PHILOSOPHY ART DOLLS

PHILOSOPHY ART DOLLS

"The Moment of Absolute Certainty Never Arrives" One Of My Favorite Quotes

When I was a child, someone gave me a precious little cloth doll. She looked as though she came from Poland or somewhere in the Netherlands. She had a hand made face and a cloth body. I loved her beyond words. Now that I’m older, (ha, much older) I am yearning to recreate that little old world doll. After much trial and tribulation, I came up with a version that definitely is reminiscent of that little treasure.

"Jump Off Cliffs and Build Your Wings On The Way Down" This Is A Ray Bradbury Quote

I hand sculpted each face with clay, painted it to look ancient, used cloth on the body (which is flat ) added push pins so that she is has fully moveable joints and then gave her one of my favorite quotes. Each on is definitely an original.

"There Is A Fine Line Between Genius and Insanity-I Have Erased That Line" Author unknown. I Have To Admit, Her Face Does Look A Bit 'Crazy'-But That Was The Point

Shown For Size

"Small is The Heart That Can Love But One" Author Unknown

Back Side Grommet Hanger Shown

I’m offering 4 for sale. They are approx 3”w x 10”h. Some of my customers tell me they hang the little dolls on the wall and others hang on a suction cup at the window. I prefer to let mine hang about the house is unusual places, where guests can happen upon them by chance and be charmed by the sayings I’ve given to them. They certainly do cheer up a cold winter’s day and bring a bit of sunshine to those receiving them. I have priced them at $38. and can ship anywhere in the continental USA for just $5.00. Please e-mail me if you’d like one to be sent to you. Thanks so much!

Sculpture School

SCHOOL OF SCULPTURE

FACES, FACES, FACES

Stoneware clay face planters

Finally! After spending over a year renovating my Tuscany Suite, I am ready to offer sculpture classes here at Woodloft.

I love both taking and giving classes. I’ve studied sculpture and other forms of art all over the world and have an idea of what a good class should be like. In preparing my sculpture class, I decided to fashion it after the ones that I have enjoyed the most and also add my own touches.

Woodloft welcome sign

When I studied fresco making in Serravalle, Italy, I was impressed with the fact that my superb teacher, Alma Ortolan, offered an all inclusive class. Her mother, Leo, who was an excellent chef, provided all of our meals. This allowed plenty of time for learning fresco. Another time, in France, the class I took in anatomical sculpture, offered a wonderful French country atmosphere and a stay in an 11th century castle. While I can’t offer the castle, Italy or France, I do have a lovely home located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which I have named Woodloft. At Woodloft, we will combine studies with local sightseeing and have a chef prepare all our meals. That would be my version of an all-inclusive.

Tuscany Suite

I like the idea that my students won’t have to scurry around looking for supplies since I’ll have absolutely everything they will need for their studies. They won’t have to worry about meals, since the chef will be doing all the cooking, and they won’t have to worry about hotels since I have accommodations for 5 people. By keeping the class at 5, I will be able to devote utmost attention to each one.

My studio

I named my workshop, Faces, Faces, faces. I plan to teach my students how to create a face using various materials such as stoneware clay, paper clay and a few other types of clay. We will construct a stoneware clay planter with face that will be fired in the kiln. We will also build a tall stoneware clay Goddess figure. While the clay is drying, we will create a doll using a non firing clay and also a bas- relief to be used on the cover of our journals.

Tall standing sculpture

Since it does take awhile for the clay to dry and for firing, the class will take two excursions. We will visit Chateau Morrisette, which is a lovely French restaurant and winery located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We will also visit the Taubman Museum located in the Farmer’s Market in Roanoke and have lunch while there.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The fabulous chef I have chosen for the class, Stratton St. Clair, is a bit eccentric. Here is what he says about himself:

“Wayne is mildly psychotic... fortunately for everyone around him it is expressed in generosity, good humor and fine foods. He claims that he learned how to cook in order to augment the fine art of seduction then discovered he was better at the cooking. He has worked in many restaurants and chased out of many more. He likes to make as much as he can from scratch and in the process has taught himself how to garden, hunt wild mushrooms, brew beer, make some cheeses, can foods... make sausages, dry foods and smoke them though meats and cheeses tend to clog the pipe. In the years since he has renounced the restaurant trade his cooking has become more refined and now he understands (via the context of cooking) what Picasso meant when he said that it has taken him a life time to learn to draw like a child; consequently Wayne can be often observed playing with his food. ;) W”

Stratton will not only cook for us but will also give us a cooking class at the end of the sculpture session.

Stratton St. Clair

All in all, I think everyone will have a grand time, including me. My goal is that at the end of the week, each student will take away samples of the work they create in class and to have a firm grasp of how to recreate the process once home. I will be available to the students exclusively all week.

