Santos… the Angel of Rebirth!

DecoArt One-Step Crackle Medium… I love that stuff!

It helped me achieve that "crackle, crackle, chip, flaked"

look that I was going for!  Tsk! Tsk!

Detail of crackled hands and added wood roping on skirt.

I add wooden wings… which are hinged

and covered them with a faux canceled stamp paper.

Also… the vintage Victorian pin with a brass clock gear,

a brass clock gear halo… and some copper bead earrings.

Fini!  Thank you for joining me on the journey!  Daryle

Ange de la Renaissance

The base-coat was applied early this a.m.  and a bit of photo 

"softening" helps capture the unfinished status of this Santos.

She is mimicking that old world appeal... 

that I am hoping to capture.

American Santos... All Coming Together!

Thank you Home Depot!

I made a mad dash to Home Depot this a.m. and they had wood 

roping by the boat load... So her skirt is ready to be base-coated.

I also gave her some ears! (and copper-beaded earrings)

Her "halo" is a brass gear taken from a circa 1867 mantle clock

that Katie found years ago at a local thrift shop.  I am loving that

re-purposed victorian pin and brass gear breastplate!

A little sanding, one more coat of gesso and then her base-coat!

Make-Over...anyone? (wink!)  thank you for stopping by! Daryle

Ange de la Renaissance

It's amazing what a little paper clay...

a quick application of gesso...

some vintage jewelry and brass clock gears...

and wings... hinged wings... can do!

(and a bit of "mood" lighting never hurts!)

"The Angel of Rebirth!" (Ange de la renaissance) is born...

Once daylight returns here to South Jersey...

I will take a few more pics that will (hopefully) capture her

new look and the direction she has taken!

Night, night!  Daryle

Styrofoam...to the Rescue!

I had a Styrofoam ball in my stash...and with a bit of 

"gentle compression" it filled the skull cavity that was left

after I started sawing and sanding her head away!

Those "chipmunk cheeks" are softened... 

The arms will be re-attached with wooden dowels, 

replacing the original metal screws...

The wood roping on the skirt will add some interest...

And her paper clay "make-over" will transform this sad Santos

into a glorious creature!  (a bit "lofty" in my expectations, huh?)

American Santos... A Tuesday Morning Markdown!

She has been sitting on the shelf at the "Tuesday Morning" store

in Hockessin, Delaware for about eight months... marked $39.99

I just wasn't willing to pick her up at that price... (even in tax-free DE.) 

Although that was easily half the retail price on the internet!

So the other day, when Katie and I stopped at the store

and she was marked down an additional 20%...

Well, she came home with us!

I'm not kidding myself: She's not that pretty with those 

"gopher" cheeks and that wavy "hair!"  

From my perspective: her only redeemable attributes...

 are those articulated shoulders, elbows and wrists!

(O.K. and maybe the nice textured finish on her torso/arms)

So... I'm thinking a major "make-over" from the cage skirt up!

I believe she is partially wood, partially resin... 

I'm thinking that I am partially certifiable (if you know what I mean!)

So...let the chisel fly... let the sanding-block rip... 

and get out the paper clay... 'cause:

This girl's getting a make-over!  

(Yup... the walk-out-of-the-store-price was: $31.99)

What have I to "lose?" (wink!) Daryle

Fini... A Shrine Doll!

This guy really has been a labor of love...

A bit quirky, certainly colorful, and (tongue-in-cheek) timely!

From textures to color palette...  sheer pleasure!

Sigh... what's next?

Approaching the Finish Line!

This doll... like most, just seemed to take on a life

of its own during the past week!

His personality has just emerged over the past few days,

with the addition of some layered colors and of course;

those big, brown eyes!  ("moo-cow" eyes, as we called them).

I have been video-taping the process; hoping to share it

as a workshop or class... "out there"... in the near future!

I still need to apply some crackle medium, tie up that

loosey-goosey collar, and add his primitive hang tag.

As always... Thank you for stopping by!  Daryle

Finds from the Greenwich Artisans' Faire & Marketplace

Historical Greenwich, N.J. settled around 1685... celebrates their

42nd Annual Artisans' Faire~Marketplace today and tomorrow.

We always find "treasures" walking along the historic streets

lined with well appointed brick and stone homes, smothered in ivy,

and the warm, worn colors of the afternoon sunlight.  

Well, today was no exception!

One of the vendors (dressed in period clothing) always

has these incredible finds... that fill her tables.

All of these brass pins, locks, keys and what-nots were marked

at 50¢ each... and will eventually find their way to yet another

mixed media or art doll ensemble.

Katie spotted this child's chair, wired with broken spindles...

and we both immediately thought: perfect on our front step!

It has found a new home...  Happy hunting!

My Recycled Zinnias!

It was time... for the zinnias that I had planted from last year's seeds,
to be recycled and replaced by some fresh fall asters and mums!

The brush pile of dozens of zinnia heads still merit the camera's lens!

Shrine Doll Workshop: a Work In Progress...Peek!

I have been plugging away this past week...

video-recording & editing; while working on this mixed media doll!

