An art coach I follow suggested artists introduce their audience to their studio pets.
Immediately, I thought, I can’t do that. I don’t have a pet.
But then, I realized I do have a studio pet. In fact, I have many.
They just aren’t real. They’re inanimate.
Most of my studio pets either hang from the ceiling or perch on a shelf or my desk.
My Favorite Studio Pet
The kingfisher is my favorite Bay bird. The Kingfisher packs a lot into their medium-size sporting navy blue wings, a white chest, and grey ring around its neck. They remind me of Einstein with their crest of dark spikey feathers out of the top of their head.
The Kingfisher darts from the roof of the Studio, over to the dock, then into the swamp. Done with a distinct fluttering cackle, they hunt for their next meal.
My Kingfisher made from felt comes from a pattern I found online.
Then There’s Ghostly
Ghostly, a windsock, I made for Halloween when my kids were little. I used an old white sheet to make its body and sewed its head onto a large metal ring to create the sock.
Ghostly has short, stuffed hands sticking out of each of its sides, big black eyes and a black “Boo”-looking mouth on both sides of its head.
Once the kids were grown, I still hung Ghostly up on our front porch at Halloween. Since my hubby wasn’t enamored with this post-kids-at-home display, it hangs in the Studio until I pass it on to my granddaughter.
Edgar the Egret
Edgar has been in my possession pretty much ever since my son brought it home from an after-school “Enrichment Day” where kids did a lot of crafty projects.
I loved this simple toy – a marionette, made with a wooden head and feet, fuzzy black felt neck and legs, doll’s eyes, and a black feather tail, which has gotten lost somewhere along the way.
Edgar hangs from his puppet strings ready to show any young studio guest its cool birdy swagger.
Other Studio Pets
My other Studio pets include a blue polka-dotted chicken ornament, a wooden black bird, a couple of animals made by my daughter when she was a kid — a frog, who has since lost most of its fly-catching tongue and another one of my favorites, a paper mâché dragon.
And now I’m receiving new additions to my collection lovingly made by my 8-year-old granddaughter like a sculpted ball-holding elephant.
Every So Often
I do have one “real” pet. It’s Ernie. He’s my son’s dog, who my husband & I occasionally dog-sit.
Having Ernie hang out with me while I’m working in the studio is a treat. I enjoy his company as he patiently waits for me to take him for a walk.
One time while waiting, something caught his eye and he got up and ran, right through the door screen to chase it! Now with my duct taped screen, I hold my breath hoping he’ll let me open the door for him.
So, Yes, I do Have Studio Pets
And every day, upon entering my studio, I greet my company-keeping menagerie with a cheery “Good morning!” Then I’m off to work. Or is it play?
Thanks – it is😊
Very cool