Monday, March 31, 2008

Exploring Gesture


The space a doll inhabits reveals something, but I'm not sure what. I've been staring at this figure(s) for several days now in all light and from all angles. I started this doll without consideration. I was playing with the eyes in the head and found a rather worried or merely diligent expression, didn't care for the chin or the shape of it's head, but fixed it to a body nevertheless. I realize I need to add to the bust to make it more womanly, but then what? The baby in her hand can stay or go, incidentally; it is not fixed there yet.

Does the body's gesture suggest a certain costume, personal characteristic, or some other concept? I am intrigued with the idea that a figure's space, that portion of space that a doll or any body (anybody!) occupies in the world, may relay something universal. I'm trying to decide if this pose is trying to tell me how to costume her or if I should consider some esoteric theme. Either way it's all play. This is the fun part; the speculation over Who or What this doll IS.

Sometimes a costume is what makes a doll. Other times it's an idea (patriotism, hunger, flattery) which provides a great jumping off point. In this case I sense it's the sweeping, almost affected gesture.

Recently my massage therapist (whose business card states "fairy godmother" -- in addition to being board certified -- can you do any better than that?) loaned me some articles on space and movement, written by a former dancer. While reading them, I didn't fully appreciate the concepts, being neither a professional dancer nor a massage therapist, yet they have crept into my thought process. See how a little information does a person no good? Alas, this is the story of my life. I resolve to re-read those papers. After all, she enthusiastically forced them on me after I told her I was working with armature and balance. Maybe she knew something I didn't. She claims the fairy godmother title, after all. Maybe there's an answer for me there. How to finish this doll!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Doll Eyes Awaiting Paint

Eleven pairs of eyes fresh from the oven. The best way to put holes in them is to use a doll needle, which is curved (see it on the left) so that the holes don't show from the doll's eye sockets. Rather, they will be embedded in the stuffed head. I match them up by size; since they are hand rolled they are all slightly different. The trick will be to paint the irises at the exact spot in relation to the bead hole so that they pull through and are centered in each socket.

This makes me thinks that someday I'm going to make a spider woman doll with a bunch of eyes and legs and arms. She will be charming, I'm sure.

I give you my heart

I finished this doll a couple of weeks ago and was delighted with her. As I've said before, these dolls take on a personality of their own, so once they're "finished" it's as if they are not mine anymore. This doll "Valentine" is much sweeter, gentler and giving than I thought she'd be. I think it's the lace and the expression on her face. Check out the whole doll on my website www.jenmcgahan.com in doll gallery 4.

I'm excited about the new eyes. Before this one I'd been painting over the needle sculpted features of the face. I decided to try making the eyes from Sculpy and painting them. As if they were beads, I strung them with strong thread and pulled the eyes through cuts I made between the eye spaces after the doll's head was stuffed. I like the effect, although some of them look a little bug-eyed. After playing around with these bead eyes I think they will just be another variable feature on the face. They do seem to add personality.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

A Humble Servant

The head of my children's school is one of the most amazing and inspiring people I've had the pleasure of knowing. Dr. Judith Knotts not only leads a top notch school, but also practices the kindness and service she advocates and expects of the community. This morning during school mass she told the story of Jesus personally washing the feet of his disciples before the last supper. Then she carefully and lovingly washed the feet of 12 people -- faculty, staff, kids, parents, and a few guests she'd met over the years from her association with Austin's homeless people. I can't say I've seen a more moving re-enactment of this story. To see this woman who is loved and respected not only by her school, but among leading elementary education experts in our country, perform such a humbling and symbolic act was awesome. Today I feel so honored to have witnessed her gesture of love. She is a wonderful example for school children and adults alike.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Surface Design Fabric Samples

A lovely collection of probably 100 or more surface design technique samples was shown at the Feb. Austin Fiber Artists' meeting. I believe it was a traveling show sent by members of the Surface Design Guild. The variety of dyes, stitches, substrates, and techniques (shibori, batik) was almost exhausting. I took some pics of some of my favorites as they came around. The next meeting is tomorrow night; hopefully between T-ball practice, dance practice and my husband's work schedule I can make it there!

Monday, March 17, 2008

New Fabrics

...and a mango. A few weeks ago I sneaked out of a birthday party my son attended and ducked out of the rain into a quilt store nearby. I fell in love with the floral print on the left and built from there. I thought I'd make Easter eggs out of it, but here it is Holy Week and I haven't started on them. I guess I'll do something else. In any case it's proof that a few quarters of fabric can turn a dreary day into something special. How I love a good fabric store.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Valentine Doll in Progress

The Geek Squad had my computer for one month. I probably could have gone to a coffee house and used a computer there, but I just don't have time for that kind of thing. So I did without. It's alienating not being online for awhile. People don't use the phone anymore. I know I don't. I had to let a few people know that I was still alive, but other than paying bills and making doctor's appointments I let all online activity languish there without me. It's humbling and liberating to realize just how smoothly life goes on without my involvement. I only wasted a little bit of my internet vacation (I found I snacked a bit too much) but it coincided with some sick days with the kids last month so maybe the timing was perfect after all.

The main benefit: without the distraction of the computer and other email related obligations (I did shirk a few) I got to work on a couple of dolls finally. It had been since before Christmas that I'd worked on them and I was really missing them. The one above had been floating around in my head for a long time now and she turned out much more lovely than I expected. I'll post a picture of the finished doll as soon as I have one. I also attended my first meeting with the Austin Fiber Artists, formed last summer. My new friend Ruthie invited me to join when we met at the AMOA show in December. They are an active group of artists who meet once a month, attend shows, take classes, share skills, and even exhibit together. I knew I was home when I noticed that half the women had dye under their fingernails! Suddenly I feel more connected. Their Yahoo group is thriving with newsworthy and interesting posts every day, and the members seem motivated to share and educate each other and the community about fiber arts in Austin. Yippee!

Other than that, my forced break from the computer includes these highlights:
  • The flu swept through our house with a little disruption.
  • I read about 6 books, including some eye-openers -- Middlesex (Eugenides), and Real Simple Food (Alice Waters). One of my new year's resolutions was to get back to reading more. My goal was two novels and one "other" book per month and after three months I already feel like my old self.
  • Christian, the family favorite, won Project Runway. Didn't you love seeing him win?
  • I treated myself to U23D at the IMAX. No one local I know (and how sad is that?) loves U2 the way I do so rather than drag someone along like a wet blanket I just took myself. I was just me and Bono, the Edge, Larry and Adam, and a few thousand fans. A real "bird in flight" experience, it was, flying around the stadium, swooping close and soaring away again. I could have touched Bono's nose with my little wing. It was heaven.