Simon Boses aka Mudmonkey
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simon-boses.bsky.social
Simon Boses aka Mudmonkey
@simon-boses.bsky.social
130 followers 100 following 88 posts
I sculpt clay into figures that tell stories.
I make ceramic art toys and sculptures to play with.
www.mudmonkey.studio
💕🏳️‍⚧️ Ally 🏳️‍⚧️💕
He/Him
🚫Anti AI Gen Art🚫
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simon-boses.bsky.social
A while back I made a short series of wall hanging "heads." Aldus, Sprig, Weeble and Psydon. I didn't love the wood backgrounds, but I did like the way the heads displayed on the wall. I think I'm going to take another stab at it with a different mounting surface.
#ceramic #arttoy #sculpture #clay
A squared off small ceramic head mounted to a squared off background. The head has long ears like a goat that droop down on both sides. It also has stripped horns that curve up from both sides. There are little creatures tucked into the horns and sitting on the top of the head. A squared off ceramic head with simple eyes looks out at you. It has long drooping ears like a goat. Out of the sides of the head are twisted horns that taper to a blunt point. on the horns sit little creatures with simple faces similar to the large head. A squared off simple head looks out at you. The face has two long teeth like a bunny. The head has two long bunny ears sprouting up from the top. The sides of the head have two small wings.
June 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
I'm simon. I make ceramic figures. Sometimes they are small toys. Sometimes they are larger finished art pieces. I like art that tells a story. There are a lot of amazing pieces displayed in this #Artshare. Thank you so much for hosting it!
May 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
"Mushroom Banditos" will be part of my shop update tomorrow (05.25.25) with several other new series I've been working on. Most people are surprised to find that often my small sculptures are $35. It's all I need to keep making them.

#miniartmodels #artshare #ceramic #figures #mushrooms
Four small brightly colored figures in the shape of mushrooms. The caps of the mushrooms are hats covering their little heads. They all have a bandana tied below their eyes.
May 25, 2025 at 1:42 AM
simon-boses.bsky.social
I've been working on a series of little dinosaurs. Here's the triceratops.

#ceramics #sculpture #miniartmodels #artshare
May 13, 2025 at 11:31 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
I've been experimenting with making an urmine-ferret-mongoose critter. This is 1 of 3 that I've made so far. I have only shared them here on Bsky so far (Bsky exclusive🥳).

#miniartmodel #sculpture #artshare #ceramic #mongoose
May 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
I don't know that I've ever written about this piece before. Here goes..."Twitter" is an older work of mine. A bird figure carves up his environment into idealized versions of itself. It then scatters them out to the world. This leaves a stump for it where a tree should be... Too subtle?
May 7, 2025 at 6:48 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
Hi, I'm new-ish to bsky and still poking around trying to find my community. I make ceramic figures that tell stories as well as ceramic art toys. I try to find and repost other sculptors. If you have a fav sculptor please point me in their direction.
May 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
A while back the PTA (Parent Teacher Assoc.) at my kids school asked me to make a piece for the art auction fundraiser. I made these two standing figures. I'm not sure how much they raised, or who they went home with, but I did enjoy making them. They stand about 8" tall.
A small figure wearing a hood with two large horns jutting from the sides. The figure has a simple peaceful face. The horns have small creatures huddled together sitting on top of them. In the figure's left hand there is a sculpture of a small bird that looks like it was sewn from fabric. It has little button eyes. A small ceramic figure with a simple peaceful face. It has horns that are like swirled tentacles with stripes on them. Two more tentacles hang down from behind each ear on the figure. The tantacles are striped with alternating dark and light colors. The figure is wearing a hood and standing looking at the viewer.
May 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
WIP wall hanging figure.
A figure from the waist up. It is wearing a hood and has a peaceful expression with eyes closed. Long arms end in hands holding a small skull with long vine-like horns running back up the arms. A figure from the waist up. It is wearing a hood and has a peaceful expression with eyes closed. Long arms end in hands holding a small skull with long vine-like horns running back up the arms.
May 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
Shop update today (04/12/25).
My Instagram account was deleted. Apparently there is nothing I can do to get it back. If you followed me there and care to again find me at : mudmonkey_studio
April 12, 2025 at 11:25 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
At one point I was painting a lot of art cards. They were fun, but tiny and took a long time. This wasn't a good combination for someone who sells art for a living. Here are a few of my favorites.
April 7, 2025 at 12:57 AM
simon-boses.bsky.social
We live on a very small farm (chickens). Chick hatching season is my very favorite thing about it. These little fuzzy balls of energy are the amazingly heart warming. I hope they brighten your day too. 🐣

