Back to Commedia Dell Arte: Coviello, the clever servant

Conceiving an new personage is always interesting. I started it because Teffy Effy Funny Land(one of my BLOG connections) made a great proposition: she suggested that creative people get together in groups in order to make something inspired by the "Commedia" and make it in the form that corresponds with a deck of cards.

Of course, I could not miss such an opportunity because it it is just what I like! It is also great to work with others. Thanks to the Internet, the people who share the same passion can easily overcome the distance and other inconveniences of living in different parts of the world and connect.

I got a red "valet". It could be any servant from the Commedia rich tradition

So here is my personage of the Commedia: His name is Coviello, he is a servant but unlike Arlecchinno, he is smart and sassy. Coviello loves to sing and dance. His mask is long nosed and brown. Coviello almost never parts with his mandolin. He is  ready for a good joke and a lewd street song!  Coviello is very practical and sly, "street-smart".

So, my fiends allow me to introduce to you...

Dancing and playing, that how I see this joyful character

My interpretation of Coviello:

Here are rough sketches of his costume and some
 attributes of the character

I've decided on the appearance and size and
made a wire armature

 a little "meat" on the bones  added by "Sculpey"

I decided that Coviello should have a big nose.
Why not?
His mask is certainly big nosed.

Ahh... shoes and hands! Also made in "Sculpey" 'Living Doll"
and "Cernit"polymer clay

Dusty is Looking for a New Home

Finally I am ready to part with one of my most precious creations: Dusty is looking for a new home! I just listed him in my Etsy shop...  looking for an under-bed monster for your home? Dusty would make a wonderful addition! He is fluffy and very well behaved! For details look here!

Fuzzy Kiddie Memories are Here!

Yes, I finally completed my sweet little bunnies an actually got around of photographing and posting them. Working with fabrics was enjoyable. Although air dry clay let me down somewhat. I think I'll stick with polymer from now on. BUT, here are my precious boys, ready at last!

The Kiddie Memories are Getting Fuzzier!

It took me a long time to add some eye lashes. For some reason, I find these very challenging. It is important that they are not overdone, you know...
The light brown fleece on the background is going to become their bodies. I am trilled to see how it will all work together...

Fuzzy Kiddie Memories

When my kids were little, I just did not have time to truly enjoy their cuteness to the full extent. Now ten years later, I do miss their childhood sweetness. I mentioned this project last week, when started to work on Mark's face in "Crayola Air Dry" clay. Now I have completed little Paul's face too.

NOTE: air dry clay requires sealing.
I used two layers of Gesso, before started on
painting. 

This project is new to me in very many ways. I definitely experiment with the materials and paints as I work on it. It was great to come back to painting again. I have not done this for a while, and polymer clay does not require much painting, just staining and blushing. Trying to go for portrait likeness and sculpting children faces is very challenging.

Now I am done with basic painting on the faces. I still need some fine tuning and detail. I am looking forward to it as well as constructing bodies and putting it all together. That should be interesting!

Paul is 11 years-old now. He did not change much,
still such a goof!

Mark was a VERY energetic little boy.
Now it is hard to believe,
he rather resembles a sleepy dinosaur.
A very cute sleepy dinosaur.

Little Miss Mouse gets Famous!

It was a wonderful surprise, when I took my happy son to a play date to his friend Travis, when, Travis' mom showed me the article from St. Louis Post Dispatch about the "Inspiration Event" at Chesterfield Arts with Ms. Mouse's full portrait! I was honored to see Ms. Mouse (and her creator) specifically mentioned here.

Apparently she looked a little scary. I can't say I anticipated that, I was hoping she would rather be pleasant and well behaved, oh, well....

Hopefully, she will still be able to find a good home. Did I mention that everything featured in the show is for sale? And  proceedings will go to support the "Kaleidoscope"program to benefit art students with special needs.
Here is more information about Chesterfield Arts. I am honored to be a member of this wonderful organization.

Anyway, it is late and I am tired with all the excitement of the day. Good night now, and may all your Artistic Dreams come true!

Starting a VERY Special Project

I am very exited because I am starting a new and very special project. I found an inspiration for it on the Russian site "Ярмарка Мастеров", which is as I understand, the Russian version of  "Etsy".
Check it out, it is a neat website. It is also has a page for master classes, full of great ideas and practical advice. There I found Master class presented by Oksana Muratova:


Создание тедди-долл в стиле `ретро`: Наверное, каждый кукольник хоть раз поддавался соблазну сделать плюшевую зверюшку.

She gives step by step guide how to make a soft doll in the "Retro Style": the the doll has a soft fluffy body and a child's face, looks like a kiddie in the cute animal costume. Adorable!

So I decided to make a pair of the dolls like that. I also want to make them special and add the personalized faces. I found photographs of my own kiddos, when they were about a tender age of four.
For the record, Mark ( my firstborn) is fifteen now.

I already sculpted Mark's face with "Crayola Air Dry" clay. He is going to be a little fluffy bunny rabbit. He just loves the idea (He-he!) Paul, my youngest one is going to be next.

This is how sweet Marki looked THEN

and this is how sweet Marki looks NOW