A Show of Hands! Fundraiser project

Here's a step-by-step of a project I recently completed for "A Show of Hands" fundraiser to help feed Vermont seniors. If the rabbits you see here look at all familiar, perhaps you saw them in this earlier post!

I've been using that same Acryla Gouache paint again recently for a small series on wood panels, so when this wooden hand project came up, it made sense to keep on going with the same medium.  My completed hand has been delivered to Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, VT where it will be on display through the month of March.  They're having a silent auction on Thursday April 2nd (2015) from 5:30 to 7:30.  The funds support their amazing program which helps feed Vermont seniors throughout the state. There are wonderful images from previous auctions on the website, I hope you get to attend and see this all in person!

Here is how my piece progressed:

It all started with these faces...

Testing a wash of blue on the surface.  Didn't raise the woodgrain, so I can proceed.

Roughing in the background.

Trying not to lose sight of my lines!

Rabbits taking form.

I like how the warm color of the wood comes through here.

Getting the details figured out.

Maybe it's a little too blue...needs some warmth. 

Just about there...tweaking colors

There is an actual rabbit constellation! I was happy to find that out.

I like making sure each part is looking good.

A few light layers of Golden's Satin MSA varnish later and its done!

Well, I hope everyone reading this considers checking out the auction and making a bid.  The starting bid on mine is $50.  Contact info for the organizers can be found on their site:  http://handsvt.org/a-show-of-hands

Thanks for looking!

Sketching in Clay

I've been wanting to get back to my Haunted Clothing project for a while, not just on paper but working with 3D elements that are wearable.

During the "Great Studio Purge" of December 2014 (the HUGE remainder pile of which still sits blocking the studio door...) I was on the fence as to whether to keep my polymer clay.
So I compromised.
Last week, my friend Gwendolyn Evans invited me over for a day of working with polymer clay.  I went with the intention of finally making some items that could potentially be added to outfits, and Gwendolyn was happy to take all the super-bright colors of clay that I no longer needed.

Here's what I made.  For the most part I kept to white or natural colors (greys, beige, translucent) but I also mixed a weird red for the mouth and HAD to use some phosphorescent clay for the tentacles.  

Each piece is being stained with an acrylic paint glaze for a more natural look.
That white glob at the bottom is Golden Acrylics' Acrylic Glazing Medium, I cannot live without it!
Polymer clay & Acrylic ©Sweet Enemy Art 2015 

Rocky Horror, anyone?
Polymer clay & Acrylic ©Sweet Enemy Art 2015 

Antlers and Squash stems inspired most of these.
Polymer clay & Acrylic ©Sweet Enemy Art 2015 

Inspired by jawbones from a deer, this might be wearable as a pendant.
Polymer clay & Acrylic ©Sweet Enemy Art 2015  

It was a nice change of pace working directly with my hands, especially once these came out of the oven and were cool enough to handle.  The painting process really makes them come to life.

Much of it ended up being too delicate for actually wearing, but my goal is to use them for drawing references. Inspired by Beth Robinson (of Strange Dolls) I may find a way to recreate them in stronger materials.