Tiny Treasures + One, with Cactus Gallery

This year's 'Tiny Treasures' with Cactus Gallery includes a 'Plus One' plot twist:  We were each asked to create a cohesive body of small works, with one medium-sized work as a centerpiece.  I have created a new body of winged works, themed on a favorite poem.  It began with a new challenge:  My first ever attempt an art doll sculpt. 

'To Gather Paradise' SOLD
9" x 3.5" art doll sculpture; paper clay, mixed-media. 2018
Portfolio Photography Todd Powers
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I was learning and experimenting as I went along, and this project was even more fun than I thought it would be.  She is inspired by Emily Dickinson's poem 657, "I Dwell in Possibility."  Named for the last few lines of the poem:

" Of Visitors -- the fairest --
For Occupation -- This --
The spreading wide my narrow Hands
To Gather Paradise -- "

I've been secretly yearning to move in this direction with my work for many years.  I let a lot of things get in the way.  The events of this year were a sobering reminder to me that we are not guaranteed our time here, and to make best use of it while we can.

 
These lines remind me who I am, and who want to be.  It is so easy to get distracted, to become lost in the noise of my illness, of everyday life.  I appreciate the focus this poem provides, as I start my day: I have it pasted in my tea cupboard, and it's the first thing I read, every morning.

"This is the entire essence of life:  Who are you?  What are you?" ~Tolstoy

I enjoyed creating this work immensely.  It challenged me in all my favorite ways and made use of all my favorite techniques and materials.  There will definitely be more art doll sculptures in my future. 

Above; building the armature, wig cap, and sculpt.  Below; building and fitting the dress.

I have created a YouTube playlist of WIP video captures as well.

I completed the sculpt by finishing the base with a scrap of decorative fabric, left over from a previous project.  I had enough of the fabric remaining to line a few bee boxes, and so decided to make it one of the unifying elements between the medium work and the smaller works. 

Above: 'To Gather Paradise' and 'They Still Fit' side by side. 

Below: Work-In-Progress shots of the new bee boxes:

" I dwell in Possibility --
A fairer House than Prose --
More numerous of Windows --
Superior -- for Doors -- "

Above: Detail of 'To Gather Paradise' and 'Very Different Circles, Two'

Below: Portfolio shots of finished works, photographer Todd Powers.
I've named this body of work 'BeeLong Twogether.'
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'Keep It Together' 4.5" x 10"
mixed-media

'One Plus One is One' 3.5" x 6.5"
mixed-media

'They Just Clicked' 4.5" x 10"
mixed-media

'Come Together' 4" x 7.5"
mixed-media

'Seeing Red' 2.5" x 7"
mixed-media

'They Still Fit' 5" x 11"
mixed-media

'Very Different Circles' One 3" x 4.5"  SOLD
mixed-media

'Very Different Circles' Two 3' x 4.5"
mixed-media
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When the new pieces were all complete, I went to work building them some safe-travel packaging.  This is the part where the boxes and containers I've saved are put to good use:  A box cutter, some masking tape, and we're in business.  I have included a video of the shipping box I made for the art doll as well; It was created with foam scraps left over from old projects. find it in this YouTube playlist of WIP video captures.

On advice from a fellow artist, I tried PVA Glue in many areas while creating my art doll sculpt.  This was my first experience with PVA and I loved it so much, that I've begun using PVA on various other projects, just to see how it compares. I wish I'd found PVA sooner; I recommend trying it out. It was perfect for the creation of the wig cap on the art doll sculpt.  And I've found so many more uses for it since then!

'Tiny Treasures runs now through December 31, 2018 with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles.

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