New Primitive elegance magazine upcoming

I know there are a lot of doll artists out there working in primitive and folk art style. In case you haven't heard, Stampington the publisher of Art Doll Quarterly and so many other visually gorgeous magazines, is calling for submissions for a new publication, "Prim", the first issue of which will be available April 2010. Deadline for this premier is November 15, but I bet they'd love to see things sooner.

Creative sparks

Polymer clay really is a wonderfully versatile medium. Here's Dayle Doroshow's online gallery to prove the point. I love how she is able to use millefiore canes to recreate the look of fabrics. Then she embellishes with natural and mixed media elements.

Welcome to the Dollhouse published

Cynjon Noah (featured here in the past) has published his luciously illustrated book of art dolls, "Welcome to the Dollhouse", available from Blurb. You can see a fifteen page preview there, but that leaves another 49 pages of fabulous art still to inspire.

A Show of Heads

Two art contests in a row....A Show of Heads. Hurry though, registration of entries ends August 30 for an exhibition in November.

Momiji doll contest.

Here's a Momiji doll making contest! This looks like way cool fun to me. Momiji dolls are message dolls and the distinguished panel of judges are looking for wow factor and skill with textiles. Deadline October 30th. The picture is the gallery where the winning 10 will be exhibited. Visit the contest blog, too. (Thanks Deb, for the heads up)

Free Patterns

Cloth doll maker Connie McBride Johnson has just added a sweet sitting Fairy Faylinn doll pattern to the extensive list of free patterns available for download from her Clothmatters blog. I like the little felt pinafores they are wearing.

Tribal

Sarah Zambiasi makes more than dolls. She also creates photographs and mixed media 2-D works around the theme of "Tribe". But her dolls are intricately embellished, abstracted figurative sculptures in vivid colors that invite close examination. Scroll down her blog for a lively gallery of her work and her inspirations.

Auction to Benefit Doll Maker

Doll Street Dreamers online doll club has been conducting an ongoing auction of various doll stuff, including collections of uncut patterns and back issues of magazines, to benefit doll maker Arlene Glidden, who is very ill. The current auction, which includes a gorgeously fluffy mohair hand made teddy bear, will end August 3rd.

The doll making community is full of generous and loving people. Please have a look at the auction items, and also consider donating an item for the next round.

Sha Sha Higby

Thanks Barb for the heads up about the utterly breathtaking work of sculptor and performance artist Sha Sha Higby. Her work blurs the line between puppet and costume, joins sculpture with dance. According to her schedule, she is holding some making workshops in August in the Bay area and doing other things in California later in the year. Can't get to San Francisco? There are some sumptuous videos of her performances on the website, and a lot of description.

Charisma collectors' resource

The doll designers and artisans over at Charisma doll company have a blog where they share news about upcoming collectible doll products, including special opportunities to buy vault dolls. In the news is an upcoming porcelain baby doll/reborn kit which will be offered through craft stores.

They are asking collectors to contribute their stories to the blog too. I think my favorite part is the policy where workers can bring their dogs in to the office if they want. And the joy they bring to a little girl whose doll came home from the hospital.

Sweet Sparkle

At what point does a figurative portrayal become a doll instead of a moveable picture? I search for the answer examining the ever-so-pretty collage/relief paper and card sculptures shown on The Artful Paper Doll blog. Really charming visual material, lots of links to tutorials and networks plus glitter, oh yes. Does it matter if I ever have a definitive answer? Not really, the journey of discovery is too much fun.

The Pink Artists' Drawing Part 2

Doll artists, there are still a couple of days to sign up to be part of this worthy cause by donating an art work. If you are seeing this after July 31st.....Also at this site are instructions for contributing to breast cancer research and getting in on a drawing for an art quilt.

"Just Something I Have to Do."

Here is Tarazod Films' prizewinning short film about fashion doll repaint artist, Tashai Lovington, La Fe'e Rouge (The Red Fairy). The film has cool music too. (Thanks Jen).

