Carey's Quirks

ArT DoLL QuArTerly

2011-12-22T06:06:00.000-08:00

My fellow Cloth & Clay artist friends have me excited about the next challenge in Art Doll Quarterly. The challenge is to create a shelf sitter. I'm busy conjuring up ideas and materials! I'll post WIP pics soon!

Splatterings

2011-09-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

New goals and new directions are inspiring and invigorating for me!! I am now returning to my watercolor world.

I am currently working on watercolors of my acreage. I love the rural landscape and my goal is to capture my feelings about my Iowa world. I am pleased with my first painting of my kitchen porch. But have been hesitant about its finishing touches!

I will still be creating art dolls but primarily just for ART DOLL QUARTERLY magazine challenges and for my own collections!! While I’m still teaching full time, it is hard for me to find the time for creating in 3D and 2D at the same time!

I have always loved Andrew Wyeth’s work and hope to share the love of my farm as he was able to share his love of Kuerner’s farm.

Another goal of mine is to travel back to Chagrin Falls and relive my childhood memories by painting scenes of my hometown. I will also be returning to the Outer Banks where my family used to vacation each summer. I yearn to paint the sea and cottages.

Well, enough ramblings on my inner world. I will post some paintings and dolls soon - Lori

MetAmOrphosis

2011-08-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Metamorphosis

by May Sarton (May 3, 1912 - July 16, 1995)

Always it happens when we are not there -

The tree leaps up alive into the air,

Small open parasols of Chinese green

Wave on each twig. But who has ever seen

The latch sprung, the bud as it burst?

Spring always manages to get there first.

These were the words that inspired me when I created my bottle doll Metamorphosis. I wanted to capture the feeling of my fairy emerging from the bottle as a bud opens in the spring. We see the latch sprung on the birdcage as Metamorphosis looks up into the air to view the bird’s flight.

Metamorphosis is created from an old pink Key wine bottle. She is created from paper clay which was sculpted directly onto the top of the wine bottle. Her paper clay arms were wired on. Her hair is created from braiding a knitting yarn with a metallic fleck. Her headpiece is created from flowers and netting cut from a woman’s vintage Easter bonnet.

Her skirt is fashioned from an old collar. She sits among paper twigs and buds.

Metamorphosis-W.I.P.

2011-07-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

IDEAS NEEDED! This is where I'm at. I need ideas for what she should hold. I do have ideas for her dress.

Metamorphosis-WIP

2011-07-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

A big thanks to Daryle Cook on the Cloth & Clay site for the inspiration to get back to work on the ART DOLL QUARTERLY bottle doll challenge! I've really been enjoying my freedom this summer but I'm happy to be working again on this piece. This is where I'm at now. -Lori

Additional Pics of Work Published in ART DOLL QUARTERLY Autumn 2011

2011-07-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to have two pieces in the Autumn issue of Art Doll Quarterly. My Hecate the Gourd Witch is on page 72 and The Boogiewoman (created by Kathy & I together) is on page 115. It's GREAT to have fellow Cloth and Clay Artist Friends Daryle Cook (page 65) and Lorrie Rios' (page 72) artwork in this issue!!

Metamorphosis

2011-05-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to record a work while it is in process. I will do my best but I tend to work close to deadlines! I have a piece I am currently working on which I have titled Metamorphosis. It is a fairy emerging from a bottle. My goal is to take photos and post pics as I go along. But we all know how best intentions are!

I thought of this poem by May Sarton as I was working on my piece the other day...-Lori

Metamorphosis by May Sarton

Metamorphosis
by May Sarton (May 3, 1912 - July 16, 1995)

Always it happens when we are not there -
The tree leaps up alive into the air,
Small open parasols of Chinese green
Wave on each twig. But who has ever seen
The latch sprung, the bud as it burst?
Spring always manages to get there first.

Lovers of wind, who will have been aware
Of a faint stirring in the empty air,
Look up one day through a dissolving screen
To find no star, but this multiplied green,
Shadow on shadow, singing sweet and clear.
Listen, lovers of wind, the leaves are here!

UNITED WE STAND

2011-04-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

Lori's UNITED WE STAND dolls were created for ART DOLL QUARTERLY's TINY DOLL CHALLENGE. They have a full page feature in ADQ Summer 2011 issue, page 65. UNITED WE STAND represents Lori Dixon Carey and her son standing together in love for their country and each other.

