Art Dolls by Nat: Dark Elegance

I have been working hard on my craft since 2004, and I think I have a skill level that shows in my work. I am the do over queen and there are many heads without bodies to suggest that these mistakes drive me to the perfect end. The finished doll always seems to lead to the next doll, one is born out of another. This is why I love making dolls. It is the air I breathe and pretty much defines me. I am a doll maker.

This may sound strange but these bodiless heads and headless bodies speak to me. I have control over the parts and pieces individually, but the position involved in the connection is revealed at the moment the pieces touch one another for the first time. The head moves me to sew it in a certain pose, same with the hands and arms. The whole doll forms itself to be expressive according to its idea of itself.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Dark Elegance

Starting a new series of dolls based on the way someone described one of my dolls recently. 'Dark Elegance' were the words they used and it has always made me happy.

The legs for this doll are made from river birch limbs. The gown needed a rigid frame, so I have mad a wire cage and shaped it so the gown will flow out to the side.

I dyed some 100% cotton gauze and stretched it over the frame. The fabric was then covered with fabric stiffener.

I have made several pieces that I covered with the stiffener and scrunched up to make the ripple effect. With the steam iron I will be able to form these pieces into each other as they circle the body.

2 comments:

Sage Ravenwood said...: Love it! My first thought seeing the wire skirt was cool, steampunk. (Hugs)Indigo; January 26, 2010 at 7:38 AM
Rainey J. Dillon said...: Hi there...first visit to your blog! Wow I really like your style of doll making. Your pics are great & you really good share your technique step by step too! Yes I agree with Indigo-this looks like a Steampunk Diva unfolding!
Rainey; January 29, 2010 at 2:06 PM