I wasn't satisfied with the first tree frog I made (see earlier post), so
I decided to remake it. I used more beads to emphasize the finer details, and I used an air-dry clay recipe (2 parts cornstarch to 1
part white Elmer's glue) to make the gold colored setting for the eyes. I like this frog better, but there is still room for improvement. I will continue to make more animal portraits because it's
so much fun to paw through my old beads and buttons to build them. This frog measures about 14 inches long and is for sale at the Bowery Art Gallery in Apalachicola, Florida. http://www.boweryartgallery.com
At age 16, I learned how to quilt from my grandmother who taught me the English paper piecing technique. For many years, I made traditional quilts both by hand and machine. Now, however, the quilt “sandwich” serves as a platform to create images from a variety of materials including paper, beads, threads, found objects, and all types of fabric. I especially enjoy the spontaneity and surprise of collage. My goal is to express my odd sense of humor and hopefully make the viewer smile. My works frequently champion nature’s less-loved creatures—rats, mice, alligators, worms, snakes, and cockroaches. In this regard, the haiku of Kobayashi Issa is a great inspiration.