Okay..lets see if i can do this correctly...
i joined michelle ward's crusade #31,,,"making your art, your own"..
we all know what that's about, eh?!
well, i think this was one of the first times i realized this...
and this was my last art doll of many...
it all began...i wanted to make my own doll creation to hang on my daughter's wall for her birthday...so i hunted everywhere for patterns etc...i got answers like, oh, nobody does that stuff anymore, we don't carry things like THAT in our establishment, oh, puffft (blowing the dust) this pattern is all i could find in the cellar..her dress is made from quilts..blah blah blah...sooo
i took off creating on my own (not knowing there were a million people out there, making art dolls)
the story is wonderful if you care to read...i made about 12 creations, went up to a high rent district, got up my nerve to walk into a store and ask if the owner would be interested...the woman proprietor ran out to the back of my car and said..."how much", then, "i'll take them all". i almost fainted!
well folks i was passionate, and my dolls took off when word got out, but...
i started getting commissions and commissions and commissions...well, that took the love and creativity right outta' my heart and soul. this one was the last one, "Mer" for my sister, Candy who craves and loves body surfing as much as i.
Alas..i moved on to mixed media and fiber arts.
the part that is "making them my own", was...when i saw all the doll makers on the internet, i wondered if mine were good enough...oh please...take me down a notch...people payed me big buckaroos that burned me out entirely, from ever making another...maybe someday, again...hmmm.
Wanda Marie...this is a FANTASTIC story!! Thank you for sharing this... not only for those of us who may or may not have had the same "no one makes things like that" experience... but for the inspiration too.. awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI feel sad that your success made you stop what you had such a gift for ... but pleased you have new creative outlets. I'd love to think that 'one day' you'll go back to your art dolls. Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeletewhat a great story. you gotta do what makes you happy. i like how you second guess yourself at the end, though. that's kinda how i am with bookmaking. i quit doing it, but there's always that thought that maybe..some day. nah! i don't like making books. i don't enjoy it as much as painting, that's for sure. but..then again...maybe..
ReplyDelete..and sheesh, michelle, i tried to email you back that i looked forward to your new comment..it came back to me. what's up with this? har wanda
ReplyDeleteawwww! So sorry you feel like NOT doing that anymore! And yup, I use photoshop! Am a p.s. fanatic! Your doll is beautiful btw!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful doll! I hope that one day you will make them again, but not for commision. Just because you want to, and only the ones that you want to make. Make them first and then let their new owners find them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful doll!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Wanda, I'm so glad you joined us. I love your story and I love your doll! Did I mention . . .WOW!
ReplyDelete-Jane
Gorgeous doll Wanda! I completely get what you mean... had a similar experience last year with my shabby-chic bags. It's brilliant that you shared the story with us!! =)
ReplyDelete