GOTHIC GIRL #8 OOAK Porcelain Doll DELIA Shakespeare's CORDELIA Repaint ...

There IS a Method to My Madness in Making and Selling Gothic Girls and Zombie Babies!

Unique Mixed Media Portraits by Geri G. Taylor

For many years, I've been trying to find my own style of art.

I've always loved drawing faces but leaned towards a more "caricature" style versus realism.

Experimenting with a combination of my original pencil sketch combined with editing software, I came up with this mixed media portrait.

Now I'm accepting commissions on my one of kind portraits.

For more information about me and my art, check out my webpage at www.g2taylor.com.

I Love Scarves and I Love Art! Now the Two are Combined in One in PopImpressKA's Gorgeous Designer Shawl

I just love the chain-reaction of life and how, for example, my entering my book, The Kitchen Dance, in MARSocial Author of the Year Competition introduced me to Karynne Summars (the winner) and by interviewing her for my blog, The Delete Key, I found out she was a fashion model and contributing writer for PopImressKA Journal (which stands Popular Impressive Kaleidoscope), a magazine featuring wonderful articles on all things wonderfully artistic, created by Olga Papkovitch, which is how, by Olga liking a link about my blogpost on Karynne's books Desperate Pursuit in Venice and her upcoming release, Desperate Pursuit in Rio De Janeiro, we became Facebook friends. 

Then Googling PopImpressKA, I found this shawl and much, much more!

Isn't this shawl/scarf beautiful! And it can be yours, just visit their site at PopImpressKA Brand. It is available in silk and silk blend in three different sizes.

Then I found this YouTube video featuring another version of this elegant design.

SUBSCRIBE!

Olga is a fabulous woman, and for her, the sky's the limit with her pay it forward creed and the support she generates for her causes. PopImpressKA Journal is her brainchild and her pop art outreach is a journey all it's own comprised of many inspiring and unifying chain reactions!

So start a chain reaction of your own and follow some of these great links!

For more about Olga Papkovitch:
https://g2taylor.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/popimpresska-journal-if-you-havent-checked-it-out-its-about-time-you-did/
http://www.olgapopartworld.com/
http://olgapapkovitch.blogspot.com
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/olga-papkovitch/14/8b9/585
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/452589-magazine-founder-inspired-by-shen-yun/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en&v=nFBD2pUpKWg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCglwLtgY48qXspJOU9j8mkg
http://olgapapkovitchart.tripod.com/

And now...MORE FABULOUS FOTOS!

Okay, ladies!

I know how you love designer handbags!

Designed to compliment EVERYTHING, this line is simply amazing!













The origami design of one skirt is so incredible chic!

Like I said, I love scarves!

This one is one of my favorites, it was a gift from the cast of "Dial M for Murder" that I directed with Ruston Community Theatre.

If anyone is looking for the perfect gift for me...

I'd like a 6' scarf by Olga!

Geri

Countdown to Christmas: 43 Days Kathy Tate Davis and Her One of a Kind Okra Pod Art

I got one of those "FEELINGS" that I had to stop by one of my favorite thrift shops in Ruston, LA. It provides a work place and support of members of our community, much like that of Goodwill, but it is privately owned.

I dropped by to see if they had put out any Christmas decorations and boy did I hit pay dirt!  Actually, the tall tree and a few of the ornaments are from yesterday, but the large Santa figure, etc. are from today's haul.

But I will blog more about that later because TODAY I want to talk about one very unusual find.

This little elf still has his tag (although stained) and was created in 2007.  I wanted to take advantage of my blog to share with you what I've learned about the artist, Kathy Tate Davis.

First of all we are "practically" neighbors! She lives in Coushatta, LA and I have a camp on the southern end of Lake Bistineau near Ringgold, LA.

Second, she and I got into crafting about the same time. Me in 1992, and she in 1993. Where I have jumped around from art to crafts to acting to photography and back to crafts, she has made quite a name for herself with her favorite materials, OKRA, and her talent is well displayed in her work.

