ULLABENULLA

NEST

I wish I could remember where I found this, if anyone knows please let me know... Oh to have the patience to draw like this...!

Mapping Figures...

(Shannon Rankin's marvelous maps! Link Be sure and check out her ETSY SHOP too!)

Heartfelt World!

(Heart Shaped World Map from 1536 Link)

Believing in Grace...

(Link)

Needing Heart...

My dear friend Judy sent me this image from an old German book on 'das herz'. Perfect timing, as my heart is in need of whimsy and lightness today...

Paper Carousel Class Sample!

Here is my sample for the upcoming CASTLE class PAPER CAROUSEL, to be held Monday April 14th! Students will create a 'Woodland Animal Carousel' that spins on a 'lazy susan'. I've used some fabulous vintage hand-colored animal prints that came from Germany, as well as a combination of other paper-theatre images, gold dresden and green metallic crepe paper. The little gold saddles are actually dresden crowns - turned upside down! This should be a wonderful class, and I am already thinking of other 'themes' to use for future Carousel's!!!

For initial inspiration I found this wonderful 'Paper Circus' print-out online! As easy as it looks, it still took me about 2 1/2 hours to cut and assemble, and I didn't like how the spinning interior functions. Great idea, but hard to make it look good. (I'd recommend stiffening all your paper before you cut the pieces out.) Still, if you want to make your own 'Paper Carousel' and can't take my class, THIS is a fun one to try!

Ulla's Painted Doll Head # 5!

I've finished another porcelain head, this one with a 'Summer' theme. She has butterfly's and other little insects flittering around her bodice, and a bright morning sun as hair. I added gold to her hair-band and earrings. Imagine walking through a garden on a warm day, with little winged things flying every which way - SUMMER!!!

Tree Maiden

Last winter I lost a small Kumquat tree to the frost. The roots were so beautiful that I kept it hanging in my studio for months. Then one day, a few months ago, while playing with Lea, this little maiden came to life... She litterly just appeared under my fingers, yearning to be seen, as I quietly sculpted... Her arms reach high and her legs hold firm. Her expression is slightly un-defined, but then most nymphs prefer illusion to reality...
(sculpted of Apoxy-clay, directly onto branch, just as I found it!)

A Little Salt...

This was a fun small piece to do... Standing about 1 1/2", four wee children spell out the word SALT, while their marmalade cat follows behind... Now to finish PEPPER..!

Seeing Alice With New Eyes...

I find these 'Alice In Wonderland' illustrations by ALICE CSODAORSZÁGBAN delightful! Her use of original images and collage is perfect for the energy that only Alice can reveal!!!

Dancing With Mary...

David and Paul's newest creation - isn't she lovely??? What secrets those eyes hold...

Students Share!!!

I am always thrilled when my students come back to take my classes. But even more thrilling is when they bring in pieces they have created, inspired by past classes, to share with me! Valentines class weekend was no exception, with two of my returning students bringing in wonderful eye-candy!!! The first photo is a wonderful 'window box' paper theatre created by Ingrid of 'An Original by Ingrid' on Etsy. Ingrid has been a student of mine for a few years now, and I've delighted in watching her grow artistically! Her work has been showcased in Somerset Magazines a number of times, and she now sells not only on Etsy but to shops throughout the Bay Area. I love what she created here, a romantic garden scene, with a moss lined path, birds in the trees and music in the air!!!

Nancy, whose work is shown in the next 2 photos, has also been a student of mine, as well as a thoughtful friend and confidant, for a couple of years. She brought in this beautiful 'Japanese' box that she created as a christmas gift. She 'photo-shopped' a variety of images and text to perfection. I absolutely love the inside, with its bold black, white and red text and sweet little Japanese angel!!!

As luck would have it, these two talents spent last weekend side by side while taking my Valentines class at the CASTLE, thats Nancy on the left and Ingrid on the right. They also gifted me with wonderful handmade Valentines - showing how true to heart they both are, with sweet crowned angels as a card from Nancy, and a sachet from Ingrid! THANK YOU and BRAVO GIRLS!!!

Tactile Treasures!

These amazing wearable crochet pieces by Kjoo on Etsy are pure pleasure for the eyes! The artist, Maria from Portugal, displays a wonderful sense of color and play in her work! I love all the little bits and pieces, that remind me of deep ocean marvels... I am particularly attracted to her sets of 'customized supplies' as she calls them, (first image) small beads made of felt, crochet and eyelets, that would look wonderful along a sweater, down a skirt, or just dangling on a necklace! She is surely an artist to watch!!!

(link via Bits and Bobbins)

StoryTelling Daughter...

After reading Susanna's wonderful post today on how she uses story-telling in her sketchbook, I was reminded about stories my daughter used to tell me when she was quite young. We would sit down and draw or collage together, each with our own images and papers, and then I would let her dictate (word for word!) a story to me about the art-piece she made. I have about a dozen of these 'art-stories' from when she was 3 and 4. I love reading her words now, as I am totally transported back to when she was so young, and what was important to her... They make me smile and laugh! Here are a few of my favorites!

A BOY HELPS THE BIRDS.
Once upon a time there was a tree. And on one of its highest branches there was a bird. The tree was very very sad because the branch was almost going to fall. Then the branch took hold of someone climbing the tree, who had a rope to help keep the branch staying up so the baby birds would not fall! And then there was a big storm. The Little boy ran inside and the tree took hold of the rope so it wouldn't fall!
The end. (age 4)

GORILLA WANTS TO EAT THE MAILMAN.
Once upon a time there was a little mailman playing with puzzles. He got angry because he was lonely. The butterly came and he was the mailmans friend. And then the baby said: "I want you to buy me!" The mailman said: "I think I'm going to the butterflies right now." And then came the frog, turtle, and giraffe. They said: "Ricky, you must take us to the doctors because we are sick!" They jumped to the doctors. The mailman gave the girl leopard a newspaper to take home from the hospital. And then the gorilla said: "I want to eat you!" Ricky said: "I'm going in my house now." So he wouldn't see the gorilla. He has to be nice to the mailman. Frog got the chicken-pox because he had no money and had to go to the bathroom and get washed, while he was at the hospital. The Eskimo baby ate the pot and he got a time-out. and then came the babies with hats on and said: "It's OK..." and the mailman said: "Leave her alone, she is having a time-out!" The end. (age 3)

OH I LOVE TO SING!
Once upon a time there was a Blue Daisy who was growing a bit funny. There was a big storm coming so the Daisy quickly closed up. The mouse ran inside to eat its dinner. The beetle was with the mouse. 'Papa Nature' tells them there is a big flustery picture in their house. The beetle ran out of the house since Mama was calling it. The heart breaks... The mouse went to school while its Mother was sweeping the floor. The end. (age 4 1/2)

NOW I FEEL COMPELLED TO GO AND WRITE MY OWN STORIES, HOPE YOU DO TOO!!!

Lord Periwinkle and Lady Primrose Walking Their Beetle

Going with the theme of yesterday's 'Monstrosities' post, David and Paul just sent me these marvelous photos of Lord Periwinkle and Lady Primrose, fantasy dolls created by the pair a number of years ago! Talk about perfect attire for any insect ball!!!

Monstrosities of 1818...

(by George Cruikshank)

Insect Ball!

(By Paula Rego)

Asian Puppet Show...

Wonderful Marionette Illustrations of a show by the D'Arc Family Puppets in the late 1800's, inspired by a trip to Asia...

What Every Gothic Romantic Should Have...

(Chair by Douglas Little for Barneys)

Romantic Fashion Photos...

These photos have been around for a while now, but I still love them... Romance by Сarl Bengtsson...