Art Doll 101 - Sky Dancers, Wall Dolls

I've been a doll maker for a number of years and the dolls I choose to make are usually inspired by real people, entertainment, books and stories, fiction and fantasy, places I've visited and art by other artists. Someone asked me one day about my 'art dolls'. I had never really thought of my dolls as 'art' and was curious to know what an 'art doll' really was. 






The consistent definition covers two main points: An art doll is a piece of art and is meant to be displayed and viewed as art and not intended to be a toy but as an item that is collected by adults rather than for children. The dolls can be realistic or abstract, fantasy or science fiction, human, humanoid or alien it's all up to the creative mind of the doll maker. The materials used for art dolls are limitless and can range from traditional materials like porcelain, ceramics, wood and cloth to industrial materials and found and recycled objects.

My first doll class this year will be an easy art doll workshop. The class will be a quick three hours and we will create a basic doll with lots of possibilities for decorating it to make it your own OOAK (One Of A Kind) design. Being a doll maker means that if you can imagine it you can create it. My doll making journey has made me challenge myself to make things that are out of my experience.  
 

This new inspiration comes  from images I found on the Internet of Cirque du Soleil's beautiful acrobatic sky dancers. I got a chance to see one of their shows many, many years ago and I was so fascinated by the way the dancers flew above the stage on long strips of silk. As soft and graceful as this performance appears, you know that these women are strong and in perfect physical condition. 

This is a great beginning project for first time doll makers. The sky dancers are a decorative wall doll that can be hung from a chandelier, mobile, headboard or the wall. 

The first Inner Diva, Alter Ego Doll Workshop (IDAE) of the season will be 5:30pm to 8:30pm, April 17th at:




Capsity
2572  21st Street
Sacramento  CA  95818
Just off Broadway and east of the Tower Restaurant..

For more information about the workshop, materials list and to register online with PayPal go to the Inner Diva Alter Ego (IDAE) blogsite at: http://innerdivaalteregodolls.blogspot.com/

This first class is limited to eight students, 18 years and older but other classes will be added as needed.

March is Women's History Month so please hug your favorite lady and tell her you appreciate her. Also, if you have a chance you can visit two of my large 33" dolls at the Brickhouse Art Gallery until March 17th. They are part of the Sojournor Truth Exhibit honoring African American Artists Charles White and Charles Alston.

 

 

 

 

Fiber artist instructor, Jan Hollins will introduce a class that will challenge your raw edge applique and silhouette art experience. For those enjoying a taste of the exotic, batiks and cottons in shades of yellow, gold, red, orange and black will be used.  The project will be quilted in threads of similar colors, accented with gold or silver metallic thread.  Provide your own working sewing machine and basic sewing supplies.  Some African fabric will be provided at a cost. The class will be held Thursday, April 17^th, at the Capsity Building, 2572 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 9581 (Near Broadway and 21^st) from 5:30p - 8:30p. Class Fee is $45.00. For more information and supply list please contact Jan Hollins, 916 613-7401 or email -- jhquiltsandmore@gmail.com

 

"Q" is for Quidam

Well it's "Q" day on the A to Z challenge. Wasn't looking forward to it. I thought of some of the "Q" words that I could use, 'question', 'quotient', 'quota', 'quill', 'quality' but nothing moved me.

Then, I saw this article about Cirque du Soleil and one of their latest shows "Quidam". I got a chance to see this show when it was first released in the 90's. It was my first time seeing a Cirque du Soleil performance.

It turned me into a five year old child again, I was so in awe. It was like nothing I had ever seen before, I felt like I had been transported to another world.
The stunts and the acrobatics seemed impossible.

The article was about the remake and return of this performance for a new audience.

"Quidam" was the word that I wanted to use. I even love the way it sounds. I looked up the translation and definition and it means: A nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past, one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. I love the last part "one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all"

"Q" is for Cirque du Soleil's Quidam

Ginger

This is Ginger, she is one of my latest cloth doll creations. She has curly, "ginger" colored, strawberry blond hair and her colorful costume was inspired by the wonderful Cirque du Soleil performers.