I want to start this post by saying that all the pictures used in this post are the property of Lisa Snellings-Clark and are used with her permission, so please don’t use any of them unless you first obtain her permission (she’s very gracious and will most likely say ‘yes’ if you ask nicely 🙂 )

Also, clicking on each picture will open up a larger version of the picture. Click on your ‘back’ button to return to the post.

I am thrilled that the inaugural post in The Artisan Series belongs to Lisa Snellings-Clark. Her amazing work and equally amazing work ethic inspire me each time I visit her site. I first discovered Lisa Snellings-Clark several years ago when I read Neil Gaiman’s short story book Smoke and Mirrors. In it he described the genesis for each story and the stories Don’t Ask Jack, Sweeper of Dreams, and The Sea Change were all inspired by sculptures by someone named Lisa Snellings. Sweeper of Dreams particulary resonated with me because of my career in mental health and I was intrigued by the idea of the statue that was the impetus for this tale so I began searching for information on the internet about Lisa. At the time there was precious little to be found…or at least that is what I recall with my hazy memory. Throughout the last few years Lisa Snellings’ name would pop up on Gaiman’s blog and I would see pictures of her work in the Spectrum book series. Eventually a website emerged when Neil began promoting her Ratbag statues. The first one he posted about was the Edgar Allan Poe Rat:

followed quickly by the Neil Rat:

I was once again excited because here were two really fun rat statues depicting my two favorite authors and I began craving more of her work. Needless to say I was thrilled to discover that Lisa Snellings-Clark began a blog on January 15th, 2005 entitled Slaughterhouse Studios. In addition she has a companion site here. It was when I began perusing these two sites, reading Lisa’s posts, and gazing at her amazing artwork that a connection was made.

Lisa Snellings-Clark is a true artisan. She works in many mediums with a myriad of materials to create some of the most inspiring pieces I’ve ever seen. She works with wood, metal, resin, paper mache, and many other materials to craft, carve, build, and sculpt her unique works of art. Her art has a mixture of darkness and light in it that appeals to me. The colors and textures of her work are so alive that you just want to touch them…I can envision myself standing before her works like a child in a museum, being dragged out screaming by my mother because I can’t quit touching the exhibits! When I visit her site my head swirls with ideas of things I’d like to try. The subject matter of her work, as you will see in the following examples, is also something that speaks to me on a very deep level and has a similar theme to other creations that are meaningful to me.

(click for larger detail)

Lisa’s biggest project to date, at least as far as her blog is concerned, has been the recreation of this animatronic sculpture for Neil Gaiman.

The comical version of how this piece came to need repair can be found here. Lisa began documenting her work in progress as we, the faithful blog readers, asked and received answers to our questions and impatiently waited for Lisa to be finished. Looking at the pictures you would think that this sculpture is meticulously carved in wood or cast in resin. Here is Lisa’s almost unbelievable explanation of what this is made of: “Under the Neil sculpture is a wooden base with heavy wood dowel supports. The rest of the sculpture is a mix of paper mache, small figures with wire armature, even smaller figures (like the tiny puppets, which are resin) and leather.” Amazing! And yesterday Lisa unveiled the finished work:

The details are absolutely wonderful as can be seen in these pictures:

Lisa is promising a video soon showing the sculpture in action and I will post an update as soon as that occurs. I’m interested in the transformation of this piece from a very dark piece in tone to a much lighter piece and I’m hoping that Lisa will discuss this in more detail on her site. She will be painting a background for it when she returns it to its place of honor in Neil Gaiman’s home and pictures of this event will no doubt be forthcoming as well.

Though many of the recent pictures and posts on Lisa’s site have been about this sculpture, there is so much more to see and experience at both of her sites. There are more angels, and more rats…harlequins, and jack-in-the-boxes, and this latest sculpture that really caught my eye:

You’ll also find really cool furniture, wonder at the enigma of the puzzle pieces in her work, and discover that Lisa Snellings-Clark’s two dimensional art is as amazing as her sculptures. I would be remiss if I didn’t point you to this picture and the post describing its creation….she carved this out of wood! With a dremel tool! If I had a picture of myself standing with my mouth agape, chin on the floor, I’d post it here!

In addition to the many photographs of Lisa’s art you’ll get to meet her wonderful son, Orion, and learn about how she creates her art. You will also get to know Lisa Snellings-Clark as a person. She is wonderfully candid on her blog and takes the time to answer questions when she can. I really enjoy the time I spend on her blog as I always come away inspired to do more and be more as regards my own personal creativity. There is something special about an artist who has the courage to open up to friends and strangers alike and I admire this quality in Lisa.

Lisa Snellings-Clark is truly a Master Craftswoman. The effort she puts into each piece is evident in both the shots of the work in progress as well as the final results. As I’ve stated, her work stirs something in me. From her whimsical Ratbag sculptures to her larger, more detailed pieces her work shows her creativity, passion, and dedication to the craft. Her work ethic is one to be mimicked. She does not wait around for inspiration to strike, she rolls her sleeves up and works each day to create something…to do something…and this example is one that I aspire to in my daily pursuits. Like any good artist Lisa Snellings-Clark freely admits to her craft being a work in progress and shares that her style is ever evolving. This too is encouraging as it lets me know that its okay to create right where you are and learn to grow into your style…to not rush things but to not sit idly by waiting for the muse to light a fire in your soul. Lisa Snellings-Clark has become one of my absolute favorite artists and I hope you visit her site today and return often. Share your thoughts on her work as I suspect she, like the rest of us who blog, appreciates the interaction. Lisa Snellings-Clark is an amazing woman with an equally amazing talent and I’m so excited for you to enter her world.

(Editor’s note: I want to thank and congratulate Nora Wright a.k.a Ravyn for her wonderful websites which support and showcase Lisa’s work. Without her I fear that I might still be searching for Lisa’s work. Thank you Ravyn!)