I finished up some more Sleepy Sams, who had been sitting in various stages of faceless-ness and open-brained-ness for quite a few days. I really, really, love these guys. 
I am really loving designing and making the dolls/"soft sculpture" these days...maybe it's a by-product of the hullaballoo about the little dolls and Martha and all that? Going into that experience, I would've said "I'm a painter, an illustrator....and I make dolls. Sometimes. They're not my main thing, but I do make them sometimes".
But now I don't know...I feel like they've crept up in importance to me.
Creepin' like a rabbit.
I've been in a productive flurry of making recently, and it feels very good. Antisocial, but in the best possible way.
This is what my work table looks like when I'm working on a painting. Not glamorous, but it gets the job done. A friend once said, while looking at my work table: "Oh, Emily! There is dried paint everywhere! You should keep your work table neat and clean".
To which I say: A work table is for working.
I've got some pretty new paintings to show you, and I will as soon as I have them scanned. And I hope the weekend was good to everyone! We've got cook-out plans tonight with some of our favorites...and if it doesn't rain, it will be a nice feather in the weekend's cap.
Comments (34)
Hey Emily,
Fabulous boy dolls! I do have to order one soon. Sounds like all is well with you! Happy sewing.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Shoup · June 02, 2008 at 04:15 PM
CUTENESS! I so hope I get a sleepy sam or a rabbit one of these days.... *pouts*
Btw -w ill you be making more book plates? I need em! lol. THanks EM!
nan · June 02, 2008 at 02:20 PM
These are just awesome. You are incredible!
Angelica · June 02, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Cute little guys. When is your next shop update?
Cheers!
Deborah · June 02, 2008 at 12:17 PM
i really love the posts with work from your sketchbook included. ive kept one for years and i love to know that there are others with such a similar affinity for it. you should really consider publishing yours someday
jenni · June 02, 2008 at 12:07 PM
They are cute! I think your doll faces are an artwork too, I'd never be able to paint a face like that.
Tizzalicious · June 02, 2008 at 12:01 PM
THE LITTE GUYS ARE CUTE AND I CAN SEE WHY YOU KEEP MAKING THEM.
YES! YES! WORK DESK ARE FOR WORKING.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE PAINTINGS.
lavon · June 02, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I love your dolls! They are so cute and fun! It is funny how life takes you in different directions. I to am a painter, but you would never know it! My bags have become a big part of me, but soon I hope to go back to my first love :)
Oh and messy always produces better ideas :)
Have fun!
♥Lisa
xoxoxo
Lisa · June 02, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Keep sewing - I love seeing your stuff! Also can't wait to see the new paintings!
Three cheers for REAL work tables!!! :)
AmandaBeth · June 02, 2008 at 08:43 AM
The faces and details of all of your artwork really draw me in. I just saw a piece of yours on the front page of Etsy. Lovely work, and huge success! It's so encouraging to know that with hard work, and irresistible products...success can be earned. You are quite an inspiration. Emiko...an Etsy newbie ;)
f2images · June 02, 2008 at 07:57 AM
hi Emily! It amazes me how many people know about you. i have been telling everyone about your blog as well. i saw you on martha and i thank God for that day! i think you ouht to write more info about where you are from. you are quite a mystery maybe this is what intrigues me. maybe you could make a sleepy samantha!!! thank you so much for your inspirations !!! YOUR WORK IS BEAUTIFUL AND SO ARE YOU.
dawn · June 02, 2008 at 07:40 AM
I think that's the wonderful thing about what we do, that allows us to emerse ourselves in one thing for hours, days or weeks and then when the time is right get the same pleasure from creating something else. And heers to messy desks all over the world!
Laura · June 02, 2008 at 05:22 AM
Sleepy Sams... I can't wait to buy one! (Or 5). Your art/creations are so inspiring :)
Rachel · June 02, 2008 at 04:35 AM
Oh! I love them! My favourite is the first one with the squintyish eyes. :D
Marie · June 02, 2008 at 02:03 AM
*Very* glad to hear you've been sewing a lot. I can't wait for the next shop update! :-)
Robin · June 01, 2008 at 11:59 PM
cute, cute, cute!!