Doll Reader has published a cool tutorial by Tashai on reduxing for a centaur also.

Mexican Paper Mache dolls

I went to Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles today with my family. Jayn and I were both interested in these beautiful handpainted paper mache dolls. Very vivid and colorful. There were also some ceramic traditional deity figures, similar to ancient ones that I have seen in southwestern historical museums. On the other hand it was disconcerting to see that some of the coolest looking hand painted mexican style garments were "Made in Nepal". Oh well.

Renee Troy Designs

Another of the artists at Ten Women in Venice is Renee Troy. In addition to two dimensional work, she makes adorable little polymer clay busts and small dolls with mixed media hair and embellishments. They also have lovely glass eyes. For those not planning an imminent visit to Southern California, she also has an Etsy store.

Upcoming Barbie Redux.

The Barbie Redux Exhibit will be opening August 7th at Ten Women Gallery in Venice. Organizer Patricia Anders (featured here in the past) has also organized a fun time for the opening reception that evening with a Barbie look alike dress up contest, treasure hunt and silent auction. My doll is "Winged Victory". I'm really looking forward to being able to walk into a doll exhibit so close to home.

Win a Zombie

Doll friend Jodi Cain is holding a doll giveaway on her Tattered Rags blog. Answer her horror trivia quiz and be entered in the draw for her beautiful zombie. While you're there check out her other creepy and bodacious ladies.

Hoffman Gallery

Deanna Hogan is collecting photos of Hoffman Doll entries in a lovely gallery. Glad I'm not a judge - that is toooo hard a job. ( I know it's a bit cheeky, but that's my entry pictured.)

Magnifique!

Arley Berryhill's dolls are simply magnificent. There is no better fitting word. From all cloth to paperclay and cloth, beaded, encrusted with gems, inspired by fable, folklore or theatrical history, they are without exception, exceptional. Many shown in the site galleries (some include WIP's) are prizewinners in various national doll contests.

Deviant Doll Exhibit

My doll friend Karma is one of the cool featured doll artists in a new exhibit at the Two Tree Art Gallery, in Jacksonville, IL. The viewings are limited to some art walk events and by appointment, but luckily for those of us not going to be in the area between now and the close "Deviant Dolls: Art Doll by Outsiders" has been pictorially documented online by another of the participants.

Thank you gallery owners Lindsey Woodward and Jud Lively for supporting dolls as fine art.

Dolls by Marca

Here is Dolls by Marca, the web portal of doll artist Margarita Castillo. She makes an charming assortment of magical and mystical creatures who have benevolent intentions. Her materials are polymer and other clays and fabric.

Call for Artists

Not exactly dolls - but a call for artists to handpaint/decorate Chumbys. Chumby is an internet linked gadget. My husband has one and it is black leather. Very plain. I like the idea of redecorating it. The chumby people want artists to create limited editions of same, and have already used the work of Kidrobot artist, Sara Antionette Martin. (There's the doll connection.) Be aware, the leather has to stay flexible because there are buttons underneath the skin.

End of an Era Auction

Magnificent prop house 20th Century Props is closing its doors after 40 years of supplying props and set dressing to the motion picture industry. There will be an online and live auction running from Tuesday July 28 through Friday July 31st facilitated by auction house, Great American Group.Why is this of interest to doll folk? Well in the brochure I received by snail mail are shots of some of their toys, figurines and dolly hand props. Looks like there may be some antique and certainly some reproduction dolls, and robots, amongst the crowd.

An Apple A Day...

...keeps the doctor away. I've caught a cold, so I'm feeling like hunkering down. Perhaps I could carve some apple head dolls. Pamela Mason's website would show me exactly how to do it. I like doll making technique that embraces randomness.

Hollywood Ahoy

Mark you calendars for four days of old style glamour. Sandra Stillwell is presenting a multi manufacturer fashion doll event, Hollywood Ahoy aboard the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, August 13-16, 2009. There will be presentations, including several that focus on costume from the Golden Age of Hollywood Cinema, and workshops. Plus a bunch of the high end fashion doll vendors. Personally, I'd love to see Evangeline Ghastly, who is top of my daughter's birthday list. There is also a doll costuming contest with a nice list of categories. Hurry - the conference hotel room rate ($99/night) is only guaranteed until July 31st (unless sold out sooner).