I often find it a bit comical calling myself a Gourd Artist, but Kathy has me beat.

"So what do YOU do?"
"I'm an Okra Artist?"
"Oh...wait, a WHUUUUT?"

I can definitely see how Kathy is inspired by the odd twists and turns of the dried pieces of okra. Much like a gourd, if you shake them, they rattle! Which makes them even MORE adorable!

Anyway...

Check out her Etsy page to learn more about Kathy and her see what she has available.

It looks like Kathy and I share our interest for all things holiday related. You've just got to love the faces she creates on her colorful and clever little characters. Take a gander at some of her Halloween figures and I'll bet you'll think they look like someone you know. SPOOPY!

I found some more of her images on Pinterest and on her Facebook page. But if you really want to scroll through her some of her amazing pieces, check out Georgia's Gift Shop Facebook page.

WOW!

Countdown to Christmas: 52 Days Santa Collectors dot Com

When you have time...LOTS of time, check out Santacollectors.com.

Angie McKaig has created a very entertaining and educational site that any fan of the jolly man is going to want to add to their favorites.

Anyway, in attempt to give credit to both Kati, the artist of these beautiful one of a kind Santas, and Angie, whose affection for collectible Santas and her diligence in spreading the word about her favorites, I have included links to both sites.

santaworld.com

Picnic with Santa

Each of Kati's Santas figures is telling a story of his own. Her attention to detail and choices of accessories are as unique as each of the Santas she creates.

Doesn't this Santa (no longer available) bring to mind the little ditty "Teddy Bears Picnic"?

Steph McCrombie, Photographer

HOLIDAY POINTERS: When dusting Santa sculptures such as these, start by using a soft bristle clean craft paint brush or make-up brush to gently brush away dust from the hard surfaces. Then I suggest you wrap them snugly in tulle or a laundry bag with the pull cords, and fasten the "bag" securely. Use your vacuum's dusting brush and, if possible, adjust your vacuum to low. Do this ONLY when absolutely necessary and avoid "tugging" on the beard and real fur.



If you are displaying Heirloom Santas and decorations year round, invest in a glass front cabinet placed away from direct sunlight.

Due to lack of space in my recent home, I am down to two cabinets: my main cabinet houses mostly chalk ware Santas, some Valiant court, some by other artists, but mostly those I painted. And the second is really my china cabinet.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 16 My Most Expensive Santa

I almost titled this post "My Most Valuable Santa" but VALUE really doesn't have as much to do with what I spent on it, it is more of what it means to me.

Since this Santa is the one I paid the most for, that does make "Trudging Santa" by George John my most expensive Santa.

If you've read my previous posts, you might remember me writing about at shop, St. Nick and Friends in Wimberley, TX, that was only open for a few years back in the nineties. I can't recall if it was 1992 or 1993 when my friend, Judy S. and I first found the shop and marveled at all the original hand carved Santas created by famous artists like Bolinger and Costanza, and some carved by not-so-famous artists. 

Since both of us were new mom's and neither of us could justify purchasing any of the original work by the famous artist, we both picked out a couple of hand carved Santa ornaments, and Judy found a hand carved Santa pulling a sleigh with a tree on it, carved by a Texas artist. 

Then Judy found a Trudging Santa (much like this one) by George John.

We both marveled at the craftsmanship and colors. Even though John's work was priced much lower than the more famous artists, he was still rather expensive, at least for my budget. Judy was concerned whether or not she should invest in such a piece, and even considered putting back her Santa and the sleigh even though we'd already decided on the perfect place to put it in her home. Still, she could not resist, and both Santas were bagged in the shop's adorable little canvas bags and her Santas have decorated her home ever since.

I really admired her "Trudging Santa",  he is so simply styled yet you can see how he is struggling to carry the heavy bag and cumbersome tree. Red, gold, green, and navy have always been my favorite colors and his face has such a serious expression as if his efforts are of utmost importance. 

