Ticket to the Freak Show... Opens April 11th!

Step right up folks! You won't see anything like this anywhere else. Freaks and oddities of all types and kinds... right here for your viewing pleasure. And I've got your ticket!

I am beyond excited to present to you my most recent collection of art dolls, live and in person for the very first time... this Saturday, April 11th at Torche' Galerie. Inspired by my love of everything circus, as well as the recent FX series hit American Horror Story: Freak Show, this collection is my most favorite of all! And not only will I have 6 art dolls on display at this show, but I will also have 2 new whimsical vintage style collages showcased!

Torche' Galerie's 2nd Anniversary Exhibition features a whole host of talented artists in all types of mediums including sculpture, photography, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic, collage, film, mixed-media and so many more categories of intriguing contemporary art. Torche' Galerie is like a little slice of an upscale New York City gallery with a friendly and inviting atmosphere... right here in NJ! And the opening night reception — which many of the artists attend — will blow you away.

Torche' Galerie 2nd Anniversary Exhibition

Opening Reception 

Saturday, April 11th, 2015

7pm - 10pm

500 Main Street, Belmar, NJ 07719

So come join me at the opening reception and view my latest selection of whimsical art dolls and collages, as well as the work of 50 inspirational artists! If you can't make it to the Opening Reception, the show is up through the month of June. Hope to see you there!

Freak Show Peep Show...

After drooling over a full season of inspiration brought to me by the American Horror Story: FreakShow television series, I set my sights on creating a collection of art dolls with a circus sideshow theme! So I thought I'd take you behind the scenes — or should I say under the big top — for a little sneak peek.

Being the first of my art doll endeavors with a single theme, I carefully considered which characters I would create, based on the unique oddities and attractions from the show.

Of course Dell Toledo, The Stupendous Strongman was a big influence. In fact, I knew months ago when I came across furry leopard fabric, that I wanted to create a doll with bulging muscles, a neanderthal brow, and a handlebar moustache, lifting a ton of weight (okay, maybe about half a ton!)

That handlebar moustache... well, it ended up being as big as he is! But I do love to exaggerate features on my dolls, so when it made me laugh, I knew it was perfect!

Dell's former wife Ethel — The Bearded Lady — was a gentle soul and touched my heart. I wanted to dress her in a 1920's style dress, like from her early stage days where she was loved and adored. I tried several different items to dress her up, and felt that this old silk and lace camisole of mine fit the bill. Yes, I save everything!

Of course to go with the theme of the time, no bearded lady dressed in 1920's garb, is complete without a blingy headband!

Then there was Twisty the Clown. A very sick and twisted individual who's specialty was murder! This doll was probably the most difficult sculpture I've created to date. But working from a photograph of a real character kinda made it a little easier than my other dolls, if that makes sense. I put my twist on it (pun intended) and love the way he came out.

Pretty freaking scary! I do love making cute things, but I love making creepy things just as much. This certainly appealed to that part of my personality.

My conjoined twin girls Faith and Hope, were definitely inspired by Bette and Dot from American Horror Story. I dressed them up using a gorgeous pair of lace shorts my mom bought me last year, but alas... were too small. Yes, I save everything! My stash of vintage jewelry, buttons, baubles, beads and ribbon help make every doll a unique and individual piece of art, and lots of fun to accessorize.

My love of all things side show — and the fact that the Wheel of Death made an appearance in the television series — is why I had to create a Knife-Thrower's Assistant! Where does one acquire a doll-sized wheel? In the clock components section of A.C. Moore, of course!

I dressed my Assistant in a goth style lace and tulle dress, complete with a tiny tutu. The main part of the dress is from an upcycled blouse I bought at a sample sale years ago but never wore because I'm not really very appealing in black, LOL. Did I mention that I save everything?

And last but not least. The Ringmaster...