Aged Patina

Nicol Sayre draws inspiration from Victorian dolls, toys and household goods for these sweet antique look paper mache OOAK dolls. They aren't so much reproductions of antique dolls, as evocative of a whole lavender and rosewater scented era. With delicate hand painted faces and aged patina, they incorporate vintage materials in their clothes and carry leather purses and paper props.

Nicol will be appearing at a number of craft fair events around California and elsewhere.

Loving Africa

Also present at Renegade was a philanthropic group, Art Aids Art. They are in a collaborative partnership with a South African women's art collective engaged in several educational and fundraising projects. One of these is the online marketplace, Loving Africa, where (mostly) women's art work, particularly beaded art, is available in a Fair Trade manner. Proceeds go towards community arts, social justice, health care, and education projects in Africa.

Color Zoo

Spotted (and liked by my daughter) at the Renegade Craft Fair in Los Angeles over the weekend - Color Zoo Limited Edition soft animal toys in funky, hip fabrics by Allen Ave Designs of Glendale, CA.

Auction

Skinner Inc is offering a number of antique dolls as part of an upcoming Science, Technology and Clocks decorative art auction. The event will be in Marlborough, MA on July 25th.

Greenspoon

Philadelphia artist Patty Greenspoon creates small scale, detailed mixed media art dolls with wonderful hand dyed, printed and manipulated fabrics and polymer clay sculpted faces. She is also a passionate educator with an array of Koukla workshops for young and old, that sound like a great introduction to doll making. BTW Koukla is Greek for doll.

[Thanks, MA]

Book Sale

Interweave, the publisher of Quilting Arts and Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazines is having it's annual internet only "Hurt Books" Sale, selling copies of books with some shelf wear or light damage at deep discounts. Included in the bunch of mostly textile art how-to's and inspirational illustrated volumes are a couple of art doll books including "Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists", "Knitted Babes" and "Mixed Mania".

While supplies last. First come, first served. Sale ends July 17, 09

Happy Fourth

As has become my habit on holidays, here is a round up of some themed offerings from Etsy sellers.

Aunt Manny's Creations has an Americana Folk Door Greeter Doll in prim style.

Mooshoo Pork has a selection of Americana RW&B painted Kokeshi dolls, including some ninjas.

I like Junkbucket's Patriotic Mini-Robot.

A beautiful Handmade Rag Doll in folk art style is shown by Three Chickens.

Two Left Hand's wooden Uncle Sam with embroidered felt clothing is very patriotic.

You can decorate your dollhouse for the 4th with miniature Bunting from Dale's Dreams.

Your Blythe doll can show her pride wearing a Spring and Summer Dress from This and That Creations or a Felted Necklace from Net56 Ted's store.

Where would we be without bunnies? I like this folk art style pair (pictured) from Dana Lynn Originals.

All About Mermaids

The latest edition of Canadian Adele Sciortino's incredible free newsletter (yes gratis - I've posted about this before) has come out and it is all about mermaids - amazingly detailed, luciously decorated, pensive, whimsical, saucy, cloth and mixed media mermaids. And there are a couple of patterns included. The pictured doll here is one of Ms. Sciortino's works.

By the way, accessing the site allows you to view all the archived newsletters in high quality beautiful color.

Oh and today is Canada Day.

Meanwhile this picture is a diorama about mermaids that my daughter made using her collection of Ello pieces. I'm rather sorry that this modular based construction/figure making toy seems to have disappeared. We use ours quite often, and luckily we bought a bunch of sets.

BJD art photography

And following on from the last post, the doll paparazzo herself, Mercy Neumark has a new book coming out soon of BJD photography "Resin-8: The Beauty and Surrealism of Asian Ball Jointed Dolls". Utterly beautiful, as you will be able to see from the preview.

