Now back to work!

Happy Thursday, folks!

Today was the day I got back to work. It would have been yesterday, but I seem to have come down with a cold as I was winging my way westward, so I thought that bed was a good place to be instead. But that seems to have helped, as I'm feeling a fair bit better today, thankfully, and thus able to move around and do things. Things, like pour more Jellies to go with some mares... ;)

Speaking of mares and foals, here's a picture of the shiny Vixen and Imp I painted for myself, as I promised I'd share:


They are too much fun! Thanks, Lesli!

Okay, I know you are still wondering (because a few of you have asked), how I'm going to sell the previous two I painted. I have decided, due to the interest, to put them up on Auction Barn. I need to take a few more pictures, but I'll get to that very soon, and I'll post the link here and on my yahoo group when that's all taken care of! :)

Back in CA!

I made it home safe & sound to the other side of the country- huzzah! And guess what... it worked! My own Vixen & Imp came out nice & shiny. We took pics this morning, but didn't have time to edit them before I left, so they'll have to come. Look for them soon, and news about the pair that I will be selling! Until then... :)

Previously, in Lesli's Studio...

We left our heros and heroines in states of completion, and semi-completion. The buckskin tobi pair were all finished, the dapple grey Vixen & chestnut Imp needed a bit more airbrushing, and even more hand-painting, and definitely lacked glaze. Would they be done in time? Would they see the shiny glory that their siblings saw? Would they be able to outsmart the Bugbladder Beast of Traal? Scroll down below to find out the answer!

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Oooh... they're getting close! Our protagonists have cleared the main hurdles, have their towels, and our sprinting towards the glaze fire. Tune into tomorrow to see if there's a happy, shiny conclusion!

Shiny, shiny!

Wow, look at me, three posts in three days! It's a record, I think! But I'm not just posting for the sake of it- I have cool things to show you- shiny new ponies! Yep, I pulled the buckskin tobiano Vixen & Imp set out of the kiln this morning, and Lesli was kind enough to take pictures this afternoon. These little ones were a blast to paint. Lesli, who molded and cast them, was able to wonderfully capture the minute detail that Sarah sculpted into these pieces. They are so teeny-tiny, but still full of stuff. I tried to work that detail in my paint jobs- to bring it out and not cover it up! I also had the chance to really observe and ask questions about Lesli's painting process, and get a more in-depth tutorial on how she hand-paints manes & tails (they each have a bit of that style handwork in them!). So thank you, Lesli for letting me pick your brain! So without further ado, here's the silvery, sooty-buckskin tobiano Vixen, "Charlotte", and her buckskin tobi Imp, "Chickadee"!

Click for larger images:

Yes, I am working too!

Ahhh... a nice long work day! I'm beat, but seeing as I mentioned earlier that I would post more pictures of my projects, I thought I'd make an effort! I'm happy to say that I accomplished a fair bit today. I have one Vixen and one Imp humming in the glaze fire right now (the ones that will not remain mine... more to come on them later!), I am a little further along with my dapple grey (so many layers!), and I painted an Imp for myself today (a bright red chestnut with high whites and a blaze. I do love chestnut babies!). I forgot to snap pictures today, but I have one from yesterday- a peek into the kiln before we did a bisque fire. Enjoy!

In the Garden

I couldn't have requested a nicer day. The sky was clear and sunny as we took a 7-hour stroll through Brookgreen Gardens. The sculptures were absolutely fantastic, as was the company. I had the pleasure of driving down to SC with Lesli to meet up with fellow artist Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig, and her husband, Chris at Brookgreen. It was a jolly good time, to say the least! I hadn't seen Sarah in some time, and it was a pleasure meeting her gregarious spouse. We all arrived at Brookgreen at the same time- about an hour earlier than planned, and all but knocked into each other at the entrance. We took off at full steam, eager to see the park, and all it beheld. Our enthusiasm lasted all day, and we pretty well covered the 50 acres that made up the sculpture garden and zoo area. By the time we finished, there were only three cars left in the parking lot... our two, and a third being towed! It seems it had been closed 1/2 an hour by the time we made it back. We joked that our cars were next, if we didn't vamoose!

One of the smaller pieces- "Gold 'n Locks"

I still haven't been able to wrap my head around all that I saw. For those of you who aren't followers of Lesli's Blog (check out her recent post for some of our sillier antics!), Brookgreen Gardens was originally part of a wealthy estate that had been converted to a public venue to preserve historical sculpture, and promote new artists. They have over 1000 pieces in their collection, many of which are on display throughout the garden. Many of the pieces were sculpted by women, and many of them feature equines, which made it the perfect spot for us female equine artists to meet! The sculptures range from tiny models and medallions, to towering displays. I've posted a few of my favorites below, to give y'all an idea of my experience. But I highly recommend that if ever you find yourself along the coast of South Carolina, that you check out Brookgreen for yourself!

I was very taken with these Otters, and how the artist had captured their playfulness in such a fascinating composition.

The detail was exquisite. You can click on any of these photos for larger versions.

This piece was done in the 1930's I believe... Art Deco hearkening back to Art Nouveau. I loved it!


They had an amazing number of intricate medallions on display in a building at the gardens. This was one of the larger ones, and I thought it thoroughly cool.


Look at the longhorns! There was a special display of Western Art.


Laura, this centaur is for you...


Holy Marsh Tackies! There was a smallish zoo with native species at Brookgreen. Marsh Tackies are a rare breed of the Carolinas, and, as the name suggests, good at tramping through marshes. This gal was such a pretty dun!


My intrepid companions, on our last leg though the park. It was quickly decided that dinner was in order soon after, and that led to a new adventure in burgers. Really, if you have not yet read Lesli's Blog, you should! I'll post Sarah's Blog, after she gets back to Idaho & posts...

That's all folks!

Too Much Fun in NC...

Ah, day three at the wonderful Kathman residence! I arrived Thursday evening for nearly two weeks of visiting, painting, glazing, and (of course) eating good meals (Lesli had some wonderful stew in the crock-pot, with fresh bread, waiting for me when I arrived!). It's been great fun seeing Lesli and her family again (and meeting her dog Emma, and horse, Sprinkles!). I also had the added bonus of getting to see our mutual friend Mel, who drove down for the weekend. So fun!

Lesli, the fabulous shiny pony maker, runs Blackberry Lane Studio. She also has a blog about her work, and decided to blog about my visit to her studio. So, not to be outdone, I thought that I should blog about her blogging about my visit. And thus we have:


As for the projects I am working on, well, let me say how tickled I am that Lesli is letting me paint a couple of ceramic Vixens and Imps (sculpted by the super-talented Sarah Minikewicz-Breunig)! I'm just jazzed. And it has been interesting to learn about some of Lesli's methods and painting techniques. I've always admired her dapple greys, and just how soft and delicate they were. Being here, of course, that was one of the colors I needed to try- dapple grey a'la Lesli! As you can see below, I've started on one of the Vixens in this color- she will need many more layers and firings before she is done. I really hope all of y'all don't mind, but... she is for me! Yes, I cannot tell you the last time I painted something for myself, so I've decided this one's a keeper. But I'm happy to share photos!


Because I knew Lesli was casting some bisques for me, I thought I'd bring over a few of my pieces for her to play with. Here she is with Mel (and Emma), discussing what color to paint the Jellibaby she is holding:


I'm pretty sure that's what I recall they were saying, anyways....

All in all, it has been a fantasic trip so far! I hope to post more when I get a chance!

Until then, I'll let you meditate upon this thought: Right before I left for NC, I finished Jelli's mom... my new Mini Mare, "Toot Sweet"! I'm rather excited.... :)