tiki 2- the greenman

I’ve made another one. I just couldn’t help myself. When I make one, I think of all kinds of ways to do it better and so have to make a few more. That is why I am so often doing my artwork in series.
Here is where we were this morning-

working drawing on the right. My tiki face, flat, on the left. I embroidered the features and stuffed the nose like last time. But this time, I used a piece of thick quilt batting behind the fabric. I did a running (hand quilting?) stitch around the features and now they have a bit of puffiness.
I didn’t use the pillow insert this time. I stuffed him with wool scraps and poly stuffing. He has got a nice heft to him. He’s slightly taller then 14 inches and about 6 1/2 inches across.
Here is a close-up to show some of the embroidery.

It started to rain just as I went out to take photos. These aren’t too bad though. I kept thinking of the old Jolly Green Giant commercials when I was sewing him up!
And speaking of green… did you see Ellia’s posting about dreams (versus reality, I guess)? I loved it. I remember my college interview, so many years ago. The woman who interviewed me asked what I saw myself doing, 10 years in the future. The question came as a shock to my 17 year old self. Growing up in a time of constant nuclear fear/threat, I don’t think I really believed in 10 years away. I told her I could see myself in my own shop, selling my work, whatever I was doing at that point… sound familiar Ellia? Anyway, fast forward to now. I was thinking only recently about how Etsy has given me that little shop, a place to sell the stuff I make. Funny really.
June 13th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
wow! these tikis are so cool. i LOVE them!
June 13th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Mimi, these tikis are turning out fabulously! I really love the green one. Beautiful colors. I can really see him hiding in between all of the lush vegetation. Stealth tiki! :-)
Tami
June 14th, 2007 at 2:49 am
Loooove this guy! You must put some magic in everything you do because he is enchanting!
More tikis please!
June 14th, 2007 at 6:08 am
I love this pillow and your post cards as well. Your work is fantastic.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:15 am
I love the green version and the anticipation of a whole series of these tikis.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:58 am
I love these new cushions and I bet my teenage kids would as well.
As for dreams, I must have been a weird kid because I never had any dreams of what my adulthood would be. I wish I had because maybe I would have known what I wanted to do as an adult. Not to say I didn’t live in a fanasty world every time I went to see a Tommy Steele musical but that is a very different thing.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
The green tiki made me gasp. He is gorgeous! Your work is so superb, and such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing it all.
July 8th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
oh yes your tikis are wonderful! anything to do with the faces, you can do!!!! and thank you for sharing your dream too…. i am glad to see so many other people who have juggled so many duties including motherhood and artwork, succeed- although it was different than once imagined…. so early on, discouragement settled in but i am truly grateful to see successful people like you who are inspiring and encouraging AND creating :)