Wax models for Marie-Antoinette and Hopscotch shoes.
I have my own little superstitions when it comes to metal projects: I don't like to show pictures of any wax models until I have my first successful cast. That way I know I have tangible results before I disclose it, but I also have this irrational belief that if I show progress shots before the end result, it might somehow jinx everything. This refers almost exclusively to metal projects though. I know it's silly, but I don't like to deviate from that.
Below is the inspiration for the Hopscotch shoes.
sulamith-wulfing_nature-spirits_snow-stars_med
This beautiful illustration was my very first exposure to Sulamith Wulfing's work in 2001. It reminds me of a Siberian Winter landscape so much. I think that the contrast of her uncharacteristically light outfit and particularly her little shoes against the coldness of the setting made a really strong impression on me. "Why is she wearing those summer shoes in the snow?"- I kept thinking as I held the book in my hands: " That's not an appropriate outfit at all. She'll die of exposure!" There is probably an evil stepmother involved in this business somehow.
It actually reminds me of one particular Russian fairy tale "The Twelve Months", where a stepdaughter gets sent to the forest in the dead of winter to pick some flowers and instructed not to return without any. In the middle of this suicide mission she meets human representations of each of the 12 months of the year and they save her, setting up further event in the story.
Anyway. Every time I look at this picture, it makes me want to drink hot chocolate and wear warm socks.