Wednesday 9 April 2014

Clay mermaids (WOYWW)


Busy week on my workdesk, lots of bits to share!
Last week I gave you a wee peep at my new seashell mermaid which I had just started.



This was how she looked last Wednesday. The background framed her form which is blocked in with gesso.


And now she is painted with acrylics and varnished she is ready to swim!


liberal  amounts of crackle medium have given her face an aged porcelain finish.

I loved making her so much I have have just finished shell mermaid number two!


I started like this with a wooden shell substrate which is given a coat of gesso and then a bit of blue acrylic.


I tried Gelli printing the background this time.


Lots of nice texture!


Slowly a new sea-spirit is emerging.......


now she needs hair...


I thought I would try and short-cut a little with raffia. I normally cut loads of strips of paper for hair and twist them. I wondered if raffia would work. Alas no, it didn't stick too well so I went back to the tried and tested paper hair tendrils.

I think she looks rather like she is juggling with the shells, I am guessing that mermaids have a lot of free-time. Lots of time to refine circus skills
.....and why not... :)

The light is better outside so I took them off the desk to photograph and into the garden.


linking to WOYWW   where artists and crafters share their newest projects

and also  paint party Friday a great place to connect Artists from around the globe.

21 comments:

  1. I love the sea shell bra!! You'd better watch out, Agent Provocateur will be nicking that idea!! I'm surprised the raffia was successful, you'd have thought it would have been the perfect thing for mermaidy tresses - worth a try though. The twisted paper works so well anyway. You really do transform a plainish wooden shell blank into something spectacular!
    Hugs, LLJ 47 xx
    PS I can't believe you have a 21 year old daughter, you don't look old enough!

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  2. Lovely, as always Morag. I love the way you use twisted paper for hair. It may be time consuming but I think the effect is well worth it. In the third picture you can really see the effect you have achieved for the scales on the tail. She looks great.

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  3. They are both gorgeous. So glad you showed us how it is done. Shame about the raffia but the paper looks fabulous. I love the necklace on the second mermaid. Can't wait to see what you make next.
    Have a great week,
    Von #53

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  4. G'day Morag. Happy WOYWW to you. I love the mermaids you are making indeed....just amazing. It was good to see the progress shots too.
    hugs
    Annette In Oz #23

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  5. You have fitted the mermaids very cleverly into the shell shape, which gives a feeling of them floating in the undersea environment. You have such patience with the hair, but I agree that it does look better than raffia would, which might look a little harsh against the softness of the rest of the collage. Lovely work.

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  6. One thing...don't start down the energy drink path. They are addicting and probably not the best for you! LOVE your post. You use the most amazing materials in your work. This is my first WOYWW link up and I'm really loving it! Thanks for sharing you work. Your healthy eating fellow artist. Ha Ha xoxo

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  7. Your mermaids are gorgeous, they look like they are floating. Love the sea-shell bra, too! I wonder why the raffia wouldn't stick? Valerie

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  8. Aw, aren't they great, love the finish on their faces . You're very patient..almost all your mediums need drying time...so not for me! Interesting..so are you and the mermaids done, or are you still in watery sculpture mode?

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  9. I love all things Mermaid and yours look extra special.
    Happy Wednesday,
    Karin #94

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  10. Your mermaid turned out beautifully Morag and thank you for sharing the process. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  11. She's gorgeous, and you're one clever crafter! Have a lovely week, Chris # 35

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  12. Your mermaids are delightful, lovely textures. Betty

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  13. Love that long tangled hair and the way she is playing with those seashells. And of course the little shell-bra... So cute :-)

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  14. Morag your mermaids are full of magic, such beautiful works!

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  15. Such a beautiful mermaid and beautiful creativity. Thank you for sharing!

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  16. These are beautiful! Awesome pieces of artwork. You have also reminded me that *somewhere* I have a pack of that raffia, lol! Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #44 xx

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  17. that is so cool,the faces are justlike you wouldexpect water wornmermaids.to look
    thanks for sharing..... running late asisuaal
    janet #19

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  18. These are so charming. I love them.

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  19. These are great - such wonderful detail!

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  20. you are always doing so many different exciting projects..this looks magical

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