2012…Happy New Year!

 

  

    As you’ve already guessed…I’ve started a new doll….this seems to have become almost like a compulsion…I can’t seem to stop!!! I can’t seem to control myself…lol!  I felt sooo inspired to do my own version of….”Mother Goose!” Get a load of the drumstick on her…WOW!!! I expect to have a lot of fun working on her.

    FINDING INSPIRATION…As this new year begins, I am hoping that all of you will give into your creative urges. Sometimes, okay, truth be told, most times, life gets in the way and there’s not much time at the end of the day to be creative…other things are simply just more pressing. But just because we all have to go to work and deal with “grown-up” things doesn’t mean we can’t keep our “inner” child close at hand…make time to play with dolls! If you can’t…here’s a quick fix…pick up the latest doll related magazine; they’re always jammed packed with awesome artists, new and experienced alike, showing their latest creations.

    Perhaps the solution lies just beyond your daily realm: join a doll- making club (check out: http://www.clothdollconnection.com/ for the one nearest you). There, you’ll meet other doll-making enthusiasts who love to gather for the joy of “playing” with dolls as well as sharing ideas. You may even discover a hidden talent! Creative expression, for me, is truly a release of pressure, it’s relaxing and rewarding…you’ll be more refreshed, clearheaded and able to handle life’s little…and not sooo little, emergencies…lol!

What’s inspired me recently?

James Christensen (http://www.jameschristensenart.com/). His fanciful works are sooo amazing!!! “Benediction” or “Flight of the Fablemaker” just to name a few. Check out his site and see for yourself. There are millions of tiny intricate details that you never catch the first time, you need to pour over them slowly and feel yourself smile as the details spring to attention!

Norman Rockwell…yes, the American Illustrator whose prolific work features the “common” man!  I recently picked up a book “Norman Rockwell 332 covers” and have found that I have a strong artistic connection to him.  While I can’t compare my work to his, I, like him am drawn to the normal every day human face and choose that to be inspiration for the body of my work. Many doll makers concentrate on making beautiful dolls. They are amazingly skilled at it and I admire their talents and ability. For me, though, the normal face is far more interesting as they wear the toll of their life’s experiences on their skin’s surface. Each intricate wrinkle, mole, sagging skin (and grey hair) tells a story that is uniquely theirs. I feel that each of my dolls “tells” a story.  That is why each one comes with a personalized “story” tag; I consider the dolls, themselves, to be the “illustrations!”

Van Craig!!! As you all probably already know, I first encountered his work 25 years ago in Tiffany’s store front windows! His work literally stopped me in my tracks me and catapulted me into the world of doll making…and it continues to inspire me today! Check out his website (http://www.vancraig.com/)…and enjoy!

    I’m sure we can all agree that the lack of inspiration will prevent even the best artist from evolving. You’ll find that new-found influences will affect not only your creativity but that of others, as well. You don’t have to be world renowned to inspire others; it is simply the excitement in the discovery, the thrill in creating, and the joy in sharing that makes you an inspiration!

To “kickstart” your inspiration…check out my latest VODPOD video (on the right of this page and click to enlarge the screen)…you’ll be glad you did!

                 Happy dollmaking!

* For those who are interested in my BOCES Basic doll workshop…please sign up quickly…please do so or the class WILL be cancelled! 

The class will be running again in January, 2012…registration for this class is now open for registration: http://webserver.ouboces.org/AdultEd/AE_ged_learnenglish.cfm  Click winter 2012 course catalog,  page 25,  course #A8335wa-12).  The workshop runs from January 28 to February 11.

Below: The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog…check it out if you like!

 

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,700 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 45 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Advertisement