"Monster Book", mixed.

Joseph Goodman asked my husband and I to create a sculpted book cover for his d20 fantasy gaming supplement. His idea was to make it look as if it were made of monster/creature types. We imagined all the essences of monsters we knew from AD&D: Planar elementals, Demonic monsters, Dragons, Chaotic, Necromantic, Golems, Angelic....

We designed it together. After a first sketch, Laszlo designed the "crescent" arrangement of dragon scales which solidified our total design. Many steps later we had created the finished product, which we had professionally photographed and then sent the file to Goodman Games for final printing.

"Elemental Nootlings", sculpey, wire, and acrylic paint.

A good friend of mine wanted four Nootlings to place at each of the cardinal directions at her home altar.

My only directions were to make them correspond with Water, Air, Earth, and Fire.
Their names are Mirabella, Zephyr, Terrence, and Iggy, respectively.

"Dragon Wedding Rings", gold and ruby.

Two friends put their faith in me to custom-design their wedding rings. I'd like to think I came through for them pretty well. They took my drawings to a jeweler, who actually cast the rings. I was amazed at how similar to the original drawings they turned out.

"Spirit Bane," acrylic on 6 inch wood box.

After seeing some hand-painted boxes in a gift shop I decided to try my own. The box was obtained at a craft store inexpensively. In retrospect I might have chosen a plain box with no latch, as the latch and hinges looked cheap (the box, however, was well-built and sturdy). I used acrylic paint, but rather than use Artist-type, I used the craft paint usually reserved for painting pewter miniatures. This type of paint is thinner and easier to handle on a small scale. The interior is lined with darkest purple felt.

Visionquest Drum, india ink on 24 inch bodhran.

Commissioned to illustrate symbols of a spiritual significance to the owner.
India ink washes, for permanence and adhesion, were used. In retrospect the ink did not perform as I wished, the blacks were not black enough, the grays turned sepia, and the whole design did fade somewhat.

African Nootling, sculpey, acrylic, and wire. (approx. 6 inches high)

My friends all have one or more of these fellows, called Nootlings. They were originally an unplanned response to a combination of boredom and too many art supplies. However, since I've made so many, they seem to have taken on a life of their own. I've noticed they are cute and approachable to practually everyone. I like them because of the way the chubby, simplified nootling form does not fight the clay medium, it is in response to what clay naturally does.

This one's owner took the photograph at a chance moment. As for the other Nootlings, they seem to be quite camera shy, but I'm working on getting a few more up here.