Artwork by Amy Short

Long time no see!

2014-12-30T17:08:00.002-05:00

I thought it was about time I posted something on here to let you know that I have been posting mostly via my "Artwork by Amy Short" page on Facebook. Mostly for ease of posting. I hope to continue posting here too but plan to do a whole website overhaul in the new year. For now please 'Like' me on Facebook and feel free to share my page too for new works in progress and other musings. It would be greatly appreciated!

With my new year will come lots of changes. I will be teaching a beginning sculpture class at Sweetwater Center for the Arts. It is a new adventure for me and I really look forward to it. I think of myself as a lifelong learner too so I plan on learning from my students as much as teaching them. :)

This past April, I joined the West Hills Art League and it has been fantastic! I also won my first
Best of Show award! What an honor!

I have had numerous exhibits this year too. Now that our children are getting older it has been a bit freeing to get myself out there.

At Christmas this year I found myself making some sculptural necklaces and was pleased with the reactions. I will be posting those that didn't sell yet on my etsy site very soon! Here are some examples.

Also found myself painting dogs this year.
This particular one is special to me because he is my dog, Fozzy.

Some fun sculpting, painting and repainting.

A few special commissions too!

All in all, it has been a wonderful year and I look forward to 2015.

Thank you for your interest in me and my art, it means so much to me!

I wish you all health, love and prosperity in the new year!

Happy 2015!

XOXO Amy

Before and After

2013-10-02T19:32:00.003-04:00

Remember these?

Before

After

Halloween, Hurricane, Humping and Harry Potter

2012-10-31T19:51:00.001-04:00

Halloween - Today is Halloween, my favorite holiday. I love it for so many reasons. I love the crisp smell of the air. I'm never too hot. I'm from Cortland which is in the heart of apple country. It is also the name of the most delicious apples on the planet...yes, it's true. The Cortland apple...learn it, remember it, taste it, bake with it and pat your belly when you finish a big one.

I also love costumes. It's a chance to become someone you're not or someone you want to be, if only for the day. And let's not forget the candy...oh the candy.

Anyway, since my kids are still technically little (6, 8, and 10) I figured that we should do a footprint project since they may not let me do that again for a while.

This is how it turned out:

What did I learn from this? My kids feet are HUGE!! Just to give you an idea. My husband's foot is the biggest one in the middle and his foot is a size 14. Mine to the right a size 11. I am really hoping that I won't have to order my boys shoes over the internet in the future. LOL

Hurricanes: Hurricanes, on the other hand, are NOT my favorite. What an awful week for the northeast. I am so very fortunate that my family was spared, though one of my brothers still has no power. We got crazy wind and rain but seem to have just missed the horror of it all. I am grateful that many lives were spared due to early weather predictions and my heart goes out to all of those affected. Horrible.

The only positive thing that came about due to the hurricane is that our local trick or treating has been moved to Saturday. This gives me some time to carve the pumpkins that I haven't had a chance to carve yet. Phew. ;o) (no disrespect meant, just looking for a silver lining)

Humpers: Our puppy is growing up so fast. He is now 12 weeks old and has started enjoying humping his towel. It's funny. My boys think he is dancing...that's funny. The satisfaction he gets from it is funny and his fuzzy butt dancing is funny. Sorry, but it is and I have to share:

Anyway, here is my WIP for this week:

Lastly, Harry Potter. Why Harry Potter? Because there is a marathon on TV today. I want to sit in front of the fireplace and watch Harry Potter all day...if I had a fireplace that is and if it weren't so late in the day. ;o) Happy Potter makes me happy.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

TTFN.

Mommying is a WIP

2012-10-24T13:28:00.000-04:00

So it's work in progress (WIP) Wednesday. I can't believe what a hectic week it has been...heeeeectic. Being a mom is TOUGH! Yes, it's rewarding, yes, best job in the world...yada yada, but unless you are a mom you just don't get it.

This is the first year that I actually have a little time to myself, or so I thought. My boys are all in full-day school now, so in theory I can achieve everything I want. Reality is a different story. So here are some THEORIES and some REALITIES from my point of view...and my life:

THEORY: The boys are in school, so I will have so much time for myself.
REALITY: The school just called and I have to pick up a sick kid. Sick child does not want me to leave his side to even go to the toilet. I have to pee.

THEORY: I will be able to complete so much art.
REALITY: I have piles of laundry and the kids have no underwear for tomorrow and I left a load of laundry in the washer for the third consecutive day, it smells, so I have to rewash it...again.

THEORY: I will make an awesome healthy meal tonight that everyone will enjoy.
REALITY: Hurry up and throw something together because the boys have cub scouts. Cereal for dinner boys!

THEORY: Everyone will like what I cook.
REALITY: I have picky eaters who don't like pasta. How can they be my children? I think the Italian portion of their genes got tread upon by their English side.

