Bare Feet, Bowler Hats, Buttons and Blush!

Well... all-in-all, it's been a productive day!

Becoming...

I would have to say, I love the whole process of "becoming!"

This guy seems to be on the fast track as his personality 

emerges with each new application of paper clay, to his head.

(I love the flattened, rusty bottle cap applied to the heart)

The wooden stand has set the color scheme in motion

with yellow ochre, verdi green and terra cotta clay.

(click on the pic for a larger view)

Now to the hands and feet... Ugh!

Folk Art... Refining My Roots!

After months of "I just can't..."

I sat down recently at my work-table and realized I can!

And the dry-spell... creative cat-nap slump... seems to be lifted.

In an attempt to "refine my (folk art) roots" I have started

working on a new angel:  wood, fabric, and paper clay...

three of my favorite mediums!  Stay tuned... (wink!) Daryle 

Praying... or Preying?

I have always loved these guys! Growing up in Wisconsin  

we were more prone to find the well camouflaged Walking Stick

than the menacing Praying Mantis! I'm thinking this one is young; 

given the vibrant color and the fact that it's just barely 

the length of my index finger.  About four years ago we 

had a high population count; perhaps this too will be a good year!

The Cicada Cycle...

Early this a.m. (pre-dawn) a young Cicada emerged

from its nymph stage body... to its adult splendor!

It all played out on one of our resurrection lilies,

which just appeared this week.

After pouring my cup of coffee and snapping these

photos... some of our neighborhood ruffians (grey squirrels)

showed up on the scene... and one of them snatched

this poor Cicada right off the petal of the lily...

Munch, munch, munch...  and cicada saga came to an end!

"The Angel"... Has Arrived!

This past week, my complimentary copy of Art Doll Quarterly

arrived... the Fall 2013 issue. And there on page 67 

is the "Angel of His Presence" based upon the text from Isaiah 63:9

"In all their affliction He was afflicted,
And the angel of His presence saved them;
In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them,
And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old."

Thank you, thank you... to the staff at ADQ, for including

my Santos in the challenge selection!

That's One Big Honking Wasp!

He (she in all probability) goes by many names...

We know him as the "Cicada Killer Wasp"

Just barely under two inches in length, and as big around

as my pinky finger... He/she looks quite menacing.

They burrow in our yard and are quite prolific this time of the year.

Being burrowers... their favorite snack would be Cicada larvae;

or as is the case here: an adult Cicada (being carried off like carion).

Alas... poor Cicada, I knew him well!