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

$#!* 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

Light and Shadow

'Where there is light... There is always a little shadow'
Mixed media sculptures
By Carrie Lee Wendt














I am really having fun working three dimensionally. I never really wanted to work with clay.... I am afraid I have always been leery of the medium. But guess what? I love it.... I am obsessed! I can't believe I have been missing out. But this is old news to you guys.... What can I say.... I am so EXCITED!!
Lol, What a dork I am. Oh well, live and learn. So now, alas, you can see the progress I have made.

Anyways, you knew I was experimenting with it....

No more worrying about wether or not my sculpting would end up looking like Abe Lincoln or the elephant man.... Not that they wouldn't be someone else's idea of a good project... Just that those gentlemen were not what I was going for and luckily am happy to report that my ideas came to life the way I had hoped. (wiping sweat from brow)


And yes... you can still see my work is always reflecting my feelings toward balance... Towards past and present.... Towards happy and sad... Good and evil.... Yin and yang. I think my work will always have a story.
I never really go into a project knowing exactly what I am doing. Things usually come as an idea, a quote or short story I've come up with..... then I develop it as I go on. I basically go on a wing and a prayer. (procrastination is also key to getting inspiration revved up...Lol)

I hope you are in your life... Learning, living.... loving. Doing what you're destined to do.
Xxoo,
Carrie Lee
BlogPress from my iPhone

Once upon a time....

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me:

I am a free human being with an independent will..."

-Jane to Mr. Rochester (Ch. 23)

Jane Eyre

I love this story... it is one of my very favorites.

Jane Eyre is the Heroine.

If you haven't seen it yet, you should.

Here is a clip.. you can visit the site here.

I am not sure why it is a favorite....
Yet there it is.

the first Jane Eyre I saw was the 1943 version with my mom.
She passed on her love of classic movies to me.
Thanks mom.

Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine

I mean hello? This was one of those moments I realized that

I could never be a regular kid watching scooby doo.... although I have.

Hi, my name is Carrie Lee, and I am a movie-holic.

Not just any movies... the old ones, the weird ones,

sci-fi, cult classics.... and some just plain bad movies.

I am not too picky... not much for war movies or horror though.

Yeah, they pretty much freak me out.

But give me a movie with English accents or

overly dramatic characters and I am probably sold!

Well, anyways, you get the idea....

Go.

Now.

Watch it.

xo

Carrie Lee

Working Girl.....

So I thought I would just let you 

see the progress on this piece I am working on....

It is evolving into something that 

I am pleasantly surprised with. 

for some odd reason 

I was always under the impression that 

I could not or rather should not work with clay....

 I have always loved sculptures.. 

well, maybe envy is a better word.

Well, the ladies and I had recently 
talked about doing a more 3D show.

While that scared me in all honesty,
 I really did want to challenge myself.

(or rather prove to myself that i could do this)

I mean after all, 
I love love love Asian ball jointed dolls.

Have  for a looonnng time. 
Don't have one because they are so very expensive.

So why not give sculpture a go?

So, you can see here 

I am having lots of fun! 

It just goes to show that you 

shouldn't be afraid of trying new mediums!

Now, this is actually turning out the way I want....
 but Tanna and Amber will tell you 
that the first face I made 
looked a bit like Abe Lincoln... 

the second was better but a 
little more 'Beetlejuice' than I was hoping for.

And here she is getting all 
primed up and ready to play with...

I have to tell you.... this is the most fun.... 
almost like giving a friend a makeover! 

She is almost done.... 

she is not going to be a doll but 

rather look like she is growing into or out of something.....

I will post more when she is done.

I cant wait to see her come together!

wish me luck...

xo

Carrie Lee

Let the autumn days begin....

Enjoying the relaxing sound of my kids NOT arguing.... They started back at school.... Ahhhhhhhh



Picked some pretty flowers....







Working on my first ball jointed doll... Been wanting to do this for awhile!!! Hopefully it will turn out..

Just me sayin hi... How are you?




Xxoo
Carrie Lee

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Girls trip.... photo dumping!

So the Girls and I had 

talked 

 and 

talked 

and 

TALKED 

... about going to the twin cities for a bit of fun....

 Well finally we just up and did it! 

And it was about time. 

We were excited.... and maybe a little afraid.

(snicker... heheheheh)

 we saw arty cars...

and water falls....

We had such a great time. Just being girls...

Drinking Beer... Relaxing...

Tip toeing through the stream... trying not to fall over.

Then it was off to Ikea...

 ( I hate that I love that store so much!!! I cant help myself!)

 to imagine ourselves in different settings...

me napping? 

I guess so. 

Apparently it is a very Zen place to be.

Especially for Amber....

 not sure what she was channeling here though...

Pahahaha.

Meanwhile.... 