He has a raw umber base-coat... so all that's really holding me up 

is the top coat on his arms, shoulders and head.

(O.K. and some COLOR... he needs some color!)

I will be introducing some terra cotta, verdi green and blue 

perhaps some yellow ochre.

In the class we'll discuss "structures" for use as a doll body

(remember... mine was a craftsman style mantle clock)

We'll also cover sculpting a head with paper clay, 

and of course: all the delicious details that make it O.O.A.K.

It's always about the "details!"

Thanks for taking a peek... Daryle

Angel Shrine Doll Workshop & Class... a W.I.P.

Yup! Still a work-in-progress... but I am just about half-way through 

video-taping and editing the workshop-class!  It's been a trip...

I am hoping to offer the class at the trodden path... sigh!

Jane (our fearless leader and host) and I have been in conversation!

Stay tuned... (wink!)

Turnings, Turnings, Everywhere...

On a late Sunday afternoon drive, Katie and I stopped  just outside of Salem at Caman's Antiques and I found ten of these wonderful wood turnings tucked away in a basket, near the back of the shop. 

(two of each size and shape) 

Now you tell me... @ 50¢ each, how could I say "No!" 

Pumpkins, Pumpkins... Everywhere!

                         We both love this time of the year...

and just returned from an early evening drive to

"Duffield's Pumpkin Patch" in Sewell.

The colors, textures, and shapes are other worldly! 

Happy Fall! (oh, just a little early...)

A New Doll...It's All in the Title!

I have had a new doll whispering to me over the past several months...

In my head, the voice kept saying: "He thought he could fly!"

Serendipitously today, while walking around the grounds at the

New Castle Farmer's Flea Market... 

I found this book at one of the tables: "The Boy With Wings"... 

it was mine for $3.00  So, you tell me?

Using my "book faerie" design (see my Nov. 4, 2011 post)

a new doll is already churning in my head!

Hey, did you notice?  

Even the color of the book (verdi green)

is speaking to me, as I post this!

P.S.  all the other "stuff"...  Oh, just bits of inspiration for future creations!

W.I.P.... On-Line Workshop!

The "Big News"... mentioned in an earlier post this month:

I am working on my first ever (as in "terrified")
video workshop... to be offered on line.
Some of the "details" have changed as to the where and when,
but it is definitely in the works! (wink!)

O.O.A.K. Angel Shrine Doll

The inspiration for creating a OOAK angel shrine doll came from a children’s bereavement workshop that I attended years ago. The instructor introduced us to the concept of creating a “memory box.” A simple “house” filled with small objects that carry special significance and meaning. I have incorporated that concept into creating an angel shrine doll. This workshop will allow you to integrate your own OOAK found object (think flea market, thrift store, or attic find item that resembles a “house”) into a personal expression of your faith or life journey.

Fini...

The journey's end:  He is wired, glued, tied...

and signed!

"A"... is for Angel!

I said it before... the end of the creative journey is always a bitter-sweet time for me!   And that's where I find myself with this guy...  "Folk Art Flying Angel."

My thanks to Teresa, from A Magical Whimsy... who suggested that I use the dark base-coat as the skin tone for this doll!  I love it... I did soften the head, hands, and feet with a dry brush application of "light cinnamon" and "burnt sienna."

I added some metallic gold "dots" to the existing verdi green dots and rubbed a bit on his wings as well.  Attach the wings & arms and he's finished!  He is indeed... a "kindred spirit!"   P.S. a late postscript: these are his true colors!     

                         

W.I.P. with a Splash of Color!

The top coat of color is complete!  Next?  I will tacke his head, hands and feet with some color and blush! Then, all that is really left to do will be to add a water-based stain to "soften" the colors and put him all together (i.e. wire his arms, attach his wings, etc)

I'm a huge fan of coffee-stained... well, just about anything!

His paper collar and these hang tags have become my "signature"

when it comes to folk art creations!

Entrance to the Secret Garden?

It certainly looks like it could be the entrance to the Secret Garden,

doesn't it?  Cascading Purple Hyacinth Bean, hanging over our

eight foot (young) red maple tree!  During the past two weeks

it has just taken off... drawing both butterflies and hummingbirds!

Perspective... these large beans are about 3.5 inches in length.

Ah, the wonder of it all...   Daryle

Raw Umber... works its magic!

For me, the application of raw umber as a base coat

always seems to breathe "life" into a doll.

I designed some wooden wings, to which I applied

scrapbooking papers; with a vintage flair.

The wings will actually be attached to the upper

body with a wooden dowel that will "pierce" the fabric

along the back of the doll, running from wing-to-wing.

This guy will carry a bunting pennant that I made using

heavy tag board, script from a 1915 German Science Reader,

 metal eyelets and then three hammered copper letters that spell: "joy"

Here's a detail of one of the triangles:

Fun eh?

No... now the really fun part starts:

Applying the top coat to his head, hands and feet... then 

working on his body; ideas are spilling over in my silly head!

Thanks for taking a peek.

Hmmm... there may be some "big news" on the horizon!  

Blessings, Daryle