This one started with a sketch inspired by a drawing of a bird in Sally Goes to the Beach by Stephen Huneck. Great illustrations in that book!
Here is the sketch
and this is nest of thread IV
The box originally held chocolates from L. A. Burdick’s. I made three eggs from paperclay and they have such a matte egg-shell like surface. I put a few grouse feather in the nest with them and it looks so soft in there.
The legs of this bird are wrapped with brown floral tape that I painted a mustard color and then drew thin stripes on with a brown artist marker. This spool of thread was from my Granny Rose’s sewing box and it actually is still good thread. I used some of it when sewing the bird.
And the wings were lots of fun to make. I fused two pieces of fabric together with double-sided fusible web and then used my leaf-shaped Sizzix paddle punch to make feathers that I then hand-sewed to a wing-shaped fabric backing. I love time-consuming projects like that. It is hard to find a good time to use the Sizzix punches because they involve a fair amount of hammering and I always have to be quiet when I work because I only work when my kids are sleeping. Charlie suggested the obvious which was to hammer away in the garage. I think the Sizzix will get more use now.
On a totally unrelated note, have you seen this toy? I very rarely buy any toys because they seem to come into our possession from all over the place without me buying much, but I did buy this one about six months ago and it is fantastic. And I see they make a beach variety. My sea-creature loving tot may go nuts for that one.
I think this may be my favorite one. I like how it looks like how it has a fancy art look to it but it is also a natural theme. I hope you understand what I mean by that, I don’t know if I can express it in a better way…it says a lot to me about the combination of things that may not seem to be an obvious pair…like high art and nature. ok, I am going to give up trying to explain myself and just say I really like this one! I can really see a solid and individual style emerging. I think I could so easily recognize your work anywhere! just lovely.
What great wings! Great pose! It’s marvelous!
Your work is developing beautifully. This piece is brilliant. Love the wings, and placing real feathers in the nest such a lovely detail. It is phenomenal!
Abby, are you selling these new birds? If so, where? I have someone in mind who would loooove one…
The wings today? Gorgeous! My favourite wings so far!
Definately look into Joseph Cornell, you’ll LOVE him…..there’s also a book I think you would love….I’ll try and find a link to it for you….
Leah xx
fabulous. i also love the wings, plus the droop of the tail feathers.
i wonder if you would ever be interested in actually making a thread nest one of these days?
i love the way you have done the wings on this one, and its tail.
You are too talented! You see a picture from some book, do a sketch and TA-DA … you’ve created a piece of art (and while your kids are taking a nap too!) You continue to amaze me and I love it!
saw your link on Camilla Engman’s blog, your birdy bowes are wonderful!
You are so amazing to me…
I’ve decided to tag you. 🙂 Hope you have time to play along.
Oh wow! I haven’t dropped by for a while and you have just taken off! I just love how you’ve gone from soft toy to soft sculpture. These pieces are just gorgeous. I’m going to show my son tomorrow. He’s a huge bird lover and would really appreciate these. Just lovely!!!!
I’m adoring this new series. III might be my most favorite so far, but they are all phenominal. So much narrative in each one.
this is amazing!!!
I love it. Such attention to details…
I love IV, especiallly the sketch!
All your birds are so unique-love this one!
So when are you going to be on the Martha Stewart show?
; )
I love the wings. beautiful work.
i just wanted to comment on the toys you bought, we have something very similar in mexico, which is and old folk art wood sculpture called alebrijes which is a mixture of mythological animals just like aforementioned toys, it could be really interesting to see a soft toy sculpture in the shape of an alebrije.
Your birds are amazing…oh my. How did you start making birds?
hello i would just like to say that i randomly came across your little thing here and saw all your birds. they are lovely. Made me smile and smile. they remind me a little of joseph cornell. i just thought they were really smiley and happy….
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