Works in progress

It's when inspiration strikes, that you have to get to work. No matter that there are other works left undone, strike while the iron is hot! In this case, I thought of a way to create the dragon's claws.

I'm into dragons just now. It could be the coming Harry Potter movie, which has me all excited, or just that dragons are cool, in a hot kind of way. I wanted this one to have a decent wire armature. We learn as we go. I took Kate Church's class in May and she showed us how to wrap a wire joint with hockey tape, to make it stable. I was using floral tape and that seems to have worked just as well. Especially considering that felt work is light weight and the wire used not to heavy.

So that was step one. Then I wound the wool fibre around each wired toe to get my claws. I built them up , so that I can add the other colour later. Success. Last night I added basic fiber to the body and neck and added a stump for his head. Just the beginning.

It looks a bit duck-billed right now, but I wanted to have a decent open mouth roaring at me when it's done. I've added flaps for  lower jaws before and don't find them a satisfactory as a wired jaw. This morning I concluded that the pose will be one of rearing up, with his front legs in the air. So it will probably need a weight to help the pose. Out into the yard to find a stone...

Inspiration also struck while on a road trip. needle felting is great to do in the car. I made this head while away over the Canada Day weekend (July 1st for those non-Canadians!)

His eyes need the highlights, but I am pleased with his look. I picture this guy in 18th century costume, breeches and tail coat, perhaps looking down his nose at something. He may get a bit steam punk, but we'll see.

Here's the beginnings of his body -

I didn't have the right colours with me when I was away, so I'm just getting back to his creation now. I also must decide if he'll stand or sit. Standing requires planning...

Do you like dolls on stands or not? I'm in two minds myself.



Kate Church workshop

There's no doubt that there is much to learn from an artist like Kate Church. Kate came to Ottawa last weekend and our group spent three fabulous days under her tutelage. I've never produced so much in one workshop! Kate calls the class the Inspired Doll and that is exactly what we made, inspired dolls!

The first day Kate took us step by step through her process. We created small heads, hands and feet. The top picture is the guy I made. I love this little person! It has a bean bag body.

The second day began with 5 minute heads, a practice to cement what we learned the day before. What a way to set the tone for the day! I could have sat doing those all day! But now we were working a little larger, to create our articulated figure.

Here are some pictures from the end of the three days. Mine is the guy in the red shirt and the two in front of it.  Everyone produced amazing work. Some of us had worked with polymer before, some had not. I can still count how many heads I have made in polymer on my fingers. I feel I've made a huge leap with this approach. Look for new pictures on my web site soon!

If you ever get the chance to take a workshop with Kate, do so! She is an amazing person, artist and teacher. Thank you Kate!!