Woodloft pool

I am placing class information on my right hand side bar for you to refer to at any time. The site can still use a bit of tweaking but a complete itinerary with prices, videos and all details can be found there. You can also click on http://www.cheryldolbyschoolofsculpture.com I hope you will join me!!!!

My art car B-dazle

SPELLBOUND AND SPEECHLESS

SPELLBOUND AND SPEECHLESS

Look what has arrived!

Gifts from One World, One Heart lined up on my Fantasy Art Chair

It is hard for me to believe that I was fortunate enough to win not one or two, but three amazing gifts from the One World One Heart contest set up by Lisa Swifka.

As these gifts started arriving, I felt like each and every one of them was created just for me.

The first package to arrive was from Terri Kahrs of Pringle Hill Studio.

Array of Terri's colorful artwork

Terri has a degree in interior design and paints murals for children’s walls. She loves collage and art journeling and recently has started doing zentangles. I was lucky enough to receive a set of her vivid, colorful postcards, a fabric print, a signed print of her work and three remarkable collage pages. I knew immediately after looking at the green, orange and purple pages I wanted to use them in my angel paper doll series. So, with permission from Terri, her work merged into mine and became “Philosophy Angels.”

Terri's paper used for legs and arms of Philosophy Dolls

Now, as if I weren’t excited enough, the next package arrived shortly after and out popped Deirdra Doan’s adorable Sea Doll. Not only does Deirdra create dolls from her home in Oregon but she helps her husband John, a Celtic musician, get bookings all over the world. They will be headed to Europe soon. You can feel the love coming from Deirdra as you view her dolls. Her work will also be featured in 3 magazines this spring. Somerset Studio, Art Doll Quarterly and Belle Amoire.

Sea Doll seems very comfortable in her new home

I placed Sea Doll on the fantasy chair where I keep other dolls..she looked very much at home there. Every time I walked by, I felt like I had to pick her up and carry her around for awhile since she is so textural and adorable. Unfortunately, I have a dilemma. I may have told Dierdra a lie. Not intentional, mind you. I had made a comment on her post when I asked to be counted in the draw, that I had a special little girl in mind for the doll. Well, I DID, have this special little girl in mind.

Makayla

But….I am not able to part with sea doll. So, Makayla and I came to a compromise. Sea doll will live with me but when she comes over to visit, the doll is all Makayla's while here at my home, Woodloft.

Now, last but not least. Michelle’s gift arrived from Australia. Look at this precious little Ice Fairy!

"Ice Fairy

Michelle sculpts small fairies and mermaids from polymer clay and has a strong love for the environment. The features on her dolls are delicate and fragile looking but the doll itself is very sturdy and well constructed. I love the see through wings and icy grey hair. Perfect for an ice fairy.

When I opened the package and saw the fanciful little flower box I just stood there in anticipation. Then I found the beautiful card with Michelle's sweet message inside. I opened the box and saw the tiny speckles of stardust and slowly lifted it to find the most beautiful little fairy I have ever seen! To say I love her is an understatement.

As I was putting the postal box that the Ice fairy arrived in away, I noticed some artwork and stickers on the side. Michelle’s children had decided to add their artwork to the gift. Thankyou and big hugs to them!

I feel extremely priviledged to own work from all three of these talented women. I cherish the gifts I have received. All will have an honorable place in my home.

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou! It was my birthday during the time of the contest and I must say these were precious gifts to me.

PRETZEL COOKIES

Pretzel cookies

Have you ever tried making pretzel cookies? There are only three ingredients. Snap pretzels, hug chocolate kisses and m@m’s. I couldn’t find the hug chocolates so used the plain chocolate and also some caramel 5chocolate kisses.

You just assemble the snaps on a cookie sheet, place the kisses on top and put in the oven until the chocolate melts. Just takes a few minutes at 350. When the chocolate is only slightly melted, take from oven and push an m@ m into the chocolate.

Simple ingredients

I love the taste of salt and chocolate together. I made several batches of these cookies to give as gifts to friends. I missed cookie making and some other holiday traditions the week before Christmas because of the huge snowfall we had here in Roanoke so I ‘m making up for it now.

On my next posting, I will fill you in on some wonderful ways to help get rid of the guilt you are probably feeling if you are making cookies like these.

Newly created doll (click picture of doll to view at Etsy shop)

Oh, and how do you like the new doll I created ? Can anyone think of a good name for her? I’ll be giving a doll and sculpture class this summer if I ever get my Tuscany Suite remodeled. More on that in a future post.

