Thoughts from the Bus Stop

Sailor Feebee by Sherri Wood. Tattoo art by Kate Hellenbrand, 1999. Embroidery, found doll. 26" x 16" x 13".

Found while Googling for something else entirely...

"The Tattoo Baby Doll Project is a collaboration between Sherri Wood and female tattoo artists from across the country that combines embroidery and tattoo as a vehicle to explore the images and roles that define and empower women today."

The gallery is brilliant - I might try this myself. It's the coward's option - I'll leave the real tattoos to my sister. Ouch!

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Click on the pic for a larger version.

Finally - a use for the box frame I bought from a charity shop two years ago thinking, 'that'll come in handy for something...' and a home for the bags of Fisher Price figures and other refugees from the charity shop 10p basket which have languished in an old vanity case in my cupboard for years.
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Paper artist Rachel Hazell with a short section of 'Ice Cliff' (34cm)

Rachel Hazell, a book artist whose Antarctica-inspired work I've posted about before, has been nominated for a Scottish Arts Council Creative Scotland Award. Well done, lady!
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Loop System Quintet. Photograph by Jonathan Shaw © Copyright Conrad Shawcross

Magnificent machines! Conrad Shawcross: The Steady States, currently at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool (till 26 Feb 2006).

The Entwistle Gallery: Works by Conrad Shawcross
The Walker Art Gallery: Interview with Conrad Shawcross
The Observer: How I Work: Conrad Shawcross (which mentions these BBC2 Christmas 2005 idents)
The Observer: Portrait of the artist as a young boffin
The Telegraph: In the studio: Conrad Shawcross
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The White Stripes (c) Cakeyvoice

How fab. Cakeyvoice has knitted The White Stripes (and a LOT of zombies, too...).
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Reason #453 why I love reading stuff by Christian Singles Today's Camerin Courtney:
Hello, I'm Camerin, and I'd Like to Get Married

It's nice to know someone else is in the same boat...


Amazon.co.uk: Table For One: The Savvy Girl's Guide to Singleness by Camerin Courtney
Amazon.co.uk: Revelations of a Single Woman: Loving the Life I Didn't Expect by Connally Gilliam
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Really enjoyed seeing Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! on BBC4 over Christmas. I'd seen a traditional version of The Nutcracker in the autumn (my first live ballet), which I really enjoyed, but this was much more my thing. After the initial scenes, in a dingy orphanage, Clara is transported first to a frozen lake and then to Sweetieland, where she tries to follow Liquorice Allsorts, Marshmallow Girls and a salacious Knickerbocker Glory into a party but is repeatedly barred by an Mint Humbug bouncer.

A lot of the reviews I've read - specifically from dance journalists - criticise the choreography, but as I know nothing about ballet and have no special affection for it I wasn't looking at it from the dance angle. The dance looked great to me and the whole thing was a fantastic spectacle - colourful, funny and sexy (I nearly swooned when the Nutcracker took his mask - and his shirt - off, and gave Clara a smouldering look...).

The costumes were amazing - there were even a few frocks I'd wear myself... I'd especially love the Sugar Plum Fairy's pink dress (for formal occasions) or Clara's blue polka dot one (for a summer wedding?). I've gone a bit mad posting pics as I love them all - and there are more good ones here and here.

Designing stage costumes was one of the gazillion things I considered pursuing when I was at art college. I don't have a sweet tooth, but the colours, patterns and textures I'm most drawn to are very 'sweet shop'. Come to think of it, I did make some shoes which would have fitted right in to this Nutcracker. Ooh, it'd be lovely to be given free rein with a theme. Darn it, I need to find some up-for-anything mates with a band they want styling! Wonder if Scissor Sisters need a wardrobe gal?...

New York Times: Frankencracker? A Hero Toy Turns Monster
Guardian Nutcracker!
danceviewtimes: Characters and Cartoons: A Disagreeable 'Nutcracker'
Los Angeles Times: Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker
Ballet-Dance Magazine: Earth To Planet Nutcracker
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