See Saw

There really is no explaining an exhibit of mine, so I won't really try. What's important to me is telling you this: I'm not just me.

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The exhibits flow into a seamless whole, but I do huge amount of collaborative work in and for each one. One day, when I attempted to explain this to a viewer, she exclaimed, "Oh, I could care less who did the work! It's just fantastic! I don't care who did it!!" Now I think, okay, maybe no one cares who did it, but me. But I do care, and so here I'll try to explain to you a little bit more about what you might have seen.

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Orchid, Alabaster, and the girl playing "Alice" were all physically sculpted by A.D. Puchalski. A.D. is a graphics illustrator who just happens to sculpt magnificently. The figures are all hand sculpted, each is one of a kind, none were created from the any sort of molds. BunnyBoy who was held by "Alice" is also a one of kind by A.D. . The tentacled NecroBun who belongs to Orchid and who was bothering Orchid's nightingale in November is now back trying to steal her engagement ring this April. The NecroBun is one of A.D.'s limited edition Necronomiconies, the bunnies from the Abyss. Yes, it's true. Alabaster's coat was completely inspired by A.D.'s hottest latest character, King. King has fabulous clothes, which are of course easier to draw than they are to sew. I simply could not allow King to have better clothes than Alabaster. For those of you who actually do read this and who are die hard fans: you're in luck. Yes, there are two pieces available for sale. A.D. has decided to release Orchid's sister Window as well as the girl who is playing "Alice" in this exhibit. They are available for purchase by theDragonQueen's method of "It's mine! I called it first!!". You can contact me at " i n f o @ c a t h y c a r a . c o m " (without the spam defeating spaces) for more information. Visit www.angeldevilland.com for more on A.D.'s work and to find out about the eagerly awaited graphic novel featuring King.

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Orchid's Precious whom she is wearing for the first time on exhibit, was created by theDragonQueen. Precious is a museum quality one of a kind sculpture containing genuine gemstones. To obtain your own Precious or to learn how to sculpt using the detailed instructions in theDragonQueen's books, visit: www.cforiginals.com .

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The large White Rabbit and the Elves were sculpted by me. Each is one of a kind; no molds. All of the costuming on all of the figures was done by me. MiniRoses, an extremely talented miniaturist, helps me immeasurably, all the time. MiniRoses provided the idea and the materials for Orchid's tail.

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The jewelry was done by me, unless it's obviously an antique. The tiny glass pendants are all mine. The lovely French beaded flowers were completed by myself, Jeanne, or Virginia. "The Book in the Attic" was done by me as were all of the flowers on it. Orchid's magnificent dressing table is Chinese; she picked it out herself.

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The eye which appears in this photograph is a Japanese black one. A.D. had been considering it for our 2009 showpiece which will be a winged male.

Thank You Jericho

Thank you for loving Orchid so much that you so couldn't wait to her back that you invited me to be the three dimensional artist for National Library Month.
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For anyone who missed Orchid and her nightingale when she participated in the LICG Fiber Exhibit this past November at Jericho, this is a photograph by Richard Gardner showing what she wore. Her Chinese pink brocade glass encrusted gown is very hard to capture; it took me a year and a half to complete it. Orchid was created by A.D. and myself to be seen in person, the fact that she looks good in photographs is merely incidental. For more of Richard's photographs visit, http://www.richardgardnerphotography.com/.
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Orchid returns to Jericho this April 2008 where she will get proposed to for the first time by Alabaster. Should he not be able to catch her this time at Jericho, he will get a chance again in October 2008 at Harborfields as the Frog Prince. And, yes, he'll try yet again in January 2009. Alabaster is good looking and persistent.
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It's not everyday that this girl might get engaged. And certainly it's not everyday that a doll gets engaged. I do hope you can make it; anytime the library is open during the entire month of April. We had a great deal of fun putting this exhibit together; I hope you have a great deal of fun viewing it.
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The exhibit will be a reasonably large one on the main floor of the library. There are no stairs or elevators required. The library is easy to find. It is pretty much one block east of 106/107 off Jericho. I'm sorry for anyone who looks forward to such things that I did not plan an artists' reception, but, I just didn't. If you would like me to meet you at the library, I am willing to do that. For directions or library information visit, www.jericholibrary.org .

Scream Queen

For everyone who has asked, "But, I thought you were working on Nine; where is Nine??" The reply is, "We are working on Nine. OurThird is in the middle of casting Nine as I type this. Nine is well underway, simply a little delayed."
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For those of you who don't know what Nine is, Nine is the limited artist edition which is being produced by A.D. Puchalski, myself, and OurThird. A.D. is a full-time graphics illustrator and OurThird is a full sculptor and model maker. And me, well, I'm just me.
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We are creating Nine because we can and we work on Nine when we can. In the end, we are sure that Nine will be be well worth the wait.
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In the meantime, with both A.D. and OurThird, Nine by necessity, must take a back seat to real work. An example of what constitutes "real work" for OurThird is the this photograph. The piece in the photograph is a resin casting created solely by OurThird. Sculpting, casting, painting, limited edition production; OurThird is capable of doing it all.
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OurThird was commissioned to sculpt and cast this piece as the promotional centerpiece for Scream Queens Illustrated magazine. I understand that the magazine plans to make the sculpture available in a limited edition of fifty.
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Visit www.screamqueensillustrated.com to see the art rendering from which OurThird sculpted this piece and to find out more about this revived horror mag.

