Amazing Artists

This week's topic for Studio Friday January 26th suggested by Janet: LOOK WHO I FOUND... !

"I love to discover new artists and often find them through other peoples mentions of them. So, introduce us, in words and/or pictures, to an artist, craftsperson, or writer you admire and that we might not have heard of before (i.e. not a famous one). What do you like about their work? How does it inspire your own work?"

~ JanetThe first two pics are parts of digital paintings by Enayla. Here is her site. I think she is amazing. She mostly does fantasy characters. I wish I could paint in Photoshop half as well as her, it's just incredible!

The next two pieces are cross-stichings done by my mother, Lilo. She started the first one while lying in bed with a bad back, to relieve her boredom. And she's been making hundreds since then. She has always been good with sewing and needlework her entire life, and now it's become an art form for her. I think she has an amazing talent. Here is her blog.

My dream studio

This week's topic for Studio Friday January 19th suggested by mereteveian: INSPIRING DREAM STUDIO!

Well, I have dreamed of having a little cottage for many years, as my studio. It would have a front looking real traditional, but the back would have big windows for light. I could have seperate rooms, one for animation, one with a big table for crafts and such, and another room with a sewing machine. And one more room for books!

When we were looking for a house to buy a few years back, we came across the prettiest little cottage by a stream, with a lot of land around it. We thought it would be nice to build a new house, and I could have the cottage for my studio.
Well, we didn't buy it after all, it was in the middle of nowhere, far from any Dublin transport, and my kids needed the bus to go to college. But I can still dream.

Dragon Whelp

" Playing with fire is bad for those who burn themselves. For the rest of us, it is a very great pleasure." ~Author Unknown

Hand Puppets

When I was a child, I made my own hand puppets and marionettes, and gave shows several times a year for the neighborhood kids. That later became a fascination for animation, which led me to my career. Anything that can be given a personality by myself is always fun. I still collect and make puppets, and here are a few unusual ones: A bird nest full of baby birds, a little box containing tiny mice, a sock puppet given to me by my son, a Hansel and Gretel glove-puppet, and a little willy finger puppet. I know, I'm still a kid in my 50's!

Winter Waltz

" And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

A conceptual drawing for an animated short I am working on.

created by Salix Tree

Changing names. This is the topic for Studio Friday this week, as suggested by Susan.


"I've been reading Twyla Tharp's book The Creative Habit and here's an idea from her book - " the ancient masters of Japanese art were allowed to change their name once in their lifetime. They had to be very selective about the moment in their career when they did so. They would stick with their given name until they felt they had become the artist they aspired to; at that point, they were allowed to change their name. For the rest of their life, they would work under the new name at the height of their powers."
So let's presume we are at the height of our careers - what name would you choose and why?
~ Susan

I have already chosen a name. All my life I have loved willow trees, well.. all trees! Willow is my favorite. In legend, people sat under the willow for inspiration. I just love the way the weeping branches sway, with sunlight flickering through, giving a partial shade. There is usually water nearby, and the sounds of water and rustling leaves is very soothing.

"Salix" is the latin name for willows. I like the way that word sounds, soft and feminine. Long ago, I was into Role-Playing games. I made myself a willow dryad, and named myself Salix. That name has stayed with me for years, and if someone called that name in a crowd, I would surely turn around. For it has become my alternate name.

I have begun using it to sign my artwork as well for the past several years, mostly signing Silvia/Salix.