Artwork (of Others)

PJ & Paper Tales

April 25, 2012Artwork (of Others), Beloved People of Mine, MusicYour Name2 Comments

It's been a rough couple of weeks here at casa Black; pink eye, the stomach flu and a nasty cold have all ripped through and my poor little bunny bore the brunt of it. Fortunately, he seems to be on the mend now and I'm hoping to take him to the park later today for the first time in days.

Anne Bachelier

I haven't had much time to to work on dolls (the laundry, oh the laundry!) but I've been thinking quite a bit about them and I'm excited about trying a few new things. I'm planning on basing the next batch on some of my favourite fairy tales (think 'The Wild Swans', 'Little Red Riding Hood', 'Jorinda & Joringel'). I've been looking at the stunning illustrations of Anne Bachelier for ideas. I'm also planning to make their clothing almost entirely from paper. I've done a lot of paper bodices before, but I think it will be fun to try paper skirts as well.

I've also been digging up photos to use as inspiration for faces because I want to try a few that are more detailed. In the past, I've looked at photos of models simply because they're easy to find, but they never worked for me; models' faces tend to be very symmetrical and conventionally beautiful - far too 'perfect' for my tastes. I'm drawn to faces that are unusual, that have somewhat exaggerated or asymmetrical features. Lately, I've been particularly interested in women with striking profiles and strong noses. One of my favourite (stranger) faces is also one of my favourite musicians, so I will making the beautiful PJ Harvey into my muse for at least a couple of my next dolls. I love that her face is both gawky and lush, severe and sweet. Here she is performing my favourite song from her new album live. It sounds quite different from her previous albums...gorgeous. (And check that crazy head thingy. Love her!)

A New American Gothic

September 29, 2011Artwork (of Others)Your Name3 Comments

While visiting a friend this summer, I happened upon the work of Andrea Kowch in an art magazine and was blown away. Similarly to what loved about Jane Eyre, I'm drawn its restrained Gothic sensibility.
Her paintings are haunting and beautifully dark, but without being overbearingly so. Sometimes it seems like contemporary Gothic artwork is all about black corsets and striped tights; those more obvious elements are fun (I've used them in my own work many times) but lately I find myself drawn to more subtle expressions of the genre.

I hope to have some WIP shots of my latest dolls in my next post; my little guy (never a great sleeper) has been partying all night long this past week, so I feel like a zombie half the time, but I'm forcing myself to work on them because I was really missing having a creative outlet in my day to day life. Mind you, parenting feels pretty damn creative most days!

Alexander

July 9, 2011Artwork (of Others), FashionYour Name6 Comments

I didn't post about it at the time, but I was very saddened by Alexander McQueen's suicide last year. Though I spend most of my time in jeans and Adidas, I love extravagant fashion. To me, McQueen was an artist; his clothing was dramatic and structured, romantic, dark and sometimes aggressive. Often breathtaking.
Lately, I've been trying to think of ways to challenge myself with my dolls because for a while I felt I was in a bit of rut. I want to experiment with the structure of the dolls themselves (I have a few new ideas for joints), but I also want to do more interesting things with clothing. So, I've started my next group of dolls with the incredible architecture of McQueen's clothing in mind. It seems almost too bold to say so, but I'll get bored if I don't keep trying new things.

If you're anywhere near NYC, there's a McQueen retrospective at the Met that looks amazing. Savage Beauty is on until August 7th and it emphasizes both his exceptional designs and his skill as a craftsman of bespoke clothing. If, like me, you can't there, the site for the exhibit has great photos and video (both of the exhibit itself and footage of some of McQueen's runway shows).

The Alexander McQueen website also has video of all his runway shows, which were as dramatic as the clothing itself. 'The Girl Who Lived in a Tree' (Fall/ Winter 2008) is a personal favourite, and you can find it under the runway archives. I don't know yet which dresses I'll look to for inspiration, but I'm so excited to try!

p.s. Thank you so much to everyone who commented and emailed with kind words about the Black Swan dolls - they have all been adopted and are off to their new homes in Toronto,the UK and Australia!

Cabin Fever Triptych

March 23, 2011Artwork (of Others), Melancholia, Things I did Today (or Yesterday)Your Name5 Comments

For the first few months, east coast Canadian winters can be quite lovely. Snow falls on the land and every last branch sparkles. People like me - somehwat hermetic by nature - have an excuse to stay inside and curl up under blankets and read books and do crafty things with impunity...

and the cats curl up with each other and sleep for days.

But by February, even I'm bloody sick of winter. Come March, I'm ready to climb the walls and the cats....

feline warfare reigns.

