Art by Helen Grossman

Some recent work

2011-03-29T17:17:00.001-04:00

Now you see it, now you don't!

2011-03-16T21:38:00.008-04:00

That is the part where you can see it

...and this a part - where you don't! :)

Let me introduce a Snow Cone, my own design, my own making :)

Guess what - I am alive!

2011-02-20T21:27:00.004-05:00

Last year was not easy for me. Not to bore you with details, I was laid off and while I was searching for a job, I found one in Florida where we moved last February. Yes, a year ago, and I still trying to get back on my creative feet :) New place, new job, new schools for kids, new weather, crazy drivers, loosing house...you are getting the picture, all supplies in storage as in renting place not much room for us not to mention a whole house of art supplies...
Thanks to Anne Lindsay (see her work at www.redheadsandmoreredheads.com ) saw my doll on artfire.com, honestly, I forgot about it completely, and ask if I can make one just in different colors. That was a push that I needed. She graciously allowed me to post her photo of her model with my jester. Thank you Anne!

I still pulling myself but do more painting and a little bit of clay.

You will be hearing from me a little bit more often than last year :) I am working on it.

Hugs to all , Helen

New Year, New decade is here!

2010-01-03T17:30:00.004-05:00

and wishing everyone only the best, be healthy, wealthy (will not hurt), more time to create and less time to worry, piece to your home and of mind, whatever you wish :)

Hugs, Helen

A new Fairy

2009-11-12T15:55:00.004-05:00

This doll made from Sherry pattern, I jusst added wings, made our of light fabric, micro beads and wire, of course, to hold a shape :) Doll's dress is painted with acrylics.

A little Mermaid

2009-10-26T08:24:00.003-04:00

This doll made out of cotton and then was painted with may layers of different paint, starting green, then blue, then white and purple, then some metallic, I think I tiried almost all grenn-blue-purple colors I had :) I designed this doll, nor much of a design, but still :) Oh, and then I covered her with microbeads, not quite happy with the tail beads, I still thinking if I should put those beads on tail in a first place.Anyway, she is here and all suggestion for improvement are very welcome.

Hugs, Helen

Dragon is finished!

2009-09-02T21:58:00.005-04:00

Pattern by Frowning Francis. It is muslin dragon painted with acrylics. I really had fun working with her patterns.

She is finished! New doll from Sherry pattern

2009-08-03T11:21:00.007-04:00

Another doll is finished

2009-07-21T23:38:00.006-04:00

Sherry Goshon pattern.

Some of new work

2009-06-19T20:14:00.000-04:00

New work

2009-04-22T20:12:00.005-04:00

Collaged background, painted, gel medium, painted and then painted design,, painted again and the designed the "dress", all acrylic.

Judi, she is 16x20

Something new and yes, it is finished :)

2009-04-07T12:32:00.002-04:00

I was asked how it was done -> I used black gesso to cover canvas panel, once it was dried, I used acrylic paints, nothong else, just acrylics, and then sprayed with finish to fix the color, free hand painting. Thank you very much for all your nice comments and thank you Sprite for award.

Hugs to All, Helen

Give the creadits when the credits due

2009-03-21T23:05:00.008-04:00

The dolls that I posted last time are made from the following designers patterns:

Red hot Moma :) - designer Jill Maas

Red Dragon and Doggie (red flowers on a dress fabric) - by Frowning Francis

Butterfly (one red flower in the center), did I have red team that week? :) - by Helen Grossman aka me :)

Hugs to all,
Helen

UFO and WIP - there is no cure for it

2009-03-17T19:28:00.004-04:00

I tried, I honestly did. But I do not think there is a cure for all UFO , at least for me. I did finished 4 projects, I am a good girls, but I started 5 more, naughty, naughty. I said - no cure, but at least I'll show the ones I finished - family picture :)

Shock theraphy is working!

2009-03-04T15:29:00.003-05:00

Yes, indeed. Being in shock seeing all UFOs, I started to work on some of them. I put some of them together and covered with gesso. Below is the pick from operating room, not that sterile, but it works :)

Finished them! Finished them!

2009-03-02T16:58:00.005-05:00

OK, here is the deal! I have bags and bags of body parts, heads, hands, legs...please do not bother call FBI...as we are taking up a challenge to finish them at least one in a month.

