Coffee Break, Masks and Other Challenges

In things that have been happening:

© Gwen Gaggiano

My eldest has offered to paint my portrait if I can go a month without drinking coffee. I'd love to have my portrait painted, but I don't know if I can sustain myself through caffeine withdrawal. I mean, my aim in life is to be less grumpy, and I can only imagine what the lack of caffeine might do. Perhaps the trick is to build it up – go one day without coffee, then have a coffee the second day. Two days without, one day with. Et cetera, et cetera!

Felt craft: The Legend of Zelda – Link with Bunny Mask;
Deku mask; Majora's mask.

My husband's birthday is just around the corner and I made him a headband. No, really!  I did. For a bit of context, years ago I made him a LOZ Link doll. Each year after that I make an accessory to go with the doll. So far I've made a Deku mask, and Majora's mask. This year I made the bunny headband mask. I'm thinking that one day we will need to build a treasure chest to store these pieces. Perhaps it can look like an actual LOZ chest.

© Melissa Gaggiano

My doll design development continues, as always. Working with armature, continued improvements to the pattern with each new doll. This week I have been exploring wig hair. Playing with a synthetic weft, as well as a needle felted hairdo. My next step is designing shoes and a crochet top for the blue haired doll. The crochet top is a massive challenge as I am experimenting with a super fine crochet hook and embroidery thread. Might work, might not! We'll see!

Back to the Paint Brush

Melissa Gaggiano art

    I've kept myself busy with so many other craft projects the past month or so. But it is nice to pick up a paint brush and come back to this.

Assignation 6 of 12

    I can relax for about 2 minutes. Today I handed in my sixth assignment for the photography course I am currently undergoing. This module was all about portraiture. It took me a little longer than usual to complete, but it is done and I am oh so ready to move onto the next chapter of this course. Module 7 of 12, here I come.
    Following are my assignment pieces for module 6...

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

A Great Moment

    Perfect girl! Perfect light! A perfect moment captured... Sometimes photography magic happens when you least expect it. Some moments aren't planned, but when you see it, you just know you've got to snap away. Because that moment won't come again.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Katey Brooch

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

    It is a wonderful feeling when inspiration returns. I am energised and work quickly. Yesterday I flipped through one of my sketch books and found a cartoon portrait I had done many months back. A wave of inspiration hit me and I just knew this face needed to be seen. Her name is Katey Brooch and she can be printed off, for the purpose of scrap booking or turned into a badge. The choice is up to you. Yo ho!

Mirror Mirror

Here is my latest illustrated effort... a self portrait. 

This piece of art is available for sale over at Red Bubble.