As you like it....

A lovely customer asked if I could do some faces in white, or a creamy ivory.... here's what I came up with. too bad I'm not so good at photography! They are all an ivory color, after many, many glazes.

Looking for her name....

Here are the faces I created using the stamp I made from the lacy moss (Lichen). They have a mossy green tint to them that didn't show in the picture.

 And here 'She' is.... But I can't seem to grasp her name yet. She's made of what I think are Cypress branches with seed cones clusters. I used the gathered Lichen for her body and hair. The fabrics were created from recycled silks gathered at Fabmo last week. The body of her dress was a designer fabric in the style of window coverings from Hearst Castle. Looks burlap-ish to me, but hangs wonderfully!

Can you hear her name??

Loving this Lichen Lace!

I am soooo in love! This beautiful, mossy, 'Lichen Lace', made an amazing stamp! I used one of those moldable foam stamps....

Update on the moss....

Ever since my excursion into the magical moss forest last Friday, I've been captivated by the mystical essence of this phenomenon. After my own researching, then putting it out on my Facebook page, I come to learn that this is actually not a 'moss' but a lichen.

Although it is a true lichen, Ramalina menziesii. is commonly known as both Lace Lichen and Spanish Moss, perhaps for its rather soft appearance and greenish color. Although its morphology is quite variable, generally speaking this lichen hangs from its host in long, branching strands that can reach up to 2 meters in length. If examined very closely, R. menziesii resembles an elongated, greenish-yellow piece of material with many holes in it. (http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall%2003%20project/R.menziesii.htm)

I don't know why this has captured me so!

Quick studio time....

Good morning dear friends.... I'm working in my Antiques & Art Store today, so I got up extra early to have a few hours in my studio. Here's a look at the "Sentiment Fragments" I painted this morning. I'm looking for a stamp that has small (tiny) sentiment words. Any leads?

 And here is Hestia, Goddess of Hearth and Home, and Gaia's Daughter, tucked into their travel case, on there way to Boulder Creek Antiques and Art.

Be still, my heart!

Look what I found today!

A forest of moss! Growing near Monterey!

Perfect for my Spirit Dolls!

'Gaia's Daughter'

DAUGHTER of GAIA seemed to create herself. Wrapped around an ancient river washed branch found in Yosemite Valley, she speaks to me of living consciously upon the earth. Wearing her modest jewels, she is elegant in her vintage, hand crochet wrap. Reminding herself, and us, of her profound connection with Nature, she wears a petrified fern as her featured adornment. Her petrified fern is molded from terracotta clay (also organically of the Earth), coated with layer upon layer of the wonderful Stewart Gill paints.

Her face and adornments are made from terracotta clay, still staying true to her organic nature, (not the plastic polymer clay). Painted with layers of Stewart Gill paints. Beneath her crochet wrap, she is dressed in layers of silks and hand dyed gauze.

She has a modest hanger on her back. And she measures just over 12" tall.

She is for sale HERE in my Etsy shop and will be shipped to you PRIORITY mail, nestled in a bed of silk scraps. I've found silk scraps perfect, lightweight, protection for shipping. And! you'll have a bounty of silks to play with.

Have a wonderful, blessed day.
Namaste.

HESTIA Goddess of Home and Hearth

Hello dear ones.... As I was assembling my latest batch of Sacred Faces to photograph and list on Etsy... one of the faces spoke to me!  Here she is....

 In Ancient Greek religion Hestia is a goddess of the hearth, home, and family. She came to me today in the form of a vintage hearth broom. I followed her guidance as she chose fabrics and beads that spoke to her. Does she speak to you? To me, she seems to be offering great understanding and compassion for the sacredness of our hearth and home.

She is listed on my ETSY SHOP.

 Her face and adornments are made from terracotta clay, staying true to her organic nature, (not the plastic polymer clay). Painted with layers of Stewart Gill paints. Her clothing is painted and dyed muslin and beautiful, flowing Thai Silks. I was about to iron the silks and her guidance said, "No. I represent the imperfect in all of us, transforming to beauty. Much like trying on your mother's clothing. So leave the wrinkles." And I did.

Her necklace is of terracotta clay impressed with an 'Impress Me' primitive stamp. All of the red/orange beads you see are harvested from a vintage Czechoslovakian necklace I own (yet hardly ever worn).

 She hangs naturally from her broom hanger, perfect to hang on your hearth. She hangs 14" from the top of her head (not counting the hanger part) and measures 11" arm to arm.

Here she is, still on her painting tile, amongst her sisters, also now listed on Etsy. (Make your own Spirit Doll!)

 

New Devine Feminine Spirit Doll Faces...

Hello friends. Hope you are enjoying this beautiful Fall Saturday! It's going to be sunny and warm here in the Redwoods. Also a perfect day for the beach! lol... I'm going to be in my studio, for a full, uninterrupted, day of art making!

This week a new Goddess You can see more of the faces on my Etsy site. Yes. I'll be selling these so you can make your own!(CLICK HERE). Please feel free to ask for help or guidance. It's a fun process and easy to do. Most meaningful if you gather embellishments from your environment.

face emerged, made from a new mold from an antique angel statue... bringing forth some beautiful new "Devine Feminine" faces.

How these spirits emerge... I have a 'thing' about being as organic as possible. So all faces are made from real, terracotta clay. (Not plastic, polymer.) They are air dried for a few days in the California Sun, filtered through the Redwoods, naturally.

When the clay is still soft and wet, I often place holes in places where it would be convenient to secure them to a Spirit Doll body. Then an Etsy customer asked for one without holes and I discovered I can easily drill holes where ever desired. I think maybe these faces would be great for jewelry making? mixed media assemblage?

Once they have dried, each face 'speaks' to me, as I begin to layer glaze upon glaze of the amazing Stewart Gill Byzantia paints. Stewart Gill paints are all hand made with love, by a small family company in England. I was introduced to their wonderful quality at an Art and Soul retreat in Portland, over 6 years ago. They truly are amazing! I've tried other similar paints, ones much easier to find/purchase.... but these are well worth the effort!

My stash from 6 years ago  has dwindled and I found a more local source:  "Artist Cellar." This is what they say: Drawing inspiration from the art and architecture of the Byzantine Empire, Byzantia paints are incredibly rich, luscious and intense simulating cloisonné jewel toned enamels in a water based formula. AND! They shipped them immediately!! FREE!

Painting the faces is a sweet time of contemplative meditation, as I allow each spirit to 'speak' to me. I'm never quite sure what will appear. And I'm always surprised, pleased, and so honored when I get the message "Complete. Do no more."

Hugs to all... xoxo Chris
Here are some close ups. Each face is unique and has her own ancient Wise Woman presence!