Finally some inspiration!

Two years ago I made a doll with Ankie Daanen.  I don't know what happened, but after that doll, I did not sculpt another since then.  I have been working on clay over cloth.............which is similar - but not...........  I just did not want to go near a full sculpt since that workshop!  Admittedly it was an intensive 2 days which are usually a 5 day workshop.  I was so excited to meet Ankie, and she was so supportive and encouraging, and yet for some reason I was totally put off this style of doll.   There is something about this doll which I am not happy with.  To be quite honest, I think it is because there is a lot of Ankie in the doll and not much of me.   That is all I can put it down to.

But this week I met a lady who is a textile artist, she was doing beautiful work with beads and embroidery and papers.  She showed me a small journal she had made and we talked about art and self expression.  I have been complaining for months about my lack of inspiration, my lack of time management and my inability to be creative...............well after our talk, I suddenly got excited about making a doll - my own way.  From what I have learned so far..........

So I rummaged through my cupboard and found these heads!The little one peeking around the bottle on the right is one I have started to work with.  She needed her eyes fixed, but other than that she was pretty good.  When I did the original sculpt,  I started with a styrofoam egg and applied Darwi air dry clay - it is a little heavier than paperclay, but she will do.  She is the right size.  My plan is to make a doll which is about 17".  However, I know that for some reason, I need to be working on more than one thing at a time, so I decided to start another head, this time with paperclay.  I am amazed that I am so focused at the moment.  I actually can't wait to finish the dolls to see what I make!  What a surprise!