Visit Me At My New Home

Just want to let you all know that I have a new home, so feel free to visit me at the new blog: www.tracyville.blogspot.com. I also have a new website: www.tracyvart.blogspot.com. Pop on over and say hi. The cast of characters and I will be waiting for ya!

Plush, Plush, Plush!

From the ProoodinThorpes Series, l-r: Nzinga, Erdelobos, Indeeoh

Also part of the Proodinthorpes series, l-r: Maila (Trixie's dog), Trixie, Millicent, Babette

The Country Girls

Hand Drawn Dolls

Top l-r: Christiane, Mina

Bottom l-r: Francoise, Marie-France (These are no longer in production. Sorry) .

I have some received emails this week inquiring about my plush dolls. Since I make so many, I'm not sure which ones some of you are referring to so I'm going to post pics of those I believe you're talking about. Have a gander and if you need more info, you know where to find me. :)

Joys Of A Good Ol' Crayon

While visiting the family recently, I stayed days later than I'd planned (as usual) and I didn't bring any art supplies this time but I found some of my little cousin's crayons and an old book belonging to another cousin. This was the result of that union. :)

New Softies

I haven't posted dolls in a while, so I felt it time to show some of my new plush babies - better known as the "Carney Creatures". These will be added to my new website that will launch in

mid-April.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

H A P P Y * BIRTHDAY * P A T R I C K

Happy birthday to my little, handsome, blue-eyed brother who was born on St. Paddy's Day so, so, so many years ago. (lol) Just kidding, bro. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know and I'm so sorry I was mean to you for many years when we were little. Happy birthday. I Love you.

The Affair Continues

My love affair with the medium of collage continues with these pieces. Above is titled "Original Detailed DressMaking". Below is "Chic Club". Both are 8"x10" and will be available on my new website which is now under construction. I anticipate a mid-April grand opening date. I'll keep you posted.

Happy Anniversary

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HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO MY LITTLE P. J.

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It just occurred to me that March is a very special month indeed. Not only is it my birthday month but it also marks the one year anniversary of this blog. I really can't believe it - one year - gone so fast. I must say that I'm a wee bit proud that I've stayed committed to the thing. So... happy one year anniversary little blog!

New Work - Collages

I've been attracted to collage for a little while but the painter in me just couldn't get comfortable with it. I've been really focused on it lately and working at it and working at it and I think it finally feels right. This mixed media collage is called "The Clearance Sale" and it was made utilizing recycled papers of many types.

All About Troy, New York - Part II

Ok...The beautiful colors and that incredible window to the right. Must I say more?

Once again, the colors.

This one totally reminds me of my days in France...love it!

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In the previous post, I mentioned how taken I was with the architecture in Troy and here are some photos I took of these yummy buildings. Oh, and I must give a shout out to the awesome folks at one very good Mexican restaurant located at 465 Madison Avenue in Albany called "El Loco Mexican Cafe". I was sooooooo ecstatic with my delicious meal. Then, I turned around and saw all the accolades they've received for their food. In a conversation I had with my friendly waitress (did I mention that people in this area are super friendly?), I was told they'd been there since the 80's! The 80's people! I guess that alone says how good the food is. By the way, it's 7pm and it has been snowing all day in my part of Massachusetts. Incredible... and beautiful!

All About Troy, New York - Part I

A few months ago, I read a posting on Craigslist advertising for W. Mass artists to come to Troy, NY to partake in their monthly art festivities called Troy Night Out. Since I'm always looking for somewhere cooler to live, I took a wee jaunt to Troy over the weekend to see what was up and this is what I found:

Firstly, friendly people. I know people who couldn't give a flip if people are friendly or not but this is number one on my list of things to look for when considering an environment in which to live. The folks of Troy didn't disappoint.

The architecture also had the wow factor for me. I'm talking old, brick brownstones (which I love, love, love) and these cool rowhouses (that's what I call them). I've seen the inside of some of these places on Craigslist and they were just incredible. High ceilings, tin ceilings, moldings, charming character beyond belief AND exposed brick... exposed brick! I'll be posting some pics I took of these beautiful buildings soon.