My tiny dolls (woman 3 3/4", boy 3") are created from pipe cleaner armatures and paper clay. My son's clothes are fashioned from mulberry paper and ribbon. My clothes are created from assorted sewing trims. The flag pole is an old wooden fishing bobber and the flag is made from ribbon. The dolls are mounted on a wooden star.

Carey's Quirks Presents

2011-03-15T19:01:00.000-07:00

THE BOOGIEWOMAN

Put On Your Dancing Shoes!

Spring is on its way to Iowa, but Kathy and I are busy in the studio with thoughts of Halloween! Our latest piece is one we worked together on.
The Boogiewoman has put on her boogie shoes and is ready to dance with you! She's got the boogie fever as she dances upon the vintage pump organ keys. If you've seen Kathy on Halloween night, you'd know she loves doing the hand jive! Kathy's sketches inspired the sculpture of the Boogiewoman! The pump organ was one of Lori's end of the auction day bidding weaknesses for $3.00! It was beyond repair but we've enjoyed adding pieces of it into our artwork.

HECATE- Gourd Doll Challenge Submission for ART DOLL QUARTERLY FALL 2011

2011-02-26T15:16:00.001-08:00

Meet Hecate-The Queen Of All Witches

She was conjoured up and created by Lori. She is flying off to ART DOLL QUARTERLY to answer their call for gourd dolls. According to Greek legends you must be careful invoking her because she just might answer your call! Once invoked, the legends say it is hard to be rid of her services.

Gabriella, Strength From God

2011-02-19T18:10:00.000-08:00

Gabriella was created by Kathy Carey in the cloth and clay style. Her head and hands are hand-sculpted from Paper-clay. She is hand-painted and antiqued. She is ready for spring with a vintage earring and milliner's forget-me-nots ornamenting her mohair-styled hair.

Gabriella's frock is mostly hand-sewn from vintage fabrics and garments. She is wearing a slip fashioned from an old dresser scarf. Her bustled skirt is from a vintage woman's petticoat of white cotton lawn, embroidered in white work, with a broderie anglaise detail. Gabriella's blouse was formed from a piece of a vintage collar with it's original buttons.

Gabriella's wings are made from an antique key-plate. She cradles a lovely little bark bluebird in her hands. A charm which beckons us to "believe" dangles from her hand with a fob made from a vintage button.

"Life is sweet, tender, and complete, when you find the bluebird of happiness."

--"Bluebird of Happiness"

lyrics by Edward Heyman and Harry Parr Davies

Gabriella

MEET LEYNA, INSPIRED BY THE GERMAN BIEDERMEIER STYLE

2011-02-01T06:55:00.000-08:00

Leyna is a hand sculpted cloth and clay doll. I never use molds. Her head, hands and legs are sculpted from paper clay which has been sanded, painted and antiqued. Her torso is painted muslin which has been gessoed, painted and antiqued. Leyna's hair is sculpted from paper clay. She wears a removeable 19th century reproduction cotton dress trimmed in vintage tatting and adorned with an ornate lace apron. Underneath her dress, Leyna wears a removeable chemise, pantaloons and petticoat. Each undergarment is fashioned from vintage cotton fabrics. The clothing patterns are from Dixie Redmond. Leyna is 17 inches long.
I have been enjoying the book GERMAN PAPIER MACHE DOLLS 1760-1860 by Christiane Grafnitz. I fell in love with the Biedermeier style.

Kathy's Angel in Process

2011-01-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

Gabriella is a paper mache angel Kathy has been working on. She is hand sculpted using paper clay, antiqued, and is shown with her vintage petticoat.

Gabriella is getting ready to have her wings attached!

Gabriella looks up to God for strength as she wonders when this process will ever be finished!

Incidentally, Gabriella means "Strength from God."

Our New Co-Blogger

2011-01-23T15:59:00.000-08:00

Katie is our new contributor to the blog! Here she is learning to use the touchpad. We shudder to think what her new blog entry will be!

2011-01-23T06:08:00.000-08:00

Brew me a cup for a winter's night.
For the wind howls loud and the furies fight;
Spice it with love and stir it with care,
And I'll toast our bright eyes,
my sweetheart fair.
~Minna Thomas Antrim

2011-01-23T05:53:00.000-08:00

My German Biedermeier inspired doll is still in process. She sits here as her first antiquing coat dries!

I love what Santa Brought!