Yes! eventually, they all will be finished.

Funny part, I did not have an idea on how many unfinished projects I have until I started to pull them together to make a picture for the challenge:

as I always trying to finish project once it is started but because I am jumping from one to another, I started a lot...I was in shock realizing how much I did start and it is waiting around the house to finish.
The picture I post it is just a tiny tip of the huge iceberg.

I have more of everything, just did not fit the picture but seems that shock therapy was working as I put a few body part together today and now to paint them.

Back to work!

Working on another project

2009-02-23T18:59:00.003-05:00

Sherry generously shared her technique of one of art piece and I am following her instructions created this piece.
There is still some work to do, but some of the work is done.

Canvas from Sherry class - finally I took a picture :)

2009-01-26T18:41:00.002-05:00

Work in progress - Fire Girl

2009-01-23T09:35:00.002-05:00

I painted background with acrylic first, then I applied some gel medium, then some acrylic colors, I painted face with acrylic and some pastel pencils. The previous canvas was done in the same manner.

Thank you very much for your comments, I was thinking to add some bling, thanks Shashi for confirming :) , now, I am searching my stash ( good luck to me) for some Swarowski crystals that I can apply, small but sparkle :)

Hugs to all, Helen

Some recent work - Winter Girl

2009-01-21T22:36:00.004-05:00

Please let me know what do you think, I feel I need to add something, but not sure what, need friendly critique! thanks, Helen

Little guy with his favorite mushroom :)

2009-01-11T19:38:00.000-05:00

Little something - Going back to last year

2009-01-07T20:42:00.002-05:00

I had a few beads that I made in Class with Allison Morano from felt, heat, etc and was not sure what to do with it :) and then I fond one of the faces I sculpt and ...here is the moment...to put them together, a few feathers, bead and wire, some glitz and little fellow/ornament/thingie :) is ready.

A New Year and yes! A new post! Big Smile

2009-01-02T19:50:00.005-05:00

I am posting a few pictures of collage and painting I was doing in December but finally took a pictures today :)

Happy New Year!

2008-12-30T18:34:00.007-05:00

Wishing everyone Happy New Year and only the best in coming New Year!

At the end of the year I was working on some ornaments and a few mixed-media paintings. I still have one day to take a pictures of them :) but I will show a few ornaments I did.

Best wishes to all and hugs,
Helen

Pumpkins and spiders and fun

2008-10-12T17:49:00.003-04:00

We (my kids and I ) did this fun project today, this one besides building the catapult for school project.
We bought some artificial pumpkins, we wait and wait when they will go on sale and finally we've got 70% off and here we come :)
Sorry, getting sidetracked. I painted on this pumpkin and cover it with sealer that we can display it outside.
Then kids built some spiders out of styrofoam balls and chenille steams ( BHG idea)and with addition of cheese cloth we have a pumpkin princess.

Have a great day!

Collage class at DollStreet by Linda Misa

2008-05-20T11:07:00.002-04:00

Thank you for all comments and awards and sorry

2008-05-19T19:04:00.002-04:00

Hello to my dear Friends, who takes a time to check my blog and post a comment or even reward me.
I am very, very, VERY grateful and thankful from all my heart.
Because of my back pain, I am basically away from my computer for days and weeks. I want to thank you and tell you how much your comments, awards meaning to me, but because of not being able to spend a time as I used to, I want to thank all of you, apologize that I was not answering, hopefully I'll be back soon, and say that I love you! I did a few things , whatever I could make without sitting :) and I'll post awards following the rules, I need to show off :)

Hugs to ALL,
HElen

February - month of doodling

2008-03-07T17:20:00.003-05:00

Last month was month of drawing. I'd rather call this doodling, at least that how it started. I did a lot ( for me ) of such drawing and then I was thinking on how to make a doll out of it. Either to draw on fabric or use different textures and prints. So far, I did first. I made a doll, painted and then drew. A few pictures of dolls are coming in next post.

Beaded bracelets

2008-01-28T10:36:00.000-05:00

OK, this month I was not doing dolls, gourds, no painting, but...I was doing some beading. I had a kit from www.justletmebead.com by Laura McCabe that was using spiral rope technique and then this rope was heavily embellished. I did the necklace but I like an idea and I decided to make some bracelets, addictive, hard to stop and because they are not as long as necklace , Oiyh, it was long, I did a few bracelets. My Mom choose the white for her Birthday present (my father choose for her) and I have the rest :)
Hugs to all,
Helen

Lovable, adorable, funny ...Sock creatures!

