Works in Progress

I love this phase of my process. All of the the little carved components are put together. The freestanding pieces are set on their bases. Now I can look forward to a few quiet days of painting!

Artworks in Santa Fe

Art Santa Fe, July 2016

Figurative sculpture by Elizabeth Frank at Tansey Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM

Happy Spring!

Little Bird Talismans

Spring has sprung in my Etsy shop!  Take a peek at the new selection of Talismans and Little Medicine Dolls featuring my new torch formed glass leaves.

Little Medicine Dolls

In the works~

Love Supreme

Some new hearts just in time for Valentine's. Now available in my Etsy Shop!

New from the Blossoming Heart Series

Installation at Costello Childs Contemporary

New Works~

These are some new pieces done in celebration of autumn. 

They'll be part of an upcoming exhibit opening October 29 at Costello Childs Contemporary in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Ephemeral-detail

Ephemeral

Ghost and Angel #2

Unbound-detail

Unbound

Book of Trees

Autumn Light

I end many of my days with a long walk along an arroyo path. When the season changes to autumn here the first thing I notice while walking is the softening light and shortening of the days. These words from Pablo Neruda seem just right for this time of year~

We need to sit on the rim
of the the well of darkness
and fish for fallen light
with patience.

~Pablo Neruda, from The Sea and the Bells

One Night in the Desert

Agave Woman
carved wood and mixed media sculpture

Desert Heart Series
carved wood and mixed media sculpture

Ghost and Angel
carved wood and mixed media sculpture

Night Blooming Woman
carved wood and mixed media sculpture

Pegasus
carved wood and mixed media sculpture

Ghosts and Angels

I'm introducing a new series of prints in my online shop. The series is called "Ghosts and Angels".  The prints are  a selection of images created from some of my favorite carved wood, mixed media pieces. The images are 7" x 7.6" on an 8" x 10" acid free, polar luster paper. They come with a museum board backing in a clear acid free sleeve. Each print is signed and dated and suitable for framing.

Angel of Transmigration

Mermaid Angel

Secret Garden Talisman

Medicine Box

Medicine Box #1

Part of a new series of works called "Old Medicine" The series is inspired by ancient healing practices, unseen forces and the mysteries of nature.The hand and leaves are carved from found aspen. The box an antique wood crate. Inside the box is an ammonite fossil and 3 vintage glass vials containing illustrations of plants.The piece is designed to mount on a wall. 

9" x 3" x 3"

Summer Stag

Summer Stag

This piece is carved from aspen wood collected in the mountains. It is painted with acrylic and metal leaf. The antlers are found manzanita with tiny carved and painted leaves attached. The antlers are removed for shipping.

Year of the Horse

Year of the Horse

In Chinese astrology this year marks the year of the horse. This piece is inspired by the qualities of free spirit and boldness that the horse represents in Chinese folklore. It's carved from fallen aspen branches. The base is made with a mosaic if vintage reclaimed crate woods and yard sticks. The hat is made with bit of reclaimed furniture wood and topped with an antique glass knob. The hat is adorned with leaves that I carved and painted. There's also a bit of antique tin nailed to the hat and figure. The piece is painted with acrylic and metal leaf and finished with wax. It comes apart in sections for easy shipping.

Size: 54"x 12" x 9.5"

Year of the Horse

Night Sky Angel

Because I live in a hot desert I've come to appreciate the long summer nights. I love sitting outdoors in the evening watching the night sky. This time of year is perfect for star gazing and watching monsoon lightening criss cross the sky.

Night Sky Angel

Circus Circus

This morning I escaped to the circus. Well, in pictures anyway. I love the way circuses and carnivals transport me to another world. They are part theater and part murky, magic, other worldly stuff. Both innocent and disturbing. Here's some captivating circus themed imagery that I discovered today~

Carnival BigTop-Hey Harriet Photography

Carnival Clown-Hey Harriet Photography

Acrobats

Circus Performer by Andrew Shaylor

Sideshow banner by Fred Johnson

After the Storm

After the Storm

This sculpture called "After the Storm" was made as part of a project called Peace by Piece  organized by Susan Lomuto aka The Daily Art Muse in response to her experiences with Hurricane Sandy.  After the hurricane Lomuto collected debris from the devastated beaches near her home in New York and sent it out to a group of artists. 

The bottom wooden section of this sculpture is made with pieces of the debris that I received.  I pegged and nailed them together then banded them across with antique tin to form a raft. The tree atop the raft is found lemon wood that I carved and shaped to accommodate the birds and leaves. I carved the birds and leaves from found aspen. The weathered debris in the raft section was coated with a layer of varnish to fix and preserve it. The sculpture is painted with acrylic. It sits on a metal stand and comes apart for shipping. 

A portion of the proceeds from this sale will go toward a charity that supports disaster relief. 

Debris sent to me from Hurricane Sandy

A Summer Order in Progress

In Love with the Moon

Here's something new from my shadowbox series. I've been playing with some slightly bigger boxes. This is 6" x 6".  The moon and figure are carved from found aspen. The arms are vintage German doll parts. The box is framed with a mosaic of antique crate woods.

In Love with the Moon

Happy Mother's Day!

Sacred Heart with Stars

Interview in Art Doll Quarterly

This week I received the summer issue of Art Doll Quarterly. In it I'm interviewed by writer and artist Ricë Freeman -Zachary. Her thoughtful questions made the process an interesting journey. She even shares little tidbits about me such as my previous foray into chicken wrangling...

Also included in the summer issue are articles and images from some of my favorite doll artists. There's a great story called "Stages of Joy" by Idiko Muresan one half of the artist team called Harem 6

Red Antlers by Harem 6

And a feature by talented woodcarver Stephanie Brockway about the making of her fabulous "Toolheads"

"Toolheads" by Stephanie Brockway

Betsy Youngquist's article "Land of the Fantastical" is full of  photos and information about her amazing beaded mosaics.

"Space Explorer" by Betsy Youngquist

For more information on the magazine: http://www.artdollquarterly.com/