THE HIGHLY ELEVATED SOUL

HIGHLY ELEVATED SOUL

Highly Elevated Soul

I wrote the story of Highly Elevated Soul after reading the book “Sidhartha” I loved the philosophy of the book and the gentle flow of words that led me to a peaceful state. My mixed media Highly Elevated Soul has a..well..soulful look in her eyes. Her expression conveys emotion..as though she has endured much, even though there are no visible lines on her face. As we go through life, we find there are so many sorrows we must face but we listen to our higher selves and move forward with dignity and grace.

Side View

I created my mixed media Highly Elevated Soul by using the Renaissance technique of oil painting by adding 6 layers of oil paint. She is highly textured and I used beads as embellishment and placed upon her crown. She is 10" wide by 12" high and I have priced her at $125. Hope you like her. To purchase, please e-mail me and we can go from there. I take personal checks or Paypal which uses all the major credit cards.

Close-Up of Beadwork

Another Picture with Different Lighting

FRIDA'S PAIN

FRIDA'S PAIN

Frida Kahlo

I’ve always been an admirer of Frida Kahlo and have created a few posts about her in the past. Click here to see. I wrote about the accident she had when she was young and how she had lived with her pain; her art being a constant source of diversion. When I wrote these things, I didn’t have a clue as to the effect pain can have on a person. I thought I could empathize with her because she was an artist like myself and I admired her for working in pain, but, I had never experienced very much pain in my life and really could not have known it’s effect over the long run. Until lately. It’s just my knee but keeps me from moving as quickly as I’m used to. The more chronic pain I experience, the more I admire Frida. A lot of her paintings show her in pain. She even had to attend a major art show held for her, by being carried in on a bed! Frida said “I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.” She also said I paint myself because it I know myself better than anyone else.” She created 143 paintings and of those 55 are self portraits.

Close-up

I am lucky, as most artists are, because when I am in pain, I can look to my art to pull me through. Just thinking about a piece in my studio, whether it’s a painting or sculpture, gives me a goal and before long, I am focused on finishing that piece. I believe if you continue to search for answers for your pain, you will relieve it somehow and I also have come to the conclusion that “wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.” Although I can’t take credit for coining that verse, ( I read it on Facebook, author unknown,) I certainly am going to adopt it as my own.

Close-up of Seven Antique Jewels

In honor of Frida, I have created this Renaissance oil and mixed media painting with gems and jewels of every type. I wanted to make her glitzy as she appears in a lot of her pictures. She liked to wear dangly jewelry and flowers in her hair. I have used some very old earrings and some even older pins. (some may be worth a lot more than the painting!) I guess you could always snip off the valuable jewel and add a costume piece in place of it. LOL. She is 8” w x 10” x h. and 1 ½ “ deep for easy hanging. I also created a crackled background. I have priced her at $145. You can check her out at Etsy since I just placed her in my shop or you can also contact me directly at my e-mail

Picture of 1 1/2 frame

Also, I placed a Frida necklace on Etsy for you to look at.

Thanks so much.

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!

WARRIOR WOMAN GODDESS

WARRIOR WOMAN GODDESS

Full View of Warrior Woman Goddess Necklace

Sold. Thank you Kayla!

When Europeans arrived on our continent, they were surprised that Indian women were not subservient to men. They were farmers and they entered into warfare. The tribes were matrilineal, meaning the people belonged to their mothers clans. I had the great pleasure of studying with one such woman; Bonnie Nampeyo. Please go to this blog post if you would like to read more.

Shown in Hand For Size

Two famous Indian women are Pocanhontas and Sacajawea but for both, their fame is based on their association with non-Indians. There are several whose warrior abilities stood on their own such as Crow warrior, Fallen Leaf. She was considered chief and sat in the council of the chiefs. Another great warrior was Blackfoot’s, Running Eagle. She prayed to the sun to give her power after her husband was killed and she led successful raids.

On Mannequin

Colestah fought at her husbands side. She was a medicine woman, warrior and psychic and helped to heal her husband of war wounds. Buffalo Calf Robe rode into battle with her husband, Black Coyate, as well and also rode into the middle of a battle to save her brother from death. In the battle where Custer was defeated, one who led the battle was a woman named Moving Robe. In the words of Lakota warrior, Rain-in-the-Face:

"Holding her brother's war staff over her head, and leaning forward upon her charger, she looked as pretty as a bird. Always when there is a woman in the charge, it causes the warriors to vie with one another in displaying their valor."

It is evident from the words of Rain-in-the-Face, that having a woman lead an attack was not unknown to Lakota warriors.

If you would like to read more about these brave Warrior Women you can go to this site from which I got some of my information.

