All Dolls Are Art Conference Report

ADAA 2013 (All Dolls Are Art) was a success thanks to Amy Nelson and her staff.

The classes were filled with talk, laughter, and happy moments. Everyone had loads of fun finishing their project and enjoyed the three day event.  Congratulations to Karin Otto-Burfict for the sale of her wonderful piece, "Honey."

This year’s banquet speaker was Mayra René. She introduced her new book, "El Arte De La Muneca En Tela", "The Art of the Cloth Doll." She had a full presentation on screen as well as stories and history of some of the dolls she brought with her to share. This book takes us into the world of cloth doll making, with the history of the first dolls from the pre-hispanic era to the present; from evolution to transformation. Mayra documents the historical origin of the doll as a true art form. She shares the love, joy, and life experiences with our dolls. She writes about the contributions the Spaniards made in cloth doll making in Mexico's culture. The two and a half years of research paid off, for it was hard to put the book down. Congratulations to Neva Waldt for her beautiful piece featured in Mayra's book. Some of my pieces are featured along with life stories of how the important women in my life influenced me in creating the cloth doll.
 She has a version in English that will come out on October 7th in e-book form and hopefully next year the English hard cover book will be available.

TAODA Artist Adriana Esqueda with author Mayra Rene

More pictures taken at ADAA can be found on www.lalloronastudio.blogspot.com.

Adriana Esqueda

NIADA Conference, 2013

TAODA members Janet Bodin, Theresa May, and newly inducted NIADA artist Neva Waldt spent the last week in June at the NIADA DollMaking School and 50th Anniversary Conference in Corte Madera, California. The weather in beautiful Marin County started off cool and rainy but, apparently to make us Texans feel more at home, abruptly switched to an uncharacteristic and unexpected heat wave. The company of doll artists from all over the world and the excitement over Neva's impending membership more than made up for the discomfort, though.

Janet took Shelley Thornton's 3-day cloth doll class, Theresa took Connie Smith's 2-day stone clay animals class, and both Theresa and Neva were in Tanya Marriott's stop motion animation armature class. We all learned, despite issues with class size, lack of air conditioning, and chatty class members.  Gallery night was impressive, and over the following days the programs were really inspirational and fun (especially the session on animation by in-coming NIADA President Tanya Marriott and her husband Garry Buckley).

The vote on new members merely confirmed what those of us in TAODA already know--Neva Waldt is a world-class artist--and we were thrilled, if not one bit surprised, that she joined an international group of five other artists in the NIADA Class of 2013. To top it off, all three of the pieces she took to show were sold to collectors before noon on sale day.

Next year's meeting is in Orlando, Florida. The DollMaking School is from August 11-13, and the conference is August 14-17. 

Theresa May 

Artist Doll & Teddy Bear Convention, May 2013

Attending this year’s “Artist Doll & Teddy Bear Convention,” in Philadelphia, was an awesome experience for the senses. The experience, as a whole, was great. Our promoters Susan and Terri Quinlan put on an art show that surpasses any out there. We begin on Thursday with a day of classes we sign up for in advance. On Friday we can attend the Artists Marketplace and book signing where artists set up tables with wares they sell at bargain prices and sign their books. The seminars, given by artists were great. These were not only informative but so much fun. The artists’ display of one of a kind art pieces for judging were out of this world. The pieces exhibited this year surpassed the creativity of last year and made judging very difficult. This year we also participated in a special exhibit and sale of doll artists making a teddy bear and teddy bear artists making a doll. It was lots of fun and lots of pieces went to new homes. The early Friday show and sale and the Saturday show and sale were fun days of laughter and meeting new people. In my opinion, this year we had more conventioneers and new people attending than ever before.  Lots of smiles, laughter, and picture taking surrounded us all day.

I recommend this show to everyone interested in showing and selling their art pieces and to those who just want to experience three days enjoying the atmosphere of art and fun.

If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me directly at adrianaesqueda.art@gmail.com
 Sincerely,

Adriana Esqueda

Statement from Elisabeth Lanier, Art Juror

At our meeting on Saturday, May 11, MARSHA KROHN read a portion of a statement from juror Elisabeth Lanier that had been sent to the Galveston Art League. Many of the members who attended the meeting  found it encouraging and insightful. Marsha asked Elisabeth for permission to reprint part of the statement here. She graciously agreed that we can share it on our blog. Here it is:

When Steve and I look at art, we’re looking for the three things that were outlined in the Call for Entries:

First, technique. Does the artist have a command of his medium? Does she know how to apply paint, turn a vessel, carve, capture light, understand the materials? Does he understand color and how to use it to achieve his ends? Has she mastered her medium sufficiently well to be able to break the rules? Does he know when to break the rules – and when not to?

Next, observation. Is the artist seeing something unique? Is he able to translate that vision to his medium? Is she looking past the obvious, trying to understand the thing more fully?

And, lastly, statement or voice. By applying his technique and his sense of observation, is the artist able to make a statement with his work? Does she bring some of her own sense of herself – her history, her philosophy, her energy – to her work? Is there something of the infinite in his work? Something that moves the work past mere description?

Because, to us, the real job of art is to awaken, inform, inflame, embolden, create a stir, arouse passion, elicit a memory, move to action, move to tears, remind us of our humanity, create a response.

To look at art is to immerse oneself in the vision that the artist had in creating the piece. You may not completely understand it – but, after all, you can look at and enjoy a golf tournament or a football game without fully understanding the complexities of strategy – but it should stir you, it should create a response.

Art – real art – moves past mere illustration into something of the infinite. 

Illustration, of course, has its place in our world. Without it, our stories would be less dramatic, our instructions, less comprehensible, our greeting cards, less engaging, our advertisements, less tempting, our posters, less striking. As its name implies, illustrations illustrate i.e., provide (a book, newspaper, etc.) with pictures, explain or make (something) clear by using examples, charts, pictures, etc.

But, it is art that moves us: it is art – visual, performing, musical, literature, poetry – that is the very sould of our civilization.

– Elisabeth Lanier, Design Works

Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Convention Report

TAODA member, Adriana Esqueda, had a booth at the Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Convention in Philadelphia this past May.  This was the second year for the convention, and Adriana's second time to have a booth.  She writes, "There were quite a few well know doll artists that were new to the show this year....I went with twenty one pieces not counting the smaller ones and came home with seven. There is no question there is a market for doll makers in Philly.  This show is a must to attend and show.
Attendees are so nice and eager to meet the artist. The staff of the hotel are gracious and very nice. I have not one single complaint on the whole show experience. This show is in its second year and in the first year Terry Quinlan sent out a form to fill out regarding what we thought and any changes we would like. This year he incorporated the changes. There are still more changes coming for next year so he's improving the show as it grows. That tells me he listens to us and cares. They are truly good people."

Adriana has pictures on her blog from the show: http://lalloronastudio.blogspot.com/

Thanks Adriana!

 

Hi, this is Mary Wiggins. I told several people I would post the online address for where you can purchase miniature toy theatres. (I had bought one from a shop in London.) Here is the place:  http://www.pollocks-coventgarden.co.uk/index.php/toy-theatres.html  Happy shopping - they ship to the U.S.!

A report on ADAA from Marilynn Huston

I would also like to report on the ADAA show from a teachers standpoint.  It was an amazing show and it opened my vision to the direction that dolls are taking.  The mixed-media category was fantastic.  There were so many wonderful cloth dolls too. The show room, I think had about 1000 dolls and if you took time to look at each one, there were so many wonderful techniques that one could learn.

The TAODA table always had interested people wanting to learn about our club and dollmakers.  The everglowing Theresa, Yoanna, and Neva were always there for an answer.  We did great on our set-up and the dolls just looked exquisite in their display.

My classes were fantastic.  The students were so willing to learn and we had so many great dolls that were made in my sculpt an adult character face class.  But, the hit of my classes was the Escargot.  I had 12 students in my class and we had 12 wonderful results.  The colors and the textures and the faces were fantastic and everyone finished their project.  That to me was wonderful.

 -Marilynn Huston

The All Dolls Are Art Conference (ADAA)

A show report from Theresa May:


The first All Dolls Are Art Conference (ADAA) in Austin (July 28-30) was, in my opinion, a smashing debut. The well-arranged and mostly smoothly run show/sale room, the first rate workshops, the artists and vendors who had work and materials and patterns on display, and a closing banquet that included good food, very cool table favors, and a dynamic presentation by Elinor Peace Bailey inspired and impressed me. People were in tears--it was that kind of affirming and community-building experience.

I took a one-day class with Lisa Renner who was teaching an original reliquary doll. She was organized, patient, flexible, and incredibly well-prepared and engaging. Everyone in the class had a finished or "almost there" piece to take home, and I didn't hear a single negative comment during the entire day! Not only was I delighted with my piece, I also learned things that have already inspired me to think of new projects as well as new ways to use the techniques we were taught. Marilynn Huston had a full class making her Escargot doll, and the other workshops were also well attended.

In the exhibit hall TAODA was represented by at least eleven members. Rachel Donohoe, Wilmer LaBome, Beth Akin, Tina Forster, Marlene Slobin, Annette Money, Neva Waldt, Theresa May, Karin Otto Burfict, Marilynn Huston, and Adriana Esqueda all had work on display and for sale. The TAODA banner and information area had a prominent place at the back of the hall and drew people to our exhibits. A number of interested folks signed the mailing list. In addition, TAODA members visiting or attending the conference included Janet Bodin, Kimber Fenili, Yoanna Baumgartner, Veronica Cox, and Rosie Rojas. I apologize if I've overlooked anyone who was there joining the fun.

The theme and dates for next year were announced at the banquet, so we can look forward to "The World of Make Believe," July 26-29, 2012. If everyone had as positive an experience as I did, registration for next year will be full by Christmas! Even though sales were modest, this one is definitely worth checking out.

A Virtual "Bathing Beauties" show!

A special thanks to Gwynne Ross and her husband for taking the following photos of our Galveston show.

Beth Casper

Pepper Hume

Mindy Bush

Angela Jarecki

Joyce Patterson

Gwynne Ross

Beth Casper

Janet Bodin

Marlene Slobin

Marlene Slobin

Marlene Slobin

Neva Waldt

Janet Bodin

Joyce Patterson

Neva Waldt

Joyce Patterson

Gwynne Ross

Karin Burfict

Mary Wiggins

Angela Jarecki

Mindy Bush

Pepper Hume

Wilmer Labome

Wilmer Labome

Photos from the "Bathing Beauties" reception