I also found this wicked cool, indie gallery called Kismet Art Gallery (www.kismetartgallery.com/) and the shop proprietors, Michael + Christina are super friendly and should be very proud to filling a need in the community for an indie gallery and shop. The space is huge and they've got a diverse, happening selection of handcrafted goods that range from art to plush dolls. The gallery space is large also. Thanks guys for the info on Troy and the stickers (seen above).

Troy also has a large farmer's market (www.troymarket.org) that doesn't close down for the winter. How awesome is that? It goes indoors for the cold months and returns outside in the spring. And the list of participating food, herb and artisans is truly impressive.

I'm told by all I've spoken to that Troy Night Out (www.troynightout.org) which is held the last Friday of every month is HUGE and this month's happenings on February 29th, will mark the one year anniversary of this great event, which will make it even more special. The last thing I'm going to say about my visit is that the art community seems to be rather supportive, which ain't easy to come by folks, so to all the artists and supporters of the arts, keep up the great work! :)

Dame Shirley Bassey

I have very recently discovered You Tube (I know...I know...I always come late to the party) and, as a result, have rediscovered the immense talent that is Dame Shirley Bassey. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this outrageously talented woman, she is a Welsh singer who has had a career spanning some 50 years. There are still people in the states who don't know her but I can't imagine anyone in Europe not knowing the voice behine three James Bond films that include Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker. Her voice is huge....HUGE and she just turned 71 last month! Take a look at this beautiful woman. She seems to defy age and time and everything we're told we're supposed to be and look like at a certain age. Don't be mistaken, she works out and who knows how many years she's been doing so but the photos speak for themselves. She has remade the Pink song "Get The Party Started" and the whole concept for the video is incredible! The bottom most photo is from that video. Check it out on You Tube and if you don't already know her, introduce your ears to the moving, controlled, immense, intense voice of Dame Shirley Bassey. Happy Friday! :)

New, Updated Look

I haven't posted in a bit due to computer issues. For some reason, I've lost all of my uploaded photos, some of which I've had uploaded for years. While I try to figure out how and where to retrieve them, I will leave you with a new, updated look for Polyester Junction and some fun paintings that are part of a public art project that I'm currently working on. (The only reason I can share these pics is because they were scanned in. I really don't know where all my photos went. Thank goodness for scanners). Enjoy!

New Year, New Projects

Wow! So much has happened and been accomplished in a mere month. I have a new project in the works - a public art project which is a bit odd because I am not a public artist. It's receiving a positive reaction from folks as far as Northern California. I am both shocked an elated about this but I'll give details as it progresses. I have been painting like crazy because I realized that last year was spent on the crafty side of things and this year I want to do more painting and mixed media pieces. Anyway, here's one of many pencil sketches (on a cereal box) that I did at the family's house while on my long, enjoyable holiday with them. Okay... I'm really obsessed with cereal boxes lately... and the bunny you see below...what can I say?

The Muse

I guess it's safe to say at this point, that Bucky Bunny Boy is indeed my muse. I've never had a muse and when I think of this word, I usually think of a living human being - that is female - not an illustrated bunny that belongs in a book or cartoon. Anyway, he has become my muse since, I believe, July and as you can see from these handmade business cards I've made from cereal boxes, he isn't going anywhere any time soon. I have bigger plans for ol' Bucky. Oh, and yes, I am extremely intrigued these days with repurposing cereal [and other foodstuff] boxes into whatever my mind can conjure up. Happy Friday. ;)

Sweet Baby Loves His Plush Doll

How cute is this photo of a two year old clutching the monster doll he received for Christmas? So, sooooo cute. I named the doll Rok when I made him but sweet, baby Logan renamed it Josh, which I found so much more adorable. His mother was so grateful for this doll because it turns out that little Logan has been waking up every night like clockwork, jumping into his mom's bed but since he got "Josh", he's been sleeping all night like a charm. So glad my doll could make him feel better and thanks to Logan's father who emailed me this photo. It made me feel so good to know my work could have such an impact. :)

"Josh" before he got adopted by his best bud.