THEORY: If I go to bed early I will get eight hours of sleep.
REALITY: Two out of three had bad dreams last night and it's all my fault because I forgot to shake out the dream catcher. Or maybe it was the early Halloween candy that I let them eat just before bed. (yes, they brushed their teeth)

THEORY: I will have to clean less since no one is here to mess it up.
REALITY: We got him...

THEORY: I will resent my family for driving me to drink.
REALITY: I can't help but recognize that they are a troop of fantastic human beings and I couldn't love them more if I tried. Even the puppy.

Here is my WIP:

For now I will leave you with this:

WIP Wednesday

2012-10-17T21:12:00.000-04:00

Whoops...WIP Wednesday almost got past me! Time flies! Here is another bust that I am currently working on.

Happy Hump Day! :o)

WIP Wednesday

2012-10-10T18:43:00.000-04:00

I've decided to start posting Work In Progress (WIP) on Wednesdays. So here's today's WIP:

Yo! S'up? WIP

2012-10-05T12:25:00.003-04:00

Really thought it was about time I update this blog. If you have stuck with me until now...thank you thank you thank you. If you are new to this blog, thanks for stopping by.

This has been one crazy year and I am hoping that it has now chilled out. Surgery, braces and puppy...oh my!

Here is a Work In Progress for you:

Christmas with Creative and Curious Kids

2011-12-03T12:30:00.001-05:00

I have had my friend Jennifer, writer of the blog Creative and Curious Kids, on my blog roll for years now. She's on my blog roll under "Jen who raises creative kids".

Jennifer just did a lovely post of my art in her blog and I would like you to know about her also. Aside from being a wonderful and talented person she also home schools her children (which automatically makes her my hero) and is extremely creative. Check out her blog for some great crafty ideas and activities that you can do with your children.

Here are a couple of my favorite ideas:

Thanks again Jennifer.

The Last of the Snowmen

2011-12-01T09:47:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all who support artists. I, for one, am especially grateful.

I didn't make a lot of ornaments but I have two snowmen left.

This one:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86325574/ooak-snowman-ornament

and this one:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86325188/ooak-snowman-ornament

PS. If you are a local I can bring it to you. :o) Just let me know before you buy and I will reserve it under your name minus shipping costs.

New WIPs aka My Minions

2011-11-16T17:38:00.002-05:00

Here are some new works in progress (WIP). I had to change the blog title because according to my good friend Carla, I have created an army of minions. Too funny!

A bunch of busts because I felt like sculpting a lot of faces.

Have no fear they will not be bald and bland when finished.

More photos coming soon. Back to work now. :o)

And the winner is...

2011-10-17T16:41:00.000-04:00

Lisa Dempski!!

Thanks to all who participated and shared my blog! It is very much appreciated!

A Halloween Giveaway!

2011-10-12T15:20:00.001-04:00

I have been bugging my kids for weeks to tell me what they want to be for Halloween. You'd think that I am jumping the gun but actually I am trying not to wait until the last minute to make their costumes. Nightmare!

Thinking back to Halloween when I was a kid, I am reminded of my favorite costume. I was a gypsy, a ghost (tripped a LOT), Raggedy Ann, skeleton, etc. but by far my favorite costume was when my mother made me into a tea bag.

Me as a gypsy circa 1970s

It was the night of Halloween and I didn't have a costume or have any idea what I wanted to be. My clever mother told me to run upstairs and put my black leotard on and to get a white pillowcase from the closet. She proceeded to cut out two holes for my legs to fit through. I put the pillowcase on and we went outside and she stuffed me full of leaves. Then she stapled across the top of the pillowcase across my shoulders. Then she cut out a hexagon from a cardboard box, drew a red rose on it (Red Rose Tea), she was an artist too, and cleverly placed it on my head. The final touch was a string from the Red Rose Tea tag to my shoulder and voila...I was a tea bag. I won 3rd place in the Halloween parade that year.

That last minute costume worked out.

So this brings me to my giveaway. I am giving away one of my latest Halloween creations from my etsy shop.

All you have to do is comment on this blog below, Artwork by Amy Short on Facebook, or @amyshortart on Twitter and tell me what your all time favorite costume was when you were a kid. Then on October 17th I will draw a name from all of the names and send you this decoration just in time for Halloween.

Tell your friends too because I need some good ideas for my kids costumes! Good Luck! :o)

Skulls and Pumpkins and Crows...Oh My!

2011-09-26T15:06:00.001-04:00

I have been busy working on some fun sculpts for Halloween. As usual I am experimenting. I wanted something lightweight and creepy fun and it seems to have worked out. Here's a peek at what I came up with:

You can find more in my etsy shop. They are in limited supply and I won't be making anymore this season. I have to start working on some other things.

