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Ever since Athena went to live in a library in upstate New York the other owls have been constantly pestering me for a new playmate. This morning Raphaeowl finally joined them. He still needs a little spit and polish but he is basically done. His chest plumage comes from a sheet of decorative paper with Thai script on it and the rest of him is covered with pages from a vintage Japanese book with mulberry bark paper.
A rare view of the Lesser Spotted Random Basket Weaver Bird upon her nest. In my paper weaving class last weekend I learnt how to weave a random basket beginning with a pentangle structure. Here you can see the nest resting on a paper mache cactus.
Finally grouted over a long and hot weekend, the hare is sitting in the garden, enjoying the view.
Working on mosaics for the Wednesday Summer class. I recently read that one can add mosaics to paper mache so decided to try, using a hare that I made last year. The hare seemed to lack focus so I decided to add a touch of glamor to his otherwise rather mundane existence.
So nice to see that my newest creation has a friendly disposition. One never quite knows how a creaure will turn out when one is working on it.
Another paper mache owl practices his first landing in the garden. Here he is, nicely covered with the Financial Times and almost ready for a final layering of decorative Japanese text.
Knowing that I am very busy at the moment preparing for my One person show, Lancelot and Agile kindly offered to help me work on my paper mache owl. Here you see the owl in a late development stage, receiving a final coat of the Financial Times. With luck the owl will be dry and ready to be decorated just in time for the opening of my show on May 6th. I am so grateful to Lancelot and Agile for their help.
The finished owl ventures outside on a beautiful Spring Day. Paper mache and metal leaf on beak and eyes. Approximately 14" high.
This amazingly beautiful spring is just perfect for a new paper mache project. Here is a young owl, just starting out. Covered in the Financial Times and waiting for wings. If you look closely, you can just see my first paper mache owl in the background.
A rat to brighten even the coldest days of Winter. Here is a charming fellow, complete with pink Financial Times ears, wire whiskers, literally beady eyes and a pipe cleaner tail that actually seems to move. Made by my wonderful and talented student Joosje for her family's gift exchange.
My first venture into Classical sculpture. Inspired by a visit to the "Alexander The Great" exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK. (And not the scene from "The Godfather") 
One of my first paper mache creations.
Sykes ventures out into the garden for the first time. Now almost 98% dry and covered with a final layer of Japanese Mulberry Bark paper he only needs a coat or two of paint before making a proper debut.
A Hare rests on the garden bench, enjoying the early evening sunlight.
Skyes the Skunk in an early stage of his development. At this point he was rather an unbalanced character. The armature is chicken wire stuffed with the Financial Times. A first layer is taped on and he waiting for the first layer of glue.