New materials, new dragons...

As I mentioned in my last blog...a couple new dragons

showed up after the Arisia show...incorporating some

materials I found there. 21" tall  Akhai-Kath, the strong 

pictured above was one.

Since folks seem to like process photos, I thought I'd share 

a few of Akhai-Kath in the making as well as another

dragon named Gryclaw, the colorful.  This is what Akhai-Kath

looks like under his leather...Hand stitched muslin over

a wire armature wrapped by polyester.  He has a stone

in his rear end as well as his snout!...holding lots of stories:

 Apoxie sculpt helps attach the snout to the wire armature as well as
hold the eyes securely.
Here he is getting his claws!

Then on to adding paint patina to the leather....


He undoubtedly had some comments about my messy studio,
but discretely kept them to himself.
Next came his gorgeous black beaded belly. Given to me by
my supplier-of-wondrous-things-buddy, Martha Bergeron.
She hadn't found a use for the piece, beaded in Macau,
and thought just maybe a dragon (and his maker)
might like it. So brought it over to the Arisia show along
with a few other goodies and we made a trade.
 Akhai-Kath's belly was built to size for the black
beaded piece - Beading goes from chin to between his
lower legs. Fortunately I had matching beads to help
attaching the piece to the leather.

I have been thinking of making a dragon with a beaded belly and
thought about beading it all myself. However, ACC Baltimore was
soon upon us... and my price point for the piece would have to be
radically different.  I still plan on doing one. This Spring I am taking
bit of a hiatus from shows to help my hubby while his hip is replaced
...so maybe...by my next show at the end of May such a creature may
appear.  The creatures have a way of determining when they want to
show up.

After attaching the beaded piece, rawhide spokes and the beaded leather
braid that goes with them is the final step. ...No wings for his character.
Related to the eastern form of dragons, he is confident he'll be able to
fly without them.

But speaking of wings...the second dragon who appeared after Arisia,
does have them.  Here that dragon is patiently waiting...

I played with a slightly new shape.. As I explained in the last blog my dealer
table was next to Cloak and Dagger Creations
booth.  There was a basket of remnants of trim right next to me which I had fun looking through. Hmmm I thought- bellies for small
dragons perhaps?  I had wanted to incorporate more color into the dragons so found one to
use on this dragon....on belly and for anklets.





And Gryclaw, the Colorful emerged! (Named by our 10 year old
grandson living in South America.  (Have to love the internet!!)
Gryclaw is 24 " long (with curled tail) and about 12 " tall depending
on how the wings are arranged. 

Both dragons enjoyed posing for professional shots by Bob Barrett
photographer set up at ACC Baltimore. Bob took the first photo in this
blog as well as the one just above of Gryclaw. I really appreciate Bob
setting up in Baltimore. He is the source of most of my professional
photos for the  past several years.  The dragons joined several other
dragons in my booth at the show - big and small - sculptures, Rpeggie
dragons (holding RPG dice), book form , on journal covers and more.

 Inspiration often hits just before a show. Having worked with the
garment  trim for Gryclaw's belly....I looked over the Celtic trim
pieces I had picked up and saw their potential  to add into  a
complimentary line of card holders, journals, checkbook holders
etc. to my line with eyes.  I love the pieces with  eyes, but I know
they are not for everyone. (Actually I enjoy that customers seem to
know just whom they are for, and for whom not.) I've been thinking
about my Celtic roots of late.  So  the week before ACC Baltimore, I
produced these items to see  what the response might be.  It was very
positive ....so looks like it will be  added to my sculptural leather items
for a while  anyway. I especially  like  the dragon/griffin trim in the
lower right corner,  but do love Celtic braids...

After the first couple days at the ACC Baltimore show, I was
questioning whether I should consider taking a year off.  It is
very expensive to exhibit at the show. But the next day I
wandered the booths and was reminded of the extraordinary artists
I meet there, the community that gathers and the inspiration that
it generates for me.  Fortunately the weather cooperated this year
(last  year there was a snow storm on Saturday), the retail attendance
was up and sales brisk...including major ones for me.  (Pageante and
Roland the dragon traveling librarian duo found a great new home.)
So.... looks like I will apply once again for next year.

Next post, I will share images from a few of the artists who
stirred my creative juices!

Adventure on.    Wendy

ACC Baltimore - elegance, design, and wild fun

ACC Baltimore was as inspiring as ever this year.  Part of that comes
from the amazing variety of work that is presented at the show.  You
can be overwhelmed by the incredible technique and sophistication by
work such as that by the ceramic artist Mariko Swisher pictured above.
Some of her elaborate geometric pieces takes over a month to
complete. Mariko's booth offers a serene environment and opportunity
to get to know this extraordinary and gentle artist: 

Or  be pulled in by the work of another ceramic artist, James Aarons
and  his "exploration of space" (James description of his new work.)
Intrigued  by urban spaces and movement within them, he says "the
main purpose of my work is to inspire curiosity and action". Movement
and action - not a surprise since James has also had an extensive career
as a modern dancer. 

Then, turn the corner to see funk and fun by Amy Flynn.  Her
one-of-a-kind Fobots  made from found objects are full of energy
and fun...reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.

Or admit that serious fun is needed too.  A dramatic contrast from the
booths of Mariko and James, Amy's booth demonstrates how different
work requires a different approach to display.  Unfortunately I wasn't
able to visit with Amy at the show, hope to connect with her down the
road. I was able to talk at least a bit with Don Becker whom I met for
the first time at ACC Baltimore in 2010 when he had one of the small
alt craft booths. I  was pleased to see this puppeteer par excellence in a
full  booth this year:

By the time I took a photo of his booth, quite a few puppets and
sculptures had already lept off the shelves. One of Don's
puppets greets me every day as I walk into my studio.

And where does my work fit in the midst of these wild contrasts?
Perhaps somewhere inbetween. Here is an image of my booth
this year at ACC Baltimore taken by the photographer, Bob Barrett.

I had  Bob Barrett take some photos of individual pieces as well....I'll
share them in my next post.

Adventure on.    Wendy

On to Atlanta! ACC Show March 11-13

The Atlanta American Craft Council Show is next weekend,
March 11-13 at the Cobb Galleria. Info at: www.craftcouncil.org/Atlanta
Krystuli pictured above will be prancing there in my booth #1206
along with other relatives, friends, eye journals and
more. We'll keep the conversation going about how one "sees"
the world. Krystuli will be watching:



As will "Tadaah!" - who usually prefers this way of
viewing the public, but occasionally stands on his/her
feet proclaiming "Tadaah":



Tadaah was inspired by a young friend who asked if I had
ever made a figure standing on its head. He followed up
with the question, "And then where would you put
the eye?"

Wudaineon, the leather dragon, posed for a photo
shoot at Baltimore. Here is the image of this gentle close to
five foot long creature looking for a new home taken by
Bob Barrett www.bobbarrettphoto.com



Wudaineon almost found a new home in Baltimore, but thinks
Atlanta would be a good homestead as well!

Today I'm putting final touches on a new "Dragon Names"
book. The number of names in the dragon shaped book is up
to close to 400 now thanks to a few additions from my
grandchildren. It's great having like minded family members!

If you're in the Atlanta area, please come on over to the
show...bring a few dragon names with you!

I will share images from ACC Baltimore and ACC Atlanta
when I return home to the studio.

Journey on. Wendy