Last week was beautiful and sunny and I took my little fellow out for a long walk every day and 'Spring, spring, spring' repeated in my mind like a mantra and it was glorious. Then two days ago, this:

It was lovely to look at, but too horrible to contemplate. And that's winter in Quebec; just when you've let your guard down, one more snowstorm, just to remind you how silly you were to forget Every. Other. Winter. But the sun is back, so hope pokes back out of the ground...

Now let me try to use my blog for good rather than whining, and let you know about a very talented young musician and dear boy, Max. Max is my friend Katie's nephew, and I have fond memories of sitting in the grass in Cape Breton this past summer with a bunch of friends on a perfect summer day while Max played guitar and sang for us and we were all lulled into some kind of dream state. If you feel so inclined, please take a few seconds and vote for Max to win the CBC's School of Rock Competition. You can find the link to his song, "Morning Lark", here. With a name like Maximillian Cooper-Flint, he has to be a rock star.

Beautiful Anastacia

March 5, 2011Artwork (of Others), Dolls (of Others)Your Name8 Comments

I'm the very proud (and lucky!) new owner of a doll by Christine Alvarado, aka. Dubuhdu Designs. I've been following Christine's work for a few years now and it has been fascinating to watch it evolve. As you can see, her dolls are exquisite and her attention to detail makes me quite envious...I've never had the patience for things like beading or handmade flowers, but I'm inspired enough by Anastacia to try.

If you're familiar with Christine's work, you probably know that her dolls fly off the cyber-shelves. So I feel sooo lucky to have won this lovely girl as part of the recent One World, One Heart event. Christine's was the only draw I entered and I was one of 760 entrants - whoot!! The last time I won something was about ten years ago when I won $400 at bingo in Cape Breton and got lots of dirty looks from the regulars (my stepmom and I were mere dilletantes, giggling away while the numbers were called out and scooping up a pot we hadn't paid into and generally not taking things nearly seriously enough...)

Photo credit (all images): Christine Alvarado

Thank you so much, Christine!

Bisous!

Cara Carmina

February 2, 2011Artwork (of Others), Dolls (of Others)Your Name5 Comments

I'm stealing a moment while Mr. L has a sleeping M. in the sling to share a favourite dollmaker. I wanted to get my sweet boy something special, even though he's still a bit young to play with dolls (but not to young to be indoctrinated). And while I've long admired the work of Norma Andreu, aka. Cara Carmina, I finally had an excuse to buy one of her lovely, colourful dolls. (Not that one needs an excuse for dolls!)

This was a custom order, and Norma was such a sweetheart to work with. You can choose a name you'd like embroidered inside the heart on the doll's shirt (which can also be a star or a cloud). She also makes adorable girl dolls - I'll be getting one of those next. And, coincidentally, she lives right here in Montreal - in the neighbourhood right next to mine, in fact. We agreed that some day when the city isn't buried in snow, we'll get together and talk dolls and fabric...

photo credit: Norma Andreu

Fancy Fillums

October 28, 2010Artwork (of Others), FilmYour Name17 Comments

I've been meaning to share this little stop-motion animation I came across; it's the sweetest thing I've come across in a long time.

Also, if you're interested in film, you should check out the National Film Board of Canada site. For the past few years, they've been uploading their collection to their website and you can now watch thousands of of their non-commercial films for free. They're best-known for producing documentaries and animation, but they also have some short narrative films. The NFB funds a lot of unusual, interesting fims that would never get studio money, so it's a great place to find somewhat weird stuff (one of my favourites, Mme. Tutli Puttli, for example). You can browse their collection by genre, catgeory or keyword.

Warning: Madame Tutli Putli is pretty creepy/ lecherous for an animated film...not really for kids! (Or squeamish adults.)

If I Were a Teapot...

August 21, 2010Artwork (of Others)Your Name4 Comments

Have you ever played the "I were a blankety-blank-blank" game? My friends and I used to sit around and conjecture about what we would be if were music, a book, a movie, etc. A somewhat embarrassing, self-absorbed game to admit to hindsight, but sometimes it still creeps into my head. So when I saw the stunning porcelain artwork of Irina Zaytceva, I flattered myself by thinking that if were a porcelain teapot, I would one of hers, so blown away was I by the detail and delicacy of her handbuilt porcelain. Most of you are probably piecing together my yearning to work in porcelain, and seeing her work only made me froth at the mouth for the medium that much more:

Irina's website is under construction, but you can see more of her work at the Jane Sauer Gallery.

