Siamese Cats Topiary Sculpture Garden Art Painting

Two Siamese cats with the results from their topiary garden class. A mouse running on a wheel in green topiary and a good-sized fish all in living green! Round ball standard topiaries are nice, but these two are taking topiary to another level. Having Siamese cats we know they are a little more active than most cats. They are very cute too!

I used some of the same colors as the westie with it's topiary art so that they could be grouped together. A nice long table of topiary art when they are side by side. This cute painting is for sale here.

Chihuahua Valentine Dogs Shabby Folk Art Painting

The chihuahua's have been Mexico's dog of choice for years. Now everyone loves them. History says it's ancestor's have been in Mexico way before Columbus wrote of them after visiting Cuba. Our neighbor recently purchased one for their children. The wind carries it's barks down our way and we try to imagine what he is saying. We know it is happy because we can hear the kids laughing. Sir Salty does not interpret for us except to look at us and smile.

Since Valentine's day is approaching this is what we know he is thinking about...L-O-V-E. This painting is titled, Heart Keeper, and she is taking very good care of his heart (that he gave her). She will not disappoint him and she will cherish him. Can't you tell this by her expression?

The chihuahua topiary form is balancing a heart on his nose. Talent.

For sale on ebay here.

Making and Shaping a Paperclay Folk Art Doll

To begin just get your hands wet and start shaping your doll. Have a bowl of water at hand to keep dipping your fingers in and keep shaping. My dolls will look like the girls in my paintings so I shaped them accordingly.

I attached the clay to the stair rail spindle and then finished shaping it. This clay attaches itself to most everything and it shrinks a bit as it dries. The railings are a great way to give your dolls height and, if attached to another block on the bottom, keep them standing securely.

Drying times vary, but give it a few days to cure or fully dry. The paint works as a sealer so it's important that it be dry first before painting.

Here I have started painting my black americana girl. I put a close-hanger wire through the upper body to make space to attach her arms. You can use wire, small dowls, string and buttons to attach arms. I don't think I will use this fabric but it was handy for the picture and it does look good against her facial coloring.

Paperclay is super to work with. Keep it wet and you don't need many tools. Your fingers can smooth out everything as long as they are wet. A wet sponge buffs it like a light sanding when it's wet. You can also sand when it's completely dry. I've heard people say the finished doll looks like china. Especially with a glossy finish.

For this doll it took 1 1/3 packages of paperclay. 6 oz. packages. Check back for the finished doll! She will be up for sale on yes, you guessed it, ebay.

Primitive Wooden Spool Doll Making Frida Kahlo

Fiesta Frida is a Wooden spool doll with that primitive look we love. The colors are so Frida and the bright fringe trim that was wound around the spool makes her beautiful mexican skin colors shine. Her headband is removable. I just finished Fiesta Frida this afternoon and it is for sale on ebay.



Stay tuned for my paperclay doll. I will (!) post pictures tomorrow when the lighting will be the best. I do believe I have been bitten by the dollmaking bug again. Frida has some friends in the making.

As with all artists we have MANY ongoing art projects! Tomorrow I hope to finish another project, too and try NOT to start any new ones! But that is not a promise.

Stop by my etsy shop if you like.

Daily Westie Oil Painting Soft Colors

How would you show a softie at heart without words? I mean really soft. Only colors to describe your feelings about the subject. This is what I came up with today of our westie dog. He has a bark and sometimes a little growl, but really he is a big softie. He lets the cats rub against his face without a peep over and over again. Dogs are not suppose to like cats. Anyway he is full of kisses and love for us.

My choice of colors is from my little group of herbs. The curry plant. Also the slightly warmer green from my fleece gloves. Take the minty green and warm it up and it also says SPRING time. If you cool it down with blue it says WINTER frost. Having had enough frost I went the spring route which I look out the window every day waiting for signs of it.

Seeds packets are in the nursery and greenhouses now. Yes!

ACEO Folk Art Mexican Chihuahua Dog

Aceo's are a wonderful size to play with designs, doodles and the serious stuff. They are small little treasures that like company. Aceo's can be put on a mat board and then framed by itself or in groups. They are usually less expensive than larger paintings. Usually...is the key word here. I have seen some go for over $100. on ebay auctions.

This terracotta color really appeals to me lately. Old Mexico colors. Frida's spanish coloring looks great against it. How can you paint Frida without some of her animal or bird friends in it? In fact two chihuahua's. This is my very first Frida ACEO up for sale!

The artist cards are very heavy and linen textured...the best. Can you see some of the texture in the photograph...just like a canvas painting. Yay!

Three Homesteaders/Primitive Girls Painting by Candylei

A new painting that I listed today on ebay.
Link to auction. I feel there is a misconception about the term homesteaders and what they might look like. No flannel shirts here! Homesteaders are very crafty, creative and artistic lot. These homesteaders are little seamstresses and their hearts are made of gold.

I shall tell you about the little black kitty who is named "little crow" because she likes to play with shiny things...like marbles. Crows love to gather little glimming, glittering things that man leaves along the road and adorn their nests with them.

So many people who have "made it" are turning to little farms with chickens, goats, and sheep. Reese Witherspoon is one. I could name many others. It is a beautiful thing to live so close to nature and I feel it fuels the creativity in a person. And, okay, it keeps the washing machine busy, but there is fresh flowers on the table.