Carousel

Carousels are a wonderful thing. Not only does it quell one’s desire to ride on a variety of animals, but it also bobs to jaunty calliope music. What more can anyone ask for?

Some details…

This single bottle holder doll can house a variety of sweet liqueurs to satisfy the child in all of us.

Hina-Matsuri

The Japanese Doll Festival is called Hina-Matsuri, which is also known as Girls’ Day. This holiday used to have my knickers all in a bunch because I was this close to being a Japanese girl and felt I was entitled to celebrate this awesome holiday. Apparently being only one-eighth Japanese didn’t cut it.

The dolls I love, but dressing up in a cumbersome kimono and putting on make up with a trowel is really not my cup of tea. I guess I’ll just stick to painting them! This is a single bottle holder doll…you know what that means…plum wine for all!

I totally recommend “Akira Kurasawa’s Dreams.” The second part of the movie shows a live-action version of these ornamental dolls, dancing in a barren peach orchard (and by dancing, I mean swaying their arms around slowly and dipping at the knees every now and then. Very low impact).

Monsters-Noir

A good thing about being back in New York is that I can re-activate my Netflix account and really explore the obscure horror movies from around the world. Although my horror movie taste leans more toward slasher flicks and really outstanding J-horror like Audition and Battle Royale, I like painting monsters and ghouls more than I like painting psychologically unhinged individuals.

Meet the inhabitants of this dilapidated mansion out in the middle of nowhere.

Francesca the ghoul has a real thing for old school horror movies and prefers to model her up do after the bride of Frankenstein. Hector can morph into a bat at will and insists that moose blood is better than human, much to the relief of the villagers just down the road from the middle of nowhere.

Angora loves cats so much that she became one herself after an encounter with some Cat People. They’re like werewolves, but meow at the sun instead of howl at the moon. Speaking of werewolves, Leland has been found by Francesca as a pup. Much to her surprise, Leland can also turn back into a little boy from time to time so he can participate in Little League come spring.

Some views of the house.

They can’t seem to get rid of their landlord, a ghost named Ignace living up in their attic. If they’re even just a minute late with their rent, Ignace will rattle his chains incessantly until they slip the rent money under the door.

After I have finished painting this set, I find that I have been influenced by film-noir more than I realize…all black and white with gloom to spare! Who says black and white is boring?

Bad Cheerleaders

This is simply a case of good girls gone bad.

I personally don’t know any cheerleaders (former or current). I’m sure the ones leading our teams to victory with their pompoms and unwavering pep are perfectly nice, healthy, athletic individuals and not the devil incarnate that movies and literature have made them out to be. Not all of them smoke or chug beer out of a can or are preggers. This is just me having fun after watching way too many Bring it On movies.

We cheer and we lead,
We act like we’re on speed.
you hate us ‘cos we’re beautiful,
but we don’t like you either
……we’re cheerleaders,
……we are cheerleaders

Gooooo team!

The Puppeteer

This single Babushka doll features Annabella the hare, manipulating her two favorite marionette dolls:

Miss Seraphine and Mr. Fredrickson.

“Entre deux coeurs qui s’aiment, nul besoin de paroles.”

(“No words are needed between two hearts in love.”)

Back view of the bustle!

The Buttercrumb Five Bluegrass Band

I’m not crazy about rodents in general (unless they’re genetically enhanced with an extra dose of cuteness and come with an exercise wheel), but I can’t resist the Buttercrumb Five.

Instead of hissing and squeaking as rodents are wont to do, these guys went through the trouble of acquiring instruments AND learning how to play it well…all for my listening pleasure.

The band features Horace Buttercrumb on bass, Nicholas Bean on lead vocals and banjo.

Conrad is a devil on his fiddle, Sassafras is the other lead vocalist AND plays a mean washboard. Little Donald has found his true calling with the jug, even though his piano teacher insists that he should try for a spot at Julliard.

Currently, they are working on their first album but are having trouble finding a producer who’s not squeamish about mice.

Let’s Go to the Fair!

I’ve always bought handmade gifts for people. For one thing, they’re unique. For another, I’m supporting the arts through one of my favorite forms of self-expression: Shopping!

It’s never once occurred to me that one day I may start my own little handmade gig and I absolutely love it! I get to meet a lot of interesting people from around the world through my computer. Internet is a marvelous thing. Unfortunately, with internet shops, one doesn’t usually get to see the “realness” of an object, which is why, since I’m in New York for a little while, I’ve decided to showcase BoBo BaBushka dolls for the first time live and in person at…

If you are local and want to while away a Saturday or a Sunday afternoon, please come out to McCarren Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The fair is on June 5th and 6th, 11AM-7PM, rain or shine. BoBo BaBushka/She Hit Pause Studios is located in booth 216.

I have added a “Renegade” button on the sidebar. By clicking on it you can see all relevant information to get yourself there. And if you’re not in the NY area, don’t fret! Renegade hosts these events in San Francisco, Chicago, LA and Austin all year round.

I’m really looking forward to this event and working with the talented photographer Matt Schwartz of She Hit Pause Studios. We’re going to rock the 10’x10′ space! To quote Hannibal of The A-Team: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Every Day Should Be Mother’s Day

I feel a little bad that I haven’t given my Mom any dolls yet. But there’s a good reason: I need to make one that is perfect for her. I’m not sure how things work in the Creativity Department of my brain. I find that, over the years, it’s best if I wait docilely for an inspiration. Fortunately, this year it deigned to give me just the doll to give to Mom—and in time for Mother’s Day! I have to admit that perhaps this idea isn’t all from the Creativity Department. Mom helped too…by trying out all the recipes in a cookbook probably called Simply Chiffon…and bombarding me with every flavor of chiffon cakes at all hours of the day…and night! Since this is a gift for a woman who once suggested I have a 3-layer chocolate torte for dinner…cake it is!

This single bottle holder babushka doll can house the perfect dessert wine to go with the cakes…or better yet, a bottle of pure vanilla extract!

I love sprinkles, and I love glitter…you know where this is leading up to!

“My mom is literally a part of me. You can’t say that about many people except relatives, and organ donors.”
– Carrie Latet

Happy Mother’s Day!

Hansel and Gretel

It’s been a year and a few short months since I started this babushka project, and wouldn’t you know it, I have now painted my 100th set! To commemorate this momentous event, I have decided to revisit an old favorite: The story of Hansel and Gretel. It’s got everything, wouldn’t you say? Children in peril, cruel adults, cannibalism, feminist movement (Gretel’s quick thinking deserves a shout-out), and cookies and cakes galore!

In lieu of the traditional gingerbread walls, I decided to go with something a little lighter: Wafers!

The “invisible wall” gives you a glimpse into the witch’s domicile. The table full of goodies is also a cage for her future meals.

I found something amazing while prowling around my favorite paper shop here in NYC: Martha Stewart Crafts Luster Glass Microbeads. They act as glitter, but, they’re these nano-sized beads which reminded me so much of those Black/raspberry jels that I had to incorporate them into this set.

The witch with her strawberry cake skirt, Hansel stuffing his face full of candies, and Gretel, looking none too happy with her bucket and mop.

It wasn’t easy painting this set. I must’ve gained 5 pounds because every so often, I’d have to tuck into the candy dish filled with chocolates and gummy bears!