Saturday, March 26, 2016

Early French Mignonette

I have been working on an early French Mignonette inspired doll off and on for quite some time.  This week I have been working on her costume.  She still needs shoes, hair, and more embellishments.  
The early French Mignonette dolls were “pocket” dolls that could be taken anywhere by their lucky owners.  The early ones were bisque, jointed, and had inset eyes.  My inspired doll is a needle sculpted cloth ball jointed doll.  She is hand painted with watercolors and has a unique needle sculpting technique around the eyes to give the illusion of inset eyes.  
While researching this project I learned some interesting information about the bisque mignonette dolls which I will share with you in my next post.  Until then wishing you a very creative week.
warm hugs,
Marla

Friday, March 18, 2016

Compassion



As the Dali Lama has once stated, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.  Without them humanity cannot survive.”  According to Thich Nhat Hanh, “Through we all have the fear and the seeds of anger within us, we must learn not to water those seeds and instead nourish our positive qualities – those of compassion, understanding, and loving kindness.”
At this time in my life, the only way I feel I can respond to the current climate of news events, is to create my art. While engaged in the process of creating art all else slips away while I enter into a state of total peace, total calm.  I strive to create my art to reflect and be infused with that calm and peace.   I cannot change how others think.  I cannot change how others act.  All I can change is myself and what I choose to send out to others in my thoughts, actions, and creations. 
I wanted to share with you my latest creation.  She was inspired by Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion, one who hears the cries of all beings.  Others know her as a Bodhisattva, one who puts off Nirvana in order to liberate all sentient beings. Many representations of Kuan Yin depict her as a beautiful oriental woman in flowing gowns carrying a vessel filled with the waters of compassion.  She is often depicted standing or sitting upon a lotus blossom. 

In this interpretation of Kuan Yin, I chose to place a hand crafted and hand painted lotus blossom upon her head as a headdress.  She wears a skirt and shawl of hand painted cheesecloth which represent the waters of compassion.  Her costume is hand beaded with silver lined glass beads.  

She will be on display at the Quinlan Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Weekend Event in Philadelphia this April.  I will also be teaching a class at the event on how to use watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration.  
The class is limited in size to six students.  If you are interested in joining me in the class be sure to sign up soon to insure your place.   If you would like more information about the event and find out how to register for the class click on the following link to the event website

Friday, March 11, 2016

Miranda the Mermaid

I just wanted to share what is on my worktable this week.  Miranda the Mermaid is a needle sculpted mermaid painted with watercolors and hand beaded. 
She will be on my sales table at the Quinlan Philadelphia Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Weekend Event.  I will also be teaching a live class on how to use watercolors on a needle sculpted cloth doll for skin tone and facial coloration at the event with a very limited number of spaces for students.  
If you are interested in joining me there sign up soon to insure your spot.  You can find out more about the event by clicking on the following link.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Getting Ready for the Quinlan Philadelphia Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Weekend Event


I’ve been working on getting ready to go to the Quinlan Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Weekend Event in Philadelphia on Friday April 29th through May 1st.   Last year was the first year I attended and enjoyed it so much I signed up to attend again this year!  I am very excited to be teaching a live class on how to use watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration on a needle sculpted cloth doll head at the event.  
The class size is limited to just six so if you would like to join me, sign up soon to insure your spot. I will also be bringing my Flower Faeries for my sales table. Hope to see you there!

You can find out more about the Philadelphia Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Weekend Event by clicking on the following link