Update

I spent a wonderful long weekend last weekend at Portarlington at the National Celtic Music Festival. So many fiddles, so little time! Unfortunately I forgot to pack my camera, so I couldn't take any pictures - you'll just have to take my word for it that it was a wonderful festival in a beautiful location on the Bellarine Peninsula.

So I'm back at the coalface now and catching up in the studio. Here are a couple of recently-completed dolls. The one with reddish hair is part of an order and the other Izannah Walker-style doll will be listed in my Etsy store soon.

I will be exhibiting work in a winery in August in an event called "ArtEntwine" which teams up artists with local wineries. This event will take place in late August as part of the Regional Arts Conference. To that end I am working on a number of small sculptural pieces. The one here is a work in progress.

Oh The Indignity!

This is how I dry my dolls in winter.......the studio fire is a lovely warm place for speeding up the drying process, but it looks a little less than dignified for the poor dolls who end up like this! The other picture is the same doll painted and waiting for some clothes - patiently, but just slightly annoyed. She's going to be dressed in white, I think.

What I'm Working On

Here are a couple of pictures of what's on my studio table awaiting completion. I kind of like how things look in their not-yet-finished state and I often have the thought that I should make a white doll and leave it at that. Maybe one day............

How To Repair A Sheep and other Miscellany

Our local butcher is a very sweet fella with something of a sense of humour. For some time now he has had a very realistic sheep made of fibreglass or something peering IN the window of the shop. (Silly sheep! I'd be running the other way......)

A few weeks ago, I noticed that poor old lamby had a large hole where his ear should have been and a smashed elbow. When I inquired about it I was told that it had been the victim of vandalism by kids........I had a bit of a look and knew I could easily fix it, so I offered to do just that, much to butcher Nigel's delight. I forgot to take "before" photos, of course, but did remember the "during" and "after" ones which are posted here. The things we do!

The doll is "Delta Dawn", Cindy's doll in the ADO Travelling Doll project. I've had her way too long, but I've finally sent her on her way with a new hat, a hand-woven shawl and a pup. Couldn't do much about her forlorn expression, though! She is doomed to forever be sad and wistful, I think.

Maisie

Here is a little redhead (Maisie) that I have just completed. Although she looks like butter wouldn't melt, she has steely resolve and insisted on having red shoes, her own baby and to be called "Maisie". It's getting cooler here in Tasmania (even a hint of snow in the air) so this hand-knit cardi and stripy leggings will keep her toasty warm.

Bee's Choice

Belinda (Bee) was the winner of my recent blog giveaway. I gave her a number of things to choose from as her prize and she chose a painting similar to this one ("Trio of Pears") to hang in her new kitchen. I'll post a picture of Bee's pear painting when I get it finished.

.........And The Winner Is!

A couple of days late, but I finally conducted my May Giveaway using the latest scientific methods and technology...........ie: I wrote the numbers (1-37) on a piece of paper in a random fashion, blindfolded self (there being no-one else available), spun the piece of paper around with one hand while hovering with a pin in the other. At a predetermined moment known only to me, the pin hand descended into the paper and the number in closest proximity to where the pin pierced the paper is the winner..............And the winner is NUMBER 25 - BEE!

Bee - please email me (sue@orielstudio.com.au) so that I can arrange to send you your prize. Thanks everyone for joining in! I'll post a picture of what Bee chooses as her prize soon.