#chicks #spring #farmlife
April 1, 2025 at 1:51 AM
simon-boses.bsky.social
A new Mythling. I haven't shared this anywhere else yet. Kind of a Bsky exclusive.
A small ceramic animal. It has the head of a fox and a bushy tail. Atop its head sit two things horns. Its front paws are pronounced and much larger than its back paws. It's expression is happy and peaceful.
March 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
This is another new Mythling. I'm really enjoying making these. They're a little more complex than my Mudlings which gives me some room to play with design. Now I have to figure out what to name each of them...any ideas on this one?
March 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
I've been working on a new series of toys and made this very short video to introduce it. My most recent series (small woodland animals) is called Mudlings. This new series focuses on imaginary creatures. I'm calling it Mythlings.
#artshare #ceramic #sculpture #handmade #arttoy #figure #kitsune
March 19, 2025 at 12:02 AM
simon-boses.bsky.social
Back in December I posted an image of this piece. I mentioned that it was large (it's impossible to tell from the image). I also mentioned that I would post something showing the actual size....here it is. Sorry for the bad image quality!
March 16, 2025 at 1:00 AM
simon-boses.bsky.social
It's been a while since I made a figure in this style. I really enjoy these guys. They leave a lot of room for story telling. Maybe 2025 will be their come-back year.

#ceramic #sculpture #handmade #arttoy #figure
The image is of a grid of small two leg figures. There are nine boxes. The first figure has a simple face that only has two dots for eyes. It has big twisted horns and is wearing a rabbit puppet on one hand. The second has the same style face, but seems to be wearing a bear suit. It's head is bandaged as well as one arm. In the crux of the arm is a bee hive. There are little bees sitting on the shoulder and head of the figure. The next figure has the same style face but this one has a bird puppet on one hand and a small snowman in the other. The bird puppet is putting a carrot on the snow man's face. The next figure has small horn and is wearing a baby carrier on it's front. There is a tiny figure in the carrier in the same style as all these figures. This figure also has little wings instead of arms. The fifth figure is dressed like batman with horns and a bat broach on it's chest. Instead of tools in it's belt it has little figures in the same style as all the figures on the page. The sixth figure has the same simple face. This one has big ears like a fox and is holding a sprouting seed in it's right hand. Resting in the crux of that arm is a little skeleton in the style of these figures. The seventh figure is has the head of a squid with little tentacles coming out of the neck area. Over the shoulders are two more larger tentacles. It has two arms that clasp together out front holding a small boat with two more small squid figures in it. The either figure has long twisted horns sprouting from the sides of it's head. It's arms have little feathers sprouting from the elbows and in it's left hand is a small bird nest with an egg in it. The horns have several small colorful birds sitting on them. The last figure has a puppet on it's right arm that is holding a heart. Both figures have small horns but the larger figure has a sewn up wound where it's heart would be. The puppet has a skeleton face.
March 14, 2025 at 2:19 AM
simon-boses.bsky.social
Congratulations on 8K! Amazing and well deserved. I really enjoyed exploring your work!
I make ceramic sculpture that's usually narrative and figure based. I also make little ceramic toys. It's just a whole lot of fun.
A small ceramic figure with wings for arms. They have a human face, but seem to be wearing a suit that looks like a fox. It has ears and tail like a fox as well as some hair sprouting from the sides of the face. There is a small drawing on the chest that looks a bit like a cave painting. It's a simple stick figure with 3 heads holding some kind of stick or perhaps a religious implement. The figure is looking to the right and has a bit of a smirk - like it may know something we don't know. The image is of a grid of small two leg figures. There are nine boxes. The first figure has a simple face that only has two dots for eyes. It has big twisted horns and is wearing a rabbit puppet on one hand. The second has the same style face, but seems to be wearing a bear suit. It's head is bandaged as well as one arm. In the crux of the arm is a bee hive. There are little bees sitting on the shoulder and head of the figure. The next figure has the same style face but this one has a bird puppet on one hand and a small snowman in the other. The bird puppet is putting a carrot on the snow man's face. The next figure has small horn and is wearing a baby carrier on it's front. There is a tiny figure in the carrier in the same style as all these figures. This figure also has little wings instead of arms. The fifth figure is dressed like batman with horns and a bat broach on it's chest. Instead of tools in it's belt it has little figures in the same style as all the figures on the page. The sixth figure has the same simple face. This one has big ears like a fox and is holding a sprouting seed in it's right hand. Resting in the crux of that arm is a little skeleton in the style of these figures. The seventh figure is has the head of a squid with little tentacles coming out of the neck area. Over the shoulders are two more larger tentacles. It has two arms that clasp together out front holding a small boat with two more small squid figures in it. The either figure has long twisted horns sprouting from the sides of it's head. It's arms have little feathers sprouting from the elbows and in it's left hand is a small bird nest with an egg in it. The horns have several small colorful birds sitting on them. The last figure has a puppet on it's right arm that is holding a heart. Both figures have small horns but the larger figure has a sewn up wound where it's heart would be. The puppet has a skeleton face. This image is of a small figure sitting on a stage. The figure has a peaceful look on it's face and is wearing a hood. The top of the hood splits into three curled tentacle looking forms. They are striped dark and light colors. Next to the figure an other large tentacle form sprouts from the ground. This on is as large as the figure itself. On the top curve of the tentacle is a small house. There is one more tentacle, a small one, sprouting from the ground in front of the larger. The figure has two small hands clasping a figure with a mask that is bird like. The tiny figure has wings like a bee and two small feet. Behind the figure is a slab that is carved with intricate swirls and it's painted like a sky. Two clouds hang above the figure. One small and one a bit larger. This image is of a figure. It's made of clay and has not been fired yet. It's just dry clay. The figure is a female with small shoulders and long arm that get bigger as they move down toward it's hands. The hands are large. They are clasped together holding a curled shell with a squid like creature living in it. The figure's eyes are closed giving a feeling of peacefulness. It's head is covered with a hood that looks like a squid carapace. There are tentacles sprouting from the area where hair would hang out around the figures neck. The arms have the texture of fish scales.
March 13, 2025 at 3:18 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
Headed to USPS with a full bin today. Thank you so much for your support. Your Mudlings are on the way! 💕

