Monthly Archives: August 2014

Partly Cloudy, Chance of Ants

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Atypical Ant-eater with friends.

“We know that there are many animals on this continent not found in the Old World. These must have been carried from here to the ark, and then brought back afterwards. Were the peccary, armadillo, ant-eater, sloth, agouti, vampire-bat, marmoset, howling and prehensile-tailed monkey, the raccoon and muskrat carried by the angels from America to Asia? How did they get there? Did the polar bear leave his field of ice and journey toward the tropics? How did he know where the ark was? Did the kangaroo swim or jump from Australia to Asia? Did the giraffe, hippopotamus, antelope and orang-outang journey from Africa in search of the ark? Can absurdities go farther than this?”

― Robert G. Ingersoll, Some Mistakes of Moses

We have here, with little explanation, a lovely couple riding on the back of an ant-eater. Either the ant-eater is very large, or the couple is very small – there are few clues here. Larger still, are the flying ants.

In real life (if there is such a thing), a typical “giant” ant-eater would be about four feet from snout to tail. Perhaps two feet tall. And lives mainly in Central and South America. But some are only two feet long, those that live in the hottest places where ant-eaters live. And despite the name, they prefer termites to ants. This is NOT a typical ant-eater. Fact.

Look closely, there’s a story here: Adventure, Trust and Friendship. Survival. Thrills. Hunger.  You’ll have to fill in the blanks.

“Never apologize, never explain.”

― Janet Fitch, White Oleander

 

 

Partly Cloudy, Chance of Ants. One of a kind waterglobe (snow globe) with Ant-eater figure, floating ants, and leisurely couple on an adventure. All images and designs copyright (c) 2014 Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado, USA

Shore Enough

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As with so many pieces of art, this little tableau set out in its own determined direction, far removed from my original intent.

I was working on sculpting tiny crows, and happened to flip one over so the tail went slightly UP, instead of the crow-like slightly DOWN.

And it gave the impression of a shore bird or sandpiper, much less ominous than a crow. Perhaps a black-necked stilt, with its long beak and elegant legs. I reworked the clay to fit the new orientation.

The tiny metal beaks are made from the tips of brass escutcheon nails used in carpentry, and the skinny legs are black pins used in making jewelry. I like the incongruous flat feet (nail heads) on the sculpture. The marsh plants are simply brass beads on wire.

Instead of sparkles and confetti, this liquid globe contains a helping of real sand and tiny shells, which make a soft sound (not unlike the surf) when the globe is shaken. The sand collects in the indented circle of the base, much like a tide pool, and then swirls on command (“command” being code for when you pick it up and move the globe so the liquid inside responds in kind.)

A peaceful departure from many of our more elaborate designs.

 

Shore Enough – one of a kind handmade clay and metal sculpture, enclosed in a four-inch glass globe with liquid, sand and shells. Base is finished with a wrapping of individually made metal-finished clay twigs. All images and designs copyright (c) 2014 Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Identity Crisis, or even prairie dogs aspire to greatness

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What’s that fancy word that means giving human qualities to animals?

 

Oh, yeah:

Anthropomorphism.

Such as this little prairie dog with aspirations to be more. He seemed to have goals. We added horns from a longhorn steer. Mechanical wings made of steampunk gears. A wristwatch so as not to miss an appointment with greatness. And a golden gear in his right hand, er, paw. Tiny goggles make him adventure-ready. Strength, style, whimsy, focus and a little je nais se quoi (my favorite French phrase which translates as “I don’t know what” but really means “when you see it, you’ll know it.”)

And while we named him “Identity Crisis,” something about this prairie dog said “I know who I am, and who I want to be;” he’s not just another rodent poseur.

One of a kind water globe (snow globe) with tiny embellished prairie dog under a four-inch glass globe. When shaken, the mythical creature is bathed in a sparkling shower of gold microdust. Wooden base is finished with a faux metallic paint, suggesting the patina of age and weathered metal. All images copyright (c) 2014 Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado.