Mrs. Beetle II
These temporary arrangements feature the first two casts of Mrs. Beetle. I finally made a mold from my very fragile alabaster original carving, shown in the bottom row. Unfortunately the casts are minus the “toes” and bottom 3/16″ of the original, which I submerged in a pool of resin, to protect and stabilize the delicate & flawed alabaster!
Painted Spring Plumage on Baby Birds
Heavy Lifting Continues
A Little Fall Cleaning
Fishers of Dreams
Two ambiguous barefoot figures interact in a serious dreamlike activity using a soft frayed rope. This dream game may or may not include the pearl in the “shell” or the floating leaf. The glowing translucent figure at right is all light, poised on a vibrant gold background. The flatter clear figure at left is the darker twin, a ghostly mirror image on a dark copper and black ground.
I am quite in love with my variations of this sturdy bas relief figure, although I will soon find a new theme for art projects! My barefoot draped figure is so sincere and so intent on the work or play at hand. These figures are clearly focused on an important activity!
Look at some of my other artworks to find this figure in other roles in my recent work!
This is a multi-media multi-layer work. I attached each figure to a separate panel, then mounted these securely to a thinner black panel and a sheet of sealed brown fiber board using strong adhesive. I used screws on the back to secure the panels together.
Note the dual panels are more or less flush with the face of the frame. The relief figures protrude, sitting proud of the flat black frame included with this work. A heavier thicker frame would protect the artwork better, but is not in my budget currently.
Two Dark and Light Twin Figures with Rope.
Mounted panels dimensions: 22″x18″, Frame dimensions: 24″x20″.
Lifting Leaves Arranged
All Parts in Final Arrangement
Reason to Worry Drawer 
Foiled & adjusted photo
All parts in final arrangement now! But there is always the option of adding, or with some struggle, even removing! But I really do think this piece is finished, or well almost!
Even with all parts in final arrangement, I will need to verify they are securely attached, then I will add wall mounting hardware to the back. I may also improve the base so this piece can stand upright, which is not currently an option. I will probably add another clear coat also, in order to seal it well.
The title is “Reason to Worry”: the bare trees, an avenging angel, and the writing on the leaves convey a worrisome message about Earth’s rapidly shrinking forests. We need healthy forests for clean air, wildlife diversity, and our own mental health.
I love that I made everything about this artwork except the drawer, the paper, and the threads! Some of my assemblage work still includes a natural or found object or two, but most of them are all my own work. This is so satisfying.
Concept for Fishermen
Drawers as Containers for Art
I have a history of using old found drawers as containers for art. Sometimes I have been lucky enough to find handsome well made drawers, and it is great to get a matched pair of drawers!
Old drawers tend to be best: all wood, or at least sturdy plywood rather than junky pressed boards. And a little or even quite a bit of damage can lend character! I am not overly fond of new & pristine for my artwork. I have come to love a bit of wear & tear of the just the right sort…
So drawers as containers for art generally become an intrinsic part of the work: I build on the style of the drawer, and choose elements that fit the piece. The elements will be permanently attached in the final artwork. And sometimes the drawers actually inspire me to a new work.