A couple of years later, George John carved another "Trudging Santa". It would have been way too expensive for Judy to purchase this as a gift, so instead, she ordered several of my Santas gourds to give to her family and friends as gifts.  With that money and a little extra cash, I was able to purchase my own "Trudging Santa". 

We never had a chance to meet this artist, or have I ever found anything about George John on the internet. He may have just whittled as a hobby and perhaps he created very few Santas.

"Trudging Santa" has always been on display in my home, he has a special shelf my brother made for me, and is flanked by two antique wooden candlesticks.  

Every time I look up at him, I think of Judy and all the fun we have had over the past twenty-seven years. Even though she's still in Texas and I live in Louisiana now, we keep in touch and in August this year, I spend almost two weeks with her. I just love her!

Now, I do have other Santas that were marked up as much, if not a higher price than I paid for him, but I bought them at after Christmas sales, etc.

Getting back to what I said at the begin, "I almost titled this post "My Most Valuable Santa" but VALUE really doesn't have as much to do with what I spent on it, it is more of what it means to me.". this Santa does indeed have a GREAT VALUE as a reminder of my very dear friend, Judy S. and all the good times we have shared.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 11 I don't collect EVERY Santa!

I am a writer, among other things, and I take the one hour plus drive Bossier City and Shreveport, LA where I attend meetings with a critique group, Romance Writer’s of America, and Sister’s in Crime.

While there in Bossier City and Shreveport, I like to hit a few of the Goodwills and thrift stores in the area. Today, I found a Longaberger basket and the perfect dust ruffle, valance, and pillow shams for my lake house, a couple of  cute things for my house and a very adorable hand carved Folk Art Noah and his Ark.

But sadly, I found no Santas to add to my collection.

Oh, I saw a lot of Santas, but I don’t collect EVERY Santa, which is why I think this is a great topic of my blog.

I went out to my studio and took some quick photos of a few Santas who are looking for a new home.


These were not gifts, I actually bought these, but as my collections change, I trade out.

Collectors can be very discriminating with their taste in their chosen passion. Now, just because I am not artist specific, and collect a variety of styles, this doesn’t mean I prefer just any Santa. So, it is always best, that if someone wants to give me a Santa as a gift, it should really fall into the various styles I collect.  I only have so much room!

Unfortunately, this has rarely happened and I discourage people from giving me a Santa as a gift unless they are observant enough to figure out what Santas I do collect versus those I do not.  What makes me really sad is that my husband and two sons haven’t a clue as to what kind of Santa to buy me even though a portion of my collection surrounds them in our dining room year round.

·      I do not collect dollar, chain craft store, discount super center, or big box store Santas.  

·      I do not collect ceramic Santas, but I do have a few vintage pieces or ones that I painted.  

·      I do not collect other artist’s gourds or cypress knee Santas but I have picked up a couple of small ones. 

·      I do not collect Santa dolls, but I have a few that are mostly vintage (50’s 60’s) rubber faced dolls.

·      I do not collect soft plastic or flocked Santas, but I do collect vintage (50’s to 60’s) hard plastic and celluloid Santas and reindeer.

I prefer name brand Santas (yes, I’m being snobbish) like the House of Hatten and artist’s originals when I can afford them, quality artist’s reproductions (also when I can afford them), and just about any hand-carved Santa.

I just can’t figure out why anyone who has been in my home and, even if they saw only a portion of my collection of which I probably have about a thousand, could not discern the quality of the pieces I do have. I compare it to someone who decorates their entire home in Stickley, and Arts and Crafts style furniture and someone gives them a Queen Anne piece. Hmmmm.

But let me say this…

I am so overwhelmed with joy when someone gives me a gift that says, “I get you, Geri.”  But I really believe that quality time spent with family and friends is truly a precious and graciously received gift.

And I’ve always got room for that!