Speaking of Dreams

Thank you everyone!
I truly appreciate the support, love and words of encouragement you guys gave me on the news of my being published.  It is so nice to cross a Life Goal off the list....it was a dream come true....a small, but important step forward for me and my art :)

Though it was a nice wave to ride for a while,
...it's time to get cracking again....heehee!

I wanted to show you a piece I just finished inspired by all the strong, amazing Tribal Girls painted by my dear friend Micki Wilde in her new art course, Wilde and Free (clever, eh?)

I have to be honest, I had never done any tribal/native-feel paintings before...and I was afraid I wouldn't get the "right" look.
Micki makes it look so effortless and gives you so many ideas, references and videos of her own to drool over (you can see the finished products on her blog or in her Etsy store now)....that it makes you just want to go "wilde" ;P

Dream

8x10 Mixed Media on canvas panel

 

I knew I needed to incorporate a dragonfly, which has served as my totem animal for a long, long time.  It represents the Guardian of the DreamWorld and can warn of illusions.  I wanted this girl to be looking toward her dreams....and be ready follow them :)

 

 

 

Micki really knows how to stoke the creative flame.  I see more tribal girls in my future!

 

Thanks so much for checking in on me.  With blogging starting to fall out of favor, your choice to visit me here speaks volumes!

((Hugs))

 

Now go chase some of your own dreams!

Cam

 

The BIG News!

So........
The big secret I've been keeping.  The one I've been teasing you with.  The one I keep hinting at and then run away giggling to myself......

Well....
Here it is!!!!

 

I'm Published!!!!!!

 

 

My Halloween sculptures made it into this issue!

I don't know if you remember, but those were my first attempt at sculpting....ever!  You can read that post HERE.

 

I submitted them over a year and a half ago and heard just before going on vacation that they were selected!  I have to admit I blabbed a little, but I was waiting....waiting until I could hold the magazine in my trembling hands and shout from the rooftops....

I'M PUBLISHED!!!

 

Can you tell I'm excited?!

I've been so excited, I made new sculptures to commemorate the event!

Before I show you I wanted to tell you that I added a CLEARANCE Section to my store where I drastically reduced a bunch of paintings and other goodies.  I won't be renewing them, so grab them now....stock up on gifts....and use this 10% OFF coupon on your entire purchase to sweeten the deal!

 

Enter CELEBRATEWITHME at checkout :)

 

I gave you this sneak peek on Facebook a couple weeks back.

 

 

This became my very first try at a doll.  This is Mango :)

 

 

 

I love cat paw pads....so he had to have them, too.

 

After I made him.  I tried a different face shape.

 

 

This is "Spats"

Tuxedo cats are special to me now that I own one :)

 

 

These really were labor intensive.  I have one more body ready to apply clay to, but to be honest, I don't think I'm going to tackle that anytime soon.  These may be the only two I ever make. 

Who knows.... 

 

I've been working in clay so much over the past few weeks!

 

Look at these cool pumpkins I made.

I call them my "Sleepy Hollow" Series.

 

(sold)

 

All the text is cut from a vintage copy of the book.

"Sleepy Hollow was famous for Goblin Pumpkins"

 

 

"Sleepy Hollow is the most haunted spot in the world"

 

"shocking things happen in Sleepy Hollow"

 

 

"Sleepy Hollow is full of strange spirits"

 

"Welcome to Sleepy Hollow"

 

These are fun to make.  Each takes on a personality of its own.  I like flipping through the pages of the book and trying to make phrases that go with their expression.

 

...and because Halloween is not complete without a bit of the macabre, I made these:

 

 

4 pairs of fangs for your curiousity cabinet.

 

This little piggy had rigor mortis.....

 

 

 (Sorry, Natasha May) She hates it when I show digits in jars..haha!

I used driftwood as the bones. 

They are perfect for this because they are already discolored and rounded....and the paperclay sticks to the wood easily.

 

They are all in the shop....get 'em while they're hot!

Don't forget to use the coupon code CELEBRATEWITHME to get even more off :)

 

Thank you, thank you to all of you for your support, excitement and friendship!

It makes me so happy to share my life, creative and otherwise, with you!!

 

Biggest hugs!

Cam

 

Almost...but not yet

So, I didn't know.....should I pop in here again after that cliffhanger ending last post....and NOT reveal the big news yet?

I'm waiting 'til September 1st to spill the proverbial beans.  But, I just couldn't wait that long to share a bit of other things I've been working on.

I am so in a Autumn/Halloweeny mood!  Whilst powering through the 1st three seasons of Vampire Diaries, I took out my felt and thread...and tried to multitask :)

Here's a sampling of what I made:

 

Zombies are just too fun!  They can come out all crooked and ugly....and it's perfectly expected :D

 

 

I had a Nightmare inspired moment, too.

 

 

And I made this drooling dude, as well.  Have brain, will travel....heehee!

I put them all up in my shop.

 

 

So, while I know this is not the same as hearing big news....I hope it almost is.

Just like Autumn is far from coming to my hot, sunny California city....I'm eagerly anticipating!

 

Thanks to you all for being excited with me!

I'll be back in September.....ready to unveil!

 

Smiling like a big, toothy jack-o-lantern,

Cam

Been Busy!

Hello Blog Mateys!

I'm so sorry to be MIA.......Bad Cameron...Bad *slaps hands*
I promise, though, it's all been for a very good reason!

First off, I made a new batch of sea glass hair barrettes with some of the goodies found while beachcombing this Summer.
Take a looksee....

 

These are just a few.  I had the good fortune of finding some beautiful bits of rare colors this year :)

Oh, and some pretty agates...

 

 

....and cute heart-shaped stones, too :)

 

 

These are all in the shop for those who'd like a closer peek.

 

Also, Maggie started 2nd Grade this week.....

 

 

So, that's been part of why I've been absent....

 

BUT, the main reason is something extra special!!

 

Unfortunately, I can't reveal the secret just yet....even if I am bursting at the seams with excitement!

 

Something is brewing....

I'll give you a sneak peek, though....because I just can't help myself!

 

 

So......I'll keep working away, giggling in anticipation.....

Can't wait to show and tell! :)

 

Hope your week is filled with good stuff, too!

Hugs all around,

Cam

We're Back!

Hello Dear Bloggy Friends!

How I missed you!
It's hard to believe that we're almost in August already! Our vacation was just right....enough time to linger and enjoy all the sights....beautiful weather....and a new camera to break in! Heehee!

We took over 1400 pictures!  I couldn't believe it myself!
Fear not, I won't show you all 1400...but, this post will be chock full of photos...so be forewarned ;P

Most of our travels were along the coast from Oregon to Southern California, so we visited many beaches and stopped at a ton of view points.  It is amazing how the coastline changes depending on where you are.

 

There were natural formations like Arch Rock:

 

 

....and Devil's Churn:

 

 

There was regular sand:

 

 

Black sand:

 

 

Dunes:

 

 

 

....and no sand at all! 

 Just sea pebbles and smooth driftwood....and an agate or 2 if you hunt for them :)

 

 

I searched for some while Maggie and her Daddy built a really cool structure.

 

 

 

 

Some beaches had great tide pools:

 

Those are anemones that Maggie is touching.

 

Some had great hiking opportunities:

 

 

This is Wedding Rock. 

 The above picture was taken where the arrow below is pointing.

  I've circled a person on the side of the cliff for scale.

 

Some beaches were great for stacking rocks:

 

 

All were beautiful in their own way :)

 

 

 

We got to enjoy lakes, rivers and streams, too:

 

 

 

...and gorgeous waterfalls, as well:

 

 

I was able to meet up with some Blog Friends on my travels,

including Kathleen Hockman from M&L Hockman Ranch.  

Maggie and I went to her sanctuary on a drizzly day to help with chores.

 

 

This sweet boy is 1 of 3 horses Kathleen cares for. 

His name is Jax.  What a Love!

 

 

This is the 2nd time I've been lucky enough to spend time with

Heather Henry from Little Red Henry. 

We made it an art/coffee date :)

 

 

Here we are with our works in progress.....

 

Wonderful Jenny Wentworth who is also a Blogger/Artist,

was able to sneak away from work to join us for a bit.

 

(Photo courtesy of Heather...thank you!)

 

In addition to making art, there was art to appreciate all around...

 

Yes, the water is purple!

 

A 3 tiered treehouse!

I'd love to own that car :)

 

And then, there is art in motion....animals! 

I really wanted to see how close I could get with new camera and take some neat pictures of them.

 

I caught him just as he turned his head and the light hit his eye :)

Roosevelt Elk fawn.

Never seen a slug like this before. It resembled tree bark.

I never realized just how cute porcupines are :)

 

 

We got to do some fun things!

 

Maggie decorated her bike for Independence Day and

rode in the Parade at the campground.

 

 

And....she also was the only girl to participate in the Banana Slug Races!

 

 

3 kids caught slugs to race.  Maggie is holding "Lightning - The Wonder Slug". 

We even made a pennant to cheer him on...haha!

 

They put them in the center and the first one to crawl out of the outer circle won. 

That giant, spotted one was the winner.

 

We visited Oregon Caves for the first time:

 

 

We saw a Sumeg Village:

 

 

I got my big behind in there...but it wasn't easy!

 

We made sure we acted silly from time to time, too!

 

 

Another great Summer of memories!

 

 

It's good to be home, though.  Maggie starts 2nd Grade in just 2 weeks! 

 Time to get back on schedule :)

I brought home lots of fabulous sea glass and treasures.  I'll be re-opening my Etsy store with new hairclips and that painting from last post for sale.  At this rate, Christmas is just around the corner!

 

How has your Summer been?  I'd love to hear what you've done!

 

 

Hugs all around!  Thank you so much for sticking with me to the end of all those photos!! Haha!

Now to finish unpacking and continue vacuuming sand out of the car....

 

Sunny smiles,

Cam