Swamped

I'm working on the alligator and can't really show him off yet because he's for a friend who I intend to surprise.  She asked me to make it for her, but said she'd like to wait for his arrival before meeting him for the first time. 

I wasn't pleased with his eyes, so I added some clay here and there and now I like them better.  Today I'll do some finishing work to his body, and after that dries I'll sand him and then apply the paint.  After that, I'll send him off  to the swamps where he'll live out his life....if mold doesn't cause his early demise.

I've also been working on a witch that I sort of remember blogging about in the early stages.

Here's the stuffed cloth body with gesso applied to the head.  The gesso gives the fabric a nice base coat so the clay will adhere well.

Here she is after some of her facial features have been applied.

And here she is today with her face painted and her hat.   She's still a work-in-progress.  She and the alligator have been keeping each other company here in the Treehouse.  They've grown quite fond of each other.  I just don't have the heart to tell her he'll be leaving soon.