#ceramic #handmade #clay #miniartmodel
The photo is of two small boxes in the foreground and lots of plastic shipping bags in the background. There are three small ceramic figures sitting on the box that is closest to the camera. They are a size that would fit nicely in your hand. Their expressions are jovial and happy.
March 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
💕Women💕 Thank you!
Two tall cylindrical forms that taper at the top into knobby shoulders, a thin neck and head. The head has a large flat shape protruding from the top. They are painted in red earth tones with bright white striping. There is a large white stripe beginning below the breasts, running down the front tapering to a thin point at the bottom of the cylinder. Each figure has long arm pressed tight to their sides flowing down. The arms are thin at the top and get wider as they go to the bottom of the figure. The arms end about half way down with large hands that only have slightly formed fingers and thumbs. A tall cylindrical figure that tapers toward the top. Half way up the form there is a boat that the cylinder passes through. On the left and right side of the boat there are small figures looking down over the sides of the boat. the small figures have no arms and legs but are wearing masks that make them look bird like. The central figure is topped with a head that has closed eyes and looks peaceful. She is wearing a flat headdress that is rectangular with rounded corners. The central figure has arms that bend toward the chest. Where the hands meet she is holding a small bag with a brightly colored piece of corral. As you follow the center cylinder down below the boat there are small carvings of what look like fish skeletons embedded in the cylinder's wall. A female figure from the waist up. She has small shoulder that are knobby. As her arms descend down her body they get wider and thicker. They end with large hands clasped together around a sprouted seed. Her head is covered with a hood that is sculpted to resemble a pea pod opened. On the sides of the opening are small leaves that curl around toward the face. Her eyes are closed and her face has an expression of peacefulness. A female figure from the waist up. She has small shoulder that are knobby. As her arms descend down her body they get wider and thicker. They end with large hands clasped together around a spiral shell with a many tentacle creature that is octopus like with one large eye. Her head is covered with a hood that is sculpted to resemble the carapace of a squid, but has small tentacles at the top and longer tentacles flowing out where hair would be. Her eyes are closed and her face has an expression of peacefulness.
March 8, 2025 at 10:16 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
I'm fascinated with the idea of making art that others get to play with. In my experience this isn't something that galleries love, but is something that people seem to enjoy.
March 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
Mudlings are small ceramic animals that I create. They are solid clay painted with underglazes. I'm enamored with the idea of making things people can play with. These are my tribute to that idea. About once a month I put up a new set on my website shop. #miniartmodels #minisculpture #clay #handmade
February 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
Happy Valentine's Day my friends. At the end of the day our relationships with those we care about are what really matter. Go make sure they know.
These beauties will be available tomorrow in my shop at noon (02/15).
February 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
Another older piece. This one explores parenting too (I was on a theme!). I wanted to reflect on how wide potential (the birds) in youth gives way to narrowed and powerful expertise in adulthood (the blue bird). I'm not sure if what I'm saying makes sense. As usual, a seed represents potential.
January 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
simon-boses.bsky.social
Frequently my pieces are allegories for my life experiences. This one marks my realization that making a person doesn't mean you understand them. Often a child's needs don't match what we think they need.
Veggies are healthy but don't help robots to be healthy.

#art #ceramic #figure #sculpture
December 9, 2024 at 9:59 PM