Unusual Girl Studios

What is this?  It is the beginning of an idea.  A spark.  An inspiration.  A wiggly, itchy germ of an idea.  Its also a handmade bead that I purchased at a beading show that came to town.  I was told it was hand blown glass from India.  I told them it was part of a future sculpture.   Stay tuned for that one as life permits.

She's done.  Finnito!  Pardon my one zillion pictures but I am trying to decide which to submit. I will be submitting her to ADQ for consideration of publishing.  Are there any among these pictures you like better than others???  My poor old camera doesn't take such good pictures anymore.... And lighting is always an issue.   And the backdrop...well, I just couldn't get that one wrinkle to iron out. But she's done... What do you think?

I did!  And I did just that.  Poor Amy!  Poor Headless Amy! You see...I never really liked the end result of my first attempt.  I liked the idea....I  thought she would need some help navigating and a compass would certainly do that.  But for all my shopping I could not find the right size.  And it all looked a little...contrived...aye yie yie...the worst criticism other than "it's cute".  Those flowers had to go.... So one day I was walking by her and I said "That's it!  YOUR head is TOO SMALL!  It's coming off!"  and I ripped it off. This proportion is so much better, this timepiece found at an antique store.  I love the patina of the brass.  I did reuse the brass piece that says "Clover" I don't think you can see it but it is there.  I had to do a little repair work to her neck and shoulders so I added some blackish paint. The 7 Cent can opener and base are still way too cool. and H...

Or something like that.  I like to start my posts with a catchy title.  Shock effect...me and that radio guy with the long black hair...we like to use the old shock effect technique!   So this is the haunted War Bride sculpture I was making for the ADQ Bride challenge.  She was coming along nicely and then...life got in the way.  Big, hairy, unforgiving life...sigh.... But truth be told I had a little creative block going on, as well.  I couldn't mesh her story line and a backdrop.    She sat on that trunk and just stared at me.  I started to make little suitcases to add in there but it seemed really forced.  And, really hard.  I didn't want to make suitcases.  Just plain didn't want to.  And I made the base look like wood planks and that wasn't working because I felt like she was waiting for someone to come to her...she would be on shore..on pavement or brick or such.  I couldn't wrap my head around ...

Wonder why I disappeared?  I really didn't.  I'm here.  I pop in to visit once in awhile.  But, alas, the real world has taken over.  If you want to be taken seriously you have to put in the time.  And I do want to be taken seriously as a designer- as long as I don't have to be too serious all of the time.  Below is a little bit of what I do.  This is a bathroom I drafted up.  First I did an elevation that I can order from.  It tells the mechanical story- what sizes, which style of cabinet and how I want them installed.  This drawing is first a selling tool and then becomes a communication drawing.  But that drawing in itself did not tell enough of the story.  In order to sell my concept I have drawn another type of drawing- a perspective.  Its not the best perspective out there in the world.  It doesn't have to be.  It just has to get the idea across.  This one, however, could not h...

Gal pal, Chinamommy and I were talking about how good parents let their children fail. That's right.  You don't learn a lot if you don't ever encounter challenge.  And those that are afraid to fail never really challenge themselves to exceed expectations.  Yep.  Makes sense to us, right?  But not when it comes to art class. Case in point.  This is a Valentine box.  Kayla's class was challenged with the task of creating a 'creative' container to hold their Valentines.  "What are we going to do?"  She asked.  "I don't know what YOU are going to do but you better get on it!"  I said.  Days went by.  "Why don't you tell me some of your ideas." I said.  They were insane.  Huge ideas with no concrete plan.  "And do you have some ribbon?" she asked.  "And do you have feathers?"  "Can we go buy some?"  "No, I don't have time to take you to buy things and I am not spending ANY MORE money ...

My friend Kristi, from Cheeky Green Designs made this. It's made from repurposed sweaters that have been cut and serged together! And I love how carefree her pose is in this shot!  I'm a little jealous and wish I had one! Great job, Kristi!  Now, go make another!  (I like green, just sayin')

NO I am NOT!  Ha!  Fooled you! This is a drawing Kayla brought home.  I found it while I was cleaning out her school bag.  See, once in awhile I don my HASMAT suit and shake out her duffel bag.  Today this fell out.  I lifted the visor of my helmet and yelled for her.   "What is this?"  I said incredulously "Tell me about it!"   "I DID NOT STEAL IT!"  She yelled at me.   I gave her the look.  "I did not mean that!  Did you do this?"   "Uh, yeah..."  "It's awesome!  Did you do it in art class?"   "Uh, no....I did it at Mackenzie's."  (You can tell there is a lack of trust between us- she still thinks I am trying to catch in the act...of something.)  "Cousin Mackenzie's?? last night?"  Again with the 'yeah....' like I've lost it and gone crazier than normal. "Well, why did you you use dark paper?" "It was all she had." "Well how did you know ...

Well, someone said "just publish when you can..." and here I am!  Its been a few months of hard work and not a lot of art!  Work has been challenging and I do love a challenge!  Crazy as it may seem- just a few months after I started this new job and opportunity came up to manage a builder account.  The designer who held the account was retiring and they asked me to think about taking it over.  "Think it over?  Done.  I'm in."   So at one point I was working my regular responsibilities, training and teaching.  When will I ever learn?  Probably never.  I figured out a long time ago not to say no to opportunity.  And- who needs to relax and just breathe anyways?   So these cute little boxes are the only thing I've done since I last posted. Totally missed the challenge date for ADQ's bride challenge and I am very sad about that. But...it is what it is- she is still waiting for me. Remember those blue jewelry boxes I ...