Monday, May 23, 2016

My Favorite Spot to Needle sculpt

In my living room I have the most comfy couch set against a picture window.  Although the entire upstairs of my home has been converted into my studio, I still love to sit on my couch with the morning sun filtering through the window onto me while I needle sculpt.  Right now the apple blossoms and lilacs are in full bloom.  
They smell so wonderful I had to bring some inside.
What is your favorite space to create?

If you would like to join me in an online class I am currently teaching Bridgette on A for Artistic.  To find out more about the class or to sign up just click on the link below.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Ball Jointed Cloth Doll

If you would like to create a ball jointed cloth doll the Bridgette online class is now open on A for Artistic.
In the class that I teach you will learn how to needle sculpt a cloth doll head, hands, and feet.  In addition you will learn how to create a ball jointed cloth doll with a cloth facial overlay. 
If that isn’t enough, instruction on utilizing watercolors to create skin tone and facial coloration, needle felting a hairdo, and elaborate costuming instruction are all included in the class.  
If you wish to find out more or to sign up for the class just click on the following link to A for Artistic.  Hope to see you in class!

Monday, May 16, 2016

Why Attend an Art Doll Convention?

               my sales table at the Quinlan Philadelphia Weekend Event
If you are interested in Art Dolls there are so many good reasons to attend an Art Doll Convention.  Viewing pictures of art dolls over the internet or in a magazine cannot compare to the actual experience of seeing the art doll right in front of you.   I recently returned from quite a large Art Doll and Teddy Bear convention in Philadelphia sponsored by the Susan Quinlan Museum.  What an absolutely delightful experience it was! 
                                                    Gypsy Wedding by Natalie Ruiz
If you are a collector, attending an event like this gives you the opportunity to get to know the artists on a close and personal basis while getting to see the latest works of a wide selection of artists.  The Quinlan Philadelphia Conference is a very reasonably priced conference to attend which includes the cost of your meals and beverages.
                                                  Moment of Zen by Lori Platt
If you are a doll or teddy bear artist, attending an event like this gives you the opportunity to network, exhibit your work to a large group of collectors and representatives from various professional organizations.  The price of the Quinlan conference is exceptionally reasonable, includes all of your meals and beverages, and includes a sales table. 
My sales table 

The first day of the event was filled with a variety of workshops that early arrivers could take.  I taught a workshop on how to use watercolors on needle sculpted cloth dolls to develop skin tone and facial coloration.  Here are pictures of the broach doll busts that two of my students painted.
Bernice Gasaway's hand painted broach
Mary DeMattina and her hand painted doll broach

The first evening event was a viewing of the one of a kind artist signature piece gallery.  What wonderful inspiration to find in one room!  The talent within the group of artists attending was simply amazing! Here are a few pictures from the gallery.
                                      Briar Rose by Rafael Nuri
                                            Goddess by Marla Niederer
                                                     Henni by Nina Tugarina
                           Wonder and a Vow by Christine Shively Benjamin
                                                          Periwinkle by Mary Ward
                                  Sleepless in the Sahara by Lillian Alberti
                                       Those Quiet Moments by Diane Keeler
                                                        Aqua by Patricia Rowe
                                                      Charlotte by Coleen Athens
After the exhibit there was a banquet dinner.  What a lovely group of people all in one place!  Whenever I attend a doll maker’s convention or retreat I always find new friends. 
The next morning several other galleries were exhibited. I was able to exhibit one of my wedding cake toppers in the Here Comes the Bride Gallery and one of my Flower Faeries in the Hand painted Gallery.  On top of the morning gallery exhibits there were all kinds of supplies for doll making and teddy bear making for sale. 

Wonder and a Vow by Christine Shively Benjamin
Wedding Topper by Marla Niederer
Flower Faerie by Marla Niederer

After a day of a variety of very interesting programs to attend there was an early bird Art Doll and Teddy Bear sale open only to conference attendants. 
                                     Donna Mae Robinson's sales table
                                                Shelly Thornton's sales table
                            Christine Shively Benjamin's sales table
                                                             Diane Keeler's Sales table
                                              Michelle Pulaski's sales table
                                                      Mary Ward's sales table
The evening ended with another lovely banquet dinner.  It was so nice to be able to chat with old and new friends!
On the final day of the conference the Art Doll and Teddy Bear sale was open to the public.  It was so much fun to chat with all the collectors that came to stop in and say hello.  The whirlwind event ended with another banquet dinner where attendants could visit and revisit highlights of the event.

                                        Lillian Alberti's sales table
                                          Sandra Wright Justiss at her sales table

A doll on Sandra Wright Justiss' sales table
Now that you are inspired by all of these beautiful dolls, I hope you save the date on your calender to attend the Quinlan Art Doll and Teddy Bear Convention next year on May 4 - May 6, 2017
If you can't wait that long and are interested in taking an art doll making workshop I will be teaching an online class on AforArtistic starting on May 25, 2016
You can click on the following link to find out more about the class and to sign up.  Hope to see you there :-)