Inspired by Elsa Mars, mistress of the freaks and — unbeknownst to many of the others — was one of them herself. [Spoiler Alert!] Having had her legs cut off for a German snuff film, Elsa was given a pair of wooden legs by one of her "suitors". For my version, the Ringmaster sits atop a vintage bird cage, with a pair of antique wooden bobbins dangling below her torso. At a commanding 2 feet tall in total, her Marie Antoinette style skirt barely hides the history of her past.

Now, by this time you may be wondering why I haven't shown you each of my latest art dolls in all their fabulously freakish glory. Well, here at the FreakShow, you've got to buy a ticket to see the monsters. Pssst! Stick around, and I'll let you know where to get one!

Did. You. Ever.

Did you ever have an art piece you made that you ended up keeping? Well, my conjoined sideshow twins Willie and Tillie are now part of my very own personal collection. I had them for sale at $350, and while everyone enjoyed them and told me that was a great price... no one took them home.

I mean... come on! Look at their sweet little... ummm... freakishly scary faces... and crazy hair! They're simply adorable.

And all the tiny little details. This piece probably took over 20 hours to make. Getting the embellishments to look old was very zen-like for me. I love making new and vintage items look really aged, distressed and time-worn. In a perfectly imperfect kind of way! And people thought this was an antique piece! The highest of compliments.

I created this assemblage in my spare time over a span of several weeks. It was definitely a labor of Love. I found great joy in each step and even surprised myself along the way. It had been a while since I'd gotten to enjoy the actual journey a creative inspiration takes me on. And in the end, I decided that...

Not only did I love the journey, but I loved the finished piece as well. It was worth way more to my soul than my pocketbook and it's now hanging on my office wall. I get to look at the twins that I birthed every day. And they'll never grow old.

Ta-Da! Presenting... Willie and Tillie...

Ahhhh... the illusion is complete. And so are my folk art style conjoined twins... Willie and Tillie. I really enjoyed working on this project. In fact... I think I could say this might be my favorite piece to date! What I loved most about the process was losing myself in the details....

Making sure the faces (and crazy hair) were just right. Especially since I was trying to match a one-dimensional "living" icon.

Getting the embellishments to look old was very zen-like for me. I love making new and vintage items look really aged, distressed and time-worn. In a perfectly imperfect kind of way!

Even choosing just the right book pages, decorating the balloons, and picking the perfect wire to use as the string became a thoughtfully pleasant step in the process.

I can't even tell you how long it took to make this assemblage, mostly because I did it in my spare time over a span of several weeks. But more so because it was a labor of Love. I found great joy in each step and even surprised myself along the way. It's been a while since I've gotten to enjoy the actual journey a creative inspiration takes me on. I certainly intend to do more pieces like this, as it was most soothing for the soul.

Thoughtful Thursdays: Let's Put Our Heads Together...

They say two heads are better than one. But I guess it's all relative... huh? Recently I've been sidetracked by a sideshow themed project.... conjoined twin Tillies. My favorite local Asbury Park icon has grown a twin for a local gallery show coming up called... Double Take.

I had already been entertaining ideas in my head of carnival-themed projects, and when I saw the call for entries... well, I had to answer with my strange and unusual side. Of course I wanted to create these twins in one of my favorite genres... Folk Art Style.

Now, the reason behind that is two-fold: one, I absolutely love the look of Folk Art pieces and how they were made with love and care and very little artistic knowledge. This self-taught person just made something because they had a strong desire to make it. And two, it gives me the excuse to make something and pretend I don't know what the heck I'm doing. Especially in those instances when I don't know what the heck I'm doing! Takes a lot of pressure off, to not have to be perfectly precise about making something. Right?

I can love the lumps and bumps... and that one head is bigger than the other... but his ears are smaller.... and that the torso is off... that the noses are different sizes... well, you get the picture. And so—as hard as I can—I try to pretend that I don't know what I'm doing, just that I want to do it. And I feel like a kid again. Where there are no mistakes. Where there is no wrong way. Except to not do it at all.