Rika Imma

There are those who accurately perceive the pervasive Japanese influence in the work of A.D. and the more subtle but ever present love of the oriental presented in my own. For those who share our interest in twenty-first century fine art figure making, I offer you the following excursion down the rabbit hole: http://imago.xrea.jp/studio.php

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The site is that of Japanese bisque artist Rika Imma. Enjoy her lovely site and then follow the links that she offers for maximum pleasure. Set aside an entire evening, dim the lights, have your tea ready, because you are sure to get lost in Wonderland.

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I remind you that our figures are neither bisque, nor porcelain; we use a variety of clays. However, if you love what we do, you should certainly enjoy what Rika Imma has to show you. Eerie. Haunting. Not for the faint of heart. Gloriously ghostly. Curiously alive.

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To give you a hint, I have taken a photograph of Shimizu's work. Shimizu works in clay, as do we. If any of the links take you to her, you will have found an artist whom we believe to be an extra special Japanese treasure. She is a kindred spirit on the other side of the world.

Starry Starry Night

ScaryMary thought this was wonderful. I agreed. VanGogh has been one of my favorites since childhood.
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If you love VanGogh, as we do, visit http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/show.aspx?id=43 when you would like to take a break for a couple of minutes. Sound is a bonus, but not required.

Cooler Than a Moose

Could there be such a thing? You've heard the expression, right? "As cool as a moose." This moose is very cool and he's been around a long time.

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Heading west, out of our neighborhood, 106/107 to 25 to 25B, past the little cobblestone church with the glorious stained glass window, over the rail road tracks, and across from PeterAndrew's is a small red brick restaurant pub with flower boxes and green awnings. An island land mark that has been a mainstay since the mid-1970's, the establishment has recently changed hands.

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Over the years, there have been several owners. All have managed to maintain the menu for which they have paid dearly and have kept some semblance of the original quality. Not this time. Unless it changes hands again, don't go; not good.

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The only good thing that's still the same is the moose.

The Society of S

Let us rejoice
While we are young.
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Exploring immortality, family, choices and values. Reminiscent of the underground best seller The Lovely Bones , as well as Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic, The Society of S appears destined for years of enjoyment as well as a sequel.
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The first photograph lends a clue to subject matter. Don't be afraid to read the book; it's far more wonderful than it is scary.
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Actually, the 'Teddie' in the photograph is scarier than the book. I created him from vintage real fur.

Be Witched

On Halloween we went out to dinner. Before the stroke of midnight, slipping back into our neighborhood as if we'd never left it, we decided to eschew all the normal routes of ingress and egress.

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We have long been certain that on Halloween there's decadent deviltry afoot, although all we've ever found evidence of is familial fun. Never the less, in our very quiet dark neighborhood, all beloved black cats are kept indoors on this special night.

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As we traveled a short cut back to our hill, we discovered to our utmost delight, this life-size witch and her feline companions. Eerily in the late evening the perpetually full moon glowed ochre.

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Personally, I'm very fond of silhouettes. This one made our night. We loved it; we voted it the very best seasonal decoration in the neighborhood.

Red Sky at Night

Sailor's Delight.
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As we stepped into the twilight on All Hallows Eve, this was the captivating, bewitching view from our back slate patio.
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I have told you that we live in the woods.

Hair to There

Orchid is, now, for the entire month of November 2007, participating and on display with the Fiber Exhibition, in Jericho, over in the next county. Yes, her elaborate clothing constitutes the 'fiber' part that qualifies her to be there.
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In the photograph, along with a sneak peak of the getting-to-be-infamous Red Teddie, is the dark hair piece which Orchid is wearing for this exhibit. Orchid's two-tone hair, was imported from China by A.D.; it shimmers and changes from a lavender to a sea foam green. Naturally straight, it cascades down her back, passes her shapely legs, and gently brushes her ankles. Her glorious hair enables her to play leading lady in The Little Mermaid, Lady Godiva, or Rapunzel at a moment's notice. Orchid's hair will be down for viewing in October 2008 when she greets her Frog Prince.
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In the Jericho exhibit you have a chance to glimpse a portion of the fairytale "The Nightingale". Orchid has gone distinctly Oriental and is wearing her hair in my version of a traditional Far Eastern up-do. The vintage golden comb in the photograph anchors her hair in place and can be seen in the exhibit.
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For newcomers from Jericho who have never seen my work before, this is a good time to thank you for coming and thank you for liking Orchid enough to want to find out more. Please feel free to bookmark this blog and to become an 'Orchid groupie'; Orchid is always up to something wonderful and we've discovered that more is always merrier. So, please, don't be stangers.
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It's also a good time to remind everyone that Orchid is a collaborative work between myself and A.D. Puchalski. Orchid is completely hand sculpted and is one-of-a-kind and, as her fans well know, has a life of her own. Orchid has won 'the Triple'; the highest award given for doll art in the United States. A.D. is primarily a graphics illustrator, resides in another state, and can be reached here: www.angeldevilland.com . The 'yakuza Necro Bun', yes, that tattooed white "tentacle reaching rabbit" who is intent on getting the lovely blue Nightingale, is pure A.D.; colorful, adorable, Necromiconies are each constructed individually with pretty much no two being the same. Necro buns are on hand at the equally colorful Ripe Art Gallery www.ripeartgal.com . If you don't 'get it' and hand-sewen tentacles aren't your 'thing', don't worry about it; Necromiconies are best understood by lovers of H.P. Lovecraftian fiction and lore.
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For questions, comments, or directions to the Jericho exhibit use email: info@cathycara.com . Information on the Guild who organized the exhibit can be found here: www.licg.org .