Proper Patience

Let me introduce "Proper Patience" -- a new doll design that has developed over the past few weeks. I talked about her in an earlier posting -- at that time she was but a bare foundation.

Working this design helped me to practice and learn a few techniques that I hadn't tried before.  'Staining' her head, legs and arms using a whiteish base and then wiping it with a soft brown acrylic.  Looking at her afterward it was apparent that I'm going to need a bit more practice of this particular technique *smile*.

Putting her together helped me to recognize that the pattern as I had drawn it would need some tweaking -- such as longer arms and legs.  Also the design with its 'waspy waist' ended up being difficult to dress and gave me a very limited amount of space on her body with which to use embellishments.  The clothes became very simple - which is not a problem - but does limit dressing possibilities and what I could do with future clothing. 

Looking at her now it seems that she is way too 'ordinary' and 'plain' for me.  She is missing the slightly whimsical interest that I seek.  She has taught me patience - I'll say that much for her and I appreciate her willingness to put up with my stumbling through each step of her creation.  Hopefully she'll be a guide as I move forward reminding me to let go, relax  and have a lot more fun with the next figure.

"Have no fear of perfection -- you'll never reach it." - Salvadore Dali

Possibilities

Looking ahead to exploring new loop-pile embroidery pieces, I've created yet another workbook in which to collect my thoughts and ideas.

I have a workbook three-quarters of the way full of ideas, design, color and texture.  Not one picture in this little book is a loop-pile embroidery piece.  Its my goal to take bits and pieces of these ideas and make them into something of my own. 

Some of the designs, such as this one, came from a very old book on wall hangings.  I love the texture of this design - and would love to bring this type of texture into my work. 

Others, such as this one, are made of clay - no fiber involved at all.  And yet the colors, design and feeling of the piece appeal to me.  I see something like this in my mind's eye using punchneedle, fiber, found objects.

Just opening this book - gazing at each design - thinking of the possibilities before me - makes me want to put needle to hand and get to work.

"Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination, because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed". - Joseph Addison