The Art Doll Chronicles


Book Description

This celebration of nine art dolls and the artists who made them offers a colourful look at an unusual project that spanned 19 months and took the dolls on a journey all over the United States. Each doll is a one-of-a-kind work of art, made by women who contributed something to each work-in-progress and offered unique perspectives on womanhood and images of dolls. Professional doll-makers as well as a quilt maker, a metalsmith, a woodcarver, and a sculptor created dolls that evolved into vivid characters as they travelled from artist to artist with handmade journals that served as a combination diary, travel log, and artist's canvas. From Joe the Wandering '60s Beatnik to a made-over Madeline sure to be kicked out of her French boarding school for her outrageous attire, each doll is accompanied by photographs, excerpts from the journals, and essays by the artists about the joys, challenges, and frustrations of working on the project.




The Barbie Chronicles


Book Description

A THOROUGHLY GROWN-UP LOOK AT A TWENTIETH-CENTURY MUSE OF OUTSTANDING PROPORTIONS To some she's a collectible, to others she's trash. In The Barbie Chronicles, twenty-three writers join together to scrutinize Barbie's forty years of hateful, lovely disastrous, glorious influence on us all. No other tiny shoulders have ever, had to carry the weight of such affection and derision and no other book has ever paid this notorious little place of plastic her due. Whether you adore her or abhor her, The Barbie Chronicles will have you looking at her in ways you never imagined.




Visual Chronicles


Book Description

The real news of our lives is not in newspapers. We must chronicle our own adventures and achievements, our brilliant observations and our comic relief, our best friends and our greatest embarrassments. Visual Chronicles is all about YOU: your dreams, your memories, your daily routines, your greatest loves and your secret pet peeves. It's all about getting to know yourself better, savoring the wonderful ebb and flow of your everydays, and celebrating it all in visual mementos of your life journey. Sound fun? Heck, yes! Sound hard? Not a bit. Each chapter of Visual Chronicles quiets common fears such as "Nothing happens in my life." or "I'm just not artistic." with projects such as the "My Day Unfolds Journal", and "Experiments with Composition." Inside, you'll learn that journaling doesn't take big chunks of time - just bits and pieces here and there, whenever the spirit strikes. "Get Going" exercises offer instant ideas such as listening to the conversations you have with yourself or recognizing that meaningful ephemera is a part of each and every day. Soon, you'll see that inspiration awaits all around you: a midnight trip to the store, a favorite scarf, an unexpected phone call, junk email, your breakfast plate . . . Don't wait another second. Make creative journaling a part of your everyday life, busting through self-doubt, time clocks, piles of laundry, and every other roadblock along the way. With Visual Chronicles, you'll be inspired to tell your story the way only you can!




Beyond Paper Dolls


Book Description

With nostalgic glances to the past and visionary gazes into the future, Lynne Perrella and the contributing artists follow inspiration rather than tradition to present dolls that are charismatic, colorful and full of surprises. Technique related details are provided in each chapter's details dossier, where we are invited to go behind the scenes, into the artists studios. Take an up close and personal look to get the inside story on how the artists used paper and other exciting mediums to create their dolls. Artists include Nina Bagley, Lesley Riley, Judi Riesch, Lynn Whipple, Teesha Moore, Karen Michel, Jane Cather, Akira Blount, Laurel Hall and Maria Moya who expolore the human form to create paper personas that are expressive, innovative and insightful.




Paper Dolls


Book Description

Paper dolls might seem the height of simplicity--quaint but simple toys, nothing more. But through the centuries paper figures have reflected religious and political beliefs, notions of womanhood, motherhood and family, the dictates of fashion, approaches to education, individual self-image and self-esteem, and ideas about death. This book examines paper dolls and their symbolism--from icons made by priests in ancient China to printable Kim Kardashians on the Internet--to show how these ephemeral objects have an enduring and sometimes surprising presence in history and culture.




Way of the Doll


Book Description

To most, the word doll conjures up an image of a toy meant to be played with by little girls. But, as author and teacher Cassandra Light explains, while dolls do symbolize a sense of play, they are not necessarily toys, nor are they always meant for children. As objects of our creative imagination, dolls can bring us back to our childhood if we let them and "perhaps bestow upon us a future we hadn't imagined". It was upon this premise that she founded her successful Way of the Doll, School of Sacred Art in Berkeley, California, over fifteen years ago. Each year over seventy-five students, ranging in ages from six to eighty-five, meet weekly to create a life-sized doll of their own from porcelain and found materials. Few of the men and women have any artistic experience, and their backgrounds vary greatly. They unite for one common purpose: to discover and share their own personal story, whether it is one of joy or pain. The results, which are exhibited each year, are astounding. In this elegant and inspiring volume, Cassandra Light chronicles the history of her remarkable school, revealing the stories of many students, as well as her own. Her warm, honest voice is accompanied by nearly 100 spectacular, color photographs showcasing the best of these incredible dolls. Complete with essays by Stephen Mitchell and Jean Shinoda Bolen and the words of the students themselves, Way of the Doll is a testament to courage, hope, and the power of the human spirit.




True Colors


Book Description

History of art.




New Techniques for Wearable Art


Book Description

Crafters are altering everything -- clothing, shoes, handbags, journals and much more. They start with an existing item -- a cotton jumper or a jean jacket -- and embellish or alter it in a variety of ways to make it something new. "Altered Art" is the newest trend in the art and craft world. The first section of the book features tips and techniques that show how to do various creative alterations on fabric: ripping, tearing, painting and dyeing, beading, adding images and letters, and adding hardware such as grommets, snaps, jewels, and more. The second section of the book includes 30 altered clothing and accessory projects the avid crafter can make at home. Step-by-step photography details the techniques, and large, vibrant color photos of finished projects show off the fashionable projects. The book is filled with accessible, idea-inspiring projects for people interested in creating their own look.




Cinder


Book Description

Queen Levana is a ruler who uses her 'glamour' to gain power. but long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story - a story that has never been told ... until now.




Madame Alexander Dolls


Book Description

A full-color, illustrated, comprehensive book on the legendary American doll-maker and the company she founded in 1923, is also the first ever produced with the co-operation of the Alexander Doll Company and Madame Alexander's family. This book features a rich compilation of photographs, which bring to life the magical legacy of Madame Alexander. Collectors of both historical and contemporary dolls will be happy with the book's collection of 758 mint dolls dating from 1930-1998.