I wanted to share the sad news I got from the Memphis Child Advocacy Center this morning. Their work is so important in preventing violence against children, but it’s still prevalent.
This link should send you to the letter:
Author: Joy Murray
I'm a 60 year old artist in Memphis, Tennessee. I spend my life trying to catch stories, give them form, color and light, then send back out into the world.
Work of Heart in Progres Day Five – whew!
Things went well today and I got her finished!
I finished the base last night. I really love it when it gets to this stage and I can stop being careful and constructive. I can start really being creative, draping fabrics, letting seams show and adding found objects.
Okay, I got the wire wrapped and used embroidery thread to secure it and then I really got into it and stopped taking pictures. I added hand painted fabric leaves. I repeated the motif of the butterfly heart and added a butterfly broach I found at a thrift shop. I sewed and tacked down things. I used big visible stitches and thought about how much it helped me, as a young girl, when kind people helped me stitch together the various parts of my broken life. The kindness people did for me kept me from despair and helped me blossom. I hope that sense of repair and renewal comes through in this piece — Spring From The Heart.
I took the following photo on my husband’s dresser. It’s the last thing I see every night when I go to sleep. Do you think my dreams influenced this piece?
Tomorrow off she goes from Portland to Memphis to be part of the 19th Annual Works of Heart Art Auction on February 12th. I miss her already! For more information on the auction please follow this link:
Work of Heart in Progress Day Four
I got a late start today on my Work of Heart doll for the Memphis Child Advocacy Center and didn’t get as much finished as I’d have liked. She’s really starting to take shape and develop a personality, though. I got the hair on and the pose figured out. She really wouldn’t conform to the original pose I’d sketched out, but wanted a more upward motion. Her hands are so big they want to hold up the sky.
There will be a lot of embellishment work tomorrow. I’m going to put lots of green leaves and vines around her body. I think I’ll call this piece “Spring from the Heart.” I have a perfect butterfly to put in her hand — something I found at a thrift shop.
For more information on the Works of Heart art auction to benefit the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, follow this link
Work of Heart in Progress Day Three
I made some great progress on my Work of Heart Doll today. But first I wanted to share this link to an article about the Memphis Child Advocacy Center’s important work.
http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=55600
I’ve stitched and stuffed all but one leg of the doll I’m making for the Works of Heart Art Auction at the Memphis College of Art on February 12. The last leg will be placed over a stanchion attached to the original wooden heart so the doll will stand up forever. My husband is drilling it into place for his contribution to the project.
I use a carbon steel curved needle that was given to me by a German doll maker some 10 years ago. It’s just the right size for stitching the limbs and hair.
I love both the red front and the gold back of this gorgeous butterfly print fabric. I decided to make the dolls heart showing both. You’ll only be able to see a little slice of the gold from the side view, but it’s a nice warm little detail.
I’ve made the limbs and fingers out of proportion to give the piece a gangly, tree-like appearance. I haven’t quite decided how to do her hair, but I’ve got a bit of embroidery embellishment planned for her body, plus I’ll have some vines and leaves surrounding her. I’m looking forward to what comes forth in the studio tomorrow.
And wait till you see her big rooty feet!
Here’s the link for the Works of Heart Auction
joy murray art~stories~life 