Cow Jumped Over the Moon - Paper Mache

I just finished up a new paper mache project. This one was created from a sketch in one of my sketch books. Two separate pieces to be wall mounted. The moon is dome shaped and painted on both sides. Unfortunately I did not get any in progress photos to share. This is a OOAK original.

The Cow measures from hoof to hoof: 8" and approximately 6" high
The Moon measures: 10" diameter and stands out from the wall approximately 5.5"

A Jump Into Paper Mache

I began 2013 with a renewed curiosity to try something new and I have always wanted to create some art in Paper Mache (more advanced than the creations I did for my kids). I came across Jonni Good's blog http://ultimatepapermache.com/ and her recipe for paper mache clay and just had to give it a try. 

This is my first attempt at creating a paper mache sculpture. I chose to do representation of one of our English Setter dogs. I enjoyed the process of trying to figure out how to create the armature for my piece. Lots of little changes occurred after I had taken some of these photos, which I hope give you an idea of my progression. 

Because this was my first time working with the paper clay, I wasn't sure how it would work. My first batch was a little on the dry side and I felt quite clumsy with it. So I mixed a new batch that was a lot more smoother to work with. As I added the clay to my base, I liked the rough texture I was getting with my inexperience using it and decided to keep it that way. I made his collar out of a strip of paper and fashioned the metal clasp and o-ring with my armature wire, then slipped it around his neck just like a real collar. It is a free-standing sculpture and I painted it to resemble a bronzed sculpture. 

I am excited to create another paper mache project and plan to use the paper mache clay along with the traditional method of paper mache. I like that the paper mache clay dries to a nice hard finish. 

Sculpture size: 9-1/2" (tail to nose); 9-1/2" high

Merry Christmas

Happy Halloween

Buttons and Birdie take to the night sky to wish everyone a Happy Halloween.

English Setter - Moe

A new drawing I just did for my husband of his dog Grand Heritage Motion (Moe), done in color pencil on Strathmore Artagain paper.

Moe just won the 2012 Northeastern Open Shooting Dog Championship in East Windsor, Connecticut! To read about the field trial and our English Setters you can visit my husband's blog at http://grandheritagesetters.blogspot.com/

Illustration Friday: Bounce

When the sun is high up in the sky

and you're feeling kind of lazy,

Come with me to have some fun

and bounce around on daisies!

I haven't participated in Illustration Friday in quite some time, or so it feels. This little guy has been sitting in my sketch book as just a character sketch for a long time waiting to have some fun, so I set him free in this patch of daisies. I think he's having a good time.