Fishstiks
who the artist is: My name is Debi Harris Babcock and I live in
Las Vegas Nevada. I have been dabbling in artistic endeavours for most of my life and even did a
number of years airbrushing t-shirts in the mall. I never really got a
'direction' until I discovered ATC's which are Artist Trading Cards. I then
branched out into canvas work and my current love which is paper mache.
what's your
story:
The big eyed bird was born one day when I was doing a page for a
tip-in page for my swap partner in Spain. It was a simpler cruder version of my
birds I have now but I loved him all the same. She adored him and has asked for
me to do a newer version for her.
where:
http://fishstikks.etsy.com
http://fishstikks.blogspot.com/
Is where I keep track of my life’s musings.
why this
artist stands out:
{cassandra’s words:} Paper mache is a difficult medium to master. It
takes a love of detail and sculpture. The beauty of it is that it allows you to
create your own forms to embellish and lots of room for personal expression.
Debi’s houses show how one can make so many different designs for the same
form.
The artist
adds...: I've had people tell me that the most striking thing about
my birds are their eyes and also that my creations are rather quirky. I'm
pretty sure that was a kind way of saying that Ralphie the cat had that look on
his face that made people...nervous, but thought he was adorable all the same.
How to make
a simplified paper mache heart:
1) I always start with a basic form by crumpling up newspaper into
the shape that I like and taping it down with masking tape.
2) I then cover my form with my mixed Celluclay and if I'm
in a hurry to paint I usually pop them into the oven to speed my drying
process.
3) I then gesso my hearts and paint them. I usually add many
layers of different colors, scrubbing them on and wiping them off to give lots
of depth and character.
4) Then it's off to my vintage dictionary for a great word
to add. I use modge podge for this step.
5) After that is dry I them use my colored pencil to give my text some life and a little character too. Sit back and enjoy!
You really do have such a wonderful blog and the features you do on it are simply amazing!!
Thank you so much for the wonderful piece you did on FishStikks and for opening up my world to these other fantatic artists as well!!
Posted by: FishStikks | 11/15/2009 at 09:38 AM