Holly

I learned about Holly about a year ago. I received a message about making Holly.  Not unusual until he said "Life size". I have made life size a couple times. One so many years ago that my memory of it has faded. The more recent was my own Cairn terrier Cinder so I have much fur from her as I have been stripping her coat for  over 13 years now. Cinder is recreated out of Cinder you could say. Now back to Holly... I was very busy with so many orders when I received  the message.. as always the first question "what is Holly?" Holly is an elderly Maltese with one eye.  I had to say I just couldn't do the project.. too much work and I was just so overwhelmed with work already, and a show coming up to do.  I hate to ever say NO but there was just no way.. days later late in the evening the phone rang.. it was Holly's owner an older man wanting to just ask once more if I would consider doing it. I proceeded to explain the reasons why it was just impossible. My husband sat by listening to the conversation as well as one of my own little loves Ted! Holly's owner began to tell me that Holly was quite old and that he was so afraid of when she died how lost he was going to be.. he then said to me " Lucy she is my best friend.. I just can't not see her" OK done after that sentence I knew I was making Holly! He said the exact thing that I understood well... "how can I not see her?"  Yes how? I know that feeling I would just love one more look and touch of my Old Ted.  So after hanging up the phone and telling my husband what was said. No explanation needed.. My husband has a best little friend too! Teddy..
I received packages of Holly fur and we kept in touch confirming the real Holly was still doing fine something I found myself obsessed with. When I returned from the show as promised I started Holly.  Happy to say Holly has went home now and is doing her job... she will not be the real Holly of course and it is not going to be easy when that day comes to say goodbye to Holly, however now there will be a memory of her with her fur and her favorite pose so that in a small way she will comfort her owner when he has to say goodbye...
This is what my artwork is really about.

Oso NYC

 I have made a few copies of this magnificent rock star Oso.. most of the pictures I come across in my never ending sorting of photos strike me with a memory and I want to show the dog again.  My new work takes time to settle in with the feelings the dog brings. Often looking over work that has been gone for sometime I become rather nostalgic so showing them helps me to relive the making of them. Always a special moment when they are done, and I can play with them in pictures.  Here I posed my favorite fashion doll with him. She lives in a NY apartment on a high floor looking down on Central Park.  Play and dream.. one of my fantasies the high rise apartment in NY City!.. Here she looks out and dreams and imagines with her handsome Newfoundland Oso by her side. Both seeming to have their own dream as they look out and imagine! Love is always the theme there is no other way for me to create a dog... its all dog love!

You Forgot Me!

 I titled this as I did because it always seems to me the facial expression on the dog when you walk away is "You must of forgotten me because certainly I would be going!" a mere oversight to have closed the gate on the best friend... can you tell I hate leaving them behind even though we all know there are just times and certain personalities that do best at home rather than at the event ... won't mention names. Everything in life is more enjoyable when the dog is along.  Really! Why walk without a dog or go in the boat? I can put that (Why) in front of almost everything.  Below is my Wolfhound, he has been around and has had his picture shown.. went to shows been in magazines and finally sold in London... below he is in the old oak woods I live in being photographed with the expression I love,sort of sad sort of curious sort of anticipating. Wolfhounds! My first experience was a little shocking. The breed is majestic beyond description with a sweet soulful expression competing with the ever so tiny breeds on our laps. Just felt like a Wolfhound day..

Bonzer Real and Mini

 So happy to say Bonzer has arrived in his Alaskan home and is greeted by the Real Bonzer.. he has met all expectations I am very happy to say. He was a great challenge for me with all his shadings and intricate markings. I don't use anything but fiber to create the shadings so it can be time consuming but with a happy customer it is all well worth it.. I was so thrilled to get this photo of them together.. What a dog! Both of them...

Bonzer

When first receiving the request for Bonzer a  Irish Wolfhound mix to be created in large scale I was a bit taken aback.  Very distinct markings with wonderful expressive eyes with even a exact white mark on his eyeball. Studying his photos ( of which there were many ) I had a strong feeling of his essence that reminded me somehow of my Old Ted. Off to a good start with that on my side.  I knew it would be many months before I could work on Bonzer, it has to be first come first serve and he was far down in line.. however I just had to do his body NOW.. why? to prove I even could, or to have that behind me. I am not sure but I did make him and his skeleton sat for months reminding me somehow making each new project seem less daunting.. The time is here it is Bonzer's turn.  He seemed to be going smoothly face first and good but when it came to fur! Maybe you can imagine how hard it can be to pick the right fiber to match the dog.. trial and error is not a good option in this case.. go to far can't turn back so after my choice was painstakingly made I began the body... his beautiful large body LOL.  With guidance from his owner I think I pulled him out. 

I have since watched a number of videos of Bonzer and I do feel I have captured him and his essence that I saw from the beginning.. he lives such a glorious life in Alaska. I can't even tell you how he seems to just fit that perfect breathtakingly beautiful place and the rugged life there.. bear, moose and a few small rodents to chase under the wood pile.. When I get pictures of the real Bonzer checking out my work on his mini I will post again..my dog Onyx did look him over as usual. Just like with making his body I was just so anxious to show him off. A labor of love as always!

Bob

I just felt like writing about Bob.. for one thing if you're reading this than you wanted to so if you find it boring you can just stop reading ... beauty of that right?  The story of how and why we got Bob has been told won't repeat that.  It has taken me just about 5 years now to feel I  of have Bob figured out almost figured out Maneuvering around his many little non typical behaviors has not always been easy. One thing for certain he is a darling and so so friendly to human or canine alike.... a very special thing about dogs I think, is if allowed they will enter a place inside your heart and soul that can be so intune with your emotions you may not be aware its happened. Yesterday as we were all out mulling around the property I stopped at Old Ted's grave.. to chat with him and see the lovely setting growing so beautiful this time of year.. suddenly without notice Bob walked over onto the grave marker and looked up at me with that Bob face and expression .. why is my camera not sewn onto me somewhere. If you think I share a lot of pictures imagine if I took all those moments I think should be captured.  That moment when I looked at him all I can say is "Oh thank you Bob".  To me Bob said "oh here I am don't be sad" a dog's job... well done Bob!

CeCe

My parents little dog CeCe was a Yorkshire Terrier. I intended to write about my new roombox that I seem to be a little obsessed with.. in my attempt to find something to put in it suddenly CeCe  actually both the CeCes I made my parents were right there... People that know my story know it was the first dog I really made with fur.. the one I am writing about is the second one I made them.  For me I often feel I am following along on a journey and at times the things that come to me in many different ways come for a reason not always apparent at first. When I saw the little CeCe that I inherited back when my mom died 2 years ago I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. Odd how that can strike.. I took some quick pictures of her at that very moment I wanted to feel that feeling from way back when I created her with love, she was received with love and she was shown off with love to my mothers many friends in the residence she lived.I know they must of heard the story of how she was made many times over.. She shows that wear and tear but she has that little CeCe spark yet.  A little story about the real CeCe... we babysat her a few times when my parents would travel. She had a great time here in the woods little city dog fit right in all was great, slept with us love all around.. my father came home (CeCe was really HIS dog) she got on his lap I went over to see him and she growled at me fiercely LOL... however.. now I have a little breed dog and completely get it.. big dogs are just so different that way.. generally speaking..

I will be showing this roombox that has me fixated soon.