Half Embalmed

Rat Doll

2011-11-04T04:28:00.000-07:00

I've started making dolls with animal parts. Here is "Loleta":

Parakeet Project Part 2

2011-11-04T03:34:00.001-07:00

The owner of the parakeets wanted tail feather hair fascinators to remember her birds by, but she wanted to bury the rest of the remains. I made her custom coffins for the tiny birds and wrapped the remains in lace.

The fascinators next to the open coffins:

We had a funeral for the Parakeets and buried them in a friend's personal pet cemetery, full of fish, birds, and Pugs.
Here is Chloey, the parakeet owner, at the graves, along with some other photos of the graves.

Blue Lake Outing

2011-11-04T02:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos I took recently on a roadkill-salvage outing in Blue Lake, California. The side of the winding 299 was riddled with deer carcasses. Antlers were missing and some bodies were found in game bags, indicating these were hunted, not hit by cars, and the bodies dumped.

Parakeet Hair Fascninators

2011-11-04T01:37:00.001-07:00

I recently worked on two parakeets that were the pets of a friend of mine. They died when smoke from a neighbors barbeque suffocated them. She wanted something to remember them by so I decided to make her some hair fascinators from the tails.

for small projects I generally work on my dining room table, which also functions as my operating table. Notice my awesome room mate unphased by the project, enjoying his burrito in the background.

At this point I think my room mate finally left the room:

After treating the tails and drying them for a few days I completed the hair fascinators.

Current Project--Parakeet Tail Hair Fascinators

2011-10-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine had two pet parakeets that tragically died recently, I'm making hair fascinators from the tails so she has something to remember them by. More photos to come.

2011-10-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

Germany was an amazing experience and I've come back completely inspired. It was taxidermy heaven over there and I got some great photos. I even brought back a genuine Swiss taxidermy squirrel missing both his eyes. I call him Griswald Grindelwald, after the town of Griswald he came from.
I also attended Burning Man this year. Here's a photo of me ringing the virgin bell at the gates.

I've been working on some small items recently that will soon be up for sale in my Etsy shop. So far I've completed a pair of rat-paw earrings and a hair fascinator made of a parakeet wing.

Summer Updates

2011-07-03T00:59:00.000-07:00

Hello All,
I'm getting ready to head to Germany for a month so my Etsy Shop is in vacation mode. I should be back the first week of August.
I will be working on preserving baby octopi when I get back and will be selling them on Etsy and at Eureka's monthly Arts Alive.

I'm also working on some taxidermy jewelry pieces using rodent parts.
Hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

~{Simone Smith}~

Updates

2010-12-13T15:46:00.000-08:00

So it's been awhile. A long while. Life happened, changes were made, and I feel I've come a long way. My artwork has changed direction, almost on it's own. I started to put down the paint and camera and started making jewelry more and then suddenly decided that I really wanted to pursue my passion in taxidermy. (This has alarmed family members and confused friends but is a great party topic when trying to scare off strangers).

I'd like to update more often and document my adventures and misadventures in taxidermy, as well as my other art and life in general. So many interesting things are happening in my life right now that I've love to share.

April Arts Alive!

2010-04-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, just a reminder that tonight (Saturday, April 3) I will be opening my studio for Arts Alive. I will have hot tea and wine available and will be showing works in progress as well as selling prints of past works. I will be open from 6-9pm in the Art Center building, 207 G St #214, Old Town Eureka. Hope to see you there!
{Simone}

Sideshow Freaks and Modern Saints

2010-02-03T21:06:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,
I just started a painting involving modern saints, I might post some works in progress photos soon. I'm on a sideshow kick tonight, I've been reading about the Fiji Mermaid and other sideshow hoaxes. It's been a subject of fascination for me since childhood and I've been doing a lot of sketches based on it. Maybe it will end up in one of my paintings. Enjoy:

{Simone}

Finally, a (sort of) Update!

