Author: Elizabeth Ruffing

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Elenora, New Original Watercolor Kitten Painting on Claybord

“Elenora” is all painted and I have a print of her on Ruffing’s our website and in my Etsy shop. She is a companion piece to my “Henry the Owl” who is also in the shop and on our website.

Henry and Elenora are also available as a print set, as “The Owl and the Pussycat“, a childhood poem that I love. I think I even had a record of that poem being sung or read aloud, when I was little.

I also love the grainy way the paint settled. It formed a beautifully soft and interesting texture on the Claybord I used.

I still have to film a short intro for a video to put at the beginning of my time-lapse photos of me painting Elenora. You may notice in the video, once it is completed, that the color of the original painting is slightly different than the color in my print. I wanted her to go well with Henry, and so the print (shown in this post) is more to gold and purple, while the painting is more champagne and blue. Both were very pleasing to my eye. (Update: the video is now here.)

I’m a little behind putting things in my Etsy shop, etc. Our computer has been attacked by viruses four times in the past two weeks or so. We got our computer cleaned up by Norton. Malawarebytes Anti-malware also helped a lot. We had been using Windows Live OneCare, and obviously it wasn’t catching the viruses. It’s also a good idea to back up all your files externally, have copies of your programs on discs with their key numbers, and make sure your security system is up to date. It’s not the most fun you can have, certainly, but I’m so glad it all turned out okay.

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I got myself painting

And it wasn’t easy. This is my pussycat from way back when, finally in progress. She is a companion for my owl.

I have been putting off painting for some time now. This morning, I made myself do it. Although it is probably hard to imagine, I really do have times when I sit down to paint and I think that I have no idea what to do. By that I mean that I think I have no idea how to paint, even though I should know by now. I sat there feeling like I was just pushing paint around, while my camera flash went off every thirty seconds so I could record a time-lapse version of my self-predicted complete lack of progress. I’m not sure the added pressure of filming myself was helpful or not. It did make me stay there.

Painting, like sewing, allows you to have enough mental space left over to, potentially, dwell on each insecurity you have and its corresponding source, whatever negative experience spawned it in the first place. For me, lately, that is usually some jerk thing somebody said. But the camera kept flashing and I kept painting. Thankfully, it finally looked like a kitten! Whew. Part of me said, “I knew I could do it!” and another part said, “Wow. It’s magic!” Either way, I’m just glad it looks like a kitten.

Hopefully, I will complete my kitten without any problems, and then I can put together a video. I sure would like to dwell on happy thoughts next time I paint too. How did Bob Ross do it? I guess everyone has, or has had, their off days. I still think the very best thing to do, when faced with a mental/creative block, is to go ahead, and paint anyway. I think it is important to give yourself a head start by being well rested, well fed, and calmed down first too…anything to help yourself stay focused. Then take a few deep breaths, and do your best.

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Felicity the Ragdoll Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Felicity the Ragdoll Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyFelicity is a sweet little Ragdoll kitten, and she is a dreamer.

Her blue eyes are always looking off into the distance, while she is dreaming dreams, and wishing wishes.

Felicity the Ragdoll Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyHer daddy told her to wish upon falling stars. Night after night, Felicity waited to see a falling star, but could never keep her eyes open long enough.

Her daddy made her a wooden star, and painted it yellow.

Felicity the Ragdoll Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Now you can make a wish whenever you please”, he told her, which delighted her to no end.

Felicity the Ragdoll Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyFelicity’s dress is two shades of soft blue. Her collar is bordered in the same light pink of her cuffs and the sash that is tied in a big bow at the back. A rose bow ties under her chin, and matches the decorative rose border at her hemline. Ivory petticoats show below her dress.

Felicity the Ragdoll Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyFelicity is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her star are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Felicity’s whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Felicity the Ragdoll Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyFelicity is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Felicity stands 6 inches tall. She comes with a hang tag, a certificate of authenticity, and a copy of her story.

Update: Felicity has been adopted. Thank you!

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Lucy has a new friend

It’s a big day for Lovely Lucy. She has a new little girlfriend to share her secrets with.

Meet Linda. Linda is very much like Lucy, only she is her own person, um, doll. She has quilted golden ponytails, and a candy-stripe dress of red and pink and green.

He stockings are deep red with white polka dots. Her bottom is weighted with Poly-Pellets so she can sit nicely. She is stuffed with poly-fil.

Linda’s outfit is decorated with ribbon trims, Rick Rack, and machine appliquéd fabric. I re-embroidered her trims by hand with embroidery floss. So, she is extra special.

Her gold boots are topped with striped ribbon and machine appliquéd fabric buttons. She has no loose or removable parts. Linda is meant to be displayed as art and she is also meant to be loved. I wanted her to be able to withstand some play, and so she is made of 100% cotton quilting fabrics and some rayon that I fused to an additional layer of cotton sheeting for durability. I prewashed her fabrics so they wouldn’t shrink later if she needs to be gently spot cleaned and set flat to air dry.

She is signed and dated below her hairline on the back of her neck.

Linda and Lucy are approximately 10 1/4 inches tall when seated, and approximately 18 1/2 inches long when lying down.

Many hours and a lot of work went into making Linda. She is meant to be of heirloom quality, and to be saved and cherished by a new friend, whether adult or child. She is a wonderful listener and she is very good at keeping secrets. She is also very patient and kind.

Linda will be visiting my other dolls and toys over on Etsy to see what they are up to soon.