Art Doll Soup

Here is a photo of an emerging doll. The birth process has been complicated. She keeps speaking to me and telling me different things. Yesterday afternoon I finally had to go for a drive-for four hours!-because I couldn't tell what she was asking for. I beaded her face a few weeks ago. Her hair came through late last night after my "fresh air" drive. It was so much fun to make! I stayed up way too late...

She keeps telling me that she is a mermaid from the sea. Then she begs to wear a cape of glittery, jewel-toned, flowing, synthetic fabric...I am torn between getting my hands deep into the gifts from the sea and following her to a disco party! For a while she was "The Handless Maiden." Now she is the armless, headless...making up her mind maiden...I will be patient. Wait and listen. Art cannot be forced...She is already quite fabulous and so beautiful...She actually looks in the photo like she just washed up on a sandy shore...I feel that way quite often myself...Actually, this is exactly how I am feeling today!

Winged Cougars and Thanksgiving Feast

Here are photos of my lovely surprise Thanksgiving dinner. I tend to hide out on holidays to make art as I mentioned before...My neighbor had me over at the last minute. I arrived to an amazing feast complete with my own place setting-a china plate with a cougar on it! They did not know that I had just finished posting my photos and story about my first art doll that I made on Thanksgiving Day 3 years ago-a winged cougar. So appropriate.

Did I mention that the cougar painting and doll were inspired by nighttime visits by a cougar on the roof of my 300 square foot cottage that I lived in during my first year in Colorado? The first visit took place late one warm summer night. Frenchy was in the back tiny yard barking. I ran out to get him and heard a loud hissing sound above me in the tree. A week later, I read in the newspaper about a cougar sighting a block from my house. He came back for many midnight visits throughout the year. I would lay in bed and hear his heavy footsteps on the roof. I felt connected to him rather than afraid.

On the last visit, he was trying to get in through the skylight. By this time, I was so fascinated, I wanted to see him. I stood on my (swivel) office chair trying to get a glimpse of him. All I could see was his shadow passing back and forth over the glass and large paw scratching at the edges of the window. I carry his power inside of me still...and I'm grateful that he did not eat Frenchy.

We had a wonderful time at dinner and no one minded or found it strange that I wanted to take the turkey bones home with me to make more art...most people prefer leftovers! Thanks Anne!

My First Dolls-Thanksgiving Gratitude

My first art dolls came through to me during my first year in Boulder three years ago today-Thanksgiving. They came from a painting that I had just completed of a cougar with a little girl. I covered the painting in jewels, mirrors, and feathers when it was done. I was so mesmerized by the process that I didn't attend a dinner gathering.

The cougar has wings that are jeweled and embroidered. The little girl has two sides. One joyful and one very sad. The cougar is very protective of her and carries her on amazing journeys of discovery. All of my work has been art dolls ever since these dolls arrived.

The picture behind the doll came much later. It is an intriguing painting that I found at a thrift store. I added collage elements on top and a photo of me as a child. At that time, I loved to add candles to all of my collages. The dove came flying in at the end. All about healing and transformation...

I knew nothing about sewing when these dolls appeared. I just allowed the dolls to show me what they needed. I love the tactile aspect of art doll making. It allows me multiple avenues for listening to what is calling to be expressed. I am always in awe of what comes through. I have made almost 100 dolls since that Thanksgiving Day 3 years ago...

Magic Bed

I like to design Magic Beds. Here is the bed that I designed last year...I layered many curtains that I had and then added long pieces of creme colored tulle to create a magical world. I made a hoop for the canopy out of old world roses and floral wire beaded with lavender and green leaves and branches. I found some fabulous strings of lotus shaped red and copper colored tin patio lights lined with golden tulle at Target. I also added sets of delicate Japanese flute wind chimes and some small strands of Tibetan bells to complete the effect...Voila!

Speaking of nests-I played a game called "Would You Rather..." with some clients at work on Friday. The first question was "Would you rather sleep in a human-sized nest in a tree or in a burrow on the ground?" I chose the nest because I am partial to them but I wanted it on the ground. Hence, the photos above of my nest! The second question was "Would you rather have a full set of removable dentures or a complete set of permanent fangs?" Hands down, we all chose the fangs so that we could eat steak! What would you choose???

My Plastic Self

I made this doll from a dream. She is "My Plastic Self." Making her was a powerful and transformative process. I used the sketch that I made following the dream. She is made of clear plastic. It was a fun experiment to hand embroider the stitches that define her through the plastic. I was wonderfully surprised when a clear pocket in her chest began to fill with jewels from the sea and sky, hearts, and a glow-in-the-dark fairy to watch over it all. Her hair is from a horse's tail and mane. She is so simple and so very complex all at once. Just like me...

