Earlier this year I was designing a new cloth doll body. I made three body prototypes, tweaking each one until I was satisfied with the shape. One of them was quite thin, so I decided to challenge myself and create an out-of-the-box doll; something unlike anything else I've ever made - a Day of the Dead doll.
I used air-dry clay to sculpt a rudimentary skull over the cloth head. The clay extends over her upper torso, front and back. Clay-over-cloth is a great way to make one-of-a-kind dolls.
Much of my enjoyment was in researching the different styles of sugar skulls, face painting, Day of the Dead attire, skeletons, accessories, etc. I had a general idea of what I wanted to make, and part of that was how to solve the problem of the *bones* I wanted to mimic.
Liliana
I also wanted to create a doll that was easily removed from the stand so she could also sit. I think what I came up with was pretty ingenious.
I borrowed from a medical procedure (modified Seldinger technique) to insert a brass tube into Liliana's torso. She slides over a brass rod inserted into the base.
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This OOAK doll is available
Email me for details if interested: deanna@blueherondolls.com
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to remember and honor those who have departed. Celebrated on November 1 and 2 throughout Mexico and much of Latin America, it is said that on the holiday, the spirits of the dead return home for the night to visit their loved ones.
Deanna Hogan
www.blueherondolls.com
deanna@blueherondolls.com
Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
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