Riusuke Fukahori inspiration

So, I am trying a new technique using resin layers made famous by the amazing Japanese artist Riusuke Fukahori.


Here is my starting point of the mixed resin with catalyst setting in the base of this bowl.
I will be painting the fins of the fish on this layer then building them up with different areas of the fish to give it a 3 dimensional look. It will take me at least a week for the full image to appear as each layer needs a minimum of 24 hours to dry. I am pretty excited about this project as it is the first time I have used resin and it will be both a painting and a sculpture! Pretty cool, huh?


Please watch this video below for the amazing man at work.

Affectionate Gizmos at TOYCON UK 2014

So I haven't been keeping this blog up to date (naughty naughty me) But people, I have a lot to update! Lol Anyways here is the latest:

Yours truly has got a booth at TOYCON 2014. I am so excited and have a whole year to prepare. The venue has not been confirmed yet but it will be in the month of April. I shall keep you all updated with my progress, I have so many ideas already. More sneak previews and plushie- goodness to follow! Toycon's website will soon be featuring my biography and photo so people can read up on the exhibitors before the big event next year!

Working towards new Products for 2012

 My beautiful little sister Gracie with my latest creation Birchley. He has been well and truly child tested and approved.

All these plushies are soon up for sale when my website is up and running.

Traditional Vs Digital

So, the house warming gift I was thinking of has took a completely different direction. I have painted a Nightime Liverpool Skyline for him instead, which he loves Yay ^__^ I managed to snap a photo of it before he pryed it from my tight hands:

The Liver building has far too many windows for my liking! It took about 6 hours in all. I think I like the reflection in the water best. I have been switching between traditional painting and digital like a crazy person lately. Admittedly digital painting is alot less messy but you dont get the same effect that you do with actual paint. Heres my most recent piece of digital work (took about 3 hours)

 Looking at my shop feedback and trying to get my head around a 'Customer Locations' map has also been on my mind. I took some screenshots of what my customers have to say about my items they have bought. It makes me feel a warm glow inside when I read them haha

More work to come soon inspired by the awesome company that makes cute monsters 'Stitches and Glue' Monster Workshop. I tell you that long fur is the hardest thing to sew together and mess your sewing machine right up!

Pencil Sculptures and Pop up books

Pop up books are so awesome, I have loved them ever since I was a little kid. It's facinating that someone can make a delicate sculptures that can fold away and be carried with you. I have been planning to design my own using characters I have sold in my shop. Thinking about it when I make a soft sculpture it is a similar mind set used when making pop ups. I have never fully understood how my mind can picture and design things that are three dimensional without even putting pencil to paper. Maybe I required this skill long ago and never really tapped into it until I started my plush making.

Another mini project I have been thinking about is to re visit sculpting the end of pencils. I was inspired many years ago by the work of a Brazilian artist named Dalton Ghetti. Just one sculpture sometimes takes him months and even years to complete (as well as all the pencils he breaks in the process) Here is one of my favourite pieces by him:

In my second year of university I was exhibiting micro sculptures for my exhibition. I decided to have a go at this pencil sculpting and see how difficult it was. I have to say I snapped many a pencil and didnt exactly have the best tools in the world (or macro lens camera either) but managed to complete one myself (the night before the exhibition that is) and was proud of my efforts. Here is my own sculpture of a woman with short hair. Although some people have commented saying how at first they thought it was Darth Vader haha

I have been wanting to make another one for a while but just havent got round to doing it yet. Then in work an idea popped into my head. My friend is moving into his new flat this week and I could make a tenny tiny house on the end of a pencil as a house warming gift :) I am sure he will love it... just need to think of a way to frame it?... Maybe get a deep frame and glue the pencil to the bottom really good so it doesnt fall over when being moved..... I am sure I will think of something :D I will be posting a picture of the final sculpture so watch this space....

New everything!

So I have been in my new job for nearly three weeks now. It has it's ups and downs but I am just thankful that I have one at the moment! So hard to find a good paying job in England these days.... I also have a moving date for a new house me and my boyfriend have applied for. It's a lovely two bedroom house in Bebington. The only down side is that we are moving in 5 days before Christmas! Stressful times ahead.... I thought I would post a few of the general things I have been working on over the past month. I had an idea for my shop to give each plush I sell their own passport to show more of their story and bring them to life. Here is an example for a monster creation I made with the idea of giving the monster character via a recognisable occupation (Pilot)...

 

Now available to buy in my shop at : 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84767978/monster-pilot-plush-with-very-own

I have also been painting again (when I get the chance after work.) It's been a strange feeling because it usually kicks in at about half 9 at night. I get sudden urges to paint something, much to my boyfriend's annoyance ^_^ lol

Here is a lion speed painting that took about an hour. I think he is quite handsome hehe

This little guy (left) was original made to be sold in my shop however I have grown quite fond of him so will keep hold of him for now...

This design of an office monster (purple guy!) will be next on the production line for my shop....

I have also watched a series on TV recently called Art Race. It shows two artists making a journey from one end of America to the other by surviving only on the money they make from their art along the way! Such an inspiring series. The artists were Ben Sargent and Kenny Harris, both amazing artists in their own right.

Sock Monster Tutorial

This is my first Sock Monster Tutorial. I finally got around to finishing it. Anyone can easily make a Sock Monster as my detailed video shows you the step by step process. Why not have a go yourself!

My monster's name is Calcifer after Stuido Ghibli's character from 'Howls Moving Castle' :D I used alot of stuffing to make him that much more rounded and cute looking...

Socks are so inexpensive and have the most variety of patterns. The best thing about Sock Monsters is that every monster usually turns out different than the last, which is the whole point. Each is original and unique, you cant go wrong! If something doesnt go to plan then it usually only adds to the character of your creation.

Enjoy x