Inspiration Comes in All Sizes

Seems Spring time has come early to the Chicken Lips farm. These little chicks were born 2 weeks ago to my favorite hen, "Camilla." Guess no one told her it's a little early in the season to be raising chicks (my hens usually don't start sitting on nests until March or April). The furry little bundles of fuzz are so darn cute, that I decided to take inspiration by the horns (er, um...beak?) and make some Paperclay chicks of my own. 

Here they are in their unfinished state, still need to put legs on two of them. Congratulations Camilla!

New Chicken Lips Web Site!

Seems like I've been trying for months to get my new site up and running. This weekend, I finally sat myself down and got it finished! I've needed a new look for quite some time - my style has changed so much over the last year and my site needed to reflect that new look. If you have a moment or two, stop in and take a look - I'd love to know what you think! www.chickenlips.biz

Happy Valentine's Day

I know this is totally sick, but it looks like something I wish I had designed myself. Oh well, gives me inspiration for next year. Happy Valentine's Day!

Hippity Hoppity Easter's on its Way

Here's a sneak peek at what I will be offering on Friday's update at Spookytime Jingles. Bunny Boy is a mixed media creation, Paperclay and wood. He's actually an autobiographical piece.

Here's the story...my parents owned their own business making children's furniture. They had a shop in Mentone, CA, on HWY 38 (a busy road that led up to Big Bear). On Easter weekend, my dad had the brilliant idea of dressing me in a bunny suit and standing me out in front of the store. Now, keep in mind, this was when I was in Jr. High - and you KNOW how devastating and embarrassing even the simplest of things can be at that age. I protested (to no avail) and my dad convinced me that no one I know would see or recognize me. Seemed logical, until I saw that the bunny suit did not have a full mask - it had a hole where my face would show through!!! No amount of penciled in whiskers or black bunny nose would hide my identity! It was demoralizing! Oh, and did I mention that several kids from school rode by on their bikes and laughed at me!

Aren't we artists lucky that we have an outlet for all our built up angst? Hey, Paperclay is a lot cheaper than therapy!

I'm Back!

I feel so neglectful that I haven't posted in the last two weeks, but I've been on a two week vacation at Disney World. It's very tough coming back home after spending that much time in the kingdom of the Mouse - coming back, the reality of the real world is like a slap in the face. But, at the same time, it's great to be home and not have to constantly dodge screaming kids in strollers!

Before I left, I posted a WIP of the dog I'm working on. I got such a great response from everyone (THANKS!) that I decided to show his progress. Before I left on vacation, I put some oil paint details on him. Not sure they really translate in the photo, but they definitely give him more dimension. I started working with oil paints over acrylics this year as an experiment. I love how the oil paints blend, and their slow drying time gives me lots of working time. I'm going to keep up this technique for a while and see where it leads me!

In the meantime, I've got a great idea for a mouse...have NO idea where THAT came from ;)