SUNNY CARVALHO: Crazy Ladies

Day 2 began with some breathtaking views on my drive to the studio. I can only imagine when the leaves all have changed. 

...and some frizzy humid mountain hair

But arriving at Random Arts, there were yummy Danish rolls there and several friendly new faces. And hence the class began: 

This napkin was used in the background. My table mate had the most amazing napkins to use. I adored this one. Especially the feather and dragonfly. 

Then lunchtime was back out on the porch for a Fried Shrimp Po-Boy and chips. Delish!

Hair is slowly calming down. Lol. 

After sketching out figures. I opted to do a Fox Girl looking up at the dragonflies. 

This was my stopping point for the day as I wanted to leave on time to get to Pearson Falls. It is suppose to rain here tomorrow dampening my options. Pun intended. 

But first a group photo:

And then a short ride and hike to get to the falls. Once again playing countdown  with my iPhone battery. 

The top was soo worth it and the sounds of the falls were so relaxing. 

After a short trip around town searching for food, I drove to the cottage. Again gorgeous views!! And a renewed desire to finish my artwork. 

MEET HARRIET!!  

"Harriet rhymes: 

One, two, three, four, and five

I caught a hare alive. 

Six, seven, eight, nine, and ten

I let him go again."

You can see outdoor lighting is so much better. But hard to obtain at night. 

SUNNY CARVALHO: Thin Lizzies

The day finally arrives for my Random Arts weekend in Saluda featuring the artist Sunny Carvalho. Day 1 involved clay dolls...the SUNNY way :). The process was new and different and FUN!!

Sunny says her dolls are meant to look like Homer Simpson at this point. Lol. 

At lunch, the back patio was so calm and serene and beautiful to eat in (despite getting the wrong sandwich and having to eat avocados :(

Once we continued, the dolls started to take more shape and evolve. I was so happy when they were dry. The wet paper towel was my friend that day aside from my table mates. 

I've been in a tribal mood lately so my girl had a headdress. Now on to the legs and arms...the worst part in my opinion. As you can see I sorta gave up and just let them be wonky legs. 

The final resting point of the day was a dried figure that was unique in her own way. I called her Betsy. No clue why. 

Sunny had her gorgeous jewelry and paintings and stamps and accessories there for sale. So I snagged up this lil necklace gal. I call her Precious (yes insert movie voice here). 

And I completely adore this stamp.

Once I left, I grabbed food where I saw a restaurant since the small town is limited.

And then thanks to my detouring mapquest, I got lost a little. And thank goodness the cottage owner had a brief direction reroute since my lovely iPhone battery dies so quickly. :(. 

But I finally made it. And it was adorable. And serene. And just what I needed. 

TV channels were sparse so I started back up with finishing my doll. 

She started to look a bit caked with makeup here so I had to tone her down some. 

And I think she needed a few tribal marks before being finished.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD BETSY!

TRUE FREE SPIRIT: September Happy Mail Art

For the month of September, the class was tasked by choice to very MAIL ART for fellow classmates. What a fun project this was. I created a HELLO SEPTEMBER themed mail piece using feathers and autumn inspired images. 

In return, my mail partner sent me this ADORABLE AMAZING piece of art. And definitely, good things come in small packages. MaryAnn McKeating put a huge smile on my face!!!

The owl dress is sooo soooo cute. Love it. 

And she even was so kind to include a little goodie package. 

Many thanks to you, MaryAnn McKeating. And best well wishes as you prepare to battle and kick cancer A$$.