Cookie
Cookie's armature is an antique early 1900's composition doll. Her head is sculpted from paper clay and eyes black glass to replicate the armature's medium. The dress is ink dyed linen trimmed with tin.
I created Cookie to help bring a sense of reality to the Bovinians. She belonged to Judy Braunvieh an heirloom from her grandmother. During a horrible drought, Judy contracts Clostridium chauvoei, develops Blackleg, and dies a most horrible death. She is brought back to life by Dorothy’s wishes, magic shoes, and necromancer, Madam Raven McPhee. In gratitude for her life, Judy gifted Raven the one thing that she holds most dear to her heart. Her grandmother’s doll. Raven went on to use Cookie as a conduit to bring back the souls of dead children. While on exhibit at multiple venues, there were reports that children’s voices could be heard. She has also taken part in paranormal investigations that included EVP sessions. Although the results were inconclusive, the reported whispers continue. Her haunting’s origins are unclear, was it something in our home that attached itself to her, or was it willed to her by the power of suggestion. She is now a beloved family member; her exhibit still travels throughout the midwest. |
Dorothy Shoemaker's Magic Shoe
Mixed Media - Created from Friesian hide, and hoof, fashioned with magical silver cowbells, ruby red bows, and buttons. Enclosure constructed with antique Italian frames ornate lantern, candelabra and lamp stand. All custom assembled and hand finished by the artist in a high metallic silver finish displaying Dorothy's one surviving shoe from the story of Oxland.
Born July 4th, 1898, Dorothy was the product of Irish immigrant parents. Her father was a cobbler, her mother, a milkmaid, and she was the youngest of 9 girls. After receiving a copy of L. Frank Brahman's book, "The Wizard of Oxland," she fell in love with the idea of having a magical pair of shoes to transport her away to the Highland's emerald pastures. She begged and pleaded for her father to craft her some, and upon her 5th birthday, he granted her wishes. They were the talk of the school. All her classmates marveled and listened as "Dot" crafted exaggerated stories of her magical outings to the highlands. |
The Papa Moostouski Bovinian Circus Music Machine
The Music Machine was created to replicate the Wurlitzer circus band organs' sound from the late 1800s. It's constructed from a ca.1910 Victrola model X phonograph, a Schoenhut antique upright rod piano, various instruments, and other parts, including two old bed headboards. It houses a Phillips MC235B/37 Micro System, three speakers, a subwoofer, and newly wired vintage light fixtures with Edison bulbs.
Adorned with wood appliques and custom painted pieces, it features art from the Papa Moostouski's Bovinian Circus Band and has been finished vintage circus red with gold leaf accents and aged with antiquing wax. The Music Machine is designed as an interactive piece that allows spectators to engage with the music by playing the piano, drums, and a mini music cylinder. Included with this piece is the organ band cd collection, including Wurlitzer Carousel Organ Varieties Vol. 1 & 2, Roadhouse Razzmatazz Vol. 1 & 2 by Wurlitzer Cx Orchestrion, Wurlitzer Christmas Carousel Music Vol. 1, and more. |
Ms. Olga Moo'Kova
Olga is constructed of rag mache and paper clay over a wire armature and hangs suspended from a vintage block and tackle that auto-rotates 360 degrees as gravity pulls in all the right places.
Olga, a Russian ballerina, was made famous for her portrayal as “Bella” in the prestigious ballet “Flight of the Pregnant Cow.” |
The Papa Moostouski Bovinian Circus Hot Air Balloon
Rag Mache and mixed media over wire armature. 66" tall 36" wide
Balloon ascents became a favorite part of circus tradition in the 19th century. While it might seem pretty strange to a modern audience, remember that the hot air balloon (and flight in general) was a huge deal back in the day. And so it goes. The Papa Moostouski circus balloon launched into the air before the big top was lifted to announce the show’s arrival. |
The Peddlers Circus Wagon
Mixed Meda: The peddler's wagon was created using dimensional lumber and tongue & groove pine paneling. It's painted canary yellow and finished with antiquing wax. It has tempered glass shelving and internal track lighting and measures just over 6' wide & tall and 28" deep.
This piece was used in many of the Bovinian Circus set designs and used in several final composites. |
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No images on this site shall be reproduced or copied for any reason without explicit written approval of the artist.
No images on this site shall be reproduced or copied for any reason without explicit written approval of the artist.