2007-12-30T23:39:00.000-05:00

Last month I was on a roll creating fun, funky , huggable creatures from...socks! I have this wonderful book "Stupid Sock Creatures", you may have this book or heard about it, if not - check it out at Amazon...it fun projects and also it is teaching you basic shapes you can achieve using, manipulating socks, what fun! and instant gratification, you already guess that I love this book and have a new look at the socks :)

Hugs,
Helen

Fairy Swap

2007-12-30T23:34:00.000-05:00

We had a fairy swap at FDA group. My partner was a wonderful Artist Jan Demetralis.
Pictures in this post are of the dolls I sent to Jan. The fairy doll I sent to her was made using...guess what?...right! a gourd :) and body built around it from polymer clay and then everything was painted with acrylic paints. As for her hair and wings - I had some feather boa that I used.
Thank you Sherry for organizing this swap!

Hugs,
HElen

Some more gourds

2007-12-30T23:27:00.000-05:00

I like to work with gourds as you may noticed. I bought some wonderful small rounded gourds on e-bay that screamed at me - ornaments :) And it is not only to put an ornament on a tree, it can be just a decorating piece in a room.

Hugs,
Helen

P.S. Yes, they are for sale if you are interested.

Weather from October till December

2007-12-28T22:50:00.000-05:00

Bright colors of October, snow in November and sunrise in December.
Do not think that I got up that early to take some pictures, thank you if you thought this way, no, that the time when I am bringing my son to school bus, still do not understand why they have to start at 7 am and it is only Middle school, anyway, thanks to that, I was able to capture some colors of our sunrise.

September 2007

2007-12-28T22:15:00.000-05:00

Kids went back to school, new schedules, new teachers, the same not liking to do homework, getting adjusted to new schedules, going back to school life.
I did not do too much, a few gourds adorned with polymer clay and then covered with acrylic paints and some spirit dolls made using stick, branches from our backyard, some fried flowers, polymer clay cabochons for faces, some fabric, but most of all -some relaxation, meditation :) and fun.

A few new dolls

2007-08-20T11:16:00.000-04:00

The doll below was made from Lotus Velle free pattern that she post on ClothDollMaking yahoo group. I like this pattern very much. Easy to put together and the fellow is the charmer. At least in my eyes :)

This little Dragon was created from Jennifer Carson pattern "The Maned Bookwyrm". This is cloth dragon with some needlefelting (mane, and chest or stomach). But if you are not into needlefelting, you still can have a wonderful dragon. I couldn't resist his charms and created one for my son. Another dragon is at work as I have to make one for another son as well :)
And no, he is not picking his nose...

I also was playing around and created a little Annie - The Ballerina. Her body and stocks are painted, the face - embroidered and she just making me smile with her silliness :) Hope she will bring smile to you as well.
Hugs,
Helen

New gourd dolls

2007-08-20T10:56:00.000-04:00

I also was working on some gourd dolls this month. One of them I started a few moth ago and finally finished, a few new, one of which - I am still working on it but will show some pictures in progress.
The gourds below are finished and I posted them into my etsy store where you can see more pictures.

Gourd below is the one I am still working on. I had a few egg shaped gourds and I used one of them to create this piece. I attached the gourd to small wooden candle holder using Apoxie. I also used Apoxie to create vines and roses. I used acrylic, watercolor paints and pencils to paint the girl inside rose vignette.

Please let me know your opinion about the work. I need some feedback, please, to improve the work I am doing. All comments are welcome and many thanks for that!

