Horsing around in the studio

Here's a peek at what I've been working on lately. I was working on four dolls, as you can see by their various parts scattered around my work table, but I decided to go ahead and finish Mr. Horse.  He's being made out of Papier Mache and I'm still trying to decide how I'll paint him. I've also started a dog sculpture a cat sculpture. Making crazy animal sculptures is just something I have to do every now and then for therapy. :-) 

My four dollies will have to wait awhile!

Madeline

 All finished with Madeline! 

I added a bit more lace around

 her neckline and wrists

 and gave her a necklace.

Here she is so far!

 I'm not quite finished with her but I'm not sure what else I'm going to add to her ensemble. A hat or shawl perhaps? Anyway, I thought I'd show you how she's coming along so far. I don't have a name for her either. Any suggestions?

New Doll in the Works

  

Here she is! 

Now to make her some suitable clothes!

 

Here's the next dolly I've been working on. She's a bit smaller than the last two. Her body is  already made and she'll be about 15" tall when she's all put together. I've done her hair in an elaborate Romantic Era style so I'm planning a costume for her of the same period.

Julia

 Julia is all ready in her blue dress and apron.

 I used vintage fabrics for her clothes and gave her

 a basketful of brown eggs.

The 'Antique' doll is almost finished

 She's all ready for her clothes.

 I'm making them from the remnant 

of vintage blue fabric upon which

 she is seated in the picture.

 Shall I call her Julia?

Maggie & Jiggs

Well here they are, Maggie and Jiggs! It took me forever to get their clothes just right. I did a lot of research to see how they dressed in the cartoon strips and wanted to stay as true to that as possible. I made several outfits for Maggie but none of them really suited her until I found this black and white fabric. Somehow it just works for her!

Mystery Couple

They're all put together now except for their clothes!

 

I've been working on these dolls

 inspired

by a couple who were

 very famous in their time.

 Your grandma was probably

 very familiar with them. 

 Can you guess who they are?

New "Antique' Doll

 She's all painted now

and ready to assemble!

 Here's the next dolly in progress. I'm going for a more antique feel with this one. I have again used paper clay over paper mache and have chosen to sculpt her hair. In my opinion, there's something slightly creepy about doll hair.... or maybe it's just that I haven't yet perfected the art of hair.  Fortunately for me, many of the old dolls had painted/sculpted hair.    @:-)

Finally Finished!

 Here she is, my first paper clay doll. What a great medium. This has been quite a learning experience and I can't wait to make more dolls.

 Now the problem at hand; what to name her? I had planned to call her 'Fanny' for Fanny Price of Jane Austin's, Mansfield Park, but I don't really like the name Fanny. (I'm suddenly thankful that my Mother didn't name me Fanny!) Sooo, any suggestions for a name for her??

-Daphne