were completed and given to my girlfriend for her 41st birthday. I made some slight variations in bead colors, a skipped monocle for Mr. Vampire (didn't have the right size) and some extra stitching in the wings. I think next time I might embroider the vampire teeth so they are a little sharper. She is going to add magnets so they can guard the fridge door. Would you try to sneak in if they were there looking at you?
Crafting Zombies....
That is what I have been working on since my dress. There is an important birthday coming up, and miniature zombie dolls are the perfect gift. I am using patterns from the book, Zombie Felties by Nicola Tedman and Sarah Skeate. I made the Classic Zombie and Dead Ducky for friends at Christmas...every time my son saw me with the book he begged me to stop. He is not a fan of the ironic zombie nor pleased by this current round of making. I am again going with the Classic Zombie, but also trying the Vampire Zombie. See the pieces below. They really develop personalities with the beads and embroidery finishing. I will post again when I get them done. After that, the Thrilla Michael Jackson Zombie is next on my list.
Got a wild hair....
in Work
and decided to finally make this dress I have had cut out for two summers now. It is the Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic. I can see all sorts of ways to customize it and create an easy summer uniform. What do you think?
Did you ever have a teacher...
that changed the nature of who you are? Or more specifically, help you see your truer self? i did. It was over twenty years ago and i was a freshman at RISD. It was the spring semester and it was 2-d design. My professor was Lee Dejasu. I had heard stories about how amazing his class was, and there were students trying to transfer sections so they could have a class with him. I had no idea what i was in for. I thought 2-d design was 2-d design. Not with Lee. 2-d design was everything. It was the vehicle through which Lee taught us to trust our voice. He had this amazing way of shining a light on what was true for you, and helping you to realize just that. Anything was possible. Anything was art. It was one of the few times in my life where i did not worry about an outcome. Success or failure was beside the point. The gift was not of just seeing what is true, but trusting what is true, and it was a profound experience I have been thankful for all these years later. I've kept in touch with Lee over the years...a card for my MFA show, a letter about a new job, or a move and the birth of my son. I sent him an announcement for my exhibition last month. Then I took a friend to see the exhibition and found the art center had received a letter for me. From Lee. It was full of that light. He still has the gift of finding the pulse of what's true. But there was also another gift in his words...his voice. Words about the images he is making, the things he is teaching, the things he is learning about art, life, family, children. And i am thankful that i still have much to learn, and that he has been willing to continue to teach me.
A little bit of work
and a little bit of hulu.com. I currently have four pieces started, all pretty much in the same awkward state. I can feel myself getting really fussy about them. And when that happens, I tend to work slower and watch the tube a little more intently. I watched an episode and a half of ABC Family's "The Fosters." I've read it described as this summers " The O.C." I found it lacking Peter Gallagher's amazing eyebrows or Seth's sarcastic wit, but enjoyed it nonetheless. Will post more as I get a little farther.
Check out my new Etsy listing....
It has been a long time since I've had anything listed, but I now have prints available of my original mixed media series "Careful Measures" at nikimade.etsy.com. Check back shortly for new listing updates!
"Lollipops"
Have you ever looked at your child....
and wondered how they were even possible? My son planned a sleepover with a friend for today, and he woke up at 6:30 am announcing "this is going to be the best day ever!" I've had the pleasure of watching his anticipation and excitement as the time has grown near. They had a plan of activities, and it was so fun to see him and his buddy interact, negotiate and compromise. I didn't see them for nearly 18 hours unless they were hungry or it was time to force them into bed. And I saw them way too early when they woke up ready to go again.
Welcome
Hi all....
Welcome to my new website and blog, and thank you so much for coming. I plan on posting regularly about my current work, exhibitions, and etsy shop updates. Please come back and visit.
