Saint Serene Art Doll

I want to share with you part of the process of creating

Saint Serene the Circus Goddess Art Doll

She started with some very humble beginning. If you have been paying attention to my blog and ramblings, then you know I have an affection for reclaiming terribly tacky commercial objects and turning them into works of art rich with texture, soul , and a good dose of STRANGE.

Saint Serene’s humble beginnings… Check out that dress!

 

Next stop completely deconstructing the doll down to the bare bones.  I then use my pyromaniac technique that involves lots of paint and a blow torch to create a cratered cracked surface that is completely unique and ancient looking.

Then my favorite part, painting the face. I was experimenting with a different approach to this face. I used a Picasso painting as inspiration and then played around till I was happy.

 

Then her cloth body is stained with diluted paint and walnut ink.  I created her “clothes” out of a vintage doily  and some well loved silk flowers. I don’t get too concerned with creating a costume as just embellishing and suggesting clothing.   I found a piece of old maribou  that became her collar.

Serene on the work table  trying out clothing options 

 

Completed Doll

 

The only left from her origins is the shape and stance of her body.   Also that quaint tip of her head.

 

 

 

She became a saint when the nativity Virgin Mary decided to be the perfect accessory for Serene’s hat. Of course after a good coat of pint paint.

 

 

 

Saint Serene Circus Goddess is STILL AVAILABLE

to add to your

Strange and Wonderful Collection!

ArT CaRs FrEMoNt fAiR

So I was a vendor at the Fremont Solstice Fair this past month. As a vending experience not so fun or profitable…boo!   But the ART CARS were amazing as always.  So I wanted to take you on a little visual tour.  Now as a photographer I am not very good at documenting the the subject in its entirety.   I tend to be much more attracted to small snippets of color and pattern or close ups of texture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have had a certain affection for false teeth in my assemblages but WOW this is a lot of dental detritus  attached to a car…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and what would Art Cars be without pink flamingos!!

       

This was by far my favorite car!  Bones and Rust!  You can’t go wrong in my book! 

 

Then a Steam punk Car that has been to Black Rock City

 

 

Liked the blue and gold! Very Classy

 

 

And everyone needs an ATTACK SQUIRREL!!!!

 

This car was amazing the entire thing covered with a yarn patterns held in velcro backing … 

 

Geometric designs to make your eyes cross!!

 

READY TO START ON YOUR OWN ART CAR NOW?

ArTsY FaRtsY Art FeSt PiCtuReS

 

These are some Photoshop  creations from photos from Ft. Worden. I stayed in an officers house this year for the first time and absolutely loved the molding and architectural details in the house.  So in the few spare moments I had I took pictures inside the officers house and then I have combined them with tree and landscape pictures I have taken other years.  I am enjoying the contrast and connection between the architectural and the natural.

 

 

 

 

JuNk BiRd & HaPpY HaRpiES ClAsSeS

Day two of Artfest was spent making Junk Birds out of scrap of fabric and feathers. It was a super fun silly class with lots of creative exploration.  It was inspirational to see what other people did with a form that I have worked with a lot!

 

          

Day three was Happy Harpy class and I was a tired tired girl.. The work was outstanding in this class as well but alas I did not do a good job of photo documentation. 

     

A big THANK YOU  to all my great students at Artfest !!!