Hugs,
HElen

Sitting pretty

2007-08-20T10:42:00.000-04:00

She made from "Frowning Francis" pattern. It is muslin doll that was gessoed and then painted. I like the head design of this kitty. It has a few layers giving more dimention to the head. Similar to trapunto method but a bit different. And she is sitting on little taffeta from free tutorial that Sherry Goshon gave us. Thanks a lot for that!
I posted some pictures of the doll in progress. When I loaded pictures from camera into computer, I realized that Kitty is missing whiskers.
Off to take some new pictures :)

Paper dolls

2007-07-14T23:53:00.000-04:00

For some reason I feel intimidated by paper. Not the paper itself, but say making cards, ATC, paper dolls, making something out of paper besides airplanes and simple boats for my boys.
Anyway, trying to "concur my fear of paper" I was working on some paper dolls this week. Mary Tressler , you can see a lot of dolls on my blog and picturetrail that I made out of her patterns, she had a few patterns recently that can me be made into paper doll. This was a push I needed...Some of them can be done as pin dolls, which I "fear" more than paper, so, I went with paper :)
Lady in blue and another one is from pattern called "Nola" ( you can see the paper doll and the cloth foll), fun and easy to make. I kind of like the paper dolls now :) at least not fearing them that much...
Wishing a great day!
HElen

Some pictures as promised

2007-07-11T18:59:00.000-04:00

I am posting some pictures that I promised in the previous post.

I'm also including a few polymer clay pendants I did. I rolled a piece of clay, used some stamps, be more specific, some part of the unmounted stamps ( from T.Culea, he has wonderful line of stamps), then I painted them with black acrylic and bake them. After I applied some metallic acrylic paints, some nail polish for glitter. Need to add some beads and cord and off to go :)

Some more work for the last months

2007-07-01T20:02:00.001-04:00

I also was working on some polymer clay creations...I sculpted a few little faces and then dida mold of a few using polymer clay adn then I created a few butterflies and dragonfliesas well as some pins using these molds. Then I painted them using acrylic paints and added some ribbons for wings. I am thinking to use them with some gourds or maybe just as a pins.

Sorry... I do not have pictures of those creatures...OK, I'll post some pictures of my tulips and will take pictures of pins in a few days and will post them as well.

Hugs, HElen

New gourd dolls

2007-07-01T19:50:00.000-04:00

For the last few months I was working on some gourds dolls. It is besides going up and down in my moods, creating nothing for weeks and then working on a few dolls at once. Anyway, anyhow...I was working on a few gourds dolls...some of them I painted but some of them I combined apoxy to decorate the gourd and incorporated my painting into it as well. And most important, I had a good time working on those dolls and they were giving me ideas for some other projects that I am working on, at least I cur the gourds and cleaned them, so, it is a start, right? :)

Hugs to all,
Helen

Giggle Bug

2007-07-01T19:46:00.000-04:00

Hi,

Let me introduce you Giggle Bug, pattern by Kate Erbach. It is a fun pattern, for any and every level. Just looking at her makes you smile and making you happy.

Hugs,
Helen

2007 Challenge by Lisa Rynda and Lisa Risler

2007-04-18T18:43:00.000-04:00

This doll was created using Lisa Rynda as a requirement of the challenge. We also had to use 3 fabric from the kit we received. You can see all rules and all entries at 2007 Challenge by Lisa Rynda and Lisasheaven.com
Voting is over, therefore I can post my doll. Her name is Alice, yes, the one that is from Wonderland. It was fun challenge.

Best of all,
HElen

Black and White Challenge

2007-04-18T18:03:00.000-04:00

We had a very interesting Challenge this year at CNYDAG (Central New York Doll as Art Guild). We had to create a doll using 3 colors only: black, white and any one you want. You can use any variation but as long as it recognizable as white and black. I picked a red color as a third color.
I even draw the pattern myself. I started to crochet the wig but ended up with some sort of hat :) Kazakhs used to wear the hats with such shape :)
All dolls that were done were photographed during the meeting. Unfortunately it is too far from me, so, I sent my doll for photo shoot :) , and we also should have a picture of all dolls from this challenge. Couldn't wait to see what other dolls were created.
In the meantime, let me introduce you Naomi, my entry to Black, White and one color challenge.

To see details or enlarge the image, just click on it.

Have a great day!
Helen

New dolls, finishing old projects...

2007-04-18T17:50:00.000-04:00

Last month I was working on a few new dolls and was trying to finish the projects started last year, a few years before, I still have more to go :) I also sculpted a few more little faces and did a few things using them.
New dolls were done for a few challeneges, I'll tell about this later.
I want to show ornaments I made using Jacque Uetz mold and her article in Cloth DOll Costume magazine. I started them before last New Year, but finally they are finished. I like this mold, it is so versatile...
Almost forgot. I finally tried Adobe Photoshop that I found I had on my computer....it is a lot of fun but a LOT to learn...
An way, any how. some pictures of the dolls from Jacques instructions and mold:

To see details or enlarge the image, just click on it.

