2019: Finding the Funguise
Throughout 2018 I continued to explore colors, shapes, and textures as I rediscovered my curiosity with polymer clay. But looking at them, fully painted and now staged in my mossy green backyard, I felt uneasy.
Something wasn’t right. Did they even look like mushrooms? Do they need to look like real mushrooms? What is a Funguise??? What am I making???
So it wasn’t until early 2019 that I finally dove into the study of mycology, in an attempt to find some answers about these little critters. And through this exploration, I discovered a new world of magic.
Not only did I learn about the many colors, shapes, and textures of REAL fungi in our world, but I began to see how important they are. Beyond their essential role as decomposers, fungi are also conduits of energy - and they form powerful connections with so many organisms.
As I understood more about the field of mycology, I also began to understand more about the Funguise - what they are and how they live.
Big Boys (2019)
The very first SIX and NINE inch Funguise sculptures I ever created were inspired by my new relationship with the Weird Sisters Freak Boutique in Astoria, Oregon. I was invited to showcase my work in their August 2019 Art Walk, so I had a strong desire to create two larger pieces as an eye-catching table display.
So I created these two charming sculptures that I still have today because, unfortunately, they sustained some damage in a trip to a later event so they are both damaged, and because of that they are not for sale. But you might get to meet the “Big Boys” at an event in the future because I love to display them despite their flaws.
Twitch Con 2019
Fortunately, I was accepted into the 2019 Twitch Con Artist Alley so I was able to exhibit my work with them for a second time — this time in San Diego California!
I put a LOT more effort into the overall visual display of my booth for this show, which I am excited to continue refining through future events.
As someone who sells the majority of her work online, there’s real magic to actually seeing the faces of my patrons light up when they see my work.
For this event, I brought something new: my first series of Funguise Art Toys. These 5-inch resin sculptures have partially-customized arms and textures, which made each piece a one of a kind original despite creating twin sets of each colorway. You can see more photos of these in my RESIN gallery.
Like Twitch Con 2018, I also created a convention-exclusive collection featuring pops of purple — though it is more subtle on some of the pieces than others. This to-date is one of my all-time favorite figurine collections:
Stormy Weather Arts Festival
In late 2019 I was also invited to exhibit my work at the White Bird Gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon! My first collection of figurines with them had their debut at the Stormy Weather Arts Festival in November 2019.
Fun fact: this collection is unique because it was both sculpted AND painted on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. This collection has since sold out, but my work can still be found at the White Bird Gallery.