Hunter, gatherer...

I am hunting and gathering. Inspiration is my prey! Okay maybe this is an excuse to spend far to much time on Pinterest. Being at home during the winter months can get a a bit monotonous you know.... So While I am here hibernating in my usual fashion, I am at least trying to learn some new things. You know me.... lovin the learnin.

I had resigned from Gallery 4 to focus on some new goals and see where my art would lead me ( i may return soon though... i miss my peeps). I basically was open to everything and loving to learn.... as you know. So I had these big aspirations to start writing again. But then I became stumped. Going back and forth in my mind. Asking myself what is the story. But I was fighting myself too much. So I just went back to the drawing board and immersed myself in everything I love.... I am creating myself from moment to moment and it feels right to have things develop organically instead of forcing things.

I realized a few things in the last few months.... I love to sculpt... and am experimenting as we speak! I just made some cold porcelain.... i love it... the kids love it... you can make a bunch for cheap!!!! Here you go.... my first video tutorial.... no judging! I am no pro... that I am sure, is obvious. lol

 I love sharing, I love stories, and feelings.... I love making people happy and hopeful. So I am exited to work on some dioramas and such.... I am not sure how these stories... or works will develop but I will just let it happen.... here is what has been inspiring me lately.....

Paper Theatres = LOVE

You can find out everything about them here : 

http://www.kannikskorner.com/toytheater/photos.htm

I really, really, REALLY want to make one... and start making more dioramas... 3D art seems to have my heart doesn't it? I can't wait to see what I can create.. my own worlds!!!! Ahhhhhh ... I can't stand it... so much to do... so many ideas.... I better rein myself in... whoa girl!

Then there is the art of art of Sandra Arteaga... 

she is so inspiring.... Wish I could step into her dreams and see what happens there. 

I think we could be kindred spirits.

The Last Chapter by Sandra Arteaga

Then there is also the work of Paola Zakimi from Argentina. 

I found her through an article in the Art Doll Quarterly.

 She also doesn't limit herself to just sculpture... showing me that you can do it all!!! Wonderful. xxoo

Art doll by Paola Zakimi 

I have been spending a lot of time learning and experimenting with how to make moveable dolls.... The best and hardest option being learning how to make a ball jointed doll.... Im not going to lie.... it takes some practice, I have yet to be happy with my own results so far. I am very impatient and a little OCD! lol

But here is a good tutorial on how to make ball jointed dolls in the Asian style. 

 So go ahead and give it a go... let me know how it works for you!

 Noah gives a really nicely detailed explanation.

And if that isn't enough well.... don't even get me stated on Etsy!!!! 

I love Etsy. It is my favorite way to shop for friends and family!!!! It is also my favorite way to be inspired. The talent and creativity out there is amazing... and so easily available!!!! I find the most fun way to shop on Etsy is to peruse  the Favorites of sellers and buyers on Etsy! Here are some of my favorites above.... I just love that you can start at one place then fall in love with another and another.... checking out other peoples favorites can lead you all over the world to the most inspiring places!!!! Give it a try... start looking through my favorites... then look at another... and another. You will be surprised at what you find. It is so much fun!

Then there is Pinterest.

MY CURRENT OBSESSION!

Same principle idea... hunting and gathering inspiration from every corner of the web... from all over this ever shrinking world of ours.....

So go Hunt and Gather and see what you find... then go create... use your imagination and see where it takes you. Whole new worlds await you. 

xxoo

Carrie Lee

Don't feel bad... I still love you.

My poor little sweet blog... have we been feeling a bit neglected? Are we beginning to feel the sting of jealousy every time I post to Facebook or pin another something on my ever expanding this of fabulous bits of inspiration onto Pinterest? I know, I know.... it doesn't seem fair does it?

Well... I guess I have just been feeling as though I don't really know where to start! So much has happened this year... So sit back and relax so I can bring you up to date shall I? Seems fitting to recap the last year and start fresh anyways right?!!! So here it  goes ...

Last year brought a great many changes for me....

*I started doing more group shows with some wonderful Ladies of Lowbrow..... like Tanna Lee Hill and Amber Noel Parsons.... and just generally spending more time with my friends, peers, mentors.... 

(My friends are wonderful, crazy and extremely talented... I'm so lucky!)

*Resigned from Gallery 4 to focus on expanding my horizons and family!!!!!

