Friday, July 17, 2009

Art Doll Challenge: Redwing

Last spring, we took a trip south of Albuquerque to the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge. We walked out on a bridge across a lake as the sun lowered in the sky. The place was filled with redwing blackbirds, who flew across the water and called to each other. Those moments live inside me, and I've created a figure which embodies the spirit of the redwing.

The Art Dolls Only Challenge was to make a doll which incorporated some or all of the elements: earth, air, fire, water. A redwing blackbird flies through the deepening blue sky. The red and yellow on the bird's wings echo the sunset and fire. Trees or vines climb up the doll's neck, with roots in the earth but stretching up toward the sky. The tips of the doll's hair are blue as if they have been dipped into water.

Here is "Redwing". She's made of clay and cloth and painted with acrylic.

Her hair is a Tibetan lambswool wig.
Wings are painted on her back.


She stands about 17 inches tall. She's the third doll that I've made as I work on developing my style and technique in dollmaking.

37 comments:

Grangry said...

What a lovely interpretation of the theme! Nice work.

Kaerie Faerie said...

Your doll making is fabulous, love her
ADO Member
KaerieFaerie

jasmoonbutterfly said...

Beautiful, great work x

Unknown said...

She is beautiful! I love all the detail work in your painting.
great work!

Cody Goodin said...

She's delightful. Love the painting.

essie said...

What a gorgeous doll.
Is this really your third?
wow!
Does she have ball joined legs?

Allegro Melody Art Dolls said...

Thanks so much for all the kind comments! Her knees are jointed with wooden beads. Her arms and legs are button jointed. I think next time I'll add bead joints to the elbows, too - I like the way they work and look. I'm inspired by the Asian ball-jointed dolls, but want to maintain some of the homespun look to my work.

Anonymous said...

She is just fabulous!!!
I think your painting on her is beautiful!
If this only your 3rd doll you are on your way ~
Pattee

Connie said...

Redwing is a way cool name. Your inspiration for her is too. I love nature and it inspires me too. Very nice, can't wait to see more of your dolls.

Abi said...

She is brilliant - I love your attention to detail - the lil painted angels wings are a wonderful addition. 3rd doll? can't wait to see more!

Denise said...

She is wonderful! I love your technique with the painting. She has a great face too! I can't believe its only your 3rd doll!

The Studio at Crow Haven Farm, LLC said...

Absolutely beautiful! I love how you designed her outfit and the way you sculpted her precious hands. Great job! Have a great weekend.
Cheers

Adiel said...

I love her wings!

Northbrook Designs said...

Redwing is lovely. I love redwing blackbirds as well. We have them here and their song is so unique. Love how you incorporated all your elements....Romona

Susan Shaw said...

She is wonderful, and very impressive work for your third doll.

Unknown said...

Beautiful doll, you did a fantastic job on her....congratulations :)

Regards....

Unknown said...

This is amazing... I love the details, especially her wings.

Unknown said...

She is so beautiful!! Very unique!!:o)

Nancy Perennec Maker said...

Wonderful work!

Unknown said...

Beautiful doll and so unique. I love the hair!!

Vikaflora said...

Beautiful!!! Beautiful doll )))

Bonnie Jones said...

A wonderful interpretation of something that meant so much to you...beautifull done.
bonnie

Deb said...

Awesome! Love the details and colors.

Christine said...

I love hearing about what inspired you and seeing all of the symbls that you've incorporated~ wonderfully original! My avorite part are the handpainted vines, trees:)

Deborah said...

So beautiful! Such talent.

Unknown said...

I love that you chose to represent a bird. She is gorgeous! Beautiful details and her hair glints blue just like the black on the red wing - Love it!

Jessica Loughrey said...

she's incredible. i never even thought to incorporate all of the elements into one doll! great idea. she reminds me of how i used to dress when i was a teenage goth. also i want to reach into the computer and touch her hair, it looks so soft.

FairiesNest said...

Fabulous work! I love how you incorporated all the elements!

Vee said...

Absolutely amazing! I love her dress!!

Textile and Stitch said...

Wow, I love the way you incorporated all the elements into your doll and the way you explained your vision is like poetry. I was surprised to read that she is only your third doll, looks like you're a natural :)

Nita said...

Shes lovely. Youre on your way to developing an interesting style!

Christina said...

i love the way you incorporated all 4 elements into one doll using certain symbols. your doll is lovely!

Catherine said...

Hi I love your beautiful doll! I like your combination of the elements. Great job on this challenge! A very creative Doll!

Grace Garton said...

I just know that I'm going to be spending more time here on your site. I thought you captured the elements very creatively and being a bird lover I thought the story behind her was terrific. Love the way you make the joints on your dolls, very neat!

Blue Dragon Arts said...

wow!! what a lovely combination of materials and i love her hair!

Allegro Melody Art Dolls said...

Wow - thanks so much to everyone for all the kind comments! I can't wait to start the next doll. I'm trying to get a peek at all of the other ADO challenge dolls, but I'm having so much fun looking at all the blogs that it's taking me a while.

Las Noches said...

I'm late commenting! I love the fusion of the 4 element that you make in your doll, she's really cool