BJD and more

Doll Paparazzi has a wonderfully informative blog, Doll-Lite. It is packed with information, primarily it seems about ball jointed dolls, including lengthy and detailed interviews with doll designers, costumers, face-up artists and collectors. Scrolling down on the side reveals links to a collection of tutorials.

Really an extraordinarily useful, comprehensive resource with some very lush photos. Allow yourself plenty of time to read.

Bra Dolls

In the spirit of gratitude, here is a blog showing Bra Dolls for Cancer Awareness. Having its genesis in the loss of one friend and the diagnosis of some other friends with breast cancer, doll artist Barb Keeling and some other doll makers have started a project of making dolls using brassieres, with the dolls and proceeds being donated to breast cancer research and treatment causes. Barb sells her ingenious patterns to five variations of bra doll.

African Collaboration

My doll friends are indefatigable in their search for great doll sites on the internet. Mary Anne has found another beautiful site, detailing a collaborative doll project in South Africa. It was some years ago, but the pictures there are very interesting. It is wonderful to see the transformations, and the huge variation in the finished dolls, their journals and their containers. Be sure to click on the basketball for a story about another collaborative doll project undertaken by students at the Vaal University of Technology.

Crazy Quilt Dolls

My doll friends keep on finding cool doll artists! Here is the website of another fine artist, Marina Druker, who makes small scale polymer and paperclay figures, with intricate costuming embellished with embroidery. I love their dear little hands, sweet expressions and nostalgic air. Plus many of them have miniature props that are also adorable.

Dreams of Cute

It has been too long since we have had a serious dose of cute. Here is Spanish crochet artist "Knittingdreams" Etsy store filled with utterly adorable, fluffy amigurumi miniature bears. There are some bitty felt critters too. They are sized small enough to be dolls for your fashion dolls. Oh yeah, seriously cute.

Bell Carves

High school woodworking teacher and fine doll artist, Floyd Bell carves beautifully proportioned wooden dolls, then dressed in finely made fabric clothing. Often intricately jointed, some are ethnic figures, others are portraits of historical or contemporary celebrities, still others are carved baby dolls of walnut or alder wood. Floyd is a member of both NIADA and ODACA.

Homes needed

Here is a worthy cause for dollmakers. The "Every Doll Needs a Home" Art Doll show and auction to benefit The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Miracle Home will be held Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., in Schenectady, NY. The Booth Home is an emergency homeless shelter that houses women and children. Contact the organizers via the website to participate.

Nesting Dollmakers

The Russian Matryoshka Doll industry is in big trouble. Discussions of this industry were part of an item on the recession in Eastern Europe on "The World" on NPR. I listen to KPCC in Los Angeles. The hand made dolls were described by one of the artists.



The cottage industry was one of Russia's saviours in the 1990's, but now the many, many crafters employed are hoping for a government bailout/stimulus package.



This is big news in Russia, but there is apparently a bit of cynicism about whether the government will come through. (Picture from the Saint Petersburg Times.)

Valerie Bunnell

Since today is the Summer Solstice, it seems like a nice time to mention some magically beautiful dolls. Valerie Bunnell has a series of gorgeous galleries on her website, one of which is called Magic. Her cast porcelain and mixed media figures have an otherworldly, stylized quality. Plus she uses text for embellishment which I always enjoy. Many of her figures hang like marionettes. Be sure to check out the interesting at-work photos under the In The Studio tab. She has shows upcoming in PA, MI and MO, so check that tab too.

Lucy Landry

I love Lucy Landry's meticulous and beautiful dolls, and her smoothly designed website with large scale photographs in the galleries. Her dolls' cloth hands are consistently perfect, but her true genius may well be the gorgeous fully embroidered faces she creates on many of her mixed fiber art figures. Or maybe it's her surface detail and embellishment.

New Online Classes

A whole bunch of new online classes starting in late June (and one in August) have just been announced on the Doll Street Dreamers' website. You don't have to be a member of the club to take a class and play along.