Hugs to all, HElen

One year later...

2007-03-28T12:52:00.000-04:00

Last year I did a very small face sculpt, small for me I should say, it is bit less than 1/2 of an inch and then I decided to make more faces lie this one as I wanted to create small figurines and this face was a perfect size for them ( at least in my mind :) ). So, I created a mold using polymer clay and then using this mold I created more faces than I needed :)
I used this face to create different figurines, butterfly (original face, sorry for not very clear picture, still working on it), dragonfly and other creatures (using mold). To create the body for them, I flattened the clay, rolled it and then I stamped it with big texture stamp (finally I found a use for it) and then cutting the pieces I need, I create the body, wings, whatever you need.
A year later...I took pictures and posted it. Slowly but surely :)

Still more faces to go :)

Have a wonderful day!

Beautiful hair brushes ! Anyone?! :)

2007-03-28T12:31:00.000-04:00

I was in the painting mood recently and was painting on everything that got into my hands. I found some wooden brushes I bought a while ago and they just had to be painted!
I painted them with acrylic paints and covered with a few coats of lacquer after all.
Great day to All!

Angel Challenge

2007-02-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

This Challenge is closed and voted and therefore I can post some pictures. The doll was created from Sherry Goshon pattern that was provided and it was ideal canvas for me to paint, so, I just couldn't hold it and I had to paint her. This doll was stubborn and rejected any fabric I had to make her a skirt or look more finish, may be later I can talk her into...we'll see.
You can see all dolls at Angel Challenge
The doll was painted using acrylic and watercolors paints mixed with textile medium, face features were painted using mostly watercolors pencils and then I went over with slightly wet brush over the pencil strokes for better blending.

Happy February!

2007-02-12T22:14:00.000-05:00

For the last month I was trying to finish some projects, dolls that I started who knows when. I am still working on some of them and some of them are still in the bag and for some - I just cannot find the parts, but I am moving. Slowly, may be surely :) I finished the doll from Jacque Uets class that I took a few years ago. Another year - and I may take a picture :)
But I took a pictures of a few things I was doing between the finishing dolls. One is ornament that I used one of Sherry Goshon new molds and another one is needle felting pear. Also, there are a few pictures of flowers arrangements I was putting together. Yeah, talking about finishing the projects, hello Helen, where are the projects? dolls?
Pictures are coming...this year...promise.

Hugs,
HElen

Happy New Year!

2006-12-31T19:24:00.000-05:00

I want to wish everyone Happy New Year! My best wishes to all! I also want to thank you for your friendship and support you are giving to me everyday! Thank you to my Family and my dear Friends! Have a Wonderful, Happy, Healthy New Year!
Love,
Helen

The doll is from Mary Tressler pattern "Christmas tree" (www.uncommonfolk.org)

Vera G starring in "Butterfly kisses"

2006-12-07T22:25:00.000-05:00

Let me introduce you to a new rising star - Vera G. She was nominated "The best drama actress" for her role in "Butterfly kisses".

He-he-he...It was a challenge created by Mary Tressler. We have to create a movie star, back in to 20-30th, create the costume and come up with the name and movie title.

I really enjoy this pattern. The doll is about 15" height, delicate and well proportioned ( I am referring to pattern) , staying on its own and the pieces are coming together like a charm...

Hugs, Helen

Four Seasons Challenge Dolls

2006-12-07T21:54:00.000-05:00

The challenge is over, so, I can post pictures of my dolls that I sent for Four Seasons Challenge organized by Doll Crafter and Costuming magazine. Doll Pattern was provided by Cyndy Sieving.
You can see pattern and challenge rules at: http://dollccmag.com/DCC0906-4seasons.pdf

One doll is for Winter and another one for Spring Season. Winter doll is holding teady bear that I needle felted. It was one of my first felting projects.

Speaking of Winter season, today we've got some snow, the first snow in this season :)

Thanks for looking!
Helen

Collage in shadow box frame

2006-11-16T12:05:00.000-05:00

I bought a few shadow boxes frames in a dollar store with making a doll inside of it in mind. Once I started to work on background, mind that I did not have a doll for it yet, I painted, glue some paper, images, more paper, more paint, I forgot about the dolls :) and was consumed by the process itself. For one of the frame, I used apoxie to create a tree to give some dimension, adding some glass pebbles inside and outside the box, painted the frame or used the pieces of paper...

