POR AMOR AL ARTE

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it's been all about handmade gifts the past few weeks and random acts of kindness

this doll was made especially for my friend mary stanley who lives in nearby santa barbara

and this one will go to a little girl named Ida who i met through a friend on instagram

and this lass is on her way to holland also to an instagram friend

i have truly enjoyed the art of doll making, something new for me.

i even made a house on wheels.  i just love this "let's play" phase i'm going through.

and christmas approaches faster than i would like

this year we decided on a small vignette in the living room as we await our move.

the new house is getting spiffed up with hardwood floors, new windows and new ceilings so it remains empty a little longer. 

i also signed up for gritty jane's 40 portraits challenge and, although far behind, have managed to contribute with a few of my portraits on brown shipping tags at least. it always surprises me how each face wants to come alive in it's own special way.  all are so so different from each other.

i titled this one "thoroughly british"

my favorite, ofcourse, is my portrait of nina bagley's dog 

the incomparable "walter"

i have matted and framed him and he will be on his way to nina as a gift to be hung at heartrock hill,

her cabin in north carolina. sweet thing, it will be hard to part with you but we know where you truly belong.

may this season find you all focused on the things that matter