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The Prestige

The year is 1897. Two magicians who were once friends end up bitter rivals.

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Telling you any more than that, would not be playing fair. We liked this movie a great deal and I am glad that we own it. See the film; then be prepared to see it again.

4222 Tonite

My husband and I plan to attend the artists' reception this evening in Port Jeff. We hope to see you there. To view Richard Gardner's work, visit: http://www.richardgardnerphotography.com/ .

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Post Script, March 16th:

We found last evening's reception to be quite lovely and we left Richard surrounded by admirers. Once again, it was a pleasure to see my work and my collaborative work with A.D. incorporated into a medium in which neither of us work. TheDragonQueen's work was also on view as the gallery had opted to display the photograph of Orchid wearing "Precious".

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The doll photographs from the Bebe collection are available from Richard in any size. For non-profit organizations such as the United Federation of Doll Clubs, Richard allows use of the photographs for promotional purposes. He also welcomes enquiries from magazine publications. UFDC club presidents and representatives may contact him directly. For more information on America's premier doll association visit: www.ufdc.org .

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The photography show will run for a month at Gallery 4222. If you're in Port Jeff before April 13th, stop in. Orchid is stunning; as usual.

Mask of the Night

"She felt that for the whole of her life she had been listening, straining after one pivotal melody, trying to catch a few notes that would clarify the parameters of her existence..."
- Mary Ryan

Few novelists are able to compare with Dion Fortune when it comes to couching metaphysical truths in the guise of entertaining fiction.
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Enter Mary Ryan. While she is no match for the likes of the incredible nineteenth century master Marie Corelli, she might very well be able to entertain the late Dion Fortune's fans.
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Beginning in Ireland at the turn of the twentieth century, Gothic intrique and romance mix with spooky Venetian talismans and reincarnation for a rather unique story which slips forward and backward in time. Any one who enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale will probably like this as well.

Tales of Mystery and Imagination

In the 19th century, Edgar Allan Poe published his Tales of Mystery and Imagination. In 1976, Eric Woolfson teamed up with Alan Parsons and produced a this musical tribute to the dark writer that was Poe. The combination of haunting 19th poetic genius and interpretive 20th century musical genius made for an enduring most ingenious album.
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Recently re-released in the twenty-first centry in a Deluxe Edition, it contains at least eight tracks from the archives which are "new".
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I am often asked, "What books do you read? What music do you listen to?" Alan Parsons Project which is alternative orchestral symphonic rock happens to be my all time favorite. There isn't a note that they have ever produced that I don't absolutely love.
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Out of their, say, fourteen albums I totally adore Eric Woolfson's first musical, Freudiana. Some say that it is the greatest musical work ever made. Most people that I know have never heard of it. Certainly it's very funny. I waited a year for it; it was extremely hard to get. But it's really hard for me to pick a favorite. Alan Parson's solo album, Try Anything Once, we prefer for gift giving. To find out more, visit: http://www.ericwoolfsonmusic.com/ . There are links to The Alan Parsons Project and all of their work.
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Tales of Mystery and Imagination was originally produced in England in 1976 at a cost of $250,000 and incorporates the talents of over 300 artists. It is the equivalent of Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, although it has a more obscure following. Can I tell you that it's a bargain at under thirty bucks?

Doodle to Your Heart's Content

"The answers are out there even when you have to make them up yourself."
-theDragonQueen
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TheDragonQueen produces museum quality professional art. She also produces more than her share of: entertain the fans and let it be FREE!!!
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If you have a moment, take this quick lesson. You might learn something, and certainly, I would think, you will laugh and laugh. Enjoy!
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Visit: www.cforiginals.net/doodlebook.pdf Please be patient while it loads.
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Reminder: theDragonQueen will be in downtown Manhattan on the weekend of April 11th, 12th, and 13th. Call 1.800.9SCULPT to reserve a place in class or visit: http://www.cforiginals.com/ for more information. The book signing with theDragonQueen on the evening of Friday, April 11th is free to the public.
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I hope to see you there.

Dragon Pet

"Hey, I just heard the can opener. Is it for me??"

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No. I did not make that up. That is theDragonQueen's humor. This little guy is one of my favorites. He's a little bigger than what you would make in her upcoming workshop, but after the class, I am sure you could manage one.

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He's similar to Orchid's pet dragon "Cinnamon", but Cinnamon is jointed.

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1.800.9SCULPT to reserve your place in the downtown Manhattan class on April 12th. Visit: www.cforiginals.com for more information.

