Speak from the heart...
So, I sat pondering what to write about...technique...no...gallery pieces...no...What do I LOVE??? BINK....my students...teaching...BINK
The idea starting rolling around in my head....ok...so I have been doing this full time for 20 years...What can I tell you about that?? What lessons have I learned??? Lessons! How can I guide you in my lessons that I have learned??? And the idea came to fruition. HA! perfect word for this:
fru·i·tion [froo-ish-uhn] noun
1.attainment of anything desired; realization; accomplishment: After years of hard work she finally brought her idea to full fruition.
2.enjoyment, as of something attained or realized.
So I quickly wrote on paper what where some of the Lessons I had trialed through in the course of my career as an artist. I can give you the list of Lessons (for now)...but for the deep info...the magazine* is where to find the rest!
*I believe Barnes & Noble carries it.
And my thoughts took me back to when I started...20 years ago, and yes, I did have a defining moment that brought me to dollmaking- more specifically after a great trauma... my dear husband, Mark, asked and I said I wanted to be an artist and work in fiber...
My hope is these lessons learned will help you in
Finding
Your Creative Path...
Lesson 1: Know when to
fold 'em.
Lesson 2: Just do it!
Lesson 3: Be brave but
not too serious!
Lesson 4: Find your
market.
Lesson 5: Jump in!
Lesson 6: Stay true and
be Teflon.
Lesson 7: Keep learning
and give yourself time.
Lesson 8: Step out of
your comfort zone.
Lesson 9: Keep a fresh
eye.
Lesson 10: Be grateful
and walk in sunshine.
In the beginning...
My first doll I made as a "professional" doll artist |
| re-cycled wool with button eyes...vintage pearls! |
Here are some of the photos I submitted for this article:
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| very first series of little wool rag dolls- 1992- remember this WAS 20 years ago!! |
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| 3 of my first doll patterns from 1992-ish |
AND today after 20 years...some of my one-of-a-kind pieces.
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| Lotus from the Story Doll Series- held in a private collection |
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| Close up of Lotus |
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| Swan Lake from the StoryBook Series- all jointed- held in a private collection |
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| Close up of Swan Lake- Crepe silk with hand-painted eyes |
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| Snow- from the StoryBook Series- all jointed- held in a private collection |
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| Snow close up- silk crepe hand painted eyes |
And this all brings us back to
fru·i·tion [froo-ish-uhn] noun
1.attainment of anything desired; realization; accomplishment: After years of hard work she finally brought her idea to full fruition!!
2.enjoyment, as of something attained or realized.
...and I am still learning!
Next week-
Things I am doing for our
Nephew's wedding in Taiwan.
