DOTY Awards Announced

Heidi Plusczok - Lilli Frog Princess

Collectible Vinyl/Plastic doll over $150

Dolls magazine, hot on it's merge with Doll Reader magazine, has announced the industry choice Dolls of the Year Awards. The winners are noted on the website. The Public's Choice ballot for DOTY will be in the June issue, along with pictures of the industry winners.

As part of the merge, Dolls will no longer be awarding the Dolls Awards of Excellence as a separate awards.

Folks, Dolls Magazine will be presenting special issues of Haute Dolls quarterly, that is part of the regular subscription. I encourage all doll lovers to subscribe if at all possible.

Carl Turner

Ceramicist and sculptor Carl Turner creates "Seussian" Taxidermy and other unique whimsical creatures from clay. On his blog he includes WIP pictures, including plasticine marquettes. Meanwhile more of his work is shown at his online gallery, through Saatchi Online.

OMG

http://briandettmer.com/

Only from cutting away - no moving the images or adding.
Also sculptures from upcycled cassette tapes.
Watch the videos too. They are cool.

Sean E Avery Sculptures

Here is the website of Australian figurative sculptor and illustrator, Sean Avery. He uses recycled materials like old cd's and circuit boards for his cool animals and creatures. You may have to convert the metric measurements. This Giraffe is a little under 20 inches tall.

Thanks Failblog. (His work was categorized as a "Win".)

No more ADO

Art Dolls Only, home to some wonderful doll artists, is closing as a club. The sad news was announced by the co-founders a few days ago. The club was an invitation only group, and one's work was scrutinized before acceptance. I have to admit to being a bit dazed, as the club appeared to be thriving with monthly and quarterly challenges, a traveling doll project, an e-zine, and a seemingly vibrant web presence - website, Facebook and Ning. However it seems that the heavy workload of promotion and treasuries and posting reminders was falling on a small minority of members.

There will still be a new ADO Etsy Team for former members, and folks are working out some kind of Facebook page so that we may keep in touch. The tag ADO Team will still mean something - a reminder of glories past.

Out of the Box(es)

Pablo Curutchet's giant man sculpture is made of recycled boxes. He has also made humongous puppies. Why do I think oddly of Minecraft? In any event rather cool.

Barbie Ma Muse

Vermeer inspired.

French artist Jocelyn Grivaud has created a website for Barbie's 50th Anniversary that is a loving tribute to the beauty and artistry that inspired her childhood joys, and apparently her own mother's knitting. Barbie is treated as the subject of famous artworks (including antiquities), with thoughtful commentary. I think it's clever and fun. Plus it is highly educational because there are also links to info about each fine artist.

My only problem is that I had planned a series of altered Barbies as statues, starting with my Winged Victory, and I see she already has a Venus de Milo. Well mine will be different.

My version of Winged Victory.

Thanks, Sandra, for the link.

IFDC Rocks!

The theme of this year's International Fashion Doll Convention is "Shock, Rattle and Roll". Convention events are themed around 20th Century iconic musical eras - and it's the 10th Anniversary.

Attendance is limited to 250, so don't wait to register. Workshops and seminars are listed in the Convention Packet PDF and includes JAMIE Show.

July 25-28, 2012
The Orleans Resort and Casino
Las Vegas, NV

Sheri

Sheri de Bow makes beautiful polymer clay and mixed media dolls, busts, head ornaments, and other fine art - all with distinctive large wide-open eyes. Her dolls engender a tension between whimsical, fragile beauty and danger. Her blog, Ostrich Girl, tells all about her recent exhibitions.

Claudia's Adventures

For your viewing pleasure, something to make you smile - The Adventures of Claudia blog.

From the same creative visionary who brings us Gerbils in Hats.

Life is good.

Kickstarter Obos

Here is another Kickstarter project that is close to funding and looks like fun - Obos by Really Brothers. I like the look of these - nice clear graphics and recycled cardstock. I like the limited packaging too - very slick. Good luck! I hope your get reach your target.

Oh, and here is Planet Obo.