Fish, Fully Dressed for Dinner- a Mixed Media Morphus- A Art Doll.

I started as a fish grill found in the treasure shop known as the Goodwill.

Strange for an Altered Miniaturists who specializes in ¼” to 1” scale would hook up with a 2 ½ foot high by 7” wide piece of inspiration.

Nevertheless- the connection was made and I was placed in a cart with other items of delight and pleasure.

A yellow metal cone used in another dimension to hold a votive candle was given to me as a possible hat- or a purse….we will see if it with me in my final “mixed media morphus”.

I am not sure who I am yet or what I am- but I love myself and long to share that with others. My original shape seems to dictate to me my destiny.
Fish- Fish shape- I am not a mermaid, I am not a fish, I am not human…I am all of that and so much more.

I am waiting for my name to find me- a name that will celebrate my soul, announce my independence, and add color to my identity.

My shape is growing; stretching and morphing… first inclination was my frame as a body- no perhaps as an exo-skeleton, a piece of clothing that shields my reality, my tender form from piercing gazes.

A body of a fish made from foamcore perhaps- that is held within the metal bars to protect me- with a jointed tail that extends beyond the frame, free to twitch and dance on a summer evening.

Or would I like my body to be articulated as well???- In a fish bone shape??- interlocked by my thoughts, my desires and my intentions.

I see my exo-skeleton covered with color and words that guide, that are wise, words that make you question and look for all possible answers.

I still have no face, no head for my energy to stream from- should my face be long or perched quietly on-top??? Will I have a face with eyes??- Will those eyes see the world; will they let the world see me- a window to my soul??

A mouth- an orifice, a doorway for entry and exit- a symbol of constant change, I want a voice- not a soft voice, but a powerful articulate one that will make profound statements or a joke….

A nose- will I be able to smell??? Will I smell?? If I do I would want to be a smell that stimulates a wonderful moment from one’s past- a smell that promises potential, a smell that urges you to follow and move forward without ever forgetting where you have come from.

Will I have arms??- With hands of a human… or a hand that is webbed and interlocked with life. I would have beautiful nails and jewelry- lots of jewelry. I do not wear jewelry to draw attention to myself. I wear jewelry of my mind- precious thoughts converted into beautiful precious stones and metals. Shiny or muted- hard or malleable all of my jewels are born within me. I am free in giving my jewelry as gifts- a way to share my knowledge and basic good.

I am like an embryo- forming and growing- I can choose what to become, what to keep, what to discard… I am enjoying my journey of growth- my only limits are the one’s I impose on myself.

Who am I? What am I? The excitement grows……

Seeds of my 1st Art Doll

I was shopping at one of my favorite thrift stores, Goodwill. I found this large item that is used to BarBQ fish (2 1/2 feet high by 7" at it's widest).

Instantly I thought- coool shape for a doll. So I placed it in my cart and snagged the yellow votive candle holder (makes a good hat don't you think??), bought it and brought it home.

Now for the fun part: what am I going to make out of it, so I put my idea seeds on simmer in my brain. So far this is my list of ideas (don't worry it will change- in fact I wouldn't be surprised if the end result is completely different from my first ideas).
-place doll head on top (I collect doll heads, bodies are optional).

-make a head out of a square block, round ball, paper clay, transfer picture of face.

-hair- use this nifty beads (I found at Shipwreck Beads in Lacy Washington- huge huge store) they are cylinderical in shape and covered in hemp- interspace them with these large round beads covered with colorful weaving.

-body: leave as is and hang tags and color sample swatches all around for clothing. The tags will have important words or qoutes on it.

-arms??? not sure may use these wood pieces from a game and piece them together.

So far- possible theme of doll:

-heritage (Ukrainian)

-Mary Engelbreit inspired (checks- love checks)

-or make this my muse- my inspiration for being happy and creative....

Adding miniature component to it too!! I have ordered some cool junk pieces from NavelJellystudios.com (in my favorite link section). Lots of 1" scale teapots and containers, I also ordered alot of her transparencies so I hope to use them on my tags.

I also visualize adding 1/4" furniture (hanging along with everything else).

Oh did I say this would be a simple, neutral doll???? NOT!!!! It will be like everything else I love- blazing with color, dizzying with details and tons and tons of texture.

In summary- this doll will be a compulation of altered art, assemblage art, journaling, miniatures, embellishments and who knows what else---- nothing is out of bounds.

Now- I must continue with my creative simmering and gathering of inspirational items that may be used. Check back- perhaps it will look at bit more finished the next time you peek.

Dry Spell- Dwelling time- waiting for the seeds of ideas to sprout.

I'm sitting here- just waiting for the seeds of ideas to sprout.

I certainly have planted enough seeds- soooo many ideas-----so little time----- well- right now----so not motivated or inspired.

Past lessons I have learned is the harder I push to make "something", nothing happens....

It's a strange feeling- like someone has disconnected a line.

In the meanwhile, I have been cruising thru peoples blogs and their posted art/picture galleries and multiple websites, books and magazines.

I love looking at what others have made, what they decided what was important enough to express it in "form". And the forms to choose from is many.

I admire glass artists who take molden glass and gracefully form it into art.(Talk about "hot air", while I have an abundance of my own- the only thing I am gifted at is forming "my foot in my mouth").

I love pottery- the balance of motion vs pressure and patience. (I have never tried it- and can imagine un-identified objects flying thru out my room if I ever did).

Then there is quilting and fabric art- I have made pieced quilts in the past- but to quilt the fantastic patterns is something I have never done yet.

Beaders are amazing- the shapes, the jewelry and the dimension that they are able to create is mind-numbing.

Gardeners who partner with Mother Nature to use plants and hard structures to express their selves.

Altered arts, miniaturists, photographers, graphic artists, painters, authors, weavers, cartoonists, cross- stitchers, cooks, hairstylist and children- all are makers of art.

My list could and would go on forever- why????

It is said and I agree that art is making something out of nothing, but I would extend it further,

Art is making something out of everything.

Playing in the mud making pies.... arranging flowers.... doll making... arranging vignettes... creating costumes...doodling....

daydreaming... pretending....imagine.....believe....I can create....soon....