I used to say if I were music, I'd be that of Neko Case, and while I still madly adore The Redheaded Voice, some days I feel more like CocoRosie, one my most favouritest bands of all time. They have a new album out (which you can find at the above link) and new wacky video. I do so love it when beautiful women are willing to make themselves look somewhat ridiculous (not that a couple of fake beards can have much of an impact on the loveliness of these two).

p.s. Am making good progress on Octavia - almost ready to attempt a stringing test! Will be back in a few days with more photos...

Hello Dollyface!

January 22, 2010Artwork (of Others), Music, Things I did Today (or Yesterday), Ye Olde Shoppe UpdatesYour Name9 Comments

The other night, my dear friend Christina (who, like Tara, I met in grade seven - in fact I met them on the very same day) hosted a clothing swap. You know those clothes that you have that you still love but know you'll never wear again? Maybe you've outgrown them, physically or aesthetically, or maybe you're in the mood for something new but you don't want to spend a bunch of money. Well, if you get a roomful of people together who have roughly the same taste in clothing, this can be a great alternative to shopping. Personally, I loathe shopping: all the traipsing about from shop to shop exhausts me and the brightly lit change rooms seem as though they must have been invented by someone who truly hates women and wants us to feel bad about ourselves. But at Christina's, we had food and wine and music, and tried the clothes on in her non-threatening, lamp-lit bedroom. How civilized! I snagged some new-old sweaters, some very fly sunglasses, and this super-cute purse:

But would you believe when I say that my new prized possession was this Dolly Parton mug? Who would give this away?

Some people, upon hearing of my love for Dolly, accuse me of being ironic. Not so! I know her appearance over the last few decades has made her rife for caricature, but I genuinely love a lot of her music and she's a very charming person. I once saw her interviewed and when asked if she supported gay marriage she said, "Of course - I don't see why y'all shouldn't suffer as much of the rest of us." Love her.

photo credit: Marie O'Connell

Though mostly known for her own music, Dolly has written over 3,000 songs, most of which have been performed by other musicians. If you, like me, felt somewhat assaulted by the high production value of Whitney Houston's ubiquitous version of I Will Always Love You back in the 90s (thought I admit the high note was impressive) you might like Dolly's original and much subtler version, which is so sweet it chokes me up. (And check out Porter Wagoner's crazily awesome hair & jacket combo at the beginning!

Finally, just a few quick things: I've decided to start posting replies to comments directly in the comments section rather than sending them by email. I do try to respond to all comments, but I don't always manage to. I thought this way, when people ask questions, the answers could be there for all to see, and I can also respond to a few comments at once rather than each one individually, in case there are common threads. But I do read each and every comment and I appreciate them all.

Also, the dolls for my next shop update are nearly all finished! The update will take place Wednesday, January 27th at 2:00 pm Eastern time and will include 15 new dolls. I'll post the official banner announcement this weekend, and photos/ descriptions of all dolls over the next few days. Also, if you would like to receive an email reminder on the day of the update itself, you can always sign up for my newsletter; the badge is in the upper right-hand corner of this blog, just under the banner.

Tata for now dears!

Dear Maria Bamford: I Heart You

October 3, 2009Adornments & Wearables, Artwork (of Others)Your Name6 Comments

Thank you all so much for the kind words about my last update, and for helping make it such fun! All the dolls sold within two days, which was a huge - but lovely - surprise. There are some ornaments and pendants remaining, and for those who wondered, I will definitely be making more of the smaller (8-11") dolls for the next update, and will try to make more this time. My next update will be sometime in late October, but I'll announce the exact date in a week or so.

While the update involves a few crazy days of photo snapping & editing, listing and then packaging, I much prefer it to listing things here and there. This month, I finally took the plunge and ordered packaging materials in bulk from Uline, who recently opened a store in Toronto - oh, happy day! It felt strange to be so ecstatic over massive quantities of boxes and tissue paper, but ecstatic I was. It made life so much easier when it did come time to pack, and the crush-proof 'indestructo' mailers were true to their moniker; I tested one out by standing on it just like the dude in the catalog photo and by jove, it did not crush. (Yes I am, in fact, the world's biggest geek.)

At the same time that I was whispering tender endearments to my new packing supplies, my lovely man was in charge of a small assembly line of my handmade business cards in our dining room. He screenprinted, he clothes-pinned, he worked that little gocco like a modern-day samurai.

Thank you, my love; you are too good to me!

I've taken a few days off from the dolls, but did finish this little Miss, a pendant who has gone to live in England. (Her mussy hair well-tamed before departure...)

