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

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

A little creepy. Yes, definitely.

Hi everyone!!! I am working extra hard right now with an upcoming art show. I am really excited about it. I will be exhibiting a variety of my work ... including, my cameo girls and some of  my digital manipulations. I hope it turns out as planned. My brother is also coming for a visit in a couple more weeks... he will be able to see my show! First time he will see my work up close and personal, so I am excited and nervous. I have always looked up to my brother. His opinion means so much to me. 

So for now I am here.... but a busy girl.

 So I will post some things to inspire and entertain you in the time being.

 And give you one last rant until some time next week.... 

Here is a video I saw a while back.... I couldn't remember the title, major brain  cramp! So  I didn't share it until know because I hadn't come across it again until recently! YAY! It is very neat little short animation. A little creepy just the way I like. The story is itself very Tim Burtonesque.... ( Yes, I just made that word/last name up).

(pause my playlist)

Alma from Rodrigo Blaas on Vimeo.

Why do I like things a little dark? I think, when people meet me, they are especially surprised, for the most part, that I am a very optimistic, cheery person. I am not completely sure why my art and my personal taste is a little dark. Or as I usually explain... bittersweet. So, I pose a question..... or two.

Isn't life generally bittersweet?

Do you ever find yourself with the weight of all the worlds sorrows on your shoulders? 

I do. I worry. I get sad. I struggle. 

Everyday.

But art is my way of working out those emotions. I just cant go through this life as a mope. Not that I don't mope. ....Oh, I do. 

But I try very hard not to let the struggles of life envelope me entirely. 

I may not have told you..... one of my favorite artists is Frida Kahlo. I know, I know.... so is every other aspiring female artist. Her work is touching and original, yes. But I relate to her as a woman who struggled.  I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago. I was 32. I was young... yes. But really it was a surgery that my Doctors had wanted to do since I was much, much younger. I know suffering. I went through years (and still do... really) of pain. I had cysts, tumors and endometriosis. The endometriosis had spread to most of my major organs and I had to have major surgery to remove it and separate other parts of my organs that had fused together. I don't usually like to talk about it. This is the first time I have on here. It is very personal and, to some, disturbing.

I have had physical pain... and emotional pain. A child of divorce and moving from place to place... I went to a total of 11 different schools. My family is scattered all over the country.... in every corner. Thousands of miles separate us. I lived and grew up in California, Arizona and Texas before settling in Minnesota. You get the just of it. 

I don't want your pity. 

I do want you to know that I have compassion for you, for everyone, and their struggles.  We are not always what we seem... and I wanted you to know me, my heart, where my strength comes from. Maybe you can relate? Maybe my art or my story will help you find some mercy for those of us that are not picture perfect. And I hope that you too can learn to see past your trials and struggles. To see the bittersweet journey and come to understand that without the dark you can't see the light. You have to be able to see beauty in a person or situation that may not appear as  what they truly are. Look deeper, see truer, and celebrate it. We are all unique. We all have a story, a journey. I am sure yours is bittersweet also. 

So here is to light and dark,

yin and yang

Marco and Polo...

not really that last part,

and everything in between.

Especially to things that seem a little bit creepy.

xo

Carrie Lee

Snow Day....Carrie's Boombox

(pssst....pause playlist)

Here is another song to add to your playlist.... listen to the entire song here.

It is Snow day, by Matt Pond PA. 

I saw the commercial above and had to find that song!!! Enjoy!


Don't have snow?
Make an interactive snowflake here... with personal message... very cool!


or .... 


cut out paper snowflakes here.....


Have a wonderful snow day!!!

xo

Carrie Lee

You can tell everybody this is your song......225th!

Sometimes I look for the right words and they don't come.  So here is a song for you..... This is your song...

(Don't forget darlings....pause my playlist) 

'I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind ... that I put down in words... how wonderful life is now that you're in the world......................... 
I know it's not much but..... my gift is my song and.......... this one's for you........."

I am an ordinary girl who happens to be an artist. Thank you for letting me be who I am. Art is my song. This community has enabled me to pursue my dreams. It can be scary out in this big crazy world. And sometimes I honestly wish I had another talent... like a rocket scientist, a surgeon, or a mathematician... but that will never be me. I will always be a mom of two curious little people, wife to my very own 'Brawny Man' and I shop at thrift stores, go for coffee at the local mom and pop, collect cameras, experiment with new recipes (and use my family as guinea pigs). I will always dream, at least I hope so, I will always have to try something new. I can't express what it means to me to have you all cheer me on.
I was recently nominated for a TOP BLOG of 2010  over at the Blog Guidebook! Thank you ladies.  I know I am the underdog in a competition like this.... I mean really? The voting starts over there on Saturday. It will be fun to check out the other blogs. If I win I will be completely surprised. It doesn't matter, it is an honor either way. I found them a while back... they are a nice reference for blog readers. If you haven't checked them out you should. 