Oh, and as usual, my favorite part is a funky angle. Here is my favorite view:

I know, but I'm diggin' the crinkle. :o) Hope you like them too.

Doesn't it feel great to be appreciated?

2011-08-22T21:01:00.000-04:00

Been a crazy crazy busy busy summer but I wanted to share this post with you. I was interviewed by Karla from Dreamaginarius. I am very flattered! Thank you Karla! People, keep an eye on her because I believe that she has some amazing figures coming out of her dreamagination.

http://dreamaginarius.blogspot.com/2011/08/tea-for-three-guest-amy-from-etsy-shop.html

More soon. :o)

Fancy chairs and blisters

2011-04-13T09:36:00.000-04:00

For years...I've had an old chair in our garage that I have been meaning to refinish. It was given to me by a neighbor when she moved. I liked the look of it because it reminded me of Jane Austen. So I took it...and there it sat in our garage. It was always in the back of my mind that I would take the time and redo it.

Every once in a while my husband would say something like..."When are we getting rid of that chair?" To which I would reply, "We aren't, I'm going to redo it." This was usually followed by the roll of his eyes and a heavy sigh.

Well, I have finally fixed it up. I stripped it, repaired it, sanded it, painted it and reupholstered it. Oh and I have gave myself a painful blister with my glue gun. OUCH! It was more difficult than I thought but, like my husband says, 'it's done now'. ;o)

Here are the before photos:

Here are the during:

Here are the after photos:

Just one more Before/After shot:

So now the question is where am I going to put it since it doesn't match our decor. lol Oh and fyi I won't be reupholstering anything again. ;o)

New Sculpture

2011-04-01T09:08:00.001-04:00

In a continuing effort to finish all of the work on my bench I just finished this guy. He stands 16" tall and I'm digging his expression from different angles. Hope you like him too.

spiritual swirl

angel wings

serious side

happy side

wassup?

Dancing Girl

2011-03-30T10:49:00.001-04:00

I'm finishing some sculpts that I have had on my work table. They have been looking at me for a while begging for some attention. So here is a new little doll that I just finished. She doesn't sit well on her own but there are clever ways to have her sit. There is something rag doll-ish about her that I like. Hope you like her too. :o)

Laying down

Leaning against the speaker

Sitting on a plant bowl

I like how she dances.

Me? A Visiting Artist?

2011-03-29T13:03:00.003-04:00

I was so very fortunate today to be a visiting artist in my cousin Phyllis's art class at Pawling Central School in New York State. She provided coffee and doughnuts for her students and I provided the witty conversation...lol NOT! We connected via Skype since I am in Pittsburgh. (It would have been nice if I actually cleaned my monitor before taking any pictures!)

Phyllis :o)

I have been using Skype for years since we live so far from our families but this is the first time I visited a classroom. Phyllis and I get our artistic skills from our grandparents. Our grandfather John was a painter and also did a lot of needlework and our grandmother Betty was also known for her needlework and crafting skills.

John and Betty Corrao

More photos of the kids in class...

The time flew by, the bell rang and our time was done. I am hoping that we can do a project together in the future. That was fun! Thanks Phyllis and everyone! :o)

Oh and my friends have been bugging me to post a photo of my two page spread in the New Art Review publication from my previous post. Only my photos were published. So here you go my friends.

Remember me?

2011-02-21T11:48:00.002-05:00

It has been waaaaay too long since I have tended to my blog and for those few who still choose to read/follow my shtuff, I thank you! No excuses, just life...including but not limited to husband, children and home, etc.

What do you think of the new look? Or has it been so long that you don't even remember? he he

I was published recently in New Art Review and am pretty pleased with it since I got a two page spread! Yay! I'm humbled at the thought of being a part of a publication that "highlights the hottest new talent in visual art, poetry, mixed media, and literature." Phew! I actually have nothing more to say.

Patience My Friends

2010-09-20T12:24:00.002-04:00

I'm cleaning house....setting up my studio and creating new stuff. Time for a new look. I will be back soon... Stay tuned. :o) Sorry for the ugly blog at the moment too.

My blog is 2 years old!

2010-02-04T16:08:00.014-05:00

What?!?! My blog is two years old?!?! I can't believe that it has been that long already. Loads happens in two years doesn't it? I have found great followers, gotten tons of feedback on things (mostly kind...phew) and met some really awesome people. So thanks for following me. I hope to keep you with me for a long while. I swore I wouldn't say "blogiversary" but I just said it...ooops! ;o)

A lot happens in two years. Like my boys went from this:

to this:

So Happy Blogiversary to my blog! LOL

Moving on...

