This is just another sample of some of the spirit doll photos that people send me when they use my shard faces for their work. I am overwhelmed with the creativity and soulfulness that these little soft sculptures possess. Thanks to the artisans who crafted them and sent me the pictures. Our Spirit Doll workshop on the 3rd of March is going to be exciting! It’s full, but I’m thinking of having another one in May.
I’m wrapping up the weekend with some photos from other artists who have used my shard faces in their work. Two of these are Spirit Dolls (we’ll be making our own in the workshop on March 3rd). One is from Otter in Canada and the other is from Angela, who lives in Maine. The other photo I just got today from Chris, who took the shard face workshop on Sunday (there’s another one on Feb. 17th) and finished her necklaces today. Nice work! It’s inspiring to see how others use these little faces.
Yesterday’s informal opening at the Studio was just fantastic – thanks to the 100+ friends who dropped by to eat, drink and celebrate the space. My only regret is that I did not take *one* picture once people started arriving because I was enjoying talking to everyone. If you were there, thanks for sharing a delightful afternoon – and if you couldn’t be, please come any time that you are in the area. The Studio is now officially blessed by friends! The first workshop, Earthenware Adornments, is this afternoon and I just can’t wait to play in that space. Here are some pictures before guests arrived – even the bathroom and kitchen look happy!
Probably everyone knows an artist whose work consistently inspires and amazes – the paintings of San Antonio artist Steven DaLuz do that for me. He balances content and technique so deftly without making it look too commercial or too slick. Take a look at his portfolio – he’s equally masterful with representational and non-representational subjects. In an interview with the JR Mooney Gallery, he says, “I strive to create work that I am personally passionate about…work that I hope will make the viewer pause for a moment and just FEEL something. I hope to connect with a person by focusing on my own expression of aesthetic ‘beauty’. It often reflects upon primal questions about origins, the expressive beauty of the human figure and the sublime. If there is something in the work that connects with a viewer and stirs their spirit in some way, then I have done my job.”
I think you’ll agree that he does his job – here’s his website and portfolio.
Steven DaLuz webpage
I just realized the early winter workshop brochure didn’t have the new studio info on it, so here’s the New Improved Version. There are three spaces left for the first workshop on Sunday, Jan 20th from 3-5, Making Earthenware Adornments, so if you want to sign up for that one, you can help me test drive the new space. I think it will be fun to have so much room. There’s a PayPal button to reserve a space,or just email me for any other arrangement.
Turning face shards into fabulous jewels at Ann Pearce’s during the second half of the Earthenware Adornments workshop last fall
I survived this morning’s tooth pulling (hooray), and, almost like a reward, the article my friend Jasmina Wellinghoff wrote about my new work came out today in SA Woman Magazine. She did a fabulous job of organizing my randomness. And Janet Rogers took a photo that made me wish I looked like that 🙂 – I am very grateful to both of them. Click on the photo to read the article if you’re interested. Now back to the ice pack.
I worked at the Studio today (big “S” means new studio) and took some photos for a short video about the space. You guys, I am so excited! It is still a work in progress, but it’s going to be the most wonderful place for workshops and meetings. I wish everyone could come for the opening party in a couple of weeks. The first workshop is scheduled for January 20th, and I think I’ll have an open house the afternoon before that, on Saturday January 19th, 3-7 pm. But Shards Blog people are the first to know – and if you’re on the mailing list, you might get it twice. Arg, sorry about that, but that way you’ll remember – please come 🙂 . Anyway, here’s the video – yay!!
Joanna Powell Colbert appeared in my life at a serendipitous time – she ordered some of my little faces for a Spirit Doll workshop last year and, in doing so, opened a door to lots of new connections for my shard faces. You’ve seen some of the photos of Spirit Dolls that people have sent me – now Joanna has made her booklet describing how to make these small spiritual sculpture available to everyone. What a cool gift!
How To Make a Spirit Doll by Joanna Powell Colbert
I’ve had lots of new orders for faces and, as a result, I spent last night making new ones, about 100 of them. Every one of them seems to have a different story to tell. It’s kind of meditative to work the clay and see the expression in each face. Here are a few, ready to finish drying and go into the kiln. Thank, as always, to Joanna for her example and inspiration! We’ll be making Spirit Dolls at The Studio in the spring 🙂
Terra Cotta faces
This is just a short post (mostly so I’ll remember go back to it when I have time) listing 19 art/artist documentaries compiled by Alyson Stanfield, author of I’d Rather Be in the Studio.
Here’s a link to her list, and here’s one of the videos, Rothko’s Rooms – it’s only a minute long but has a good joke. If you’ve ever been to the Rothko Chapel in Houston, you understand the power of his resonant canvases –
My Etsy friends, sister-artists Linda (from Dallas) and Cindy (from Chicago), came to San Antonio today for a visit. We met at my brand new unfinished but spiffy studio. After a quick tour of the new space (stay tuned for more photos and updates) and a visit to Ann Pearce’s bead studio next door, we went to lunch at Twin Sisters Cafe and Bakery. We talked art and beads and foods and friends and classes. It was great fun. Linda gave me one of her wonderful pendants – see below. It has moveable parts that you can play with – I love it!
Sisters Cindy and Linda visit my new studio
Look at this fine chair and ottoman I got at Goodwill on Friday – it matches the Kandinsky-esque rug like it was designed for it!
This corner of the studio feels comfortable already – that leaves only about 80% of empty space to fill! Gulp.
Pendant by Linda Moody – mixed metals and bronze handcrafted square bead