Sunday, June 26, 2011

Is Santa wearing tweed?

My latest Santa is number 9 sculpted in my newest style. I'm seriously thinking about making a limited number of this style, perhaps stopping after I reach a dozen. I haven't made a final decision but it's a possibility.

I hate making the same thing over and over and that's what this is beginning to feel like. It's getting so they all look the same to me. Usually for me it's, "Been there, done that and moving on to something else now." I'm not saying I'm tired of working with paper mache clay, and I'm not tired of sculpting Santa, but I'm getting bored with this look. It could be I just need to take a few days off and do something else.

Since I began sculpting these little guys I've pretty much been at it seven days a week. In nearly six months I've only had about 10 days total where I wasn't working on them. With summer finally getting here, I should be spending some of my time in the garden and getting to those projects that I've had on hold. Perhaps I'll cut back from working on four or five at a time to only one. It'll feel strange and may take some getting used to, but I'm thinking it's the direction I'm heading in.

So, without further boring conversation I'd like to show you the new man on the shelf.


His coat was supposed to look like it's sewn from wool tweed, but I'm not sure if it doesn't look more like watered silk. Now that would be a bit strange.


From the photo it's hard to see the colors in the coat. The main color you seem to see is green but there are four more colors "dusted" in. I used a combination of methods for applying the paint on this coat. There are layered washes and some sponging and some of the paint was dry brushed on.



I've noticed that most of my bears look pretty much the same so I attempted to make one of the ones here in a different style.



Here's a closer look at the only other style bear I seem to be able to make. Perhaps I should have had one of my bear boys model for me, but I hate to bring them to work with me. They might start wanting to do it on a regular basis and then I'd really have a problem.



Here's the old style stuffed into the bag between the dollies.



This is a better close-up of the new styled bear. I'm pretty sure if we could see his back side he'd have that hump at the shoulders.



Here's the whole gang except for Mrs. Claus who's in the kitchen baking something that has cinnamon and ginger spices from what I can smell. Hope it's muffins. The other one not shown is the one for the giveaway. Can't show him now that there's something in his hands. That sure would make guessing easier though.

The whole point of this pictures is to show you what I mean about them starting to look alike. I was working on 4 other figures at the same time as this guy and without the paint they really did look alike.

Hope you enjoyed meeting the new guy. As I said there are some more in the making but when they're completed that may be the end of this style. Who knows, I may decide to make Halloween figures for awhile.

Here's a clue to what Santa is holding in the contest/giveaway:

There is a plate involved but it doesn't hold cookies or a sandwich or a turkey or ham or a sweet potatoe casserole. 

As always, thanks for stopping by.

19 comments:

Maggie said...

I love his cloak, whether it's watered silk or tweed. And both styles of bears are adorable. Another really cute Santa, Maddy!
Oh, I know, maybe Santa is holding a casserole of sweet potatoes! Or a meatloaf! Only joking, I think he must be holding something Christmasy.

Kays Kids said...

I love him no matter what the fabric is.May be he is holding a Christmas Pudding. Santa's tummies look like a pudding.

Marlene said...

Hi, I am back, sort of, catching up on everything is taking a lot longer than I expected. Love this new guy and both bears and dolls are adorable. I will have to skim back and see what this give away is about. Maybe he has pumpkin pie in his hand.

Marijke van Ooijen said...

Hay Maddy Rose,

I love those Santa's al together..
I love them al...they are so sweet!!

Thank you for your sweet comment...

Big hug...Marijke

Anonymous said...

Well you know I love this new Santa and his coat is so beautiful. Tweed? Silk? I believe it could be either. Perhaps he is the fancy professor type and it is silk tweed? (humor me here);-)

I am amazed that you can work on so many different projects at a time and they each are such a unique work of art.

All of your bears and dolls are just adorable. I do understand about not wanting to take one of your bear boys to work. Not only might he want to do it all the time but the others could get jealous and then what?

Okay, my sweet friend, I am flying back in time to take another guess at what is on the plate...

Dawn in the Forest said...

Love the photo with all the Santas together:)

Crystal said...

I love all your Santas no matter what they are wearing! :-)

Crystal Cook said...

Hi Maddy! I think your Santas all look unique. There's always a different facial structure and clothes of course. I love them all. :) I'm sorry to hear you're feeling a little burned out. That happens to all of us creative people I think. Maybe a break is just what you need. And I for one would LOVE to see some Halloween figures. Halloween is my second favorite holiday.

My second guess is. . . a snowglobe? fruitcake? jewlry for Mrs. Claus?? I can't think of what else you could hold on a plate that's not cookies. I'll keep thinking.

Ascension said...

Que maravillosos Santas!!!!
Me encanta la imaginacion que le pones para llenar sus bolsas jejeje
Preciosos!!!!
besitos ascension

Astridbears said...

I love all your Santas again and again!! They are all very cute and this Santa is beautiful dear Maddy!
have a wonderful week with lot´s of sunshine
Astrid

Heather said...

i agree, they are so cute grouped all together! Hope you have fun in your garden! hugs to you!

EEGT said...

I just love your Santas!

I'm guessing that your giveaway Santa is holding a wrapped present with a big, beautiful bow.

Looking forward to your next creation...

EEGT said...

And the wrapped gift is being presented on a silver platter?? ;)

ger chouinard said...

Morning MadyRose: 'The Gang' are a very good looking bunch of Santa's! Love the colors. Halloween figures sounds very fun ... it's hard to move away from Santa tho ... but give it a try! hmmmmmm ... a plate ... I'm still clueless. Enjoy this day ... see you Friday (PPF)!

Christel said...

Oh Maddy Rose, I am delighted to be here, and see your work! I have tried on many occassions to visit your blog, but in the past, every time I tried, I was sent to a web page that said could not be displayed!..anyway, so glad I was finally able to see what you do! These Santas are simply darling!!! They are oozing with old world charm. I too feel a bit stuck in a rutt at times, and need to change it up, this is why I sculpt so many different types of dolls. I just love the toys in the Santa bags too! You are wonderfully creative, and have given each Santa a unique look. Although I can tell you created them all, they do each have thier own personality. Fairy Blessings dear heart, and thank you for visiting my blog, and the FaeWees. xoxo Christel

Diny said...

I think all of your Santas are beautifull and different. All together they look great!
But I do understand what you mean I like to do something else every time:
making dolls, dresses or other clothes and now knitting and than disappear in the garden, I love gardening too.
I also have a gardenblog,love that.
Now I am going to make a guess again by your giveaway
Greetings, Diny

EEGT said...

I think I've got it! Santa is holding a plate with five golden rings (as the song goes).

Dianie said...

Hi Maddy!

It is so nice to meet you!
Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

Your work is Fabulous! Love your Santas.. Your style is wonderful and each little Santa has has own unique little face and features. I'm pretty fond of the little fellers :)

While I'm here visiting, I would LOVE to enter your giveaway.

I am a NEW follower

and I think this Santa could be holding a plate of bird seed, with a brilliant red Cardinal sitting on the edge of the plate getting his winter meal.


Thanks so much for your friendship:)
Have a wonderful Holiday weekend!

~Diane

Unknown said...

Love all these santas maddy! I am impressed with how many you have finished. I have to say Marge and I usually have 20 or so going at once in various stages of development. I love all the bags with dolls and bears etc.