January Full Moon # 8

Hello dear readers and fellow artists!

For the final full moon exchange I had myself.  Every time I looked at the two spaces all I could see was a little creature sitting & gazing at the stars or swinging or doing something, but always sitting between the two spaces as though it was one complete space.  So as I've learned, rather than fight the visions that you're seeing, trust them and go with them.

I've learned the best place to start, if your piece will involve sculpting, is to begin with the sculpture itself. The rest of the details will take care of themselves once the sculpture is done.

So I found the color liked. Blue seemed to suit the thoughtful posing I saw the character in. I curled his toes and helped him sit gently on the ledge.  The drippiness of this particular clay lent to him naturally turning his head as though he were listening to something. 

I tried out a few backgrounds to see how I'd like them. Then I sat back in my chair across the room to see what that gave as an effect to the whole tray as well as just that little area where he would be.  Unfortunately this first set of the backgrounds just didn't quite do the trick.

But he needed a little something more... He just felt so bare.  And he was beginning to feel more like he was part of the stars,  like a little being that had come down from the stars. So I gave him a crown of stars made from some star shaped sequins.

After basking in the warm glow of the oven I gave him a little paint. I thought having a background with lines as well as stars would be fun, having lines looking more like astrological symbols and charts. So I used up a piece that I had already folded into a box (marked with sharp lines) and fit it into the new spot's shape. The background is actually made from colored pencil and is very similar to the one I made for the pink moon several moon exchanges back.

Meet my star being.  He watches over and listens.  He is ready to offer any advice you might need. He encourages us to gaze upon the stars and listen for the answer.

Thank you all for a lovely experience. I have learned a great deal and enjoy getting artwork from each and everyone of you.  I feel like I've made large strides as an artist. It's because of the project that I feel confident in my sculpting skills again. Thank you Peg!! 

AUGUST FULL MOON #10

Hello Ladies
I think that life influenced my project this month for sure!  I wanted to try working with paper cement clay which has a very heavy texture that I like.  I created a cloud with a little pocket for the hand carved bone moon to rest in.  I love the face on this moon because it is so peaceful…..serenity is so important in my life right now.  More on the paper cement.  It has this beautiful grey and white bulk to it.  Originally I tried to paint it thinking I would layer on the colors to create what already existed but in a more refined way.  I started on the back – thank goodness – because I HATED the fact that the paint literally covered up the texture!  I decided that the colors were perfect but needed just a little bit of mica powder to add a shimmer.  I used a touch of lacquer to make sure it adhered which darkened my cloud just a little.  Given our weather this week it seemed appropriate for it to be a storm cloud.  I truly love thunder and lightning storms.  Paradoxically, I hate rain!  I can handle short lived torrential down pours but hate the drizzle and general grey days of rain we experience.  HOWEVER, I do so love the greenery it produces and the sound of running water in rivers and streams.

For the background I used one of the beautiful papers that Peg sent me and added sparkling gold star brads to finish off my night sky with full moon!  As so often the moon is seen between clouds here I think it is appropriate to have it partially covered.

Many blessings!!

Lynn Vernon