Bloom: The Complete Process

WIP: Bloom - Collector's piece.

Bloom!

I love how creations find me. They are already completed, and it is up to us as artists to reach out or ask them to connect with us. They see the person that can best bring them into this 3-dimensional world of ours.

Bloom came to me as a commission from one of my collectors. She saw the Summer workshop piece and wanted the collector's version of this concept.

I was so excited to create this feminine work. I had just finished a four-month project for a magician (man) and was ready to step back into the world of florals and soft beauty.

I must sketch to capture the creation before it floats to another artist!

It's not too detailed, or that would be the finished project.

Of course, things are tweaked as I work, but overall, it is pretty much as I first captured it.

The Body

With over three decades of experience in art doll creation, I've understood that the body is the essence of everything. When fellow artists seek my guidance, I always emphasize that this element will genuinely set your art dolls apart.

I know- I can hear you- say what?? I thought it was the costuming!

If you think about the doll artists' styles, you recognize them, and if you removed all the clothing, you would still remember that artist's work in the body style. It is the first part of creating your own signature.

The body is most important because it sets the foundation for the uniqueness and quality of your creation. It is what the clothing flows around; it is the essence of all it is in feeling and individuality and will enlighten and inspire your artistic journey.

I used a vintage piece of damask linen for Bloom's body and head covering. I love the weaving of the florals within the fabric. It is a well-loved piece of cloth, so I (as always) lined it with cotton batiste. 

I also wanted to incorporate a mehndi/mandala-like symbol into her hands and third eye. 

The third eye represents the wisdom we bring to our art. (note: my favorite red dots over the eyes to protect the "soul.")

Attention to the hands because we work with our hands.

 

The Fabric Palette

As artists, we all love or are obsessed with fabric. 

The fabric is the medium through which our hearts and souls speak in our creations, fostering a deep connection and understanding with others.

When I start on any piece, be it a workshop or collector piece, I choose my fabric thoughtfully so it relates to who this art piece will be. The choices are usually led by an intuitive feeling; I know that moment that it is the right fabric piece. This process may take days or months and will be tweaked as I go along. That is when thought, direction, and experience step in.

With Bloom, I knew I wanted to use the vintage kimono and the embroidered netting. That was a given.

I disassembled it and was pulled in with the delicate and sturdy stitches of someone done so long ago. I connect with vintage. The quality and workmanship of the fabrics and trims bring a need to create at the same standard for the piece I am creating.

Fabric pieces washed and ready!

I struggled with the underskirt fabric. I went from dupioni silks in dark violet to rose to gold to olive green, and finally, it came together with a soft-colored vintage kimono piece with a slight green tint sprinkled through it. That was the missing element of nature; I was looking to connect with the netting.

Flowers- Blooms

It took some contemplation to ensure that the kimono silk would be the main highlight and that the flowers and leaves would not overshadow its beauty.

Everything must be in balance, enhancing each other as a garden.

Any trim I use is vintage, or I make it myself. The more original everything is used to create an art piece, the more original and authentic the piece will be, and that is our goal, isn't it?

These leaves will be over-dyed, and I have a bit more touch-up with the tea bag flowers.

After choosing the fabrics, I drape them to see how they will flow. Silk is my go-to fabric, and each has a different flow or stiffness. Each can be used in specific areas to create a visual effect that holds the piece's shape and overall feeling.

Dyeing

Now, it is time to get into the refining of the details.

I started with the flowers made from tea bags and leaves from a vintage trim.

Dyeing them using alcohol inks and procion dyes.

Before

After

Before

After

 Final Leaves

The Stems for the Blooms

Again, I needed to consider the kimono fabric as the star and what I could use for the stems that would not disrupt the flow.

Silk cut on the bias, in my stash, and already hand-dyed.

Fuse to the kimono and topstitched with metallic thread.

Sewing the Garments together

Like any focused artist, I was so involved in the development and how things would come together that I didn't take any photos!

 I wanted the bodice front to be open so the two silk and organza liners could blossom upward and outward. One thing that was changed from my original drawing was the waistline. Initially, I thought an obi of the orange and white fabric would work. However, as the skirt was extremely full and needed to be attached to the open jacket, I had to rethink the obi.

After it was sewn together, I found the obi colors too much and opted for the same fabric as the kimono. That decision kept the entire garment in line with showcasing the kimono fabric.

Shoes

She needed the simplest of slippers. Delicate and in keeping with the rest of her garments.

I had one small piece of kimono, a deep navy that brushed into a green. The interior was a delicate pink and grey stripe silk, and I brought back the orange and white cherry blossom silk and used it as the soles. Laces of magenta-red silk ribbon.

The Final: the crown

The only change was to remove the netting ties and replace them with silk ribbons. Again, contemplating the netting on the hat, I found it would diminish the embroidered netting piece on the underskirt and bodice.

Bloom!

