The Dream

There is a city that hides underneath the ocean, where the houses are covered in seaweed, shells and barnacles. Fishing nets are draped in front of windows like curtains, catching pearls within its nets. The mermaids who live there, sleep under covers made of the finest sea silk. Their dreams float on the current as it purges and withdraws to the rhythm of the moon, to the music of the sparkling star light, and the gentle song of their siren sisters. One such dream was so extraordinary and full of life, that when it reached the shore, instead of wiggling…

  When the Duke of Bickleham was a young child, he wanted to be a Black Bird. Black Birds were exactly the way that the little Duke Boy felt he wanted to be more like. He loved, for instance, how a Black Bird would sit on a thin branch or cable without ever falling off, without loosing its delicate balance for one moment. He admired their evening song, so harmonious and in tune with the colours of the sky, never interrupting the serenity or silence of the moment, rather, the song was part of it. He loved how Black Birds…

pantovola artist

Wishes & Obstacles

It is Sunday, a grey and quite cold one. I have a sore ankle, an inflamed ear and was watching the final episode of season three of The Handmaid’s Tale, in bed, by 1pm. Now I have run out of episodes and can’t make myself do any creative work, which is why I ended up browsing Youtube by 2pm. I was watching some Ted talks, I really often hope to find a great one, but many are disappointing. However, I came upon a talk that really made a lot (a lot) of sense to me. It is called ‘Isolation is…

Toy Makers of Planet Earth III at Stranger Factory Gallery

This Friday, Stranger Factory Gallery in Albuquerque New Mexico opened their doors, as they host the third edition of their annual group show Toy Makers of Planet Earth I am honored to be once again part of this amazing show, and would like to share the pieces I made especially for this occasion with you. As the title of the show already gives away, this is all about art inspired by toys, new and old, story telling, characters and narrative. I drew my inspiration for these pieces from my love of puppet theatres and doll houses. Each piece has an…

North, South and back again

Hello everyone, it has been a while since my last post. Life was literally upside down since ’round about Christmas time, as I was relocating back to Scotland from Galicia, Spain. Packing up a home and studio, trying to squeeze life into boxes to fit into only one car is never easy, but it was not the first time I did it, so I have become acquainted with the goodbyes, the letting go of personal possessions and so on. The only thing I have held onto these past years of moving around Europe, were my sewing machine, baskets of textiles,…

vintage theatre

The Theatre of Tales

A Curious Tale A Small Strange History ‘The Theatre of Tales’ is here to give you a little insight into the what, the who and the why and might make for a nice Sunday read!      

memorial art

Introducing: Memory Art Dolls and Dresses

Whatever I make and write is usually in some way or another informed by memories. Memories of a time passed, one I may have not even experienced myself in this life, but one I have imagined in sepia colors and musky scent. A never ending story with no beginning nor ending woven together from stories, changing landscapes, threads, births of birds and people, deaths of unborn chicks and grandmothers. There is a strange desire to inhabit this place made up from memory and to somehow become part of it. To become a fading color or to catch the tail of…

The Big Sleep

This is just a little message from the winter woods to thank all of you who have supported my work this past year, in many different ways possible. And what a year it has been! I look back with amazement, much joy and giggles, and it makes me happy to think of all of you who have followed me and my strange creatures on our journey. But all this life and work makes one tired and now it is time for some rest and reflection on what has passed. Though before I do so I want to wish you and…

Home and a Dollhouse

It’s been a while since I wrote my last blog post. This time of year is always a bit hectic and there is only little space to think, reflect and write. But now that most of the rush is out of the way and I start to feel I am ‘on top of the facts’ again, I can allow myself to slow down a bit, bake apple-pies (and eat them) and enjoy leisurely mornings by the kitchen window, watching the tall treetops sway elegantly outside in the wind. It is then that my thoughts starts to drift in dreamlike motion,…

snowman miniature

51 days until… a little sneak peek

Hello curious creature ♥︎ Welcome to my blog post this Sunday! Did you know it is only 51 days until Christmas day? This may well be the reason why my studio is full of ribbons, velvet, lace, pearl buttons and the cheerful sounds of chit chattering from newly made creatures impatiently waiting to tell you their stories. They told me some of their secrets already and I cannot wait to share them with you, but I promised to keep them safe for just a little longer. But then again, I am not very good with keeping secrets, so without giving…