Frenchy

Here is a photo of my dog, Frenchy. He is so much more than a dog. I call him my "familiar." I think that he calls me Girlie. He is addicted to miniature tennis balls. He has an inner Labrador Retriever. I can hear him prodding me: "Just throw the ball, Girlie. Throw the ball." He also likes sea shells since he was raised on the beach. He carries them around the house when he discovers them in my doll-making supplies. He is quite small. Five pounds. He tolerates being "cuddled" in very brief increments. Then he growls to tell me it is time to throw the ball again. I realized that I may have a low tolerance for too much cuddling as well...I'm working on it...I miss him when I am at work...We are pretty much inseparable. He is a wise soul. I am very grateful to have him in my life.

Fire Angel

Here is an angel of protection and comfort for all of my friends and family affected by the fire in Santa Barbara. I deeply share in your loss. I am sending you an abundance of love and healing.

Keeper Of The Keys Details

Here is a close up view of "Keeper Of The Keys." His beaded face was the first part to emerge. It came through in such an intuitive way. I added a "stacking" technique that I learned from Robin Atkins' new book "Heart To Hands Bead Embroidery." The stacks give his face a wonderful three dimensional furry quality. The left arm/wing called for many charms from the sea, air, and, of course, keys...The right arm/wing holds a magical glass bottle that I filled with iridescent glitter flakes. I attached a frog for transformation to the outside of the bottle. My final addition was a Moonstone bead that I placed at the center of the heart charm on his chest. I used to collect Moonstones on the beach where I grew up.

Keeper Of The Keys

Here is one of my recent spirit dolls. He is called "Keeper Of The Keys." His shape and picot beading around his edges were inspired by Robin Atkins' book "Spirit Dolls." I had an insight prior to his creation about the ways that I can keep myself trapped behind the bars of cages that no longer serve me. I realized that the door to the cage can be standing wide open inviting me to fly free from my former constraints and feelings of bondage and I can still choose to pull the bars back over myself like a warm and familiar blanket. I am challenging myself to assess these patterns and the construction of this amazing Soul Shaman has led me to new and powerful insights and discoveries about myself and the world. I randomly chose the black and white batik fabric without knowing that I would experience an astounding encounter with a black and white Barred Owl during this creative process! I had no intention of including the sea in this process until I was called to place the iridescent fish bead in the center of the body. The words that I heard as I held the fish tentatively in place were "To truly heal, you must return to the sea." I immediately secured the fish to the body!

Under The Sea Update

Here are some more photos that may show a closer view of this tender creature who lives under the sea. You will now be able to see the framed photo of the Virgin Mary that resides at the center of her chest to watch over and protect her.

Under The Sea

Here is one of my early dolls. She lives under the sea. She has the ability to make herself quite small. She can become invisible and blend in with the stalks of seaweed growing up from the ocean floor. She has a mask made of Sculpey. She also has another face below her mask. I think that we all have the ability to wear many masks. Her hair is local Alpaca fur.

Art Studio Photo

My daughter took this candid shot of my art studio from upstairs. I used to struggle trying to make my living room back into a living room after each art project. I surrendered last year. The space is an art studio. There is no doubt about it. It is lovely and wonderful and overflowing with my supplies and creativity! Three of my Process Paintings are on the wall in the photo. I call them "The Three Graces."

Seven Things People Don't Know About Me

When Carol tagged me last week, I went into a panic. I didn't know what it meant to be tagged. I was certain it must not be good. I have since learned that it is considered a compliment to have someone tag you. Thank you Carol!

Seven Things People Don't Know About Me:

1. I love to swim laps at the pool on Christmas Eve. I think about all of the frantic preparations that are taking place in people's homes and relish each stroke as I glide through the water in peaceful silence.
2. I like watching DVD movies with the Director's Commentary activated throughout.
3. I love my dog, Frenchy. He is a five pound, black Pomeranian who is addicted to mini tennis balls. He even goes wild when he discovers pieces of felt that I use in my Art Dolls. (I finally made the connection that tennis balls smell like felt!)
4. I love to collect bones on my mountain hikes. My studio is rich with sun-bleached white bones! For me, it is like discovering sea glass and shells on the beach where I used to live. Both activities give me a thrill like I have just discovered hidden treasures. I use these treasures in many of my Art Dolls.
   
5. I like to eat chocolate for breakfast on my day off while I write in my dream journal. (This is now a joyful memory...I stopped eating sugar in October to enhance my health-yes, that even includes chocolate!)
   
6. Care packages from the sea. Friends send me boxes of driftwood, sea glass, and shells from the beach. I rip them open with abandon when they arrive. Sand and the smells of the sea spill out along with the treasures within.
7. Placing my Art Dolls that I am working on onto the pillow beside me while I sleep. Sometimes they come through in my dreams...