Saturday, January 22, 2011

Art dolls (a work in progress)

As we are in the midst of winter and under a couple of feet of snow. I tend to stay in more and settle in front of our fireplace to blog, write, create or watch documentaries with my Beloved or join our children in coloring, reading, playing with Legos, or watching them play Wii. I have had more time to play with clay and am working on two art dolls at once.  I find inspiration from other blogger's work and here (and here too), Gritty Jane's site Cloth and Clay, art books and my own creative muse.  To begin, I usually sketch what I would like to create in clay.

Then I form a structure with foil and knead clay (I most often use Original Sculpey oven bake clay) until it is soft and form it around the foil structure.  This is when the magic begins. I work and smooth and form until I like what it is becoming.


Once I am satisfied with the doll, she goes on a pie tin and into a 275 degree Fahrenheit oven for 15 minutes per 1/4" of thickness.



After lightly sanding the baked doll, I will prep the surface with Liquitex Clear Gesso or Delta Ceramcoat All-Purpose Sealer.

While I am waiting for my doll to dry, I begin to think of design and colors.I use acrylic paints, pencils, and fine tipped Sharpies to complete the doll.  When these two are finished, I will post them. If you have any suggestions for the Frida doll or twisted hair doll (like theme or colors) I would love to hear from you. And if you leave a comment, would you please become a follower too?
Blessings and happiness in the midst of a busy, winter day.

One more thing, I have to thank my oldest sister Trese for introducing me to clay art dolls.  She came to visit three years ago and brought along some clay and taught me the basics. This "Senior Frog" and "Miss Kitty Kat" are the first sculptures I made. I have taken a few pottery classes in the past  but, I had no idea how much fun sculpting could be or that I could even do it. Thank you my sweet, talented sister.


Here is my first doll. 

8 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I'm already a follower, Rebecca, but I still wanted to leave a comment. What a wonderful thing to make! You are so creative, and I can't wait to see more.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Jingle said...

Thank you so much for sharing your process! These are amazing!!! I do a lot with paper clay and some with Sculpey, too. I haven't played with my bake clay in awhile and you have totally inspired me to pull it out this week!

Ruthie Redden said...

Rebecca, i loved reading about the creative process that you follow, i have made a half hearted attempt, but you have me thinking i want to give it another try. thank you for visiting my blog, sorry i took so long to get back to you! x

Deirdra Doan said...

I love your first doll!!!
I like the way you did the shape of the face and lips. Bravo!

Fun to see a picture of your sister. She has written me..thanks to you?

Anonymous said...

Hee! Hee!
I know you are having fun!
I love your two latest dolls. I also love the details of your faces, and I know those are tiny noses, eyes, and lips...very well made. Frida is a lovely subject of interest of a beloved lady.
I am at the point of sculpting the faces on the three Izannah Walker dolls...I am still viewing lots of photos of the step by step process of the I.Z. dolls faces as I want to make them look like the vintage originals. I love your own creative signature style. That is what is so much fun with making your own dolls.
love and hugs,
Trese

Anonymous said...

Hello Rebecca,
I write regularly to Teresa and she suggested looking at your blog.
Great work, I love the Frieda head and the one with the twisty bunches. You have a lot of creatiity ! Have a look at my blogs. I am taking part in the OWOH event starting on the 30th Jan. Drop by a leave a comment and perhaps win a "thank you" prize.
http://brittanyfaeries.blogspot.com/
http://www.brittanyfaeries.somee.com/

Denise

Papillon Bleu said...

I really like your dolls Rebecca!
I haven't scupted for a long time and am still focusing on cloth at the moment.Looking at your work makes me want to sculpt again!

Shariyah said...

Hello again! :-) (see, I can't leave your blog - I'm hooked!) Ok, so you know I'm a Frida LOVER, and I really can't wait to see how your Frida turns out...she's gonna be awesome! As far as color ideas (unless you've already painted her) I always imagine her in bright, rich colors...reds, greens, yellows, blues. Do you make your clay dolls dress of clay as well, or do you use cloth? How long have you been making dolls? I see your first one here (incredible!) you're obviously a natural dollmaker! Are you selling them, and where?! :) Ok, enough questions (for now anyways)...I'll be back!
Peace & Love,

Shariyah

www.shariyahgarner.blogspot.com