Art Doll

Art dolls are fun to make using cloth and paint.  When the embellishing starts the dolls take on a life of their own!  You can make an art doll in a two day workshop with Creative Gift Design.  Group workshops or one on one tuition available.

Art dolls are constructed from many materials ranging from wood, plastic and glass to softer materials of fibre and paper. Whatever the chosen medium for the doll, it is universally agreed that the doll 'speaks' to the maker and this in turn helps create the personality of the finished piece.  Painted cloth dolls are a vehicle to 'play'. These dolls are painted fabric forms which are then embellished with textiles, beads, buttons, jewellery and any other whimsy item at the time! Perhaps you have some precious jewellery items that could be re-worked on a doll?

My painted cloth doll 'Temperance - Balance and Harmony in the South Pacific', (see image) symbolises the many cultures within the South Pacific. The hanging balancing weights of pen nibs, coins, beads, charms and paint brush tip, is the signature of an artist, often represented by the Temperance card in the tarot deck. Her kete can be seen as the storage vessel for all negative associations of the temperance card, such as overindulgence, impatience, conflict and quarrels. I was invited to display a cloth doll in the new Museo dei Tarocchi (Museum of Tarot) in Riola, (near Bologna) Italy, which opened in July 2007 and this is where Temperance now resides. Please visit her if you are in Italy.

A set of three beautiful 'Temperance' gift cards and envelopes tied together with raffia and paua is available for $9.00 + postage.  They make a lovely light gift for travelling overseas also. Contact me.