Thursday, October 10, 2013

The Hunter Artists Network is hosting their premier event the first Saturday in December. You really don't want to miss this event. It is the best of the best in the Hunter Region!
 

We will be there with all our newest creations and can't wait to see you all there too. You will find the most unique items for your Christmas gift list. All originally created by the artists displaying.
So be sure to put it on your calendar and come down for a great day of shopping!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Hi everyone just letting you know we will be sharing our wares at the Dreamers Markets at Parramatta, 19th of October. http://facebook.com/dreamersmarkets?fref=ts check it out!

Lightening Ridge, the opal miner

I wanted to share my newest project with you all. I started this doll and his various components about 2 months ago. My inspiration came from pictures I found of Australian miners in the late 1800's online.

 It has been a big project. I started by building the goat and cart as these were new special challenges for me dealing with size and working out all the various parts to make it real, as well as different mediums not quite as familiar to me.

The armature for the goat was built from wire and wood, and then  built up with Claycrete an air-drying plaster paper pulp product. I made the horns and eye from polymer clay. His cart is wood, wire, copper and various other embellishments to fit the scene.

 I created a shovel to fit on the side of the cart. I did have to buy the wheels. I don't have and don't know how to turn wheels or round things on a lathe. Though I would like to try! Once I worked out the cart, harness for the goat. Then I could concentrate on getting the proportion of the man to fit with the goat and cart. I searched the internet for goat carts, and people standing with goats to get the size right. Trying to make each part of the piece very special and have its own special sparkle is the goal in a multiple parts piece and then for them to fit all together is the biggest challenge.


I hope you enjoy the pictures of "Lightening Ridge."

Thank you "Art Dolls Only" for accepting me into your ranks!

I have been invited to join Art Dolls Only an online group of Art Doll makers from around the world. I was asked to do a bio of sorts to share. So here it is. Hope it fills the bill!
My name is Bobbi Oliver. I live on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
I primarily create Art Dolls using Polymer clay, mixing my mediums with wire, wood, leather. I have been making these type of dolls for about 9 years. But previously was a sculptor/potter. I also make fabric dolls.
Pictures here is "Lightening Ridge" he is a miner heading for the mine fields at Lightening Ridge where opals are mined here in Australia. He stands about 16 inches tall. The goat is a combo of claycrete, wire, mohair.
I got started in Art Doll making when I decided to give up ceramic clay work, after 30+ years as a potter I still wanted an outlet to do sculpture. I discovered polymer clays and the world of mixed media Art Dolls. I got started by doing lots of web searches, looking at books and just trying to make it happen. I discovered Hello Dollies a doll club in Newcastle at Anne's Glory Box and have been a member every since. I received lots of excellent help from the other doll makers in the club. Since I didn't have a clue how to sew fabric or use a sewing machine it has been a steep learning curve with the help of many cloth doll artists over the years.
My inspiration comes a lot from science fiction movies, I love all the characters, costumes. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Golden Compass to name a few. I also seem to have a vivid imagination that goes into overdrive when a new idea comes to mind.
The most difficult aspect of the process for me is creating the emotion, having  the gesture say what it is supposed to say and of course the proportion has to be right in my eyes.
The doll artists that inspire me are Jodi and Richard Creager, Mark Dennis (Mad sculptor)  and many others, but these folks amaze me! The best piece of advice ever given to me was, "keep it simple". Which of course I don't do. But I continue to try.

• You can find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BobbiOliverLamboArt
and  http://lamboart.blogspot.com.au/

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