And guess what else? This is my 225th post. REALLY! I completely passed 200. And one year ago I added a count reader... it is over 6000 now! Wow, who knew. I think we should celebrate. Don't you? So because of all the excitement I am going to do my own little giveaway. I am reopening Etsy in a couple weeks.... just in time for cyber Monday (more about that later).... so I thought we could kick it off with a small gift. From my cameo girl collection, let me introduce..............

Sailor

 Print of Sailor Girl. 8.5 x 11 signed and numbered. Printed with Archival ink on Fine Art Hahnemühle paper.

She is fearless. She is a wonderer who is not lost. She sets sail and has endless adventures. You can love her,  but remember.... her heart is anchored to the sea. 

If you would like to add her to your collection just leave me a comment. I will except comments up until Dec 1st (midnight). Then  I will pick a winner on the next day! I had to do something to express my gratitude. 

Deeply, 

thank you.

From the bottom of my heart.

Carrie Lee

*I may add a second gift if I break 100 followers... seeing as that looks like it is coming close too! We will see! xo

My dad made this video....

He made me cry. It was nice to look back .... to see what we mean to him. Things haven't always been easy in our family.... but then of course.... no family is. My Dad and I have become so close.... even though we have had some heartbreak along the way. It just goes to show you that love can heal every wound. Love you Dad. Thank you.... I am so proud of both of my parents. They are always trying to become better people... no matter how hard it is.

 xo

Carrie Lee

Morgan and Destiny's Eleventeenth Date : The Zeppelin Zoo HD

This is so clever! I am inspired!!!

I am back from Wisconsin and getting busy with my art again.

I have decided to do something a bit different. 

I never seem to make enough to share with all my wonderful online friends.

 So I am going to have a dual show. 

I decided that in order to do that I will have to make 2 or maybe three of each piece. 

I have been terrible about blogging in the summer and taking pictures... but don't worry I have not forgotten you. 

I will try to take pictures of my progress. I am hoping to make around fifteen sets. I have been on the hunt for more of my vintage frames and almost have enough. So far my cameos have been finding homes all around... near and far. It is wonderful. I am so glad everyone seems to have a place in their heart for them. But I feel badly that all my encourager's here have yet to be able to buy them. That will all change soon!!!

Look for updates coming soon. In the meantime, be inspired by this video!!! I was looking for scenes and paper cutting sights and stumbled upon this.

Joseph Gordon-Levit.. Will you marry me? Oh wait I am taken..... never mind.

xo

Carrie

Art show tonight..... I hate this part

Well.... I will be downtown Fargo tonight.I know I should be giddy with joy. Honestly, I get so weird about this stuff. I am just a weird, silly, happy girl... there really is not much mystery here. I am anxious and nauseous to see how people respond to my work. I will post pics of the show later!!! Wish me luck. So I leave you with this funny video..... This is the song that came into my head this morning.:]

xo

Carrie

* Pause my playlist!

Love This Video!!!

Betchadupa "My Army Of Birds And Gulls" from Jacky Winter on Vimeo.

Just a bunch of silliness!

Nothing like family to bring back the laughter!
XOXO
Carrie

How is Everybody?

Well, just wondering how all my peeps are....

I am good, and busy. Last couple days I have been trying to burn the little movie I made about WomanSong to DVD.... fun fun fun.

I also uploaded it onto google video for all to see... here is the link

Again, my program has a few glitches in the titles (it doesn't want to spell?), and it is really pixalated on the uploaded version. If you want to see it better, let me know so I can send you a copy of the real thing, but for now here is the clip...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1881799188632290125&hl=en

Also been working on my doodles and my collages ( put a couple more layers on) and I also made a new hat! I am going to make more... they are fun to do, I have always had a thing for making hats.... here are some pics of what I am up to this week.... Later peeps!

I am Home!

I am back from woman song and had a wonderful time!
I hope every woman that has the chance will make it there at some point it was so inspiring!
I am back and have too many ideas for my mind to hold all at once, I want to write, sing, paint, make hats, cook fabulous foods....I am just exploding with creative thought right now. Not that I will accomplish every task, but it is fun to try!!!!




*All my girlfriends will be getting a video of our woman song experience very soon!!!!!!

Bruce & Shirley

Happy Anniversary!
I have been trying to upload the video, I hope this works instead... I will try again later.
I have to go finish sewing some panels for my friend Karman. More later...
http://www.google.com/s2/sharing/stuff?user=108636133882869218146

Cassidy is happy...

Cassidy is happy... as you will see, watch the new video.
I thought we might as well document that her room has been clean, even if only for a while...

And by the way... there is a glitch in the credits... I do know how to spell my own daughters' name, but for some reason it won't publish it on my movie maker?!

My Baby Girl!

Cassidy ( in the middle) is working on her future career.

(Remember to pause my playlist on the right!)