It's a Balancing Act

If it's October, it must be "show month"!

I'm excited to be participating in FOUR shows in Houston this month.  The Texas Association of Original Doll Artists' Persons of Interest continues through November 2 at Hanson Galleries on Westheimer at Post Oak.  This is a beautiful gallery full of fine craft, something for everyone, including our art dolls!  My pieces in this show are "Forest Sprite" and "Angel of Glad Tidings".

"Angel of Glad Tidings"

18 Hands Gallery on 19th Street in the Heights is hosting Interwoven V, a juried fiber art show.  I'm pleased to have "Orelia" (meaning "Golden One") in this show which opens Saturday, October 19 (reception 6-9 p.m.) and runs through October 27.

"Orelia"

Also on 19th Street in the Heights is M Squared Gallery, which is hosting the Houston Area Fiber Artists' juried show Art for Art's Sake, October 23 - November 10, with the opening reception on Saturday, October 26, 6-9 p.m.  My piece "Balancing Act" is in this show, as well as an educational vignette of the steps I use in creating another art doll "Possibilities".

"Balancing Act"

Finally, the International Quilt Festival, open to the public October 31 - November 3, will once again host In Celebration of the Doll among the many exhibits.  I will have two dolls in the show this year: "Sim Shalom" (which means "Let There Be Peace") and "Quilting Queen".

"Sim Shalom"

Happy Autumn!

The Making of “Balancing Act”

 

The Body

Body parts waiting to be stuffed.

A stuffed leg

The attachment for the balancing pole

The body is stuffed and sewn together

The Head

After needle sculpting, the head is covered in a final layer of skin fabric. A mini iron helps to define the features.

The fabric is cut away to reveal the painted eyes

Sewing on the back of the head

Costuming

Fabrics are hand dyed for the costume

The collar has three layers

Trims are added to the collar and the head is attached

Trims are also added to the shoes

The hat is made in two parts: the brim and the crown. They are both needle felted and wet felted.

Shaping the brim on the head

Trim is added to the hat

The wooden base has a layer of suede on which are printed words such as home, family, work, etc.: things we hope to balance in our busy lives.

The finished figure

I love surprises!

I just got my copy of the latest Art Doll Quarterly magazine. 

 I sat down and immediately read it cover to cover this afternoon.  When I got to the end....

SURPRISE!

Here is an ad for the magazine featuring my "Balancing Act".  What a great surprise!  Thank you ADQ!