Artist Statement I believe I was born an artist and have been exploring all kinds of media and techniques as long as I can remember. I've been known to describe myself as and artistic omnivore as I'm interested in learning about what ever it takes to accomplish the vision I have for my work in progress. When I say "I have and idea" many who know me say " just one!" In other words I'm busy all the time with new and old directions in my work circling round and round from one love to the next. I've worked in fiber, quilting, sculpture and mixed media and enjoy creating and selling my work. Most important to me is keeping and open mind as to what it means to be and artist, how I'll express myself artistically and teaching others to find their own path to artistic fulfillment. When I teach I prefer to offer a platform allowing each student the comfort of a known project |
Description of the Class Class begins with the sanding and painting of the pre-dried Paperclay® head and hands provided as part of the kit. A demo on reproducing your own work using press molds will be included. We'll move on to constructing the armature for the doll and assembling our figures so we can get to the fun of costuming which will represent earth themes. Students may choose to do prep work before class from the suggestions given. These figures will have interior space not immediately visible. This is a perfect place to put writings, fetishes etc which may remain out of sight or the doll lifted to show her magic interior. The dolls will have a base which is also available for immediate or future embellishment to enhance the theme. Class Kit : $40.00 Pre-dried head and hands with sun and moon in Paperclay® Paperclay to try out press molds Complete pattern and class notes Wood base insert Armature wire and batting for completion of upper torso Large fiber cone for lower part of figure Sand paper, gesso, paints, glues, fine gage decorative wire, roving for needle felting and miscellaneous other supplies for class use. |
Home Work before Class The costume for our dolls is meant to be symbolic of the earth. I applied this idea to my doll as follows. Her layered long skirt represents the Oceans with the hems cut in a wave pattern and enhanced with glitter so they look like they are breaking on the beach. Her simple blouse represents the night sky in midnight blue. She holds the sun in one hand and the moon in the other. She has a halo of stars above her hair. Her vest is constructed from felt in two long pieces joined with ribbons at her waist. The four sections of the vest are embellished with simple needle felted clouds on sky blue and beads, silk flowers etc. so each section represents one of the four seasons. One of the best things about teaching are creative ideas students have. There are many ways you might decide to make this figure your own and I encourage you to apply symbolism in your own way if you like. For instance the skirt might represent desert, mountains, gardens you name it. The vest might represent animals or peoples of the world. Everyone: Gather fabrics & embellishments for your costume and other supplies following the supply list or change to personalize your figure. Optional home work: 1. Consider what you might like to put into the interior space of your doll. This may be a smaller figure you make and bring to class, special writings you apply to the inside of the space, or other photo's or objects you may wish to place inside. You may plan to show or keep these secret just for you. The space is cone shaped and so your objects may be no wider at the bottom than 3½" and no taller than 6". 2. Embellish skirt layer hems if this will take lots of time so you are ready for class. 3. Embellish the 4 vest/tabard sections if you want to use elaborate bead work, appliqué etc. Embellishment similar to mine can easily be done in class. |