(Yes, this is how I focus on family)

*My trips to Georgia, Florida, Colorado and the Cities kept me busy!!!

*Started keeping Bees.... it is amazing and a learning process that we have not yet mastered!! LOL

*Jeremy and I celebrated 15 years together which I think is amazing... I have been with him since I was 17 years old, crazy huh?!

(he is so bashful... and so cute I might add)

*Had a chili cook off... it was a tasty event! One word... YUM.

*Added onto the back porch , a craftsman style pavilion (my mister is quite talented, \(^.^)/ !)

*I started sculpting!!!!! I love it and am so excited for what the future may bring... I feel like my art is growing organically and just seeing where the journey will take me, just focusing on doing what I love!!!!!!

(as you can see I changed up my blog a bit to reflect my ever changing art!)

*Of course I took a bit of a sabbatical after I butchered my hand.... I still have some nerve damage, but that hasn't stopped me from doing what I love..... If you really want some advice... DONT EVER RUN A KNIFE THROUGH YOUR FINGER/HAND!!!!! It was a real pain, but also a blessing in that it showed me how grateful I am to have the use of my hands.... I can't imagine not being able to do what I love!

(It went through two fingers... yuck! Luckily it is almost better now.)

* My kids are getting to be young amazing people...

 who teach me daily the joys and pains of parenthood!!

Cass is a regular comedian as is her brother!!!

Did I mention they are both double digits now? 

I know, crazy right?

(Connor in Football gear, and enduring 'Phase Three' from Grandpa, awww life lessons are fun aren't they?! Cass in her autumn Head wreath and goofy bison hat! lol)

* Our newest adventure.... FLYING!!!!!!!

Jeremy asked me one day... 

'I am going to start taking flying lessons....Do you want to learn how to fly with me?'

Um, hello.... yes please.

So there it is ... well, the highlights anyways.

Now that we are all caught up I am going to try harder to share my daily inspiration, progress, and just some bits and pieces of my everyday life!

Hope your last year was full of fun and adventure!!

XXOO

Carrie Lee

Hi- ya!

I will be revamping the blog a bit and if you haven't already... you should subscribe to me on Facebook! I am always updating there.

 xxoo

Carrie Lee

$#!* Girls Say - Episode 1

I have been away from the blogging world for a bit... so maybe you can watch this video... remember I am a girl and forgive my procrastination! xxoo Carrie Lee

The Company of Wolves

We closed our show last night and then went out on the town... Ate pizza... Watched the crazy people staggering around downtown.... It was an experience, and it was fun. I also sent another piece I did to a group show in Minneapolis at the CSG for a group show. Here is the poster....






I was supposed to go, however, my mister came down with the nasty stomach flu and needed a little TLC. So here I am sitting next to my bed ridden boy and catching up on the latest news... Thinking about what I should tell you... Hmmmmm, well most of you already know that I shish kabobed my fingers on my left hand a week and a half ago.... It is finally getting better now, still has a long way to go and no feeling in my left index finger yet. So I think I will be taking a break for a week or two then go back to work. But hey.... No worries!
Oh and...
Here is the piece I did for the group show at a CSG.....






It may surprise some of you to know that I don't actually celebrate Halloween... I belong to a somewhat orthodox religious background and have never been a part of most mainstream Holidays... So when I do my art I am not swayed by holiday themes... Nor do I want to be. I look for morals, or moments of truth, understanding, storytelling....
We were supposed to pick a scary movie as a theme and I picked a very B class movie,(i am a bit of a chicken when it come to seriously scary movies... What can i say... I am a wuss) it is dark and strange and has a very very good point in the end..... Little Red says....

'Little Girls this seems to say, never stop along the way, never trust a stranger friend, no one knows where it will end, as your pretty so be wise, danger lurks in every guise, now as then tis simple truth, sweetest tongue hides sharpest tooth.'

Here is to taking the right path....just be careful of all the wolves along the way.

Xxoo
Carrie Lee

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

October Show ~ Rock, Paper, Scissors

I almost forgot to post this here! Ug...

Well here you go:
'Rock, Paper, Scissors'
At Atomic Coffee
Downtown Fargo
All October!

Drop by if you can... I think it really turned out great! I am so lucky to work with talented ladies like Amber Noel Parsons and Tanna Lee Hill.



I will post pics from the show later.
Xo
Carrie Lee
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone