Emily Clarke Studio

All in a Row

2012-01-26T20:54:00.000-05:00

I don't know why, but yesterday I got into my head to paint a row of little geisha girls. And, it turned out to be quite appropriate, because my sister and I were able to go out for some surprise sushi. I had fun researching kimono fabrics for my row of brightly colored girls.

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Being a Man in the 20's

2012-01-24T17:00:00.000-05:00

The right clothes make all the difference to the right image, don't they?

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I'm going out

2012-01-23T20:59:00.001-05:00

So, get my hat.

Nighty-night

2012-01-20T20:27:00.001-05:00

Enough said

Lessons from a Flapper

2012-01-20T11:30:00.000-05:00

With all the studying of 1920's fashion that I have been doing, it seems logical that I recently watched Ken Burns' documentary on Prohibition. That whole era in American history is fascinating, although I am sure that living it was a whole different thing that watching it on television. It just seems amazing to me that a freedom loving country like America would have decided to totally ban alcohol because it was seen as the root of all problems. And then, that the very people who voted for and passed the law, would completely ignore it!

One of my favorite things from the documentary was learning about Vanity Fair writer Lois Long, pen name "Lipstick." The daughter of a minister, in the 20's she became the quintessential flapper, recording her escapades in the nightclubs and speakeasys of New York in her weekly column. She was famous for her brash lifestyle and her brash writing style, stating that "Tomorrow we may die, so let's get drunk and make love." She was most definitely a new kind of woman.

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A New Life

2012-01-19T18:09:00.000-05:00

The wedding day was here, and she guessed her wild, freewheeling days were over. She didn't think homelife would be too boring, though. Her new husband was, afterall, a bootlegger.

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To Heal the Sick

2012-01-18T17:34:00.000-05:00

Being a nurse was so rewarding. She got to spend her days helping those in need. And, right now, handsome Mr. Johnson in room 203 needed his pillow fluffed. It was a hard life, but she had to do it...

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In Service

2012-01-17T16:28:00.000-05:00

She worked in a lovely house, the family was nice, and the hours were good. But, why did she have to always wear this silly hat?

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Inspiration Monday: Wonder Woman

2012-01-16T15:07:00.000-05:00

Source

People who are familiar with my art already know that I love Wonder Woman. I have painted her several times, and even turned my sister into her during one of my recent paper doll shoots.

If there is anyone I wanted to be when I was younger, it was Linda Carter from the 70's Wonder Woman tv series. (Why? I have two words for you: Invisible jet)

And, I find comic book art in itself pretty fascinating to look at, so I spent a little time recently studying the origins of Wonder Woman. She was initially created by William Moulton Marston in 1941. His reason, he said, for creating Wonder Woman was:

Not even girls want to be girls so long as our feminine archetype

lacks force, strength, and power. Not wanting to be girls, they

don't want to be tender, submissive, peace-loving as good

women are. Women's strong qualities have become despised

because of their weakness. The obvious remedy is to create a

feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the

allure of a good and beautiful woman.^[7]

The thing I found most interesting about Marston was that he was also the inventor of the polygraph (perhaps the source of his idea for Wonder Woman's lasso of truth?).

I will leave you, appropriately enough, as the Republican candidates for president are currently in my state, with one of my favorite Wonder Woman covers, and my candidate for our next president.

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Defining a type

2012-01-13T18:18:00.000-05:00

"Flapper"— the notorious character type who bobbed her hair, smoked cigarettes, drank gin, sported short skirts, and passed her evenings in steamy jazz clubs, where she danced in a shockingly immodest fashion with a revolving cast of male suitors.”
― Joshua Zeitz, Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the Women Who Made America Modern

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The Game of Life

2012-01-13T12:00:00.000-05:00

Did any of you play "The Barbie Game" when you were little? It was a game that came out in the 1960's, and it was subtitled "Queen of the Prom." My grandmother had the game at her house, and it was a favorite of my sisters, my cousin, and myself. The object of the game was to become the queen of the prom, but before you got there, you had to have a boyfriend, a dress, and be president of a club. (In barbie world there are much stricter standards for attending the prom than there were at my high school. All we had to have was a ticket.)

We each had dresses that we coveted the most, boyfriends we preferred (God forbid you ended up with Poindexter!), and the drama club was the best. You had to work for allowance to pay for your dress, and the rest of the girls better not get caught at the soda shop with your boyfriend.

The game (with real life appeal for all girls!) was one of the things I remember most fondly from growing up. Sadly, the game was thrown out or given away years ago after my grandparents passed away. But a few years ago, I discovered a reproduction of the game in a toy store in downtown Greenville. I can't remember being that excited about a game before, as I happily bought it for my sister for Christmas.

The busyness of adult life keeps us from playing the Barbie Game for hours like we used to do, but my sister and I still sometimes like to get it out and play a round. If any of you are up for a cutthroat game of "Queen of the Prom," let me know and I will get the game board ready.

What were your favorite games to play as a child?

A Formal Affair

2012-01-12T21:26:00.001-05:00

Available in my new cake topper store http://toastdanceandcake.etsy.com

Revealing the surprise

2012-01-11T15:22:00.001-05:00

I was reminded yesterday that since Christmas is over I am allowed to share the pieces I did as gifts. These two paintings were for my sister and brother-in-law, and depict my two nephews. I could just paint these two little guys over and over!

The Meaning of Cool

2012-01-10T17:33:00.000-05:00

I am starting to really love 1920's fashion. There is something so cool, and yet comfortable about it. For the first time women weren't corseted and covered from head to toe. The loose, boxy clothing was often a bit masculine, but it seemed to emphasize the femininity of the woman underneath. I would wear this outfit right now and feel amazingly cool.

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Open for business

2012-01-09T21:04:00.001-05:00

I feel like I have been thinking and talking about it for a while, but I finally got my wedding cake topper store up and running. These little pieces are just a lot of fun to make, and I hope they bring some fun and whimsy to a lot of weddings. There are a few pieces up in the shop, with more to be added in the coming months.

Interested in a custom piece? Just send me a message. Please help me spread the word by letting all your soon-to-be-married friends know about my cake toppers!

Visit my new shop at http://ToastDanceandCake.etsy.com. And, you can still find my smaller paintings in my original Etsy shop, http://EmilyClarkeStudio.etsy.com.

Inspiration Monday: Haddon Sundblom

2012-01-09T20:34:00.000-05:00

I spend a lot of time looking at vintage illustrations for inspiration for my work, both in terms of the subject matter and technique. There is something about how commercial illustrators of the 1930's through about the 50's applied the paint to their images that gives them a very classic vintage look. I have spent a lot of time studying these images and trying to replicate the look in my work.

I especially love the old Coke advertisements. Not only did they serve their purpose- depicting beautiful people enjoying the delights of a refreshing beverage- but they are really beautiful works of art in themselves.

In doing some research into the major illustrators for Coke, I came across the work of Haddon Sundblom. Most of you have seen his work, although you may not have realized it. He is responsible for the image of the "Coke Santa" that we still see in use today, as well as the Sprite elf, and the Quaker Oats guy. Many illustrators working in mid-century America, both for Coke and other companies, learned their techniques from Sundblom. He also painted pin-up girls and scenes of classic American life.

Sundblom subscribed to a type of painting adapted from the Impressionists called "first stroke," which involved using the fewest number of strokes possible to describe one's subject.

I came across the two pieces below just today. I love the loose brushstrokes and the bright sunlight that seems to wash over the figures. They make life during this time seem quite idyllic, don't they?

The coke ads in this post were emailed to me several years ago by a very kind visitor to my studio. The two Sundblom paintings at the bottom of this post are courtesy of the blog Today's Inspiration.

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In the Name of Style

2012-01-07T16:30:00.000-05:00

Luckily Alice had remembered her bathing cap. The last thing she wanted was for the water to ruin her new Marcell wave.

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Going for a dip

2012-01-06T19:30:00.000-05:00

Betty felt glorious in her new bathing suit. Once Donald saw how athletic and tan she was, he was sure to come a runnin'.

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Scholastic Apptitude

2012-01-06T16:13:00.000-05:00

I don't know why, but for a while now I have wanted a vintage letterman sweater. You know what I am talking about. With the right skirt you are suddently transformed into the captain of the cheerleading squad, or maybe dating the captain of the football team. The problem is that actual vintage letterman sweaters are fairly expensive.

So, of course I did the next best thing: I decided to make my own. I happen to have my own letter from high school, although I never had a jacket to put it on. Although my letter was for band and not for sports (yep, woodwind captain actually) I figured it would work. The only other thing I needed was one of those giant v-neck cardigan sweaters we all had in the 80's, and I would be set.

One of our local Goodwill stores happened to have this little beauty.

I dug out my letter from mom and dad's house over the holidays. I love that it says "woodwinds." There is absolutly no hiding the fact that I was a band nerd and not a cheerleader or a track star. I am, however, glad that my high school colors were pretty. Go Broncos!

I then just ran the sweater and letter through the sewing machine, and voila, a brand new "vintage" letterman sweater!

I think the only thing that might make this any better is if it said "math club."

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Slice of cake

2012-01-05T20:04:00.001-05:00

I know it isn't exactly a paper doll, but this is another of my wedding cake toppers. There is something so glamorous about a Gibson girl. What man wouldn't want to marry her?

Only up from here

2012-01-04T15:44:00.001-05:00

So, 2012 hasn't started out quite as I intended it to. After a fun few days spending Christmas with the family, we all ended up with a mysterious lingering sickness that knocked us all flat and left us drinking copious amounts of cold medicine and tea. Now that I am starting to feel human again, I decided that it is time for an update, and to let you all know about some of the things I have planned for the new year.

As I mentioned several weeks ago, I am currently working on a couple of book versions of my paper dolls. Some of the drawings you have been seeing over the past few weeks are going to be turned into a series of paper doll coloring books. Next, I will be doing a full color paper doll book, hopefully finished before the end of the year.

Next, for you hands on types, I am going to be offering some classes and workshops out of the studio. Soon I will be offering a paper doll workshop, for those of you that want to create your own paper dolls. And, because I hear from people all the time that they can't even draw a stick figure, I will be doing a stick figure class to teach you all the refined art of stick figure drawing.

And, as always, I am available to teach individual or group lessons in painting or drawing. Just email me for rates.

Finally, those of you who are on my mailing list know that up to this point my "monthly" mailings are far from regular. But, I have some new articles and ideas planned that I think you all will enjoy. It will no longer be just a list of show announcements, but will be packed with tips, stories, historical information, fun stuff, and things available only to newsletter subscribers. Plus, it will actually come out monthly! So, if you want to be a part of my mailing list, just click the link over in the right hand column.

Thank you all for your patience with me over the past couple of weeks. I hope your New Years was nothing like mine. I know it can only go up from here!
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Rolling my stockings down

2011-12-28T22:20:00.001-05:00

Another glimpse at my little 20's paper doll girls. She is ready for a night on the town, stockings rolled down and arms on display.

Santa! I know him!

2011-12-24T16:41:00.001-05:00

I totally saw Santa in the drive through of Starbucks this morning.

I am spending a few days in Atlanta with the family. One of my favorite things is seeing the joy on my two nephews' faces. I also like trying to put on all my gifts at one time. Love those traditions.

I hope you all have a wonderful and magical Christmas wherever you may be.

Smiling's my favorite

2011-12-22T22:19:00.001-05:00

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

2011-12-21T20:33:00.000-05:00

I spent the last couple of days finishing up the last of my super secret Christmas projects. In the midst of all that, there was not much paper doll making going on. But, the good news is, now that Christmas projects are done, the paper dolls are back in full force!

Here is a look at my 1920's paper dolls. The styling and cut of clothes during the 20's was so different than anything in other decades. Women went from the tightly corseted s-curved shape of the Victorian era, to the boyish figure and bobbed hair of the 20's. My favorite thing is that it became fashionable for young ladies to apply make-up in public.

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A little slice of cake

2011-12-19T20:12:00.001-05:00

Some of you may remember when I painted a custom wedding cake topper for my friends Christina and Travis for their wedding. That piece got me thinking how fun it would be to make some paper doll wedding cake toppers. I have slowly been designing, cutting out, and painting a little collection of these toppers, and I wanted to go ahead and share one with you. I intend to have a wide variety of designs, and all the toppers can be customized to match your dress, colors, anything! I can even paint in your faces.

And, you will soon be able to order them on my new Etsy shop: A Toast, A Dance, and A Slice of Cake.

One last chance

2011-12-17T11:07:00.001-05:00

Today is your last chance to take advantage of my Procrastinators Sale over on my Etsy shop. Just enter the coupon code SantaBaby for 25% off everything in the store. I am sure there is someone on your list who would love a paper doll (or a few) this Christmas. Go now!

Http://emilyclarke.etsy.com

Doubles Anyone?

2011-12-16T20:30:00.001-05:00

Court's free.

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Paper Doll How To

2011-12-16T11:49:00.000-05:00

I realized recently that I may be taking for granted that everyone understands the idea of a paper doll. And, for the most part that is true. All day long I have people (typically women) coming into the studio and sharing their memories of playing with paper dolls when they were younger.

I have had to explain them to a number of small children (who look at me like I am crazy when I say that I played with paper as a child.) But I have also discovered that some people (mainly men) have absolutely no concept for what a paper doll is.

So for those of you who have been wondering what in the world I have been talking about these past several months, and why I keep painting these headless figures, read on...

The concept of a paper doll is fairly simple. You have your paper doll figure (in the middle), dressed in her finest undergarments, plus an assortment of outfits, accessories, and hairstyles drawn in her same size and pose. It is like having the greatest closet ever, with everything already coordinated, accessorized, and ready to go.

And, just like for most real women, the difficult part is deciding what outfit to wear. (Another challenge with paper dolls is not accidentally cutting off the tabs or one of the doll's limbs when you are cutting her out. This is why I think the new magnetic "paper " dolls that come pre-cut are cheating. We had to work for our fun!)

After picking your dolls outfit, just line it up with the doll figure, fold the tabs back to hold the outfit in place, and, voila, she is ready for a night out on the town.

For you ladies out there who loved playing with paper dolls as much as I did, I hope this was a trip down memory lane. And for those of you who finally understand what it is I have been doing, you're welcome.

(And, a special thanks to August Vernon for making a few extra prints of my paper dolls so that I had plenty to cut out and play with all day in the name of blogging.)

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Helping in the Kitchen

2011-12-15T18:30:00.000-05:00

Althought his wife was the cook in the family, Harold decided to give the little woman the night off and make dinner. Surely, if he could handle things in the business world, he could manage this, right? Now, what's that burning smell?

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At the Close of Day

2011-12-14T18:30:00.000-05:00

There wasn't much Harold liked more at the end of a long day than a warm pair of slippers, a pipe, and his easy chair. That and a good ice cream sunday...

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Up at Bat

2011-12-13T19:21:00.000-05:00

"Careers and higher education are leading to the masculinization of women, with enormously dangerous consequences to the home, the children, and our country. When our boys come home from war, what kind of girls will they be coming home to? And now the most disgusting example of this sexual confusion: Mr. Walter Harvey of Harvey bars is presenting us with women's baseball. Right here in Chicago, young girls plucked from their families are gathered at Harvey Field, to see which one of them can be the most masculine. Mr. Harvey, like your candy bars, you're completely... nuts." - A League of Their Own

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Daily Life

2011-12-12T19:50:00.001-05:00

Now that the war was over, Bill was adjusting back to civilian life. At least the food was infinitely better at home.

Procrastinators Unite!

2011-12-12T15:36:00.002-05:00

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I am one of those people who plans great gifts for her family members, but never gets around to buying/making them until the last minute.

So, for all of you who are like me, I am having a Procrastinators Sale on my Etsy shop. Just enter the coupon code SantaBaby for 25% off any of the paper dolls in my shop. Good today through this Saturday, December 17.

Http://EmilyClarke.etsy.com

I wish I was back in the army

2011-12-10T21:13:00.001-05:00

Gary was proud of the service he performed for his country. And now he was glad of the woman he had left back at home.

Higher Education

2011-12-09T17:51:00.001-05:00

Bill loved being in college. The sports, the friends, the freedom, even the classes were swell. And the women made for the most interesting study of all.

Flapper style

2011-12-08T22:03:00.001-05:00

I have been researching 1920's fashions for another set of my paper doll drawings. The styles of this decade are so completely different from what I am used to with my 40's and 50's work. It has been fun diving into a different era for a time. Don't be surprised if I start wearing a cloche after this.

Equal opportunity

2011-12-08T11:46:00.001-05:00

This one is for all of you who say I never include men in my work. I've given my 1940s paper doll woman a 1940s paper doll husband!

School Days

2011-12-06T16:14:00.003-05:00

The school day would be dreadful if it weren't for the cute boy in front of her in English class. Too bad he only had eyes for the girl one row over. At least for now...

A Beautiful Sleep

2011-12-05T21:46:00.001-05:00

There was no reason why one shouldn't be comfortable, and glamorous, while sleeping.

All in a Days Work

2011-12-03T19:32:00.001-05:00

Betty clocked in for another day at the machine shop, knowing the boys were counting on her work. Besides, all this work was doing wonders for her figure.

In the Army Now

2011-12-02T18:37:00.001-05:00

Dorothy decided to do her part while the boys were overseas. Besides, who could resist these uniforms?

Date night

2011-12-01T22:42:00.001-05:00

Betty anxiously waited for Bobby to pick her up for their date. But the butterflies in her stomach would not keep her from this most important night.

Out of the crowd

2011-11-29T22:37:00.001-05:00

Dorothy scanned the room for a suitable dance partner. Her eyes lit on Brian, quietly dashing in his kaki uniform. "He'll do," she thought.

Betty on the town

2011-11-28T22:09:00.001-05:00

Betty put on her finest dress and headed out for the evening. This would be the night when all her dreams come true. Or at least the night when she convinced Derrick to change out of his scruffy work jeans.

The Dress

2011-11-28T00:26:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite Christmas movies of all time is White Christmas. And one of my favorite scenes in that movie is when Rosemary Clooney sings "You Didn't do Right by Me." the reason that is a favorite scene is largely because of the dress she is wearing. Someday I will have a dress like that. Until then, I have to be content with painting paper doll versions of it.

In black and white

2011-11-26T16:50:00.002-05:00

Just before thanksgiving, I started doing some pen and ink paper doll line drawings. The plan is to depict the life of a typical woman in a specific era. I have started with the 1940's, simply because of the wealth of reference material I already have for that decade. Once I am done, I would like to publish a book and/or a coloring book of them.

Greased Lightning

2011-11-22T16:32:00.003-05:00

6x9"
Watercolor on paper

At the Hop

2011-11-19T22:20:00.001-05:00

6"x9"
Watercolor on paper

Family traits

2011-11-17T21:44:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's post featured my dad. Today's post features my little sister. I want you to pay attention to the family resemblance. Not the similarity in their eyes or the dark hair color, but rather the wide open-mouthed faces they are making. Ah, families!

Super Dad

2011-11-16T20:29:00.002-05:00

He may not be faster than a speeding bullet, but he's always been my hero!

The boy I'm gonna marry

2011-11-15T22:25:00.002-05:00

The most beautiful woman he had ever seen was walking towards him down the aisle and was about to say "I do." Now, where did he put that ring...

Take these and Call me in the morning

2011-11-14T18:39:00.001-05:00

So I ended up with some crazy mystery illness this past week, which rendered me pretty much useless since Wednesday. I decided this little candy striper would be appropriate today for my recovery.

Under the Sea

2011-11-09T19:21:00.000-05:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

Sure, the fish are pretty, but this saltwater is murder on her hair.

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On Pointe

2011-11-08T22:31:00.000-05:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

All of my watercolor paper dolls will soon be appearing in my Etsy shop. Stay tuned for your chance to get one of these little pieces.

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She's a Maniac

2011-11-07T22:06:00.001-05:00

And she's dancin' like she's never danced before.

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At the Mall

2011-11-02T21:59:00.001-04:00

"Gross me out! That looser totally asked me out."

I never had this exact outfit in the 80's, but I am proud (or embarrassed) to say that I had one of those hats, and ALWAYS tight-rolled my jeans.

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Totally Rad

2011-11-01T22:47:00.001-04:00

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Jive Time

2011-10-31T23:35:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on Paper

Open Studios is this weekend! Hope to see you at the studio.
Friday, November 4, 6-9pm
Saturday, November 5, 10am-6pm
Sunday, November 6, 12-6pm

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She Works Hard for the Money

2011-10-29T22:06:00.001-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

So you'd better treat her right.

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Center Stage

2011-10-27T21:55:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

With a microphone in front of her, she felt right at home.

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Anchors Away

2011-10-26T18:27:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

"Gee, I wish I were a man. Then I'd join the Navy."

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Simply Beautiful

2011-10-25T22:46:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

“The sari's radiance, vigor and variety, produced by a single straight length of cloth, should give us in the West pause and make us think twice about the zipper, the dart and the shoulder pad.”

Naveen Patnaik

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Afternoon tea

2011-10-24T20:47:00.002-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on Paper

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On Second Thought

2011-10-23T21:07:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on Paper

She knew she shouldn't have worn these shoes.

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A Bit More Civilized

2011-10-22T20:02:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on Paper

A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.
Jane Austen

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The Clothes Make the Man

2011-10-21T22:00:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

He is way too cool for this party, not to mention overdressed.

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A Flapper's Life

2011-10-20T21:10:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

Because the skirts are short and the nights are long...

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Taking the Lead

2011-10-19T21:52:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

This search for what you want is like tracking something that doesn't want to be tracked. It takes time to get a dance right, to create something memorable.
Fred Astaire

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Across the Dance Floor

2011-10-18T21:43:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

"My mother told me I was dancing before I was born. She could feel my toes tapping wildly inside her for months."- Ginger Rodgers

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A Happy Home

2011-10-17T22:11:00.002-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

The joys of being a housewife far outweighed the daily struggle with the mountain of laundry.

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Groovy Man

2011-10-16T20:39:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

Can you dig it?

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The Biggest Night

2011-10-15T21:33:00.001-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

It was prom night, and she couldn't find her lucky slap bracelet anywhere.

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Faster than a Speeding Bullet

2011-10-14T11:28:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

Leaping over tall buildings in a single bound sure was tiring.

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Setting the Standard

2011-10-13T20:47:00.001-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

She never wanted to be the first lady, just to look like her.

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Something Blue

2011-10-11T22:14:00.001-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

She had something old and something new, and as soon as her sister turned her back, she would also have something borrowed.

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Down the Rabbit Hole

2011-10-10T22:01:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!"- Alice in Wonderland

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What Happens on Vacation...

2011-10-08T23:17:00.001-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on Paper

Where else but on vacation are you allowed to wear shorts like these?

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Well deserved Vacation

2011-10-07T22:44:00.001-04:00

This Hawaiian vacation was exactly what she needed- the sun, the waves, not to mention the cabana boy.

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Moment of Silence

2011-10-06T22:08:00.001-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on Paper

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Traditions on a Small Scale

2011-10-05T21:34:00.000-04:00

6"x 9"
Watercolor on paper

My sister and I are participating in Muse fest in Rock Hill, SC in a couple of weeks. In preparation, I have been making these little watercolor paper doll paintings. I have always been sort of anti-watercolor, but I love the look of these little pieces, not to mention how quickly I can finish them!

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A Moment to Ponder

2011-10-04T11:36:00.002-04:00

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A Warm Welcome

2011-10-03T23:24:00.000-04:00

I know I shared this same paper doll outfit a couple of days ago, but I love how different this one seems. Mallie seems to be saying "welcome to our city! Have a look around!" And, while you are downtown, be sure to stop by and see Mallie at O-Cha Tea Bar!

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When things don't work

2011-10-02T11:57:00.000-04:00

I have been shooting a lot of pictures with my paper doll project, and some of the shots don't quite work out the way I hope they will. For all of my dear sweet friends who agree to help me with all my projects, here are some of my favorite out takes and bloopers.

These birds really had it in for Molly

I think Ryan's eyesight has returned after staring into the sun.

Nancy wanted to make an appearance

I don't think she was ready for this shot.

Rachel did her job beautifully. It's the girls rolling down the hill behind her that kill me.

I don't know.

This one turned out a little too exorcist for my taste.

With the Greatest of Ease

2011-09-30T21:43:00.000-04:00

All eyes were riveted on her as she flew through the air, narrowly catching the swinging bar of wood. She always worked without a net.

Let the Show Begin

2011-09-28T22:20:00.000-04:00

Under the big top, the air smelled like popcorn and elephants. The lights dimmed, and an excited buzz rippled through the audience. Suddenly, a spotlight picked up the lone figure in the middle of the ring, hat in hand, beaming at the assembled crowd. This was going to be a great show.

Dancing in the Streets

2011-09-27T18:07:00.000-04:00

The world is her stage, she just needs an audience.

Carryin' the Banner

2011-09-26T20:14:00.000-04:00

This one is in honor of the new Newsies musical. Can.Not.Wait.

"In 1899, the streets of New York City echoed with the voices of newsies, peddling the papers of Joseph Pulitzer, William Randalph Hearst, and other giants of the newspaper world. On every corner you saw them carrying the banner. Bringing you the news for a penny a pape. Poor orphans and runaways, the newsies were a ragged army without a leader, until one day all that changed. " -Newsies

Waiting for the Cows to Come Home

2011-09-21T19:08:00.001-04:00

If you get thrown from a horse, you have to get up and get back on, unless you landed on a cactus; then you have to roll around and scream in pain.

Disco is Back

2011-09-20T22:24:00.000-04:00

And it's on wheels...

I'm With the Band

2011-09-19T23:06:00.000-04:00

This one is for my fellow former band nerds. Maybe this uniform is based on the one I wore in high school. Just maybe...

Big Day on the Town

2011-09-18T19:51:00.001-04:00

He only had one day of shore leave, so he was going to make the best of it.

In the Ring

2011-09-18T11:47:00.002-04:00

"In bull-fighting they speak of the terrain of the bull and the terrain of the bull-fighter. As long as a bull-fighter stays in his own terrain he is comparatively safe. Each time he enters into the terrain of the bull he is in great danger. Belmonte, in his best days, worked always in the terrain of the bull. This way he gave the sensation of coming tragedy."

- Chapter 18, The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway

See the Amazing Tattooed Lady!

2011-09-15T21:03:00.000-04:00

Who knew there were so many gorgeous tattooed women in Greenville?

A Far Out Time

2011-09-14T20:22:00.000-04:00

This Bobby soxer was thought the new greaser in town was the tops. Too bad this party was deadsville.

The King

2011-09-13T21:52:00.000-04:00

Elvis may have left the building, but he hasn't gone far.

A Rebel, With a Cause

2011-09-12T19:47:00.000-04:00

Being a good actor isn't easy. Being a man is even harder. I want to be both before I'm done.
James Dean

Jeannie in a Bottle

2011-09-11T20:58:00.000-04:00

"All I do is think and blink." -I Dream of Jeannie

Variations on a Theme

2011-09-10T21:44:00.000-04:00

When shooting my paper doll photos, I like to shoot some of the same outfits with different people behind them. Changes in lighting, location, facial expression, etc., can make for a very different shot, even though the paper doll figure is the same. I do love seeing how different the shots are. Although all we can see are their faces, these photos are vastly different from each other.

I already posted Molly in all her 80's glory:

But, now check out Christina:

And, Katie also got her punk on:

Thanks ladies! You are all amazing!

The Cat's Meow

2011-09-09T23:05:00.000-04:00

This dame had put on her glad rags and was ready to get a wiggle on, as soon as her fly boy pulled up in the breezer. (for a translation, go here)