My Doll Show Experience

This year, I made the decision to participate in the Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Artist Convention. The experience was amazing. I got to meet some really great collectors and some really talented Artist. I had the pleasure of meeting a very talented, kind, and personable artist named Joe MacPhale at the show.  I really wanted to share with you my video of Joe MacPhale's BJD dolls that blink... yes they blink!!! The amazing dolls are poseable as well. I was so astounded by the mechanical mind of Joe MacPhale's mind.  If you get a chance, check out his dolls on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/joe.macphale or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joe_macphale. Please check out his website at www.ancientwhispers3.com. Each one of his dolls have such intricate pieces and every doll is a piece of Art!!!

See link below if you can't see video:
https://www.facebook.com/maria.quinones.969/videos/815403845292557/

My journey

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to back out of the Quinlan Doll Event. I wanted to post how grateful I am to my family and friends who supported me. For those who were following my journey I apologize for not posting sooner. Here are a few images of the process.

Finished Finally!!

I finally finished the painting of La Virgen de Alta Gracia (Our Lady of High Grace) on August 2nd which coincidentally is the feast of La Virgen del Los Angeles (Our Lady of the Angels). Any one who knows me, knows I have an affinity for Angels and the Virgen Mary, so when I finished on the feast of Our Lady of the Angels, I felt a little awestruck. Here are some images of the final painting!!

 

 

 

Painting on fabric was new for me and a learning experience. So I thought I'd share what I learned from painting on fabric and what I would have done differently. Next time, Before I started painting, I would have prepped the fabric with gesso and textile medium to make the blending of the paints easier. I also would have used a little bit of gesso with sealer on the back of the fabric for laundering purposes before painting. I also wouldn't use any metallic paints and definitely no glitter paint because when u iron to set in the acrylic paints, the metallic paints tend to melt and peel up. I also pre-washed the fabric to take out the sizing that most fabrics have. I used natural fiber fabrics to paint on only. I used a Teflon sheet on the painting while ironing to set in the Acrylic paints. I used a Non-yellowing acrylic sealer after heat setting the paints. I waited 24 hours after painting before ironing and sealing.

Art as Prayer

Here are some more WIP Progress pictures of the Virgen de la Alta Gracia. As I paint or sculpt, sometimes I feel that I am being guided by something bigger than I am. As I am painting this particular image, I look forward to sitting at my easel. Seeing the beauty of it all coming slowly together with each brush stroke I can feel a peace that comes into my heart. I almost feel like something heavenly takes hold of my hands and guides me to the right angle or right stroke or right color. Before I know it, I am feeling euphoric and peace-filled. I guess what I am trying to say, is that for me Art is like praying. It fills me when I am empty.

 

The crown is one of my favorite parts of the image!!

 

Stay tuned for further progress pics @(^_^)@

My Sewing Swap Doll

Every Christmas, me and a bunch of talented women from our cloth doll club (The Garden State Artisans Cloth Doll Club) get together and either we swap a doll or exchange a handmade item for Christmas. This year, it was a sewing theme swap, so I thought I'd make a Needle Case with a Doll's face as the cover. So, I thought I'd share my handmade needle case doll. I usually make pretty dolls but this year I wanted to do something different.  I guess my style is changing or I may be evolving into a new style. I like diversity, anything from Pretty to Creepy to Gothic. I know it's an artist thing, we never can settle for one type of art. That's what makes Doll Making soooo Fun!!!  Here's how I started my process.... First, I started with a sketch and then made a template the size I wanted, this ensures that the doll is scaled appropriately. Second, I made a foil armature to save on the amount of clay I use and then wrapped it with floral tape. Third, I made the eyes out of Fimo Polymer Clay in white and translucent. I avoid using a straight pure white clay because it's too stark for an eyeball. Fourth, I then used Prosculpt Polymer Clay and Acrylic paints for the face. Lastly, for the hair, I used  multiple hair extensions. A lot of my dolls have this hair because I like the silky look. I'll try just about any type of product to get the end result...lol. I named her Angelia. Eventually, Heather, my friend, received the doll I made.

This is my template sketch

On the left is my Armature after it was wrapped in floral tape and beside it is the armature covered in Prosculpt.

I am not a portrait artist but i think i came pretty close with this sculpt...LOL!

Here is Angelia with her extensions... I definitely think she looks creepy in this photo...hehehe

She looks like Rapunzel with the long Braid... hahaha

These needles are Doll Making needles, so they're a little larger than normal.