Goblinfruit Studio

I am absolutely ecstatic over singing up for Wendy Froud’s Advanced Doll Workshop happening at The Complete Sculptor in NYC, this May. For those unfamiliar with Wendy Froud, you may recognize her work in The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and Star Wars (she designed Yoda). Or, perhaps you’re more familiar with her husband, world-famous fairy artist, Brian Froud. Besides the advanced class which will focus on hairing and costuming your own dolls, Wendy will be presenting a beginner workshop as well, also in May, same location. An intense 3 days, you’ll learn everything you’ll need to know about designing and sculpting your own fairy doll. If you’ve ever held an interest in, or wondered how one crafts their own dolls, this is a class you shouldn’t miss! For more info on her workshops and the cities Wendy will be visiting, click here.

So, after a 2 year hiatus, I’ll be showing my face at the sci-fi/fantasy/anthropomorphic convention ICON which is held every year in the spring at the StonyBrook campus on Long Island. I recommend it to any fans of the above mentioned subjects, as they tend to book great speakers for a variety of interests, not to mention RUTGER HAUER will be their Media Guest of Honor! To learn more, visit their site here.

In preparation, I’m working on a couple of new small fantasy pieces to exhibit, including this gal. As you can see, I’m having issues with her arms. Otherwise, I’m quite fond of her.

I have decided to do a complete redesign…well, I suppose I should say a whole NEW website design which will house all my work— illustration, dolls and graphic design under the name “Goblinfruit Studio”. This will take the place of my current website, www.carisaswenson.com, which will redirect traffic. I’m hoping to have the new site up and running no later than the first of May, in time for spring and new beginnings. In addition to the various galleries for my work, I plan to have an Etsy store that will sell prints of my illustrations and when they’re available, art dolls and toys. There will also be an area to download free goodies such as desktop designs. Exciting!

She’s a shy one. I’ll be posting more photos as she progresses.




First time using doll eyes…nice disturbing effect.

And one body….(with a head)

I’ll get these finished one day. I swear I have self-diagnosed ADD….everytime I begin one project, something else distracts and/or inspires me and I begin five more.

After having a friend recommend and lend her book to me (thanks, Christine!) I am now an admirer of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials Trilogy” of which the first book is “The Golden Compass”. Of course, I had seen some trailers for the movie which is releasing to theaters in December, but prefered to read the novel before indulging in the movie. One of the many concepts within the book is the idea that each person is assigned a “daemon” when born, which is actually a outward manifestation of one’s soul (and appears to draw heavily on Jung’s concept of the anima and animus). These daemons reflect a person’s attitude by having the ability to change shape into that of an animal or mythical being. Being the sucker that I am for all things shapeshifting, occult or animals (and the idea of having a familiar a childhood fantasy) I was completely drawn in. After going through the Golden Compass movie site, I found a quiz “Meet your Daemon”, and of course, just had to take it, with these results.

Some of my toys, of the pop-up variety. The horse (Knight of Cups) was recently part of a Tarot art show in Seattle, at the Art Not Terminal Gallery. Photos of the opening night will be posted to Tarot Connection (a wonderfully informative podcast regarding all things tarot) soon.

I hope to be finishing some dolls, and getting pictures up soon. But, with numerous projects taking up my time right now, September is looking alot more realistic.

Welcome!
Please bear with me as I begin the process of creating and building Goblinfruit Studio, featuring my sculptures and dolls.