sculpture

I made this figure in July sometime. He popped up in the middle of my monster madness, an anomaly with no name and no story.

I'm not even sure if he's finished (a hat? more baubles?), but here he is for now.

I've had the owl sculpted for more than a year, waiting for a proper owner. It's actually the owl I fell in love with originally (and why this piece is staying in my personal collection).

Even now, I struggle to know his story. Which is strange.

Sullivan tends to the smaller animals in the forest.

Each day, with the help of Screecher, he scouts the woods for injured beasts in need of help. He tends their wounds, feeds the starving, frees the captured, and returns wandering babes to the safety of their nest, crook, or cave. 

This figure is approximately 10 inches tall.

More images below.

It's interesting being presented with a creation that has absolutely no ties to Halloween or previous styles. And I use the word "presented" because the majority of sculptures reveal themselves as I work rather than being born from an idea or vision. 

I've also noticed a pattern of pieces who I imagine come from the same world or town apart from the other figures. A grander story waiting to be told. When it's more clear, I'll let you know the tale they are trying to tell me. 

Gorza is a Hellion. A worker bee from the firey depths, if you will.

But one that has left the hive.

Why?

It could be the urge to travel and cause mischief across the lands!

Or...

It could be to find a small village and make the peasant folks his slaves to do his bidding!

It could also be that Gorza wants to flatten mountains and burn forests with his fiery breath!

But it turns out, the truth is...you can't get a decent cup of coffee in hell. Brains, sure. You can have brains raw, pureed or cooked 101 different ways.

But a good cup of coffee? No. Too smoky. Over-roasted. No cold spring water to brew with. 

Even Hellions need to take a break now and then to read the local paper with a white mug of dark deliciousness. 

It makes them more productive.

This figure is approximately 9.5 inches tall. 

More images below.

Archie likes small talk. 

He'll toss a casual salutation to anyone that passes him by. 

"How are you?"

"Nice day, ain't it?"

"Don't miss the Fall Festival. I hear Piltch's pumpkins are even better than last year."

"Hey kiddo, your Ma was looking for you!"

By the time he arrives at the General Store (his place of employment for many a year), Archie will have spoken to at least a dozen people.

Archie sweeps the floors, stocks the shelves, fixes what's broken, and goes down to the market to haggle with Kurcha for the odd item when inventory is low.

It's good work and he likes it. Keeps him busy, keeps him social, and most importantly, keeps him happy. 

This figure is approximately 6 inches tall.

Maggie speaks in a language that sounds like squirrel-jibberish to me. Her voice is soft, friendly, and not too high but definitely feminine.

She wears a scarf to keep her unruly hair - with bangs that grow down the middle of her face - in place on windy days (and even not-so-windy days). 

She chatters and chitters as she walks along, collecting items for her daily craft project: some beach glass, a bit of long grass, perhaps some feathers left behind from a passing robin. For good measure, she gathers some dandelion for afternoon tea, and perhaps the petals can be used in her creation as well. 

She doesn't usually plan ahead when it comes to her crafting. Often, she decides what to make once she's gotten her inventory home and spread out on the kitchen table. Besides, the final product isn't what's important, rather the journey to get there. When she looks at the birdhouse made from sticks and seashells, she sees a day at the beach well spent with a friend and a picnic lunch. As she uses the pot holder made from woven grasses, she smiles at the memory of almost losing her sandal in the pond as she plucked the long blades free.

Her creations are memories materialized. And isn't that a lovely way to decorate. 

This figure is approximately 4.5 inches tall.