And it begins...

I love this moment, when I'm about to embark on an artistic journey, one I've thought through completely.  There is an excitement of imagining the finished product, and the joy of the process itself.  There is also a bit of fear, "what if it doesn't work?"  I am open and flexible.  I have a picture in my head of what I want, but I know the shoes might give me a different message along the way.  And I will listen.

I picked up the shoes on Wednesday.  Typically they provide new shoes.  When I arrived they were out, and so gave me the choice of coming back for a new pair or using a pre-danced pair.  When the dancers are no longer able to use a pair of shoes, they sign them and the shoes are offered for sale to the public.  It being my way to re-purpose used items into art, I was very drawn to the idea of working with a pair of shoes that hold the energy of the dancer.  These shoes belonged to Kira Smith.  The shoe sculptures will be unveiled at the Partners in Dance fund raising event, just in time for the first performance of this season's Sleeping Beauty.  I don't know if Kira is dancing in this performance;  I hope so.

My first step was to apply a little gesso on the shoe bottoms and over the roughed up bits.

I want to incorporate the signatures into the final design, but they were right where the necks will attach, so off they came!  My original thought was to use a white/cream/antique white color scheme, with the yellowed pages from vintage books collaged on the bodies.  You know how I love my vintage book pages!  But I'm rethinking this.  I'm being pulled toward this beautiful pink, so I believe it will be a white and pink color scheme.  The vintage book pages will still be in there, but with a pink glaze.  Oh!  It gives me shivers to think of it!

This is copper wire left over from last year's hummingbirds.  It will form the armature for the necks and heads of my swans.

I started wrapping the wool roving around the wire, and then began the needle felting.  This is a quiet and meditative process.  It requires my full attention or else I jab myself with the needle, the very sharp, barbed needle.  So I do focus.  

And still my mind wanders.  I think of Pygmalion, feeling my sculpture start to take life.  Already I can feel the swan emerging.  Valentine's Day is coming, maybe Cupid and Venus will bring my swans to life.  I think of Geppetto carving his Pinnocchio.  And of course there is Leda and her swan.

Where is your mind wandering to on this Friday?  Did you have a good week?  What wonderful things do you have planned for the weekend?  I'd love to hear all about it:)