Santos De Palo: La Madama | In progress | Images © Copyright 2012 Mel LV Ruiz
This is the bulto I was working on last month before all the holiday madness set in. A little bit more carving, then detailing, then sanding…then choosing finish. One thing is certain, I’m not painting her. When complete, she will reside alongside my Oya bulto.
…I’ll post more pics when I’m nearing the finish line :)
New Work is coming along…
Nicely! I should have a fabulous photo dumping in the coming weeks of a few things. I’m working on a little Bulto that’s taking a little longer to complete than I had expected (the usual case with me). The bulk of her is complete, but the back portion still has a lot of little details that need tending to. She’s been a great training exercise so far. Stay tuned!
And then THIS happened. Wood putty, here I come…sigh.
Untitled “Semi Relief” | In progress | Images Copyright © 2011 Mel LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
After almost 2 weeks away, I’ve finally come back to my little Saint and her 2 birds. I’ve made alot of mistakes with this layout - mainly because it’s turning into an full relief as opposed to a semi which was my initial intention. I was recently told, “There are no mistakes in carving, just design changes.” It’s true, wood has a mind of it’s own. As do the Saints. As far as they’re concerned, if you’ve decided to devote your time to them, you better devote your entire time…otherwise you’re hands won’t work for anything else. Case in point - our beloved Khaleesi *siigh* It’s not like I don’t know this rule, I’ve experienced repercussions for attempting to break that very rule several times this past year. So yea, that’s the story. More progress pics coming soon!
Untitled “Semi Relief” | In progress | Images Copyright © 2011 Mel LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
This is what she’s looking like so far. Slow progress and rough looking progress, but progress nonetheless. I’ve taken to carving a little here and there in the wee hours of the morning before the little one wakes up to begin his day. Other than the birds chirping, it’s super quiet at 6am, which is nice. Just me, a cup of coffee, and a kitchen table full of wood shavings :)
Untitled “Semi Relief” | In progress | Images Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
Doing some feathering. I hadn’t planned on doing any…but it’s happening. Carvings tend to take on a life of their own, and with that life comes personality…and opinions. So yea, my Hawk wanted defined feathers, so I was more than kind enough to oblige him.
More progress shots coming sooooooon.
Hawking. Yes friends, new madness has begun.
Jerusalem Rosary | Details | Images Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
Here are a few detail shots of the final piece. Full view here: Jerusalem Rosary
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(final images re-shot by the very awesome & photo handy Lata Dyal - Thanks Lata!)
Jerusalem Rosary | Image Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
(Momma. Years can pass, but my right hand will never forget the lines of your face.
Love you always, Meli)
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On May 9th, 2010 my Mother, Sonia lost a 4 1/2 year battle with Ovarian Cancer. It was eight days after the birth of my son (her first Grandchild), but even more sadly, it was Mother’s Day.
Now, I could get into how devastating this all was, but I won’t. The fact of the matter is, at some point, life is going to deal you a rough hand, and you’ll have to decide on spot how you’re going to handle it. Are you going give up and fold? Or are you going to flip that miserable situation the bird and fight your way through? I don’t know about you, but I’m always up for a good psychological fight.
I had to make peace with my mother’s passing very early on. I had a newborn to take care of, and I couldn’t just press the pause button on life to go run off and be a mental case. Umm, No. My world doesn’t work that way. I focused my attention where it needed to be, and whenever there was a free moment, I did a little artwork. A little goes a long way after a while. A “little” can heal a mind/heart without you even realizing it. I’m proud of the little’s I’ve done. They were meaningful, and they kept my mind busy during those times that minds could very easily have wandered.
Thank you wood. Thank you hands (for finally working properly). Thank you momma for always sending me hello birds. Thank you background music. Thank you La Sirene from above, and the one from Brooklyn.
Santos De Palo: Oya | work in progress | Images copyright © 2010 ♥Ineffable3
More progress made! I removed a lot of the excess wood that was around the head/veil area, as well as added fabric creases in the cape and gown. Originally, I had no intentions of getting in to this much detail. I wanted my little bulto to look as primitive and simple as possible, but she obviously had different plans.
Santos De Palo: Oya | work in progress | Images copyright © 2010 ♥Ineffable3
Just a little sanding, back cutting, and detailing to go - then I can finally begin painting. I can honestly say that this is the most important thing I’ve made to date. She’s very symbolic of this past year’s happenings, and her creation is marking a turing point in my artwork. #justsayin
This pic was taken in 2006 when I first began working/carving on (then titled) “Bare Beginnings.” Like most things at that time, I abandoned it and moved on. I have MANY pieces with this same exact sob story. Fortunately for this one, I’m pulling myself up by the boot straps, and gettin’ down to business.
Our then Bare Beginnings is now titled Metamorphosis. Progress pics are coming soon :)
*Disclaimer: This photo was meant to serve as an artistic re-enactment. I DO NOT actually carve this way. It is unsafe, and you will LOSE a finger. Thank you for reading.*
