Thursday, May 13, 2010

beyond curious....

Those were Judi's words as she wondered what I was up to with the shells.... and.... well... he is definitely that alright@!


I totally forgot to take some photos as I was putting on the clay... but, first most of the opening was filled with softened (as well as I could get it softened... ) older clay.  It is great for using up the clay that we just hate to toss.   You know the stuff... getting a bit hard or crumbly and is just no good anymore for sculpting, but, for some silly reason we refuse to throw it out.

Then... cover that with a thin piece of new soft clay and begin to lay on the various bits and blobs and start to make them look like a little face.

He is one of Dawn Schiller's Odd Fae and Autumn Things ..  she calls them Hermit Shellfae.

Little Sage wondered what the heck he was too... although he didn't scare her because I did try to give him a kind face even if he is a bit strange and different.  Sure...he's a bit different than any of my other stuff...but, hey...a person has to try "different" every so often.
                                                                                                    



I have to say though.... next time I must try for a more manly-man shell.  I still have to stifle a snicker every so often because he just looks to me like a little old man wearing a frilly pink baby bonnet!  I'm sure he would disagree.



















Okay... by the end of the day....the silliness began.

My shell was pretty fragile...can you believe Michael's still made me pay for it? ...although I did get a discount. The back portion of it began crumbling a bit around a small hole that was already there.  Then, ..... somebody suggested that perhaps I should put some clay in the opening to help hold things together... and maybe even make it a portion of his anatomy sticking out of the hole..... because it would be funny....and that was it.  Well, that and the wine....



















So, I made him a bum.  Giggling all the while.......















After baking his face portion....I added the hand... because it was too awkward for me to put the fingers up against the face while the clay of the face was still soft.  Not that my clay is ever "too" soft.  I definitely don't have what they refer to as "hot hands" when working with clay.  Apparently some people have hands so warm that the clay is very soft all the time.  I wish.  Mine never seems to move that easily or feel soft to me, but I wasn't going to risk it after spending hours on his face.















There was more baking .... and then there was painting...with acrylic paints....

And... then... a bit more painting on the reverse...just to give it a bit of colour too...

and voila....

Lyle appeared

and has taken up residence in his favourite plant pot....















Some days he doesn't feel very chatty...and just turns his other cheek.....er...cheeks......















I dunno.... my other shell is pretty BIG...I might not want to make a huge Hermit...but, we'll see.

here is Dawn's Hermit... see what I mean about a more manly shell?






























..and look at this cute little one....awww... I love him... you can put them in any shell..... this one is no bigger than Dawn's thumb.... you can check out some of her others at her site ...


19 comments:

Norma Soulet (AZArtist) said...

Vee, these are totally awesome! They give the impression that they are coming out of the shell. :)
Love their Bums too. LOL

Hugs

Judi W. said...

haha - his little bum is the best! Your shellfae came out awesome! I really need to make a couple myself!

Shelly said...

Love your ideas...I will ponder a project with clay and shells...or maybe native rocks...but definitely a few sips of wine first...have a great day...Shelly

Art by Darla Kay said...

Amazing! So creative and FUN!

Liza, creator of Little Handfuls Mini Bears said...

Hellooo again! Your blog is so wonderful, I don't know how to do interesting waffle, I can do waffle, but even I fall asleep half way through! lol I couldn't figure out WHY you would be putting a man in a shell! It wasn't until later in the piece when you said the word Hermit that I got it! haha he's great, the hand really brings it to life and gotta love that butt! So clever, I have had a play with clay, but it's not for me sadly. Well done you! :o)

Serena Lewis said...

I love how he turned out, Vee....the bum is such a cute and funny idea too. I admit when I first saw him, I too thought of a baby's bonnet but the end result looks fantastic! You are so darned clever! I'd be lost sculpting the gorgeous pieces you create ~

Shashi Nayagam said...

Ha ha.. I bet Sage was wondering what the little old man was doing wearing that frilly baby bonnet and sitting in a shell with his bum sticking out lol! Well Vee you did a wonderful job of him. I can see that you really enjoyed making him as that comes out in that sculpt. Well done but then you are so talented that you do everything well.

Daisy said...

What a great idea! He came out very cool, but just a tiny bit skerry.

Perpetual Chocoholic said...

Oh, thanks for the laugh re: the backside of the shell. That was too cute! I want to make one of these but I fear I just don't have what it takes to make him look so good. I reallllly like the faces. Especially with the pink girly shell. It just makes the whole package that much better.

Susan said...

wow ! incredible BVee !!
xo les Gang

Anonymous said...

Ooooooh - cheeky!! I've just shown the post to malcolm, and we are both still chuckling!!

Jennifer Rose said...

lol that is great :D love how you plugged the break up

Beedeebabee said...

Hi Vee! What a surprise to see that great face, hand and bottom, sticking out of that pretty shell! Sooo unexpected and wonderful! What a great idea! You are just so full of talent! xo Paulette

MaryO said...

He is such a hoot! And you are a clever girl, plugging the hole in the shell so creatively! I love him!
Dawn's work is terrific, isn't it?

Elena said...

Holy cow you have me and my son rolling around with laughter here! How can anyone be creepy if he's mooning the world at the same time. Hee hee. Love it! By the way, please visit my blog again as I'm having my very first giveaway to celebrate my 1 yr blog-versary.
http://elena-myquest.blogspot.com/2010/05/giveaway.html

JudiA said...

VEE! You amazing woman you. I love them all, but most especially Lyle. I have been fighting taking Dawn's class as I just took a pod class from another instructor and didn't see the point of another, but... but... oh gads, those are just FABULOUS!

Unknown said...

BumbleVee... WOW!!! I LOVE him!!! I am so impressed and just ... AGOG. He is really awesome. His bum is just the insanest cute detail. You rock!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Vee,

What a wonderful little creation you have made, love him.
Great idea, with the rear end, filling the hole - hehe!

Hugs
Carolyn

Sandy..... said...

I absolutely love these guys~! I picture them sitting around my desk at work... cheering me up.