I was learning and practicing...You can the results of having fun, making the mess and creating, did I mentioned creating the mess around as well :)

A new adventure - a Holiday Bazaar

2006-11-13T21:50:00.000-05:00

I needed to try that. Our fire department hosted a holiday bazaar and I decided to participate. I did not count on any sale for a lot of reasons, but thought it would be fun to do it anyway and some exposure for dolls. OK, we had exposure :) and one sale, so, it was more than I expected. I enjoyed seeing reaction of the people to the dolls. Some of them were laughing finding resemblance in the dolls to their friends or themselves. I made some ornaments which I will show you , and those were making people smile as well.
Anyway, below are ornaments that I made. I cut different shapes that will resemble tree ornaments or just any shape I like and then I attached a needle sculpted faces, no back to the head, just a tread pulled tight and then the fun began. Drawing and creating a character. When the face was painted, then I decorated the doll based on what she was telling me.
Have fun meeting my ladies! and let me know what do you think, please.

Gourd family

2006-11-08T16:12:00.000-05:00

I was on a roll with gourds. I created, painted some dolls on small gourds. They can be used as an ornaments or the smallest ones can be used as a necklace piece. In a meantime they are one gourd family. Some of them I painted, on some of them I use apoxie sculpt and used molds to create faces on a few other dolls. I really enjoy working with gourds.

It is like working with wood, you can feel the warm of the wood, smell of it...talking about the smell, this is not the best when I have to work with gourds though...And finally I finished the piece I started a year ago. It can be used a bowl and just a decorating piece. Again, I used some apoxie sculpt to decorate it.

Below are the gourds that I painted. Those gourds are 3 to 4" inches tall.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Back to blogging

2006-06-23T22:08:00.000-04:00

Hi, I did not post for quite a while, but I was working on some dolls and gourds, knitting and felting, planting some flowers this spring and it was our first baseball season.

One year later...
Happy Halloween to all!

To celebrate a Halloween, I have a new doll created from Mary Tressler pattern for witch challenge we had at her site:

www.uncommonfolk.org

If you like dolls, this is a great site!

A few more gourds

2005-11-26T20:40:00.000-05:00

This month I was working mostly with gourds. I ordered a huge box of gourds, never can order 1 or 2 of something, always a LOT, so, now I have a LOT of gourds to work with. OK, I painted beehive gourd. I used black acrylic paint to basecoat first, let it dried for a while. This time I was really patient. When you do not give enough time for paint to dry, then when you painting with other colors, it is getting mixed up and ruin your work. Even letting it dry well not helping very well but better. Anyway, I painted the gourd and then spray woth some clear finish sealer.

There is another gourd that I used to create a doll.
I use one of the mold to create the face with polymer clay, attached to the gourd using a LOT of clay, again, let it dry well and then I painted already basecoated (brown acrylic) gourd. I used acrylic paints and some metallic finish paints to higlight some leaves or flowers.

This gourd was thin and at the end of the work, when everything was finished I found a crack in the gourd which started to spread out. Apoxie clay to rescue! This clay is really good! I cover the crack and reinforced the parts around and used it as a decoration on the rest of the gourd ( bottom), worked pretty well.
Bye-bye for now!

Crazy Quilting

2005-11-24T23:27:00.000-05:00

Recently I took a class on crazy quilting in local Quilt Shop. This was part 1. We learned how to construct the block and what rules we should follow as well as it is ok to make a mistake, there are ways to cover them :) So we do not have to worry too much. In next part we will be learning decorating stitches and ribbon embroidery to decorate our block.
If you will have any questions on how we did this block, please fell to free to ask me.
Couldn't wait till next week when we supposed to have part II of our class and learn how to decorate CQ, but for now I have to gather supplies.
Ta-ta for now :)

Helen

Happy Thanksgiving!

2005-11-24T22:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Today we had a snow again. Kids had a chance to build a snow sculpture which melted later and then again we've got some snow. Today we stayed home. We decided to cook some turkey. I did not plan it but hey...why not! After 4 hours of cooking, she is finally here!