Morgan · June 01, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Well, hello and welcome SAMS! I love them!
Cherry Tree Lane · June 01, 2008 at 11:39 PM
I think a work table should be whatever allows the most productiveness; if that's stuff scattered everywhere for inspiration and for all the supplies to be handy, so be it...and if that means everything needs to be neat and tidy to allow for clear thinking, that's what must be. Personally, I think it depends what I'm working on; for sculpture, I'm a mess...for printmaking, I'm neat and tidy! Thank you for a look at your work table; it's inspiring indeed. :)
Summer · June 01, 2008 at 11:10 PM
When I was in high school, my mother gave me a little desk plaque that said, 'A creative mind is rarely tidy.' I wish I still had it to put on my work table now! Not only does my table turn into a mini disaster area when I'm working, but (and I've blogged about this before) even I seem to transform into a wild bohemian artist. One time I was standing in line at the post office mailing some paintings. It was rainy and cold (which makes my big hair look rather Medusa-like) I had blue paint in my big hair and on my face and was wearing a tartan scarf. I looked like I had just jumped out of Braveheart. **Mwah!** to your Sammies. Love them. Cat ^..^
Cathy Santarsiero · June 01, 2008 at 09:10 PM
All the Sams looks bashfully sweet! Oh... my work table is exactly that... a wreck! An artful wreck! And thanks for the extra little card... xoxo
rubyellen · June 01, 2008 at 07:48 PM
...I am so excited about your little Sam.Skees!
They're wee little faces are so expressive.
I also, love that little sketch of the girl with her legs crossed, she'd be a lovely painting.
Fun times with friends....always the best!
;)
<3~michelle.f
miss.michelle · June 01, 2008 at 07:34 PM
My work-space is a wonderful old grade school art table. Love it! My messes are usually piles and piles of snipped thread ends...nothing too glamourous ;-)
GirlieGirl · June 01, 2008 at 07:03 PM
They are soooo wonderful! I love the Sams! Have a great weekend!
michelle · June 01, 2008 at 05:50 PM
The dolls are so cute!! Love the first one.
elmaelsiena · June 01, 2008 at 04:31 PM
the Sams are so great, their legs are the cutest. Great work! I would love one of your dolls one day! I'm *really* looking forward to seeing the new paintings!
Keep up the inspiration Emily, I look forward to reading your posts. :)
xoxo, holly
Holly Neufeld · June 01, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Oooh...so cute. I am having trouble deciding which one I want for my beau!
rebekka · June 01, 2008 at 04:06 PM
I am glad to know i am not the only one who works in a work space that looks like a work space... 'creative mess' is what i call it, but my husband doesnt see it that way... :) love it!
the curious rabbit · June 01, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I have to agree that worktables are for working, and that means you're going to have lots of STUFF on it! Or perhaps I am trying to justify the mess on my worktables?
I am *always*always* inspired when I read your blog!!!
jill · June 01, 2008 at 03:32 PM
the Sams are cuties - I love the colours on the 3rd Sam, his little red buttons are perfect!
Sophie · June 01, 2008 at 02:56 PM
You have a great gift.
Rebecca · June 01, 2008 at 02:49 PM
I love your sams. I love your doll kick whether you want to call your self a dollmaker now or whatever. It would be hard to imagine you abandoning your painting and illustrating, the dolls are just another medium for it.
Marissa · June 01, 2008 at 02:44 PM
I agree....a work take IS for working :)
Angie · June 01, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Such cute little Sams!
I'm reading Seth Godin's "Meatball Sundae" and on pg 136, he talks about you! Did you realize this? He doesn't use your last name or your shop name, but he's titled it "Learning from Emily" and he discusses your success with paintings on Etsy, so I figured it had to be you!
Just wanted to let you know, in case you didn't!
Tara · June 01, 2008 at 02:26 PM
These are your best dolls yet and I love them so much! Cant wait for your next update:) I have the same problem describing what I do..well I do photography, design and make dolls..I guess we should just say we're artists and that covers it all:)
And my desk ( and rug) is covered in paint as well even with protective covering..like you said a work table is for working (so is the kitchen table..hehe).
Du Buh Du Designs · June 01, 2008 at 01:54 PM