So all this talk of packing; who the hell is Maria Bamford?? Possibly the funniest person alive, at very least tied with Dave Chapelle and Ricky Gervais. No - she's funnier. A friend recently sent me a link to one of her webisodes, and I then watched all twenty. I laughed so hard I actually wept. People always say that, but how often does it actually happen? It happened. A warning: Maria's humour can be pretty dark and contains bad words; viewer discretion and all that.

Watch out for that hurdle!

March 26, 2008Artwork (of Others)Your Name8 Comments

Last month I got an email from the lovely Deb over at The Laughing Doll, letting me know she had selected me for an art/ blogging prize. It's taken me a long time to spread the love, in part because things have been so crazy (have I mentioned I'm moving this Sunday??? Probably not because I think I'm still in denial.) But also because I have a rather ambivalent relationship to prizes...I think it all started when I was in grade two and I was forced to participate in the annual school track meet (everyone was) and I knocked over every. single. hurdle. In front of the entire school. My heart sunk as I heard each one fall behind me and I still feel a little sick to my stomach when I remember the humiliation. I was then "awarded" with one of two cheezy, synthetic 'participant' ribbons, the other three people placing either first second or third. Did they really think that because I was only seven, I didn't know that 'participant' really meant ...

Since then I have lost some prizes, and won some as well, but it's the ones I lose that linger and give me that sickening feeling...I guess my seven-year-old self still hates that fact that for some to win, someone else has to be excluded. Now, obviously this is a very well-intentioned prize (for one, the winners didn't even know they were up for it, so it comes as a pleasant surprise!) so I must push past my terror of prizes and pass it in on in the spirit in which it was given. So thank you to Deb and thank you to everyone whose blogs I read - you inspire and entertain me, and I love being able to see your artwork in process!

From the original post: "This prize has arisen from the daily visits that I dedicate to many blogs which nourish me and enrich me with creativity. In them I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain me day to day and to share this prize with those who enrich me every day. Doubtlessly, there are many and it will be hard to pick just a few, the people I will name today deserve this prize, as do the very long serious list of bloggers I enjoy to read, but I will name the first 6 and will leave the rest of the work to all the bloggers that visit other's blogs and are nourished by them." So without further adieu...

Nostalgia Video la Deuxieme:

Some of you might remember that a few weeks back I posted a Kate Bush video absolutely oozing with 80s-ness. Well, looking for that video sent me on a bit of a nostalgia whirlwind, and I found this very early, hilarious (but still sexy) video by U2. U2 was such a huge part of my childhood - my mother was basically obsessed with them and she saw them at the El Mocambo in Toronto!!! I know that won't mean anything who's not from Toronto, but suffice to say it was a serious dive and the band was not well-known at all at that point ( 1981, I think) and some woman at the show hand-cuffed herself to a nineteen-year-old Bono on stage! My mom also wrote them fan letters and someone (a woman named Ann) always wrote her back. Pretty crazy when you think about what they've become. Below is the cover of their first album, Boy.

This one's for you, Mama!

La Cucaracha Martina is a refined cockroach...

November 2, 2007Artwork (of Others)Your Name2 Comments

Recently, a friend of mine, Rebecca Duclos, curated a very cool show called Voir/ Noir (French for See/ Black, but so much better in French, no?) It was barely lit and the exhibit asked, in a sense, what effect does darkness/ absence have on perception. There were several really beautiful pieces; one was a tent made from blackout material that had been perforated with hundreds of tiny pin pricks, so that when you lay inside the tent (there was mattress – very thoughtful!) and looked toward the roof, it looked like a night sky. I want one!

Another piece in the exhibit was this photograph by Rebecca’s husband, David Ross; it’s part of a breathtaking series of photographs in storage spaces/ warehouses for which he left the camera set at a crazy-low exposure (sadly, I know nothing about photography, so that about as technical as I can be) and left it to record the image in whatever scarce, ambient light was there – in some cases just the tiny bit of light that seeped in under the door. In the case of the above photo, the spooky red light comes from the only source of light in the room – an EXIT sign – in a room storing old religious art. I think it’s stunning.

There was also an exhibit by Jennifer Angus…Look:

Now closer…

Closer…

Trust me -just a teensy bit closer...

Ah!

Yes, they are real insects, which I found rather disturbing, but on her website she writes that the work of insect-collectors the jungles from which these bug come actually helps keep the forests from being cut because they insects are a renewable resource and provide income for the local people. She also said she never uses endangered insects. Still disturbing, but very beautiful.

Also on her website are strange little literary gems about insects, such as this:

La Cucaracha Martina is a refined cockroach who doesn't like the hustle and bustle of urban life. Upon hearing a beautiful noise amid the city's din, she goes in search of the soft, gentle sound.

aah...