And then there is more...

Front view.  I added a few decorative wooden
 pieces to the base , mounted  the circular
base on a wooden platform with legs.
Various clock faces, gears, etc adorn the base
to continue the theme.

Ok...#2 of the butterfly trio is finished.  Loving SteamPunk it was time to see how I could translate that to another shape.  I had done something similar with Gear Girl an had so much fun. Which also means I have quite a collection of gears, watch parts and assorted SP paraphernalia.

After everything was adhered to the butterfly stick stand-up from Retro Cafe Art, I gave them a series of glazes, stains and paints to give them a patina-ed look.  To me, the only thing that can improve the look of raw metal is the look of aged metal.

I like to add interest and dimension by hanging
things off the edges, The Tim Holtz sentiment bars
seem to be perfect for this.

Back view

On a Roll

She proudly stands 10" tall.  I added a
larger base than the one that comes with
the basic kit.  But I like the added stability.

You know what they say, "Moss can't grow on a rolling stone."  So I've got to keep moving ahead.  After such a long hiatus, I've got a lot that needs completion.  Of course the 90+ degree weather in the Midwest sure makes hanging out in the studio (basement) a welcome relief.

Flower closeup.

Long before my break, I had painted 3 of the butterfly sticks from Retro Cafe Art.  But unfortunately, that is as far as I got, 2 black and one crackled white.

And then they sat.  Inspiration was just not there.  But slowly it returned.  The first one finished is this one with an undercoat of off white crackle paint. (Spray can by Krylon)

The flowers are made from Grunge Paper (remember that product?)  I always pride myself on not having to buy anything else but using my stash. Unfortunately that give you an idea of just how vast that collection is.  A bead chain winds up the stem while curls of wire spike out of the flower display and decorate the simple butterfly.

OMG! So Embarrassed.

This beauty is 9" tall and a full 6" wide.  She hangs and
is perfect for the entrance to hang keys.

Can you believe it is 6 months since my last post.  BUT with good reason.  Two knee replacements and therapy has kept me out of the studio.  But now able to handle the stairs again, I'm anxious to work and share what I'm doing.  This has been a very long process and even when I could traverse the stairs, the leg just wasn't allowing me to sit for very long,  But boy did I see a lot of YouTube and TV.

I've been stockpiling a lot of various projects.  It was easy to complete the bottom layer but my MOJO was absent and I had very little inspiration. Luckily the 'blanks' from Retro Cafe Art are fun to work with and inspire me to create.

I love using vintage pieces that I find in all of my art.  And my goal is usually to make something that is 'purposeful.'  While I love all types of creation, those that can be useful and not just decorative are my favs.

Built on some  VERY cheap hooks from HL, I was able to use my collection of vintage rulers and yard sticks.  Cut and glued to the background, they are a perfect base for the Retro Café Art Primitive angels.

Rounding out the pieces are more items from the
stash.  Lots of printed labels, metal letters and
other doo-dads.

Sisters is more square with small 'angels'.  Finished she is about 6" by 6"

Closeup of BFF.  Love finding just the
right sentiments. More closeups can
be seen at my ETSY site.

Yup another Guardian Angel, IMAGINE, this one a little more my traditional style. This lovely lady, though new, has a  crackled finish giving her a vintage appearance. The pink lady reminds us to look past the limits of reality to the infinity of imagination.

Coming to the end of his round of Retro Cafe Art pieces for now.  As I said earlier, this year has not been the best one for my body.  Gonna start the new year off with more surgery.  Nice to be locked in the house, but will I feel well enough to be in the studio? Time will tell.

Continue the Whimsy

GAME ON is the title of this latest creation, using the 3D Bird Cage from a Retro Cafe Art, this was a great and fun way to  continue the whimsy in a 3D piece. The 7" piece is view-able from all sides. When the door opens, you are treated to game pieces toys.  Who doesn't  remember and love the hours we spent playing Monopoly, checkers or dominoes. (All of us pre-video game kids)

More Monopoly pieces of of course
wings for this special angel.

GAME ON is available for sale at Honey Poo Poo in West Dundee. IL.

Inside detail
 

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And Even More Guardian Angels

She hangs flat again the wall, with
her charms adding 2 inches to
her overall height.

Welcome fun and funky.  I don't usually create things that are this spontaneous but I have to admit that it was a great deal of fun.  This little angel is only 5 inches tall but packs in a ton of sentiment and encouragement.  From the Retro Cafe Art collection, I used the blank, paint and embellishments to complete the theme.

The back view shows how
she is finished and the hanger.

Details remind us to Embrace
Imperfection and love life.

The LOVE LIFE guardian angel is available for sale at Honey Poo Poo in West Dundee, IL

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Love Those Santos Dolls.

I've made several Santos Dolls to date.  And they are so much fun. I'm developing quite a little collection of the saints.  It's hard to say what comes first...the saint's name or the doll.  This one took a bit of a twist from the direction she was going.

Welcome St Patrick!  Most people recognize St Patrick as the Patron Saint of Ireland.  But he is also the Patron Saint of Engineers which is what this one represents.  He/she is kind of a steampunk saint with lots of metals, chains, gears and other typically steampunk paraphernalia.

St Patrick is built on the Retro Cafe Art, Medium Santos Doll Shrine.  Once constructed, I paint them first and then in this case gave them several other coats of glaze to make them appear to be metal.

Back view

If you have seen my work then you know that I love to add antique found objects and this one is no exception.  He has a fine collection of gears, bulbs and faucets parts.

Copper spool hair and goggles.

This pious little angel adorns the inside platform

This piece, like many others is for sale at Honey Poo Poo in West Dundee, IL.

The peplum is a series of gears and sprockets.
The breastplate is resin and real watch oarts.