What Am I Doing?

I'm asking myself that question a lot today!

I've never really "carved" green florist's styrofoam before...

but now I know why it is suggested that you wear a mask

and have a vacuum cleaner close-by... Ha!

After transferring my BJD pattern to the foam blocks,

I began cutting away to shape the body core 

using a small serrated knife... what a mess!

I am using styrofoam balls for the head core 

as well as the shoulder and hip core joints.

There will also be joints at the forearms, hands,

knees and feet...  theoretically!

Next step... begin to apply paper clay 

over the core body parts.

My First... BJD!

Those words have a familiar ring, eh?

"In the beginning... there was styrofoam and straws!"

And so, a new journey begins... 

working on my very first ball jointed doll.

The PLAN is to use tutorials from:

 the "Noah" approach to making a BJD,

Linda Macario... Italian BJD artist, 

and "The Comprehensible Guide for Frustrated Doll Makers"

by Gribby Bullock found at Deskleaves on deviantART. 

At the moment I'm thinking... a troll doll;

with over-sized feet, a lovable face with exaggerated features,

big-knuckled fingers, and... Well, you get the idea.

(picture a gentle giant of a soul... that is posable!)

I think I need a nap...  Daryle

Lenten Rose

Katie and I picked up this wonderful perennial yesterday

on our day trip to Lancaster County... 

It loves shade and will do well in our flower gardens

offering us its beautiful, subtle blooms in late winter.

Happy Lenten Wishes... sent your way! Daryle 

Tutti & Frutti are in ADQ!

They are a comical pair!

My heartfelt thanks to Jana Holstein, Managing Editor, 

and all of the staff at Art Doll Quarterly for

 including them in the Spring 2013 issue (on page 101)

of the "Show & Tell" section of the magazine.

I couldn't be happier with the article and photograph

that they published.  

I hope you'll pick up your copy of this issue... 

before it sells out!  

Every page of this issue is a feast for the eyes

and an inspiration for the soul!

Enjoy! Daryle

Art Doll Quarterly, Spring 2013 issue 

"Inch by inch...Step by step!"

I decided to "crackle" just his skullcap**...

giving it that old world look.

**(double click on the pic to enlarge)

I collect (among other things) flattened rusty bottle caps

on my daily 5k walks...  one never knows when

you just might need them!

They add a nice little rusty touch 

as an embellishment to the wings.

Oh... I softened his eye color, adding a bit of brownish gold.

The note on the photo says it all... huh?

I finished both of his hands today... finding that working

on every-other-finger, then allowing them to dry between

works best when I'm sculpting with my big, clumsy hands!