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..................amongst other things.
I appear to have developed Californian Body Clock Syndrome, which is only recommended if you actually live on the West coast (I am presently floating somewhere around the UK). A touch of insomnia, perhaps. This is the down side to working from home - the freedom to confuse one's sleeping patterns.
Well. It will right itself, I'm sure.
I would like to share some new work before i attempt to close my eyes on the dawn. Random oddities, as always (I'm incredibly faithful in this respect;)....
And more rabbits....!
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Immaculate
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She must be viewed larger!
I'm quite in love with this image; it is one of those rare occasions when a plan actually makes it into fruition. Many of my works tend to lead themselves, it often feels as if i am collaborating with the image (they often have the upper hand), seeking the solution to a strange little mystery, or simply slipping into some peculiar sort of trance. Often, if someone calls me or disturbs me when i am absorbed this way, it takes me at least a couple of hours to actually re-enter 'reality'. I am completely somewhere else. Where? I have no idea. The only explanation that I can offer is the completed (or near completed) work.
So, this represents purity. Look up the unicorn, you'll get the idea. I used my own head for the girl, manipulated it beyond recognition, i hope, and closed her eyes. I still have the open eye version (which looks a little more like myself) as an alternative, but I am pretty sure that this is the one i should like to stick with. She does seem somewhat snooty, a little bit like Unicia, though they are not meant to have anything in common, regardless the unicorn (Unicia is an Art&Ghosts Circus recruit, with a penchant for peppermint flavoured bon-bons, whereas the lady above literally loathes confectionery).
I adore the crimson bows, especially those that are tied below her tiny, fawn-like ears. And the stripy horn! Hey!
This took a record breaking amount of hours to work on, due to the hideous state of the unicorn (the original selection was a jagged, botched mess) and that section of frock which surrounds the girl's exposed knee. As i tend to build these images and paint into them part by part, certain bodily positions are a complete nightmare to grapple with.
Nonetheless, i am pleased with the results :)
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Jane Hare
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Of course, the title is not a coincidence ~
A little dedication to my very lovely sister, Lynne. I'm quite certain that she has no particular interest in romantic fiction, but she does happen to be the proud owner of the original rabbit's head. Some of you may recall my misadventure with a sadistic prone yucca plant a couple of weeks ago...well, I am hoping the wounds were worth it after all. Lady Jane Hare began life as a rather nondescript ceramic bunny wench, perched at the far end of my sister's garden, now she wears only the finest crinolines (or whatever they are called), corsets and bows (Marjorie, you must educate me here!), takes tea on the lawn at 5pm every afternoon, whilst reading her exquisite poetry aloud to a scattering of handsome young suitors, and generally enjoys all of the pleasures that any young lady like herself ought to do.
My sister has actually been quite stupidly excited about the possibility of me utilising this character, so.........here she is at last: Lady Jane Hare. Pleased to meet you and will you be so kind as to pass me that last slice of Battenberg....
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And a recently added photograph of the original rabbit :
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Synchronised Rabbit Heads
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Really, i do not know what possessed me...
I plan to do much more with them, but for the meantime, i intend to have a little fun. I would love to see this poster sized:)
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The Mirror
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Lots of distortion, but all intended. I am attempting to illustrate something that I find difficult to put into words. Again.
Inner conflicts, maybe. Or the flat share from hell;) This picture reminds me of a film still, a frozen moment of suspense. A question asked that may remain unanswered for all time. But primarily, it was supposed to translate the concept of internal conflict, of which we are all familiar with to some degree or another. The imaginary, internal world set against the desire for external experience.
Older characters, for me. They have long surpassed childhood and are now faced with the most challenging experiences of all..........love, self realisation, trust, courage, acceptance. Above all, they have to take responsibility for themselves...and each other. Whether you see them as sisters, friends, or the two sides of a single individual isn't important. The mirror reflects a state of mind - in this case it is the mind of the girl on the right - who challenges the other to make a play for external experience, to finally leave the room that was supposed to represent a sort of refuge, their shelter. But has it become a prison?
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Bluebeard
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Okay, i messed up with the shadow, i think. And my Bluebeard is a little on the girly side, but he did start life as a real male figure. In shadow form he now reminds me of a catwalk model (female), so I'm not sure what to make of it...but I love the idea, so I may work into it further at some point.
This is my own take on the Bluebeard story. It could also quite easily double up as a flaky interpretation of Pretty Maids all in a Row...;)
I have a friend who appears to have a 'thing' about the Bluebeard story. This is where the idea began..........our Bluebeard has long hair, here. Sometimes he ties it back into a ponytail. He is a very polite gentleman, and very few people who come into contact with him could even begin to imagine his true nature. The perfect lover, handsome and smart, intelligent, romantic. And murderous.
I am non too pleased with this image as a whole, but I do like it's separate parts. The girl's faces, for instance, each expression seems to tell her own story, expressing her wordless pleas to the viewer, or whoever they might be looking at (Don't lets go there, things are hard enough!). No longer familiar with autonomy, they have somehow become one with nature, except, this is nature at its most unnatural.
For more Bluebeardyness, go here.
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I must head off and face the prospect of some sleep now, but i shall leave you with a little portrait of my darling Mildred Moog:
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Psychic Girlchick Extraordinaire!
For more of the Moog, see my slowly growing Moogy Flickr set.
Back soon:)
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