Close-Up

When I found an interesting metal pendant several years ago, I knew if I waited long enough, I would find the perfect use for it. Sure enough. When I started thinking about women as warriors, I remembered the pendant and used it to create “Warrior Woman Goddess” She is 3” x by 8” including the warrior pendant drop and the chain is 11” from the top. I used one of my original clay faces along with antique pieces and turquoise. I have priced her at $115.00 You can view more images of her on Etsy or contact me by e-mail.

Thanks so much for reading and viewing my Warrior Woman. Warrior women exist today in every culture. I think we all know women who fit into that category.

Close-Up of Original Face

VIRGINIA'S B-DAZZLED CROCS!

VIRGINIA’S B-DAZZLED CROCS!

Virginia's B-dazzled Crocs

Why would a person want to wear plain old shoes when they could have a pair of sparkly, glittery and be-dazzled crocs? At least, that’s the way I feel about it and apparently so does Virginia. You might ask, ‘Who is Virginia?’ Well, she is a very special member of my high school class who has given much time and energy every 5 years in preparing our school reunions as well as generally keeping the entire class together via her monthly newsletter.

I’ve known Virginia since junior high school where she and I and two other friends, Cheryl Harvey and Karen Gulakowski, sang on stage at all the school events and even were ‘hired’ to sing at Christmas parties all around town. Our music teacher thought “The Four Melodies” were destined for stage and screen. I wonder who thought up that name for us? It seems like we could have come up with something a little more spiffy.

Here Virginia is pictured with an adorable, ‘hip’ 50’s outfit.

Virginia made a comment on one of my blogs that featured my b-dazzled crocs. She said something to the effect that if she had those shoes, she’d wear them to our reunion. I decided to test her to see if she meant it by asking her if I made her a pair of my b-dazzled crocs, would she really, wear them to one of our events. She came back with “How nice of you to want me to have a pair of those special shoes. You are really so kind. Would I wear them for the reunion? You bet I would-all three days.” So, Virginia, the challenge is on. Your red, black and white (school colors) crocs featured in this post are on the way to your home. I wonder if there will be any beads left on those crocs after our fun-filled three day event!

Crocs-Side View

Crocs at My B-dazzled Art Car

Crocs Enjoying the Garden

ARIEL GODDESS SCULPTURE

“ARIEL”

"Ariel"

Yet another sculpture to match my B-dazle car! I can’t help it. I love that beaded look. Below are her specifics.

Back Side of Ariel

Ariel is a completely original sculpture that I have just finished created this morning. I used stoneware clay for her body and fired her in a kiln to a high temperature for durability. I added seed beads to her surface for a glitz factor. She is 11"deep x 12"H x12"wide. She will be at home in a contemporary or eclectic surrounding.

Close-up

Close-up of Beadwork

She's comfortable on my Fantasy Art Chair

Here is the story I have written for her:

“ARIEL”

Ribbons of light were drifting on the
wings of the wind
Cosmic rhythms beating unmercifully, began
to reveal to her the secrets of
her heart.
She began to feel infinite love, wisdom and
energy in the universe. She had finally connected
with her higher self and she knew she
was a radiant being, filled with light
And love

~Cheryl Dolby~

Ariel is for sale I listed her on e-bay and is also on my Etsy shop. You can also e-mail me directly for more details.

Thanks so much!

Santos Caged Doll

SANTOS CAGED DOLL

Benedetta, Santos Caged Doll

I CREATED A SAINT! It’s true. Benedetta, is the first in my Santos series. I thought this name to be appropriate since it means, blessed in Italian. It wasn’t very long ago that I first heard about Santos dolls and since then I notice they seem to be appearing everywhere. After completing a full fledged study about them, I was hooked.

Close-up

Santos, in Spanish, means saint. They represent a Spanish Colonial and European style and originated as copies of 17th century carvings created by priests. They were created as altars for villagers who were not able to travel a long distance to attend a church. They are a bit like Creche figures, which were created by the Italians.

The dolls were brought to Latin America and America during the Colonial age and used to help convert the Native Americans to Catholicism. The people who create the Santos dolls are called Santeros or Saint Maker. Not a bad occupation I’d say. Who wouldn’t want to be a maker of saints?

Wooden base-skirt with beads

Santos dolls usually held flowers, bibles, jewelry or bird nests in their bases and dangling from the neck and arms. Sometimes they are left unadorned, allowing for a statement to be made.

Full length shot

I hand sculpted my original santos in stoneware clay, including arms, torso and head. I added the sparkle of faceted beads and texture to her torso. Beaded hinges hold her arms in place. She is 24” tall and is priced at $245. Benedetta can be seen at my shop. You can also e-mail me to make arrangement to purchase. I take all major credit cards and Paypal. Shipping prices will vary with location but I can ship anywhere in the world.

I’m really happy with the way she turned out. She is the first in my Santos series. Even though she is not an original created by the Santeros of old, she is a new original, not a reproduction.