April Eleventh

Six thirty P.M.; downtown Manhattan. TheDragonQueen is flying in from the west coast. Her 'new book' signing will be on the evening of Friday, April 11th and she will be available for classes on the weekend, during the day, for 12th and 13th.

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"Precious" who is indeed extremely precious containing a ruby amongst other precious gemstones, whom theDragonQueen designed specifically for Orchid, will be on display at Jericho Library for the entire month of April 2008. This is the first time that Precious has been on exhibition. "Precious" can be seen in Richard Gardner's photo where Orchid has her hair tied up in a yellow silk bandanna.
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Those of you who are most jealous of Orchid and the fact that Orchid has "Precious", will get their chance to create their own Precious on April 12th in Manhattan when theDragonQueen presents, "Here there be Dragons".

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In addition to the dragon focal bead class she is offering a mirror class and a vase class. For any of you who have gazed in awe at her creations, now your chance to meet theDragonQueen and experience her joie de vivre for yourself. Her classes fill up very quickly, so reserve your place early to avoid being disappointed.

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For more information call: 1.800.9SCULPT or visit: http://www.cforiginals.com/

Harp O'Gold

High on a hill, on our island's north shore, in a neighborhood so lovely I once considered living in it, there is a house. A decidedly large, stately, grand house. It is set on an equally large stately and grand property.

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Following the rules of our neighborhood which state that one goes only where one is invited, and once one is invited, one arrives promptly on-time and not a moment too soon, I eagerly awaited the appointed moment and climbed the elegant slate stairway simply thrilled to be invited. This is the home of a very accomplished artist. And not only is it the home of an artist and not only is it large stately and grand, it contains a particular harp.

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A large handmade golden harp. A gloriously beautiful harp which brings the twinkling sussurant sounds of brightest heaven straight to the darkest earth. A magnificent harp the likes of which is only found in the very best fairytales. And then, one has to use one's imagination in order to see it, let alone hear it.

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The harp stands in the center of its own high cathedral ceilinged room. It is attended by two darling little antique wooden harp backed chairs, also conjured straight from some long ago forgotten fairytale. The hand of theHarpist makes it sing.

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TheHarpist is as lovely as her harp. Her music CD is most wonderful; through it, I can make my house which is neither large, nor stately, nor grand, sound like hers. TheHarpist is available for special engagements. Perhaps best of all, she teaches the harp. Imagine actually being able to play one? Operational soon, her you can visit her at: http://www.karenstrauss.com/

Dark House Quarter

"Curiouser and Curiouser"
- Lewis Carol
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Physically quite far away from our island, but very close in spirit to our particular neighborhood, is a house. A very strange house. A decidedly odd house. A fabulously frighteningly beautiful house. A very dark house. One which, fortunately for you, if you don't like this picture, you needn't visit at all.
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Like Rod Serling's Twilight Zone, it is a place of mind and fearsome imagination. Stephen, the master of the house, graciously welcomed me in. I, in turn, now welcome you.

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All through his house, I wandered and I wandered. It was so quiet. And I could hear the long crushed silk skirt that I wasn't really wearing swish over marble floors and I hiked it from long practice over the wooden ones and watched carefully not to catch my high four inch heels in the worn Oriental carpets. I twirled and I gazed and I gasped. And then I ran home over the cobblestones and invited a friend back. It is an understatement to say that together we found ourselves enthralled. I said to her, "It's simply so glorious, isn't it? I hope that Stephen rents rooms; ScaryMary will want to live here!"
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For those of you who wonder what my house looks like and wish that they could spend time in Little Cow Harbor, I say, "Visit Stephen. When one of his glorious dark portals hangs upon your wall, maybe you are ready for my house. And still, maybe, most probably, not. Because my house is real. Alice really lives in my house."
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Speaking of Alice, you are remembering, I hope, to mark your calendars for any day in April. April 2008 is the time for my month long exhibition at Jericho Library where our Alice will be seen for the first time. And you mustn't look at Stephen's picture and be afraid. Our Alice will debut in vintage blue silks and probably a jeweled headband. You will be able to see my White Rabbit life-size and fully intact. Certainly there will be no ax anywhere.
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Well, the ax will still be right where it is I suppose. If you enter a certain room, in a particular house, in the United Kingdom, I am sure you can find Alice. With her ax. And the remains of the White Rabbit.
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On a dark and stormy night, when the wind howls and the clock strikes midnight, climb into your velvet appointed horse drawn coach and visit: http://www.darkhousequarter.com/ . No need to call ahead; the door is always unlocked, and the house is always waiting.
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If you're from Great Cow Harbor or Little Cow Harbor, dress up. Long skirt, high heels, extra Swarovski butterfly hairclips to lose, lots of jewelry to glitter in the candlelight. Be sure to write a thoughtful thank you note to Stephen after you visit; he has worked hard to make your stay a pleasurable one. If you are not from our town or our end of the island however, you might want to wear flats; you might have to run.