I know, I did not post for a while and here, month later I am showing the turkey :) but you considered cooking as art, so as she :) Oh well, enough of turkey :) I did a few gourd dolls during the last month and working on some right now. I also took crazy quilting class, first part and finally made some pictures which I will post separately.
In a meantime, I want to wish everyone Happy Holiday! and thank you my family and my friends for being here, always.
Hugs,
Helen

New gourd doll

2005-10-28T15:35:00.000-04:00

Inspired by fall colors I created a new doll using gourd which I painted, then attached the head, add some apoxie clay embellishments. Then couldn't decide on her hairdo. Spent a few days trying different materials and ended up using paper tube wrapped with orange yarn and adding some black feathers.

Gourd was basecoat with black acrylic paint on which I paint useing some acrylic and lumiere paint.
Earings added a nice touch to the doll, I think :) what do you think? let me know.

Fall is here

2005-10-28T15:10:00.000-04:00

Two weeks later...Fall in full power in Upstate. We had week of rains. It is cold now but still it is very beautiful, golden and red leaves, trees are so colorful. I love fall colors. We went for a ride exploring places around, bought some mums and saw a huge pumpkin, may be over 200 lb. It was fun. I am posting a few pictures from our trip for you to see.

Boris and big pumpkin :)

Gourds, clay and fun

2005-10-12T11:01:00.000-04:00

Hello,
Fall arrived. Trees are wearing glden reddish leaves, some of the trees are still green, but most of them turned into fall colors and some of them are loosing leaves. When it is not raining like today ( it pouring) it is very nice outside. I just love autumn.

Anyway, back to the subject of the post. I recently joined a yahoo group of wonderful artists that learning , sharing on how to work with clay. One of the project we will be doing is Santa on gourd.
In a meantime, I decided to practice a little bit before the project.

I picked two small gourds that were used as a body for Santa. I used Pearl Paperclay that you can find in any craft stores. I was sculpting right on gourd. made a full face sculpt for one Snata and for another one I sculpted just some features and the rest - painted.

The pictures are showing how Santa gourd was developed. Let me know what do you think, please.

Bye for now.

2005-10-03T19:21:00.000-04:00

Hi,

Finally I unpacked my sewing machine after moving (back in April we moved to Upstate NY).
I finished a doll for Houston Festival challenge that was sponsored by Lisa Risler (www.lisasheaven.com) The doll made using Jill Maas pattern. Her dolls are so full of character :)

The only thing I changed, I reinforced her with dowel that she can stay well as I did not have a heave pellets that required by pattern. A challenge was to use provided fabric and trims and we were allowed to add any embellishment. I have a weak spot for this doll.

See for yourself...

Let me introduce Madam Bridgette and her favorite bags :)

Wood, Apoxie and a lot of paint

2005-09-19T18:17:00.000-04:00

Hi,

I finished a few more cups or wine goblets made of wooden candlesticks, bell cups that can be bought in any craft store, apoxie clay, beads, paint, a lot of paint.
Let me know what do you think.
Enjoy the day!

Now I have to figure out how to post

2005-09-18T20:18:00.000-04:00

OK, I finally made it. What kind of programmer am I if I cannot figure out how to use this blog? Oyh ... but I finally made it. Now I have to find where to post links to sites I like that you can visit as well.

Today was a slow day. My back is hurting as a hell, so I did not do much. I uploaded a lot of pictures to my picturetrail site
www.picturetrail.com/elenahg/

Most of the pictures from our recent trips to Niagara Falls and Cape Cod. I also uploaded a few pictures of my workas well.
You are welcome to stop by and take a look

I am going to put boys to bed and want to finish some work I started a few days ago.
I created sort of wine cups using candlestick, dried flower bells and apoxie. Then I painted pieces with different shades of gold. When the cups got dried, I lined up inside of the cup with a thin layer of apoxie clay as well. I also incorporated a few faces made from commercial molds.

Pictures to come shortly.

Hugs to all!

Welcome to my pages!

2005-09-18T12:35:00.000-04:00

Hi!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a time to read and look at my pages.

Finally I took the courage and created my blog.
I am not much into writing, but would be glad to share with you some pictures of work I do as well as some tips and trick I learned from other artists and my own experimenting.

Hope you will find something that would interested you and you will coming back from time to time.

Have a wonderful day!