2010-02-01T22:02:00.000-08:00

I know, I really suck at updating. I will post some works in progress soon, really. I'll also be posting information about the February 18th opening of the Art of Brian Sproul show at the Reese Bullen Gallery. I get to be a part of putting this show together and it's really an honor to work so closely with his artwork.
That's it for now. Here's my inspiration for the night:

Goodnight, hope I didn't give you nightmares.
{Simone}

Great Etsy Deal

2009-12-17T23:59:00.000-08:00

Order from my Etsy shop before January 1st and receive a free signed print of one of my works with your order!
http://www.simonesmithart.etsy.com

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
SimoneSmithArt.etsy.com

Black Friday Sale

2009-11-26T21:30:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving!
I enjoyed the day with traditional food, family, and hot buttered rum. The rain here was a nice addition to the evening. Now it's back to work!
In honor of Black Friday I've lowered the prices in my Etsy shop.
Be safe tomorrow, it's a dangerous day to go out! I just hope no one dies this year from being trampled to death all for a good price on a television. It's like the running of the bulls. (So glad I'm not working retail anymore.)
{Simone}
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SimoneSmithArt

Just Another Friday in Eureka

2009-11-20T12:30:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone! (Well, I guess it's technically the afternoon but I woke up late.)
Today is the start of my week off and I have all kinds of things planned, including a lot of resting to try and get over this bug I've had. Besides a lot of painting I'm going to dust off my jewelry making supplies and finally start making some pieces I designed months ago. And maybe I'll finish a birthday present I needed to finish a month ago (Sorry Saeed. I'm a perfectionist.)
It's raining here in Eureka. It's an excellent day for hot chocolate and reading a book by the window.
I'll finish this off by sharing my inspiration for the morning--the work of Vanessa DeWig, a great artist using ink and the stippling technique. My favorite is "Peacock Girl," I have a special love for silent movie stars. You can view and purchase her work on redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/dewigv

Have a great weekend everyone!
{Simone}

Last Chance

2009-11-15T20:11:00.001-08:00

I'm closing my Cafepress and Zazzle shops soon, so this is the last chance to order anything. I'm going to be selling on Etsy because I find that I can interact on a more personal level with customers. I just don't have enough control with Cafepress and Zazzle, though I've been happy with their products in the past. As an artist, selling through companies like Zazzle and Cafepress just feels like selling through a gallery that wants too much commission, and it feels weird not to be making the products myself. The biggest factor is definitely the interaction factor. I feel that being in personal contact with my customers is very important. I want to personally correspond with people, not to have a generic email or letter sent from a third party. The stores will be closed by Friday, so if you wanted to order something make sure it's in by then. You can always contact me by email at info@simonesmith.com if you have questions or comments. I personally answer each email myself.
You can view the closing online stores here:
Zazzle
Cafepress
And my Etsy shop is here (it will still be up and running)

{Simone}

I'm Still Around

2009-11-11T10:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm still alive everyone. Just very very busy. My new goal is to start blogging more often to let you guys know what I'm up to. I'm working on some very neat projects that I'd love to share with everyone, including participating in National Novel Writing Month. If you love writing you should check it out: Nanowrimo.org
I'm changing a lot of things, it feels like a transformation in my artwork. I'm going to stop holding back and really put all of myself into it now. I was always very shy and if an idea seemed too radical or strange I would keep it secret and never show people. I'm going to experiment and see what happens when I let people see this artwork anyway.
Other than that, happy Veteran's Day! I'm going to celebrate with tea and paint, and maybe some sushi.
{Simone}

SALE!

2009-08-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

One day moving sale in my Etsy shop. Everything is 15% off today! Sale ends at midnight, don't miss out! http://www.simonesmithart.etsy.com

Vintage wool hat and other updates

2009-07-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

I'm selling a vintage wool hat on Etsy, and "Home" is still for sale. I've been working on some jewelry made of vintage and new pieces, and prints are also being made for some of my artwork, so check my Etsy shop often.
When I'm not working I've been doing a lot of traveling, and was able to visit Giant Rock and the Integratron in Landers, CA. There are so many interesting places to see here in the desert of Southern California. I've also been visiting a lot of flea markets and antique malls, where I've found all kinds of interesting things to use in my artwork.

Cross-posted at Livejournal

Update-Original Artwork For Sale!

2009-06-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

"Home" mixed media collage is now for sale on Etsy. This is a rare opportunity to own an original!

I've been busy working on several projects including jewelry making, refinishing some antique furniture, and some new collage pieces.

"Home"

2009-06-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

As you grow older, Home changes. The place you once knew is suddenly no longer your home. The wallpaper starts to peel, the flowers die, and the foundation slides.

"Home" mixed media collage on canvas. Original will be for sale soon on Etsy, and I'll be making prints.