Papier-mâché Artist Alycia Matthews

© Alycia Matthews

Newburyport, MA artist Alycia Matthews has a gift for seeing the creative, charming, and just plain fun side to seasonal holidays.  She hand sculpts these whimsical characters in papier mache / paper clay, plus oddments of dowels, etc. then paints them with bright and heart-warming colors.  I'm guessing here but I suspect her of tapping a wand over their heads to give them that cheerfully alive expression.

© Alycia Matthews

Her work is so incredibly diverse in subject matter.  Chirpy chicks to fairytale wall-sitting eggs to patriotic firecracker guys.  Some of her figures are part of a small treasure box lid.  To fill or not with jellybeans or candy corn or peppermints. You know you want one for your office desk. Or tuck one in among your teapot collection at home. Wherever you find a place, these are handmade, one of a kind art pieces. Not toys for children, make sure to put them where tiny hands can't reach!

© Alycia Matthews

Although right on target with themes of Halloween, nothing ho-hum or predictable in her art. Little uncommon creatures made to give joy to the viewer.

© Alycia Matthews

Her work is available online at Etsy and at many seasonal events. This summer she will be at The Vintage Bazaar in Salisbury MA. The dates are June 21 & 22 at Pettengill Farm.

Then there is Flukes & Finds & Friends in Salisburyport MA. That is at 70 State St. running from June 28 to July 4th.  

A wonderful opportunity to see these unique and wonderful pieces up close. No matter the holiday, this artist brings a colorful and unique flavor to the season.  (Personally I find myself considering one of her birds or fish.) Which do you like?

For browsing Alycia's little creatures:

http://www.alyciasart.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/alyciasart

Not About The Christmas Shoes Movie

"I have enough shoes." said no woman. ever.

And so there are Christmas Shoe cards this year. At first I thought, shoes? And Christmas? But they are two wonderful things so why not pair them. (!)

Since these are virtual and fantasy they have the silliest flowers and ribbons and dots. But all very holiday-ish. If you are a shoe person, there is no doubt but that among your friends is another shoe person who would love one of these cards.

 Perhaps this shoe-wish gene comes from an unfulfilled desire for that candy apple red patent leather pair of MaryJanes while growing up. But you can have one of these :)

Christmas shoe cards:

Christmas Shoe Cards!