Soooo, the next project is for the annual William Grant Still Cultural Center Doll Show of 2020. I was very blessed to have been a part of the 34th annual anniversary in 2014 whose theme was Wakanda. The Black Panther hadn’t made its debut so at that point, it was solely a comic book. This year’s theme is open which grants doll artists a wide range of possibilities. I won’t detail what I’ve chosen and also, submitting one’s work does not guarantee acceptance.
I am putting together an on-the-go craft kit to take with me to the park or to sit outside in the evening and sew. This includes scissors, needles, thread, and the project or portion thereof that can be handsewn. Before C-19, I would go to my favorite coffee shop or sit by the beach and sew. My grandmother Mammastella taught me to hand sew before I used the treadle machine. Sometimes, I switch it up and work on a crocheted project like a blanket or a hat or even practice knitting a simple scarf. I’ve crochet since I was a child but knitting is pretty new to me and I don’t know how to follow patterns for it.
My current time sensitive project is done similar to the Pennywise-influenced clown with the exception that I am doing a cloth-over-clay technique for the head. I first tried this technique on the “Loteria” doll and on Auntie Mae. It allows me to give the doll’s face more detail in terms of micro wrinkles and so on. I’m hoping that I can accomplish what I have in my head for the final result. Sometimes, the dolls that I create are better than I hoped for and sometimes, I am disappointed but that’s just part of the process of learning.
The body will be a cloth body with a wire armature. I like to experiment with different techniques because it keeps me excited and motivated to continue learning and to see the results. Not every doll is for submission to a show but when the opportunity presents itself, why not? I especially enjoy seeing the work of other doll artists as it makes me happy to know that I am not the only adult out here who loves dolls.
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Thanks for the interesting article. I must query a couple of details. Can I post them here or should I personal mail you. Willy Killie Dugas
The William Grant Still Art Doll Show is online in a virtual book form. So long as I am credited with my work and the images are not being sold in any form, I am fine with seeing it reposted.
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