Hydrangea Part 2: Costuming

This week's post is about the costuming Hydrangea.
I would like to share with you how the layers of one of my pieces is put together to create an overall flow, balance, and depth within the doll.

Inspiration

When creating, my first inspiration is usually a word...that describes the doll in one simple precise manner...Hydrangea...says it all doesn't it?

Connection

So when it comes to deciding on my color pallet, it will always feed into that word...to make an unspoken connection....Hydrangea...Blue. 

Make your point, clearly!

Simple, clean, precise...there is no guessing at what I am conveying to you.

This is a lesson that I try to teach. If you have to explain it to your audience than it is too complicated...simplify...make your point, clearly, in one glance.

The Story Hat series is all about the Hat. So, when considering the costuming, the Hat is the main focus and everything else around it is the accent and, yes, including the doll itself!

My costuming will be somewhat streamlined and monochromatic- ish. As many of you well, know, I use black as my base on this series. This year I added in the skirt in a color.

How could I not with this beautiful silk above.

I have had this wonderful soft blue Chinese brocade. It is a very unusual pattern for the traditional Chinese fabric...and that is why I think that I was drawn to it- breaking boundaries.

The fabric presents itself as delicate and light almost lace-like. 

I wish you could touch this silk. It has such a beautiful hand* to it. Light weight but with a crisp body to it.  The over stitches of the darker blue create a embroidered-like texture against the satiny feel of the silk background.

*The tactile qualities of a fabric. The way it feels to the touch.

I find that we, as artists, are first all about the visual and then closely second about the tactile sensation. How many times have you approached a doll because of it drawing you in by your sight and then your next impulse is to reach out and touch it!?! That is a sign that the artists has captured the points that I made above.

Photography: Mark Mortensen

Hydrangea...

As you look at Hydrangea, in the round, what is it that holds your attention?

  

  

Well, my hope is that first off she does exude a peacefulness...and if we take it further, it is the movement within the balance of color that keeps your eye moving around the doll.

If we look just at the blue...starting at the top and working down...it keeps you eye engaged and your mind looking for balance.

 

And here with the black...

Repeat of Pattern

Next, we can look at the shapes. I love the petal shapes of the hydrangea and have repeated those throughout the doll.

 

Here are close ups of the above shapes.

 The Hat Petals:

The Flower Leaf:

Even the closure has a wee shape of the petal within the stone!

The Flowered Skirt:

The Cross Stitch Embroidery:

Embroidery side note:

From the Chinese culture I love their sense of the lore and legends that are imparted into their daily lives. In their clothing it is through their exquite and quite detailed embroidery. In the Southern region of China I have been focusing my studies on the Hmong People. As you will notice their embroidery has more geometrical designs than that of the flowery pattern of Northern China...

Traditional Chinese Embroidery

Hmong embroidery

Now, with all the knowledge you have gained...look at Hydrangea again!

Next week- The Hydrangea Hat!

Hydangea Part 1

Enlightenment : Hydrangea

I have so much to share with you about the process of this doll and  I believe, some interesting details of the history in the Chinese culture, so there will be several postings of Hydrangea!

I have had this wonderful soft blue Chinese brocade. It is a very unusual pattern for the traditional Chinese fabric...and that is why I think that I was drawn to it- breaking boundaries.

I pulled it out this year to make my doll that I knew was going to be from the flower series. It presents itself as delicate and light almost lace-like. I immediately knew that I wanted to make a Hydrangea.

Photography: Mark Mortensen

Hydrangea symbolizes expressing  love, gratitude, heartfelt sincerity, and enlightenment.

It is said that the observer can easily get lost in it's abundance of beautiful petals, and thus gets lost in one's own thoughts – gaining higher thought and reaching enlightenment.

Symbolism of Makeup

To start, I thought we would zero right in upon the face...sculpted in DAS (air dry) clay with an overlay of silk crepe.

Many of you have asked about the coloring...especially the red lip shape and if we have been in person talking I then show you the red dots above the eyes!

The one thing I find fascinating about the Chinese culture is the many many layers of symbolism or distinct long held traditions that are so very precise.

Each and every movement, pattern, and shape holds meaning...as well as the animals, flowers, bugs, and personas- all deeply layered. As I have been studying this part of the Chinese culture for 15 years, I will continue for the rest of my life and hope to gain some understanding of what it means.

The Lips:

If you notice I make a "Y" shape on these dolls' lips- I love the sweet shape...over the years, it has become a trademark of mine as well as the dots.

"The shape and colour of the lips were used as an almost personal signature, referred to often in poetry, and purposefully unique.

The technique was applied by impressing a red dot onto the supple bottom lip, and by improvising a point or distinctive line onto her upper lip, a style that each beauty would adopt as her own. The rest of the lip would be powdered on to blend in with the rest of her facial complexion, emphasizing with fragility and elegance."

more info here

When I create my dolls they are about my personal interpretation from the Asian culture. It is my own inspiration or essence that I derive from the studies I have done. It is not a exact replica of any specific region...my hope is convey an overall general sense of beauty.

If we look at the lip makeup from many of the dynasties you can see where I incorporate from two- the upper lip from the Tang and the lower from my favorite the Qing dynasties.

The Eyes:

The eyes are the mirror to your soul.

I read many years ago while doing research of Chinese and Japanese makeup that the red dot above the eye is to keep evil spirits away.

I love this simple yet meaningful little dot and as an artist always looking for balance in no matter how small this makes a lovely triangle balance of delicate color between the lips and eyes.

In the study of this highly decisive culture, I have gained the appreciation for balance and meaning in every part within each doll I create...down to even the smallest detail as above...

I find a peace and sense of a soulful foundation within this journey as a work along...thoughtfully.

Next week the costuming!