2010-12-31T18:51:00.000-08:00

I love my new old cubbies that my husband Matt and my son Matthew Sodoma gave to me. They are old postage boxes and will be filling up quickly with all my bits and pieces of treasure.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-28T13:33:00.000-08:00

These are some pictures of what I am currently working on. I call them my ladies in waiting because they have been patiently waiting to come to life. Now that Christmas is over I hope to work on them before the New Year's festivities take over!

2010-12-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas To All!
It was a beautiful blizzard weekend here in Iowa. We are thankful to be warm and with power! All of our critters are nestled in for their morning naps. The Celtic Ladies are singing in the background. I am working on a German inspired paper mache doll. Kathy is working on a Christmas angel in her own home studio today as the roads are still questionable.

Milieu Challenge

2010-11-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out the Winter 2011 issue of ADQ! Our Lottie the witch is a winner in their Milieu Challenge. Our friend Daryl Cook has his work on the cover!

2010-10-26T17:25:00.001-07:00

Lottie & The Witching Hour appears in the ART DOLL QUARTERLY Winter Issue 2011. We created her for their Milieu Challenge. Be sure to check out the other doll artist winners of the Milieu challenge. Lottie,the peasant witch is sculpted from Prosculpt polymer clay. Lottie's clothes are created from a vintage crewel dresser scarf and scraps of Lori's last quilting project. Her hair is goat hair stained from our leftover coffee! She rests her magic potion bag as she gets ready to cast a spell on YOU!

Lori's Works In Process-cloth and clay

2010-07-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

2010-07-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

Jessica is Lori's first cloth and clay doll created for a custom order. Her body is made from muslin and stuffed. Her upper torso and head were covered with paper clay. She has been painted, crackled and stained. Jessica wears a cotton coffee stained skirt with painted fabric blouse. She is about 19" long.

2010-06-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is a partial picture of Lottie. She was created for the Mileau Challenge for Art Doll Quarterly. We took a picture quickly because of the approaching deadline. So I'm afraid the whole piece doesn't show in this pic! She sets in an antique frame with her potion bag setting beside her-full of steampunk magic. She is reaching for the key to open her abode.

Lottie, The Witch

2010-06-11T06:15:00.000-07:00

And I thought you were baking cookies!

2010-05-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

Our studio has been busy..

2010-05-09T05:45:00.000-07:00

2010-02-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

Our primitive crow snatched a mysterious key and is ready to fly away with it! He is 12" high and 12" long. Crow stands on fork legs and wears a party hat made from vintage ribbon. His neck is adorned with a ruffled crepe paper collar. Crow was created for the PAPER MACHE ARTISAN'S web challenge which supports the RED CROSS Haiti relief program. 50% of his sale goes to the RED CROSS.

His bags are packed...

2009-12-18T19:35:00.000-08:00

The Boogeyman has packed his bags and is headed for his new home in London with Linda, an avid Halloween collector. The Boogeywoman is in process and will be making her debut in the near future!

It's been awhile...

2009-11-08T17:28:00.000-08:00

I have been busy experimenting with polymer clay. Some fellow artist friend's have encouraged me to try this sculpting clay. I really like it and have been spending lots of time with anatomy studies!! It's going to take me awhile. Today this fella finally received some ears and a long awaited neck!!
I will post some pics of him as he evolves this week! Have a good week, Lori

View some of our Halloween creations at the Galena Show!

2009-10-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

2009-10-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

Witch's Potion Shelf

2009-10-22T18:14:00.000-07:00

Brewing up some magic spells and potions is quick and easy with our ready to use and well stocked potion shelves!

A shelf of our Halloween quirks at Galena

2009-10-22T18:07:00.000-07:00

Our Iowa Autumn

2009-09-20T20:30:00.001-07:00

2009-09-20T20:27:00.001-07:00

2009-09-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

2009-09-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

2009-09-20T20:14:00.001-07:00

FALL Has ARRIVED!

2009-09-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

Our Mennonite neighbors, the Foxes run a produce stand on their farm. It is a self serve stand and we love to go down and just absorb the beauty around us.

2009-09-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

The Boogey Man

2009-09-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

2009-07-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

The Candy Corn Man is a Halloween treats container we have created. He stands upon a paper mache box decorated with fun Halloweeny trim!

2009-07-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

Kathy & I are currently very busy getting ready for the Galena, Illinois Art Show Oct. 10 & 11, 2009. We've parked our broomsticks and are mixing up lots of new ideas and potions for the show. We'll be sure to post some of our new paper mache witches and friends in the next few weeks.