For many years I have been a strong admirer of dollmaker Shelly Thornton. What I love most about her dolls is their stuffed hair. Take a look at this doll, Eva, and you will see what I'm talking about. Instead of making hair from traditional materials, like yarn or string or even torn fabric, she creates three-dimensional stuffed pieces that evoke the movement of hair.
I have talked about Shelly's influence on my work before when I created the crest for my wading birds. Ever since then I have thought it would be amazing to make a bird with wings and tail feathers that were like separate stuffed nodules.
For some reason that I can't really name, now seemed like the right time to try it. Maybe because I am freeing myself of color restraints, so why not go a step further? Or maybe because I have turned away a lot of work recently in an effort to clear some creative space to explore without obligations. (It can be so hard to say no. This week I've said no to show invitations, a TV spot, an opportunity to make a DVD, and four custom work requests.)
All of this is to say, I made a second parrot.
And I really like this idea. The wings extend, like they're ruffled. And there are infinite ways to keep going, to add more, to make it grow. Really neat stuff. Space is good.