I got a second wind and we skipped right outta Ikea 

and to the sculpture Gardens to have a picnic.

There they go..... its the catwalk....

'Yeah on the catwalk, on the catwalk yeah

I do my little turn on the catwalk....'

Oh boy now that song is stuck in my head.

Bummer.

okay.... picnic time.

Cheers!!!!

To amazing women everywhere!

I'll drink to that...

and I did.

Oh what kind of picnic?

The yummy kind. Of course.

We decided to indulge and be naughty. 

desserts make everyone happy...

Okay then... 

why so angry Carrie?

Your hair?

Yes always...

but this time, mostly my stomach.

It was not very pleased with me.

But those desserts were so good!!!

Whats that Amber?

Do the bicycle? It will help?

Are you sure?

Okay so it helps.... 

But I wasn't happy about it...

 and I did not enjoy it one little bit!!!!

But as you can see....

We all felt great after a snooze in the shade...

keeping balance on sculptures...

peeking out windows....

But then the time came to get back

 into the car and head homeward.

What I learned on this trip...

Not to take so long to plan another one!!!

xoxoxo

Carrie Lee

Drowning in Domesticity....

Hanging Cassidy's blanket out to dry on the clothesline....Old school!

Yes... 

drowning in domesticity...

I mean that in a good way... Partial excuse, part ...Me, just sharing life.... finally.

 Sigh... these last couple months have been delightful. But, I know,  I have a 'lot of esplanin to do" , cue the I love Lucy music now. Well, hmmmm where do I begin? Oh yeah, no longer a member of Gallery 4. I wont go into too much detail, rather... just say,  it was my decision, they are still wonderful friends, I wish them the best.... they really helped me grow and now it is time to move on. So after leaving G4 I took some time to just be domestic.... enjoying my DIY life to the fullest. 

So I have been thinking about what I want in my life and where I want it to go. In the meantime, I am keeping myself busy with everyday life, taking time to smell the roses and reboot. I haven't been slacking.... no, no, no. I have been a Busy Bee ... actually a busy beekeeper! Yes... I am a beekeeper. Adding to the list of a girly girl, red lipstick wearing, mom of two not so little beasties (no... I am not talking about my two dogs or the bunny... I am referring to the human beasties running around calling me mom), wife to the true blue Brawny man, gardener, foodie, indie music lover....... and of course artist!!! 

OOOooooof..... oooof ah doooof. 

*sigh* 

Really, I could probably add to it but you get the idea.... 

I have added bee keeping to my long list of adventures....

Why? 

Because they are cool damn it.

Just look at them.....

Okay take a closer look...

They are crazy cool.... fascinating in fact!!!

We have two colonies... one is awesome, while...the other is struggling. 

It is all very educating, for sure!

In the meantime.... I have been baking nummy foods (Like this torte.... Evil!!!!), riding my bike downtown Fargo and everywhere else, swimming with the kids, giving hand building a go at Midwest Mud - a fabulous ceramic studio, planting a flower garden, and planting a regular garden full of wonderfully delicious things that are finally producing some goodies.... 

just look at my yellow beans...mmmmm...

A little olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper... toss them around in a skillet.. Sooooooo good!!!

I think the bunny wants some.... Sorry bunny-bunny.

I did already give you lettuce and a carrot.

No... sorry.. you can't even have some of these nummy berries.

mmmmmm..... my first berries of the season!!

I have been making sun tea and sitting on my porch... 

okay so most of the time I am drinking beer not tea...

I have good intentions.

Speaking of tea...

Best sun tea recipe ever....

Fresh Lavender and Mint from the garden..

Organic green tea...

set it in the sun...

 refreshing and cool.

So there you have it.... that is what has been on the agenda the last couple months. 

I guess I have been channeling my inner Betty Crocker. 

Don't hate me because I am domesticated... it happens to the best of us. 

It may seem silly to you, but this life of mine.... it is all I ever wanted. It is a perfectly messy, chaotic, adventurous life and it is mine. 

Ours really... I get to share it with him.... 

the Goofball....

Captain Jeremy on our 15 year Anniversary in Duluth, MN!!! Pahahaha

And girl beastie.....

And boy beastie....

Right now things are changing.. and wonderful.... I am excited about the tomorrows. Luckily I have lots of energy and passion....And I am especially lucky to have these two ladies in my life....

Tanna (that is me in the middle)and Amber...

We are heading to the cities this weekend...

making plans

Doing more art shows...

Living life to the fullest.

I am excited.

I hope you are living your dream.

I hope you are scratching things off the bucket list...

eating all the best berries right of the bush...

smelling the roses..

drinking a beer...

watching your family laugh and grow.

I hope.

I dream.

I am going to my grave with red lipstick on.

xxoo

Carrie Lee