More Pics of New Pieces

Here are 2 more of my newest pieces, now all packed and ready for Uptown Art Fair next weekend in Minneapolis. Ashley's Gallopers (shown at the top) is another electric piece that contains a moving carousel under a glass cloche. Then there's the Firecracker, a rework of an older roller coaster piece of mine that I've added a 12v light to along with some graphics and a stage. The carousel piece is approx. 10"h x 12"w. The Firecracker piece is approx. 14"h x 10"w.

Rat Race

This is my first turn crank piece. This piece is constructed of metal with handprinted canvas over it, clay, wood and rubber sheeting. It is called "Rat Race" and it's a take off on old rocket rides that you see at carnivals only this time the rocketships are filled with adults who are racing racing racing in circles to get to their jobs and make more money. Many many thanks to my husband Mike for working out alot of the technical details of the crank on this while I worked on the other pieces. This piece will also be for sale at the Uptown Art Fair Aug.6-8.

more new moving pieces

Haven't posted in quite awhile but for good reason--have been working on more pieces with motors, lights and turn cranks and now I have 3 new pieces that I'm really excited to show.

Here's the first-it's entitled "Her Dream House". It's constructed of clay, wire, cloth, and wood and is built in an old box that I carved on the outside. It runs on a 6v motor and has a 12v light in the center. It's approx. 13"h x 10"square. This piece is about a little girl who goes to a carnival during the day and that night when she goes to sleep, dreams her house has become the carousel she was riding on. I painted a scene of the outside landscape on cloth that lines the walls. The light in the center of the carousel casts the reflection of the carousel horses onto the walls, making them look like they're galloping around the countryside. Around the door are the words "That night she dreamt her house became the carousel." I'm planning on taking this piece with me to the Uptown Art Fair in Minneapolis next week.

The MOVING Target

I'm so excited to have my first kinetic piece finally complete and ready to show. It will be a part of my first solo show at the Hilliard Gallery at 1820 McGee in KCMO. Stop by if you can between 6-10pm on April 2, 2010. The show will run until April 26. This piece is about trying to avoid being hurt in relationships. She literally keeps moving to avoid the pain she's experienced in the past although her heart is still a target, showing how vulnerable she really is. On her skirt is the word HOPE but it's shrouded as she keeps that part of herself hidden away. This piece is constructed of papier mache, old sheet music, wood, metal, fabric, and a 12v electric motor. It's 30" h x 40" w. Please contact me for more info on this piece if interested in purchasing. Even though the screen may look blank, just click on the arrow below to play the video.

.

Notes from the BMAC show

Well I'm almost back home from the Philadelphia Buyer's Market of American Craft show that ran from Feb. 12-15. Right now I'm stuck in the Milwaukee airport due to a de-icing delay so thought I'd check in to give an update on how it all went. Despite weather delays getting to the show (I had to move my flight from Wed. to Thurs. afternoon), I was able to get to Philly by 5:30 Thurs. night and work til around 11:30 that night to get my booth set up. Alot of the other artists and buyers weren't so lucky and ended up getting to the show on Friday or Saturday. Anyhow we all persevered and the show ended up going really well. One of my dream goals was to get my work in the American Folk Art Museum shop in NYC and I'm happy to say I met that goal as they ordered some of my pieces for their store! All in all, I met some wonderful buyers and artists and got several new gallery accounts as well as maintaining the ones I already had so I'm really glad I didn't cancel when the weather reports were sketchy. Travel is hardly ever without hitches but all in all it's pretty fun to get to hang out for a few days with people who create what they love for a living.

Yeehaw! Roundup in Roundtop

Before I leave for Texas, I thought I'd post a few images of various pieces I've made for the show along with one photo of my empty studio...it really feels strange to not have ANY artwork in it at all. I will try to post some photos of the show and the town while we're there if I can...if not, this may be the last post for a week or so...Happy Trails!

Well, it's only a week and a day before my first show with the Homemade Circus birds!

I'm working every evening til around 11:30 to get ready but it doesn't feel like work-I really look forward to it every night!

I hope to start putting more work on this blog after the show-check back with me for Cmas ornaments and gifty pieces of artwork.

Have a great Halloween!

If you are interested in purchasing any of this work, please

email me at ts826@kc.rr.com

If a piece you are wanting is sold, please contact me

and I will be happy to let you know what I do have in stock

as I'm constantly making new cages!

Helter Skelter Tower
This piece stands a statuesque 26" tall and is 13" in diameter.
It's what I call my "signature piece" because it means the most to me
and conveys everything my Homemade Circus look consists of
--old, broken down circus rides that nature has reclaimed and
made beautiful and whimsical again!
Click on the photo above to go to my Etsy shop to get more
info or buy this piece

Two Bluebirds In Love
These bluebirds live in their own little world in a wire heart entwined
with red raffia. These birds, like all my birds,are handmade by me
from paperclay.

The antique silver tinsel covers their perch and they sit on a
twig of real cherry wood!
Click on the photo above for more info or to buy



The Flying Dutchman
I built this piece to display my little birds in boxes
but like a real carnival ride, it actually spins around!
It stands about 23" tall and is about 15" diameter
Right now this piece is only for show but the birds
in boxes are available.

Individual small birds in boxes

approx. 3"h x 3"w

$20.00
email me to purchase


Red Circus Bird on silver tinsel perch
This bird can be happy on his perch either swinging from the
swirly wire hook or sitting on a table! He sits on a cherry twig
and is surrounded by antique silver tinsel.
SOLD-thank you!

Black and Red birds in cages

These two birds are practicing their "high wire act"
on the twisty wire vines and leaves on
this 6" high cage. -$45.00
Pedestal is sold separately and is
handmade from tissue paper, ribbon and heavy cardboard.
Pedestal-$20.00

SOLD-thank you!

The Lovebirds
These two are definitely two peas in a pod in
their cozy nest made of real iris leaves!
The heart shaped perch is made from raffia
and wire and is sold separately from the
striped pedestal beneath it.
Approx. 9" high w/ pedestal.
Lovebirds-$75.00
Pedestal-$25.00

Tammy Smith©2008.
All content on this site is property of Tammy Smith
and may not be used in any way without permission.