Tuesday 14 April 2009

Body Art!

Ever since I watched in awe as Carol gave her 'body' a makeover about 18 months ago, I have been hankering after one of my own.
My friend Pat found one for me a couple of months ago, and recently I decided I would add some colour to it. As ever, I forgot to take 'before' pictures, and even once I had started, but this is my body with the first coat of paint and ink. Lovely lumpy bits and texture .....
This is the back view, even more texture ........

Now we have more colour added and there I decided to stop (colouring it that is).

Here she is all dolled up with added gold paint to highlight some of the bumpy bits. Have you guessed yet - she is only 5" from top to bottom of the stand, and the 'body' is all of 3" - dollhouse size in fact. She is completely made of wood, and originally was all the same colour as the knob on top and the foot stand. I covered the body part in crinkled tissue paper using pva glue, and added a tiny piece of 'sun' shaped lace on her chest, then when dry painted her with gesso. The rest you see. The skirt is made from various ribbons and knotted hand dyed threads. As well as inspiration from Carol, she is also inspired, of course, by Beryl Taylor.

8 comments:

dot said...

Fancy giving me a body makeover?! Thought it was lovely Val.

Maggi said...

Lovely way to do a makeover Val. I am sure that it was not easy working with something that small

Heather said...

I love what you have done with your little body. I also find inspiration from Beryl Taylor and have her book.

Doreen G said...

I would love to say that it looks like my body but you would know that I was lying wouldn't you.
I have a body that I did about 10 years ago but it is about 10 inches high--I will send you a pic of it.

Julie said...

It's absolutely beautiful Val. Gorgeous!

sharon young said...

She's gorgeous, Val, I didn't guess how small she was till the last pic, I was thinking how adventurous you had been.

Unknown said...

Wow Val she is gorgeous, and quite a challenge working so small,
love what you did for the skirt.
my body is still nudy :)

Mandi said...

She's truly lovely Val. She looks like a dancer to me.