To create is a journey of the heart and the mind. 
The heart leads, and the mind gives us the experience; 
both are expressed by the hands.

I purposely left some of the original sewing threads within the garment- as a nod to the original seamstress.

And now, it is back to my devotion 

to create for all of you!
xoxo
Leslie

Please visit my website for all kinds of beautiful things!

workshops: online and in-person
self-study: patterns and courses
gallery of collector pieces

The Magician

Time and dedication.

I require more time as I expand into my work. While my techniques and precision have become more refined, I need to devote much thought and focus on elevating the entire piece in conception and construction.

As I have shared with you, my art is my spiritual journey. Therefore, I push myself to achieve mastery in quality and transcend in heart and soul.

This piece took four months of dedicated effort, and I feel fulfilled knowing I did my best.

Please kindly note: The Magician is a one-of-a-kind piece of art, and I do not teach any of my collector art pieces as workshops.

Art and Magic

Since my earliest memories, I've been enveloped in a presence that defies explanation—a unique kind of magic. It's been a subtle yet undeniable force, a constant companion on my life's journey, even when I struggled to find the right words. This magic, this inexplicable wonder, has always been integral to me.

 

Through the language of art, I have found my connection to magic, my voice, and my most authentic expression. We artists are sensitive creatures. As our lives evolve and we take this to heart, we can see it as our opportunity to change and grow ourselves and our art.

 

There is profound magic in the process of creating. It's not just about art but about bringing something into existence. Whether it's a great workout, a story, or a beautiful meal, the very act of creating has a transformative power that is truly magical.

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Commission: finding the connection

When the commission of a Magician came my way, I could now focus on the connection between creating and what most of the world understands of what magic represents in a 3-D form. This commission allowed me to explore the intersection of my creative process and the traditional understanding of magic, blurring the lines between the two.

This piece demanded a unique and unconventional approach, a departure from the norm. Firstly, it was a male figure, a departure from my usual subjects, adding a layer of intrigue. Secondly, he was to be recognizable as a man in a suit capable of performing magic tricks, a challenge in itself. And this is where magic truly stepped in, not just as a theme but as a tool in my creative process, sparking new and innovative ideas.

Research

Research is beneficial in finding inspiration. In this case, it gave me the foundation to 'levitate'!

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Start

It always starts with sculpting the head, drafting the body to sew, and completing it with armature and stuffing.

Fabric is a silk woven to give a matte and nubby look of linen!

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Fabric Magic

Next is our favorite part, pulling out the fabrics to create the story.

This Magician needed an enchanting suit. Silks were the way to go. The bill was filled with vintage Chinese brocades and contemporary black and turquoise. Japanese cotton filled in as accents.

Fabric palette L to R: Bunny fabric socks and interior of the top hat, Red Silk- bow tie, vintage kimono White with print- (didn't end up using this), Black silk- suit, Cream silk or vintage White damask- shirt, and the cape- this really cool ombre metallic silk from silver to black, red dupioni for lining. Chinese brocade for the vest and turquoise dupioni for the lining.

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Creating the Magic: Close-ups in progress

Vest: Chinese silk brocade- turquoise silk dupioni lining. Vintage glass beads as closures.

Jacket: Silk with dupioni lining. Cross over collar to update standard jacket!!

Magic Case: The understructure is mat board, and exterior linen and interior paper are completed.

The hinges and handle are coming. Magic tricks will be inside with a linen exterior and paper interior.

Socks: Japanese cotton. For some reason, I have 'collected' Japanese cottons with rabbits! 

This was the perfect time to use one of them.

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Presenting: The Magician!

Finished Magic Case.

The Magic tricks inside include a book by the collector's favorite magician!

The Top Hat:

Silk with buckram understructure. All hand sewn.

Japanese cotton interior with a rabbit!

-Vintage ribbon band re-dyed to perfect red.

Suited up and almost ready...

Detailing.

-Hair is made of tussah silk hand-dyed and wefted to create rows of hair, then cut into a man's style cut.

-Ascot of vintage shibori fabric. Hand-painted eyes with embroidered eyebrows.

-Square Mother of Pearl buttons- used the backside!

Shoes!

-Silk exterior with vintage Chinese red silk liner and soles, and glass beads are used for shoe buttons.

-The interior lining of the pants is batik cotton. Navy with tiny dots.

Rabbit. 

Velvet with vintage kimono ear lining.

And the final piece- the Cape.

Vintage ombre silk with red dupioni liner.

-Quote from Magician Eugene Burger.

And let the Show go on...

Thank you for joining me on this creative journey!

My Promise

Every day, I strive to be the best version of myself, and I hold my art to the same high standard.

My promise to all of you, my dear collectors and beloved students is to bring you not just art but one-of-a-kind pieces that carry a piece of my soul. In my workshops, I will strive to share my best to inspire and guide you in your own artistic journeys.

Please reach out with any questions or comments!

Much Love-
Leslie