1983: Dimensional Work - The Venetian Rabbit from The Carnival Collection - Private Collection

1983: Dimensional Work - The Venetian Rabbit from The Carnival Collection - Private Collection

Click an image for a detailed view.

This is one of the first dimensional figures I fabricated, completed not long after I received a Master of Visual Arts in Illustration. During my last few classes when my illustrative style clarified, I was inspired to begin dimensional figurative work. I created The Carnival Collection, a grouping of suspended figures in plexiglas boxes for wall mount installation. This rabbit's whiskers were generously donated by my first Birman cat, Nicholas. The necklace is garnet and pearl.  I stiffened fabric, applied iridescent paint for the accordion lace collar and hat, and introduced metallic threads as stitching and embellishment - even around the eyes. The ribbon belt was crocheted just for a wee waist.  It has always been extraordinary to see how each figure "becomes" with every step in the process. 

When one considers the metaphor of the fairytale, I believe that dimensional figurative work can be as inherent in story magic as flat illustration.  What was, in the beginning, an unconscious decision on my part to fabricate dimensionally, has become as integral a piece to my spinning of tales as illustration.  

Dimensional Signature Work - Wall Mount Installation with figure suspended in plexiglas box: Rabbit: approx. 5" w x 12" h; Armature: wire, silk linen; Media: rabbit pelt, gouache, iridescent acrylic, ink ; Embellishments: antique beads, buttons, ribbon, metallic threads 

1983: Dimensional Work - The Venetian Rabbit from The Carnival Collection - Private Collection