s i x 0 6

points of interest …

i received an update from Beth Robinson and was pleased to see what she’s been up to. furthermore, the dolls she created for the Lazy Pear Gallery are exquisite! i’d very much like to have Lily and Daisy.

this reminds me of the time i started working with wax … i did a search on painted wooden eggs and turned up this. after the initial pain that came with my jaw hitting the floor, i marveled at the color, richness and detail in each one. ugh. when i see stuff like this, i can’t help but feel like a kid with fingerpaints. i mean, seriously. :\

funny … this tradition of painting on eggs is called “Petrykivka“, and hails from the Ukraine/Russia. the way i fell into it was from a different culture altogether. i was interested in working on “Kokeshi“, but when i could not find any reasonably priced wooden forms online, i sought out something similar at my local arts and crafts store. what i found were wooden eggs. and that’s where this was born.

just thought that was rather interesting how my discoveries take a journey of their own, and i come to the realization of something in a round about way, after having made the trip alone. [like with encaustic painting. who knew? apparently everyone else BUT me. :P]

eh, i am slow, i can’t help it, but i rather like the journey.

I did some research on pysanky a few years ago after seeing a story on it (HGTV or similar, don’t remember) - that’s what sparked my interest in painting eggs. Since then I’ve seen some truly amazing work. What I really can’t comprehend is how some artists have the patience to do this kind of thing with REAL EGGS. That thought scares me.

I finally started work on one of my poor, neglected, blank wooden eggs about a week ago. But like most of my recent artistic endeavors, it failed miserably. I’ve decided to try a different approach, as sometimes I am better with the creative process itself than I am with executing a pleasing final result. I’m going to try wood stains, wax pen and maybe some assorted chemicals and see what I manage to come up with. LOL

Another problem of mine is that when I decide I want to “do” something, I jump ahead of myself and start planning packaging, logos, websites. BLAH. I must stop this insanity. I have nary an egg painted, but oh yes, I have the packaging all planned out. I even started collecting some of the materials for packaging. This is why I have a house full of art supplies and junk - and not much to show for it.

I’m curious to know what your thoughts are on a couple of things - namely display stands and a finishing/varnish process.

I have not found many egg stands that I like and that I feel like would suit the “style” of work I hope to eventually complete. Most every stand I see is really ornate and better suited for the Victorian/formal eggs (which don’t float my boat at all, I must admit.)

I’m also wondering if I’d ever want to dip the suckers into some crazy thick and shiny poly finish. And if I did, what the hell will I do it with? One of those little metal thingies that come with Easter egg coloring kits?

See, this is why I can’t accomplish anything. I’m too busy dwelling on little details and minutia.

BTW, have you run into this guy in your egg searches online? http://www.eggmanart.com/

His eggs seem to cater to a more broad audience, but I dig his owls and penguins. He has some interesting info on his process too.

There’s my novel. Sorry to be a comment whore. I was drooling over your latest eggs in another post. I want the crow if it’s up for grabs! And coatlique!

Mon

Monica 07.01.08 / 6pm

six06 07.02.08 / 12pm

I’m going to try wood stains, wax pen and maybe some assorted chemicals and see what I manage to come up with.

you’re braver than i am, girly. and i can relate on getting all gung ho in preparation. i have a ton of sculpting and doll making stuff just lying about. jewelry stuff, too. guh. i hate to think about what i spent so far and it’s not even being put to good use. :\ but don’t be hard on yourself. for me, those things are not really painting so it doesn’t come natural, and i often find myself making “less than stellar” stuff. it just takes practice, like painting.

i don’t know about that dipping stuff. on the bottom of my eggs, there’s a small hole where i think they put the spindle when they whiddled down the wood. i use an embossing stylus [or an exacto knife if the hole is too large or small for the stylus]to hold my eggs while i spray varnish them [i do that right after the ink process, this keeps the ink from running when it comes in contact with the oil paint, and also makes the surface of the wood less porous]. i also do this after the egg is finished. two coats, preferably, but i use a very very fine grade [i don't even know the grade, it looks live vellum] sand paper and sand between varnishes.

i saw that guy’s work very clever!

alas, i’m afraid both eggs are gone, now. the only ones available are two “in progress” pieces. the Kahlo “Paloma Negra” and “La Dolorosa”. and i’ve just been commmissioned to do a series of Alice in Wonderland pieces. i’m going to up to my eyeballs in huevos!!

Monica 07.02.08 / 2pm

OH! DUH! good call on the little hole on the bottom. i am almost positive mine have those too.

i also have a bunch of doll-making stuff. perhaps not what dollmakers would consider offical supplies, but it’s all materials and things i’ve collected with that intent. in fact, i bought a 2nd package of paper clay last night. why? hellifino. i have a big tub of unopened polymer clay, tools, all kinds of gadgets for sculpting.

it’s a sickness. seriously.

the only thing that comes natural for me is the collecting of all this crap…and having good intentions for using it. lol

are you taking any more commissions de huevos? the wheels in my brain are spinning now. i’m in no hurry, but i do have some ideas if you want to scramble up some more!

six06 07.02.08 / 3pm

heh, i’ve got the paperclay stuff, too. i love that stuff. found it on sale. it’s sitting in one of my drawers. unopened. next to the box of red mexican clay i bought to work on an “arbol de vida” [that i started a few years ago].

i totally want to hear your ideas on the eggs. and i hereby revoke your pun rights for that last sentence.