Art Fairs

MAGIC, MISCHIEF, AND MAYHEM: ART GONE WILD!

THE FAREWELL KENTUCKY MMM

Most of you know Mike and I have moved to Florida. Logistically, it is difficult for me to continue to hold MMM in Kentucky, regrettably. In the future, events will be held in the sunshine state, but for now this will be our swan song MMM in Kentucky. Please plan to join Kimber Fenili, and me for a final and fabulous MMM send off.

Mark your calendars for October 14, 15, 16, 2011. We will be holding the class at a fabulous country club in Louisville where the gourmet lunches are included in your price for the weekend. The setting is lovely, there is plenty of work space and the class will be amazing.

The workshop will be a 3 day class. Many of you already know Kimber from past MMMs. If you remember, Kimber organized the charm bracelet swap the year Cyndi Mahlstadt and Cindy Moyer taught. It was a huge success. What many of you do not know is that Kimber has taught doll making as well but because of a serious family crisis, had to again become “mother” and “grandmother” to care for her family. While she continued to create she had to step down from her teaching role for over 5 years. Now, with grateful appreciation, I welcome her back to the world of teaching.

A word from Kimber:

I cannot remember a time when creative play was not a part of my life. I was either drawing, sewing, reading or playing with dolls. I started making dolls after being introduced to porcelain doll making by my favorite aunt. I loved the cleaning of the porcelain green-ware but the waiting for the firing process seemed to take forever. I stumbled upon cloth as a sculpting medium and have never looked back.

One of the main reasons I am drawn to doll making as an artistic expression is the unlimited techniques that can be applied in the creation of a figure. There seems to be no boundaries, no set rules. Using cloth as my sculpting medium makes it portable. I do most of my machine stitching in the evening but I take the various parts with me to stuff, hand stitch, assemble and embellish. I am often asked what I am working on and have never met a stranger but a new friend.

THE MEDIUM

A Fortune Teller Doll

The thing I love the most about doll making is that there are really no set rules and this new pattern can be interpreted in many different styles. When I designed The Medium, several other versions came into my mind and these will be included in the class. The Fortune Teller has a skirt made from file folders (new or recycled) and spins on a Lazy Susan. She has a rod and tube main “spine” that connects the segments together. Her skirt spins to reveal your “Fortune". She holds a flickering crystal ball which actually lights up. She stands on an assembled wood base that has various coats of paint. Her fortunes are done on old CDs that are attached with ribbons. As you spin her skirt you will select one of the ribbons that holds your fortune. Fortunes are secured within the folds of the skirt and even these are made from a variety of objects; recycled CDs, purchased hang tags or an old deck of cards. The skirt is embellished with ribbons, lace, yarns, beads, charms…this is where you get to dig through your stash and embellish to your heart’s content.

The upper half of her body is needle sculpted cloth with articulated hands. You will have the option of needle sculpting her face or using a cloth covered paper clay mask. In one hand she holds a Crystal Ball that lights up, the other a deck of Tarot cards.

As mentioned earlier, other versions came into mind as I developed this pattern. How about creating a Mermaid with a tail that has Fish cards and messages in bottles. She stands in a treasure chest, and her tail spins. We will call her "Tails of the Deep”. Her torso will be embellished with shells, beads and fibers to reflect the undersea world.

Another doll idea will be a Trick or Treat Doll that has a black and orange spinning skirt. This skirt will hold either a trick or a treat in a small organza bag or a bag that the student will make at home. Her upper body will be orange and her head is a pumpkin! She will look very “autumnal” and of course, you could use whatever colors/fabrics you like.

A Creative Muse doll would be a wonderful use of this pattern. Her skirt would be more detailed and I would provide an online tutorial detailing the process of using gesso, acrylic paint, alcohol inks, rubber stamps and collage to create the skirt linings. Her “fortunes” will be creative prompts, something to stir an artist’s imagination when we seem to be in need of inspiration. Her torso will be embellished with lace scraps, paints, lace and ribbon and she may hold a banner in her hands.

For those who love to go all our for Christmas, we could use the pattern to create a Christmas Angel that sits on a tree skirt. The angel could be removed to be used as a tree topper if desired. Her skirt can have Bible verses for inspiration or small ornaments to decorate a tree with, similar to an Advent Calendar.

Another idea is A Day of the Dead Woman. She would have a skeleton torso. The skeleton will be painted and painted make up will be applied to the face/skull. She will be dressed in colorful traditional Mexican attire.

So what does the future hold for you? Will you create The Medium, the Gypsy Fortune Teller? Perhaps a Trick or Treat Pumpkin Girl or Witch…spin her skirt…will you be tricked or receive a treat? Change the size of the file folder you use and create a Holiday Angel with a Tree skirt whose folds hold inspirational verse. Create an Inspiration Goddess for when your Muse has gone missing that holds “prompting” cards to inspire your creative play. Will your creation be a Mermaid with “Tails from the Deep” whose spinning tail foretells the future on little fishes within the folds of her tail? The possibilities are as endless as your imagination so if you come up with an idea of your own I will work with you to help you see it to fruition.

Please email Annie asap at: anniedolls@roadrunner.com

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BOOK DOLL WORKSHOP

This workshop includes techniques for both fabric and paper. Parts of the body are sewn and stuffed in a traditional manner. Other areas are wrapped. Armatures will be used. Wired fingers will be taught. Collage and embellishment will be incorporated. Hair techniques will be explained. There are many choices for the face - fabric, polymer, embossed stamping and beading. A faux leather technique will be taught that can be used on the pages or covers of your book. A book becomes the body of the doll. The doll can sit, hang on a wall, or stand if propped up. There are many applications for this project - you can use any book as the body, for example, you might choose "twas the night before Christmas" and make your doll a Santa figure. Or you might choose to use a Mother Goose book and create your figure in the likeness of "Mother Goose"...and on and on. You can also use an altered book or a journal for the body and create a self-portrait doll. In this case, a faux leather technique will be taught that can be used on the pages or covers of your book.

There are four different sizes included in the workshop - take your pick!

Annie's Art Show and Exhibit Schedule
Date	Location	Art Show or Exhibit

Classes Annie will be teaching for more information e-mail or telephone 859-623-2455

Please contact me If you would like me to teach a class or lecture to your group
Date	Location	Class

October 14,15,16 2011	Louisville, KY	Magic, Mischief and Mayhem

On Demand		Book Doll Workshop