Happy Anniversary Rocelia & Gino!

One of the nicest things about custom doll-making is when someone asks me to make a gift for their loved one.  There is something so lovely about people I've never met trusting me enough to send me their personal photos and turn them into something they will give to their amant (I use the French for lover, because 'lover' sounds a bit seamy in English).  I've had a few requests recently for anniversary portraits, one of which was my first custom order for a wall hanging.  This is an adorable couple, Gino and Rocelia, whom I recently had a lot of fun sculpting:

Gino's hat looks a bit wonky, because it's not yet permanently affixed, but this gives an idea of how it will turn out.  I plan to do more portraits soon, and maybe a few that are painted a bit more abstractly, just for fun.  Now how gorgeous are these two?

Other than the six custom orders I plan to finish this weekend (eek! hands, don't fail me now!) I am getting in bed with Henry James.  I just finished reading The Turn of the Screw, a great, turn-of-the-century ghost story.  I'm giving a seminar on it this weekfor my American Gothic course, and so feel I have to read it once more to really grapple with the formal aspects of the book.  It's  quite spooky, and much shorter than my last recommendation, The House of the Seven Gables, which apparently a lot of the people in my class found tedious and overwrought, so my apologies if anyone has sought it out and felt the same. I confess I have a weakness for useless beauty...

 

...but then I would argue beauty is never useless....

Comments

[merle]

I love your recent commission! I love doing a portrait also when someone asks me to do it as a surprise for a loved one-it is like I am in on the surprise and I love that-so much joy! Good luck with your other commissions!

And, everyone needs to read "The House of 7 Gables" at least once of course! How cool to be doing these Seminars on such spooky themes as "Turn of the Screw"! They must inspire your work.

Beauty is never useless! I survived horrible times in school and in other jobs by making my own kind of "art" and being fascinated by others-there must be more than all this paperwork and gray and reality-give me more useless beauty! OOH-the Cocteau Twins are playing-more much need beauty!
take care,
merle

[Kimberly Wlassak]

I adore the idea of your work as hanging portraits!

I've always been flattered when asked to do a personal piece. But...it's also a wee bit scary, as I always want to make sure that the work is perfectly what is expected.

I have not yet read "The Turn of the Screw", and it is on my summer reading list.

Kim
Garden Painter Art

[Misty]

You are truly a talented artist. This custom "portrait" idea is great. really i don't think I have seen this type of handmade art look so good and be so unique.

[Kimberly Wlassak]

I know you like vintage photos and curious, eerie things as well. If you get a chance, stop by my blog. I have a very interesting vintage photo of a wee little "ghostie" posted.

Kim
Garden Painter Art

[Linda]

I have followed your blog for a long time. I love to look at your work. I would just like to live where you live. You said we could ask a question. How do you attach your arms and legs? I have tried to write a blog to no success. It is called wiredlinda.
I really can't think of anything to write about.

thanks bunches
I am truly amazed
Linda

[Laetitia]

beautiful portrait indeed! and the turn of the screw is such a master piece,my favourite when i was a teenager scaring,can be understood in so different ways,Ilike henry james children they are always more clever than adults and really frigtening sometimes, and would love to hear your seminary about it!!