Recently I had a really fun commission of an old high school friend's son. We reconnected on facebook after 20 years...love it! This is her son, his favorite stuffed animal, his room with his bookcase and glow in the dark stars. My personal favorite, their dog who is nothing less than a princess. Here it is:

And she just sent me photos of it framed with her adorable son.

and one with the princess:

I have some interesting projects coming up that I will share with you soon. Until then thanks for reading and ta ta for now! :o)

I can finally break the silence

2009-12-30T15:43:00.007-05:00

I had this very cool commission that I have been working on for the past couple months and I couldn't breath a word of it due to the fact that the person it was for reads my facebook page...whether she reads my blog, tweets or fan page I cannot say. ;o)

Anyway, Christmas is over, the sculpture was given and now I can show it to you. It still feels funny because it was a big secret but I am pleased to say that we got away with it. She was completely surprised!

This is a 'personalized sculpture'. By 'personalized' I mean that it has characteristics of the person: hair style, eye color, kayak, etc but not a replica of the person herself. This is how her kayak is (color and all) and color of her life jacket, etc.

Is there someone in your life that you would like forever in a sculpture? Send me an e-mail and we can talk about it. :o)

Blythburgh Church and the Devil Dog

2009-12-09T08:57:00.028-05:00

As promised here is the story about Black Shuck...the Devil Dog of Suffolk. I was intrigued by this story as soon as my brother-in-law told me about it. It wasn't the idea that the story was scary but it was funny to me because it scared him - big time!

In Suffolk, England there is a beautiful medieval church called Blythburgh (pronounced blythburra). It is interestingly breathtaking with wonderful carved wood and amazing stonework and an incredible wooden painted ceiling full of angels. I just fell in love with the church and spent so much time walking around and soaking in the whole atmosphere.

This is a sculpture above the entrance to the church.

The ceilings are breathtaking with wooden carved angels. Here is one of my photos that you can find here in my etsy shop. The entire ceiling in the church is like this.

Rather than try to explain about the demon dog called "Black Shuck" pronounced 'shook' I am leaving it to the following quote..."One of the most notable reports of Black Shuck is of his appearance at the churches of Bungay and Blythburgh in Suffolk. On 4 August 1577, at Blythburgh, Black Shuck is said to have burst in through the church doors. He ran up the nave, past a large congregation, killing a man and boy and causing the church tower to collapse through the roof. As the dog left, he left scorch marks on the north door which can be seen at the church to this day."

Here is my photo of the scorch marks. They are said that they still smell. I didn't take a wiff... You can click on my photo to enlarge it and see the marks. They are the vertical ones above and below the top right hinge.

This is of a stained glass window located in the church. The inscription reads, "I trust in God".
You can also find this here in my etsy shop.

So I wonder...where is the grave of the man and son killed by Black Shuck?
I don't know but I will leave you with this one...

Some of my photos

2009-12-05T14:20:00.012-05:00

Here are some of my photos that I took in England. Here is Buckingham Palace Road...a bit of a challenge to take since it is 1 story above street level but it just shows what persistence will get you.

This photo cracks me up because they are non-existent in the US and it just felt like I was in the 1950's or something. It is a cigarette snuffer that is still located on buses around England.

This is a photo of a Colchester knight, right outside Colchester Castle. Colchester is the oldest city in England. And did you know that to be classified as a city in England the location has to have a cathedral in it?

Here is my entrance to Parliament in London...

I love medieval stained glass. This is from a church in Suffolk called Blythburgh. There is an interesting story about a demon dog called Black Shuck but I will get into that another time.

You can currently find these prints in amyshort.etsy.com. I have a really cool project I am working on but I can't say anything about that at the moment because it is a surprise. :o) Off to work now. TTFN.

Oi Vey it has been a loooooong time but....

2009-12-02T08:58:00.009-05:00

I'm back baby!! No excuses...minus children, house, husband, school, etc. that is my life...my poor blog was put on the back burner. No more! I will now post weekly, if not more, that is...if I have something to say. ;o)

I want to share with you one of my latest projects. I have completed this website for an amazing architect. His name is Robert M. Berger and he is totally worth a shout out because he is so incredibly talented. Hi web address is www.robertmberger.com. He has a blog and will soon be starting to have webisodes. Please take a look because maybe he could design your dream home. :o)

I also want to mention that most of the photos on Robert's website are taken by another amazing talent...Melani Lust. Melani's work truly takes my breath away. I particularly adore her portraiture. Check out here website www.melanilustphotography.com

And finally, since I have been spending so much time on facebook (alas back of hand on forehead...it's true) I have set up a fan page. You can find it by searching Artwork by Amy Short. Or you can click on the link below. I will be posting similar things that you see here but you will be able to see updates easily if you are on facebook. Come and feel free to comment because I love feedback. Hope to 'see' you there or here.

Amy Berger Short is a fan of

Artwork by Amy Short

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TTFN my friends.