My first attemp at sculpting a horse

I usually make a very reliable armature. However, I recently decided to sculpt a horse. I can tell you this... never... never try to sculpt in paper clay without an armature. I started sculpting the horse head, then the neck. I was just getting the feel of how doing a horse might be. So I wadded up some aluminum foil and sculpted the body. Now I have been sculpting for about 4 or 5 years now and I know better. I started sculpting the legs. Well I now have a horse with broken off legs. I think I am going to cover the whole thing with strip paper mache. That should strengthen them. Of course the whole horse will be more bulky. It is hardly refined yet. I have reattached two of the legs and that is drying.I think I will finish her as she is before I attempt to reconnect the other two legs. I may just have to keep this one, because of not first doing an armature. I just go so carried away with the sculpting. Never again.I had thought of drilling into the legs and the body and inserting a wire armature. But I was worried that the gap between the wire and the paper clay, however slight, might just cause another new problem. So if I drill the legs and insert wooden skewers coated with pva glue, that would eliminated the problem of internal movement. I have talked to several folks about this and they seem to think the horse will survive.

Karlie

Karlie examplifies the joy and lively nature of this series of sculpts. He placed 3rd int the Nation Polymer Clay Art Guild's Progress and Possiblities 2006 Art Doll division.

His head is sculpted with Prosculpt clay. I then tinted and painted the ornamentation on his face with twinkle paints, water colors, and rub and buff cremes.

This is Karlie’s message:

It is not always the one with the highest IQ who is the most successful nor is it the one with the most wealth that is the happiest. Beautiful things can be accomplished with the simplest of elements. Therefore, it stands to reason that it is not what you have that matters. It is what you do with it.

Miko Ming Toi

This is the back of Miko's costume. Many of the Messengers are as ornate on the back as they are on the front. Also the interior of the gourds are also panited and embelished.

I picked the name Miko because it is a name from my past that originated from one of my foster sisters, Miko Dee Neese, in Panama City, FL. I later named my favorite pet Miko Ming Tio. It has been a name that is connected to many fond memories for me.

Miko placed 1st in the Nationa Polymer Clay Art Guild's Progress and Possibilities 2006 in the Art Doll division. I entered three sculps in the Art Doll division in 2006 and they placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

This is Miko Ming Toi’s message:

Life is full of ups and downs. Everyone feels lost at one time or another and in need of direction. You must be traveling in order to get to another place. Lead, follow it does not matter. As long as you are moving forward, you will get to where it is that you need to go next.

Charles

This is Charles. He is one of my favorites. I really love the sense of movement he conveys.

He is in a private collection.

This is Charles’s message:

Charles, Chuck, Charlie ...whichever you call him conveys that “what we are” never changes. It always remains the same. But “who we are” is ever changing. Influenced by all that we experience. It is up to us to decide that which we choose to carry as "our baggage". Remember to take what you want and just leave the rest.

Edwin

Edwin won 1st place in the Professional Fantasy division at the Kansas City Doll Fair in 2005. Then he won the the Professional Division for the same show.

He also placed 2nd in the National Polymer Clay Art Guild's Progress and Possibilities 2006 in the Art Doll division.

Edwin was the first Messenger I made. I created him using a hinged gourd as his body. He is costumed to conseal the hidden compartment within.This is Edwin’s message:

Don’t be afraid to step up to the front of the line. If you do not believe in yourself, then how can you expect anyone else to? You teach people how to treat you. Set your standard high. Then be willing to step up and take the prize. I scuplted his head while I was sitting in the customers lounge at a Dodge dealership while my truck was being serviced. He generated a lot of interest. I, in fact, sculpted five heads that day. I never go anywhere with my clay.

Phillip

This is Phillip. He won the Merritt Award at DragonCon 2006 in Atlanta, GA. I was very pleased with that because of the caliber of artist that attend the Convention every year.This is Phillips' message:

Dreams can only be achieved if you first dare to dream. There is no limit on the number of dreams that you can have unless you limits yourself. So dream big and dream often. It cannot happen unless you first think it can. Be sure to fill up your heart and soul with all that you ever thought was possible. Then hold on for the wonderful ride through life as your dreams come true one by one.

I am posting some of the Messenger of Gourdeous People

It has been a while since I posted to my blog but I am posting some of the Messenger of Gourdeous People. I just thought that y'all might need something new to look at.

The Messenger all come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA). This the type of information that is listed on the COA.

ONE-OF-A-KIND ORIGINAL HAND SCULPTED FINE ART DOLLS AND MIXES MEDIA FIGURATIVE SCULPTURES

This figure is a very detailed work of art and has countless hours of fine workmanship.

This figure is 11 3/4” tall including the base.

The figure stands firmly on the base that is 5" by 7".

It is a mixed media sculpt consisting of Quality Polymer Clay, Apoxie Sculpt, a gourd, and many embellishments.

NO molds were used! There is an armature through the arms, legs and feet.

The arms are repositionable to a slight extent.

This figure is entirely hand painted and has glass eyes.

The costuming is all designed and hand made by Lucky.