Closeup of unnamed doll

ANGEL TREASURE BOX

NOSTALGIC CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Time to open the Christmas Angel Box.

One day, way back in about 1973, I found an enchanting pattern for Victorian dolls. Back then, patterns were sometimes placed in the inside sections of magazines. I can’t recall which magazine it actually was in but when I first saw them, I knew I wanted. to embroider a set of these delightful dolls. I turned them into tree ornaments for each of my children.

Embroidered Victorian ornaments, representing each of my children

Kelli's ornament

Charlie's ornament

Kirsten's ornament

Cam's ornament

I even embroidered the back side

These Victorian ornaments have been placed on our Christmas tree every year. I can’t even imagine decorating a tree without them. This year I had an idea as I took them out of the box I made for special ornaments.

Why not create another set for my grandchildren? Tightly woven off white material can be purchased from a fabric shop. Embroidery thread is also easily found in every color imaginable. Stamping was not heard of when I created the original dolls but now there are hundreds of exciting rubber stamps available. Stamps of children or adults, not necessarily Victorian this time, can be used with an ink stamping pad to create the base to embroider.

Linen fabric, rubber stamps, pad and embroidery thread.

The front and back can be stamped and sewn together and then embroidered.

I have started making the ornaments but it is doubtful I will finish them for this Christmas since there is so much yet to do.

There is something almost supernatural in the way the week before Christmas unfolds. Each year is magical in it’s own way. I hope to capture a bit of that enchantment to share with you. I know most are busy creating their own special Christmas but I hope you will visit me again in a few days for “The Magic of Christmas.”

FELICITY AND FRIENDS

FELICITY AND FRIENDS

"Felicity"

I saw the cutest contemporary doll in one of the doll books. Tracey Stillwell shows how to create a little doll she named, Clarity. Usually I create everything from scratch with no patterns, but this doll is so endearing, that I had to try to make her. I changed her, of course, into my own style.

Pattern with woven cloth backing

Sewing front to back

I carefully machine embroidered the front and attached it to a woven back.

Embellishments and front of doll

I sculpted the face and attached wires to the top of the head.

She lost her little ear but I can glue it back on

Next I painted the face, stuffed the body and attached the hands and head.

Various hands to choose from

I chose the spiral hands

Suddenly! She came alive!

Felicity having fun

Should I attach one of my favorite sayings to the back side of my little doll like I do to my Philosophy dolls?

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

I think she would look great hanging from a window or wherever? Maybe I will use a monofilament wire and attach it to her body. She probably should have some friends to join her. I can see I will be very busy with my little dolls over the next week. I wonder what I should call this new series of dolls?

"Mimsy," from fairy series, just went home to a new family a few weeks ago

As with any of my series, I usually have to create several before a name seems appropriate. I’m naming this one in particular, Felicity. I like the way she turned out but, as I always say, “Play it till it Sings” This dolly is cute and almost adorable, but she is not quite singing to me yet. More work, more thinking. The creative spark just hasn’t hit the mark yet. Back to the drawing board, or should I say, studio.

DOLLS!

DOLLS!

Philosophy dolls

What is it about grown up women who sometimes revert to playing with dolls? Sometimes we purchase beautiful little dolls for our children or grandchildren and we assist them in their play. Occasionally, we help cut clothes out for their cut-out dolls. As a child, I loved cut-outs. I remember having hundreds of them spread out on the floor or bed. I would give each of them a life, sort of like practicing for what kind of life I would have as an adult. Often times they were doctors, nurses, or even housewives. I also used to pretend they were artists. I had little thought of becoming an artist at that time but as I moved into my teens, I knew that seemed to be the direction I was headed. Now, I think, breathe and live art and once in awhile it is just fun to play with dolls. Here are a few of the dolls I have been “playing with” lately.

“Mimsy” A fairy doll

It's hard to believe she started out this way isn't it?

Or that little Joggles once looked like this?

"Joggles"

I have written some of my own philosophies and placed them on each doll

"Nina" doll

This little doll is supposed to be me! I used a small image of my face and printed it onto cloth. I then placed it onto the area where the face goes and added hair and other embellishments.

The good thing about a doll like this is that I can hang out just about anywhere and not feel the pain.

I can hang out on candles!

Close up of one of the philosophy captions

I’ve been thinking about adding doll making lessons to the sculpture class I’m having next summer. I might have a 2 or 3 day class for those who want to explore this medium. It is truly rewarding finding articles to attach to the dolls.

I placed wine corks on the feet of this doll to represent shoes..heaven knows, I have plenty of those around.

This doll’s legs are wrapped in beadwork.

There are many doll books and magazines around to help you get started

Why not take a day and just relax with a good doll book and see what develops. You may have a pleasant surprise.