Fool's Paradise

I borrowed some imagery in this piece! If you couldn't tell, it's from Rousseau and his wonderful primitive gardens. For this mask and the series of pieces that followed, I sculpted and carved the original face, then made a mold to create others. Especially when there is intricate carving done, a mold can be quite useful and time saving! This particular mask was cast with earthenware slip, sculpted upon and then bisque fired. I used underglazes to color the different areas - then gave it a final firing. The finishing is with pencils.

There have been many fools created in my studio and perhaps I am the biggest fool of all. But, seriously, I enjoy making them for they are (for me) symbolic of everything lighthearted and of the kind of wisdom that exists in simplicity.....

Carried Away

I just got "carried away" with this piece and had a bit of fun. No great message or deep meaning here, just a comment on how important it is to let oneself go sometimes. I'm guilty of being far too serious most of the time so, occasionally, I take off that mask and wear the more frivolous one. I grant myself permission because I know that balance is a good thing.....

Lightheaded

When I was a child, my mother was always telling me that I would "lose my head if it wasn't screwed on". I don't remember being especially prone to losing things.......perhaps she was warning me of what was to come! At this point in my life, losing and forgetting are daily tests - and I'm on my way to school naked and unprepared. Lightheaded is my version of keeping my head where it belongs, even if it is a bit emptier than it should be.....

Beginnings

Here's another piece about growth and beginnings. I think of the mind as fertile ground for all the seeds that have been planted. In this mask, the ideas have taken a physical form - a fitting metaphor for the mask itself. What remains to be seen is the fully realized idea.....and what it becomes is not as important as the process.

Back to the studio to contemplate some new beginnings!

American Beauty

Since the roses in my yard are either blooming or soon to bloom, I thought it was time to bring out this tribute to roses mask from 2003. I happen to think that people and roses have a lot in common - at least metaphorically: I'm thinking specifically of the stages of growth unfolding in their own time and season. A fully open rose seems symbolic of all that is at its peak, both lovely and fragile. It seems a shame to cut them....

Hidden Resources

I've been relying heavily on masks from the past lately - they are becoming my not so hidden resource! This mask is one of my earliest hinged pieces and I can still remember the agonies of construction: the pieces never seem to fit together in seemingly obvious ways.

The idea behind this mask is one of inspiration. Where does it come from anyway? For me, the little head inside represents that inner voice we all possess. One can close it up behind the mental doors, or let it out to whisper in our ears. Forever listening to the inner voice is a bit like leaving Pandora's box open.....