Susan Barmore - To Weird to Pass Up



Unice-Pattern on Susan's Web site

 There is no better time to introduce Susan Barmore than in the month of October.  Her art work and patterns are very diverse from Fairy's to the Christmas Bugs. However, Susan's keen sense of humor explodes when it comes to Halloween.

I’ve trying to interview Susan.  I wanted you to enjoy the free spirited nature she possesses. The interview itself should explain just how outside the box Susan operates. I ask Susan to help me with the write up I was doing on her.  To elaborate on a few facts.  She insists that her beginnings were obscure and mostly just manufactured.  She stated that she actually was found under a rock in a creek. No one really knows who and what she is. A family took her in. Lovingly raised her and taught her how to eat with a fork. As the interview continued I just gave up.  Acquiring any real facts was fruitless.  I couldn't think of any more questions. I do believe just might be an alien from another planet. With all my probing Susan never gave up information about her life here on earth. The only thing I have to go on is the story of my own which I am about to tell you.



Owen- Pattern on Susan's Site

 I am always on the look out for new talent. I look for teachers that have a fresh look on fiber art or techniques to enrich doll artistry. I like to offer students a variety of visual options pretty dolls, bold art figures, whimsical and yes just plain strange, and that is where Susan Barmore comes in. Her work is a bit on the weird and wonderful side. She fills the slot our students that like to step out of there box.  The students that like to teeter on the edge and create something just a little “off kilter”.   I found her on Dollmakers Journey “New Patterns” listing for the first time in 2007. Susan had her own take on the world, her dolls and patterns reflected her personality. I knew the moment I saw her work that I wanted her and that AFIC students would go bonkers over her work.

Susan has array of patterns on her site: http://frowningfrancisfolkart.com/



Taulbee 1 Day Workshop AFIC

Her web site is doted with patterns of the sweetest angels you ever saw to devil boys and devil girls. Susan’s carefree and good nature heart shines in her work. She was a bit of a pill though, and she did not come easily. When I first approached her to teach in the 2009 line up, Susan turned me down flat. At first I thought no way was I going to get her up here to the convention.  Then I thought no, I was not going to let this gem get away. I needed to  encourage her to come and teach. I could not believe a artist that had such a funny quirky personality could be so shy. I found out later she was not shy, I am not sure why she was so hesitant to teach outside her home town but,  I had to call her twice before I convinced her she had what it took. She would be a fabulous teacher, and so she was. 


Bone Bird - 1 Day Workshop AFIC

She taught at AFIC in 2009.  Many people didn’t know her but her work spoke for itself and her classes filled, she was an instant success. Susan almost sold every pattern and doll she brought to Artistic Figures in Cloth. Her artistry tools are muslin, paint and a sense of humor.  She has a care free way in teaching you to use a brush and paint.  She takes the fear out of painting that is for sure. It is simply amazing to see these muslin creations take shape. The piece is transformed with painting techniques.

Susan will have you in stitches. She does not take anything seriously except for lunch!  Thanks to her adoptive family she now can eat it with a fork!




Zombie Elephant

 As you can see by her work she has quite the sense of humor. She is a great storyteller too. I am delighted to have Susan back at AFIC.  She does not plan on doing any traveling and teaching until after her husband retires.  So I feel truly lucky she is willing to come up from Kentucky to join us again this year.

  Susan is offering three weird and wonderful classes this coming year. Bone Bird, Zombie Elephant and Taulbee, to see more about her classes click here AFIC Susan Barmore

 If you can figure out if she is alien or human let me know.

Lillian Alberti - AFIC Delightful Discovery

Princess and the Pea

I am constantly on the look out for Doll Artist that have something different to offer. As much as I would love to say I discovered Lillian, Lillian discovered me. She has stepped out of her great state of New York, she was ready to travel looking for work.  I was very interested in her work. It just happened that my doll club was also on the search for a spring teacher for 2010. I took her work to the club and The Guilded Lilies Doll Artist club gave me the okay to contact her for hire. We all gathered together and had a trunk show the night before the class. She sold several of the dolls and if it had not been the dreaded week of April 15, I believe she would have sold everything she brought. Her work has a unique look and fun play which makes it irresistible. Lillian plays off children’s stories then adds unexpected quirky surprises. Like this doll that sold - Princess and the Pea “Who could not believe that something so small could be so disturbing.”


Poppet Class

Lillian was not only a delightful teacher but she offers her knowledge freely and without hesitation. The Guilded Lilies had hired her to teach the Poppet class. I got to see her in action. She led us through the basics,  all the while incouraging you listen to your own creative voice. Each one of us made different characters.  They were uniquely our own. It was so much fun. I could not wait to add this class to Artistic Figures in Cloth. I got to know Lillian during her stay. I found out that she discovered doll making quite by accident. On her life’s journey she became a doll artist after she had already been a successful clothes designer and mother. Her life was already so wonderous and now she is on another path. I asked her to share a little of the story with you.

Awestruck Flora wonders about this mystereious crystal what secrets does it hold? 
See more of Lillian's dolls for sale click here



Lillian's Doll Making Journey
I stumbled onto doll making literally by accident as a fashion student in NYC. I was strolling along Fifth Avenue, looking for design inspiration in the store front windows, when I saw the art of doll maker Van Craig in Tiffany’s window display. I knew immediately that I had to try making dolls, too! I was happy with my first creation and continued to experiment. I made several, notable one-of-a-kind Art dolls that were shown and sold at Mann Gallery in Boston. I was thrilled!!! But working as a designer/illustrator and raising a family came first, so doll making became something I did in my spare time. I continued to “play with dolls,” developing my technique and honing my skills. After sixteen years in the fashion industry, I decided to stay at home to raise my two daughters. That was ten years ago; doll making is now a full time profession for me as I now teach workshops all over the country and I’m loving every minute of it! Over the years, my doll-making style and vision has evolved; sometimes whimsical, and, yes, sometimes grotesque. I’m inspired by children’s books, nursery rhymes and, at times, by tales my children make up. Doll making has been a joy in my life and as an Art doll artist/teacher, I am always looking to reach like-minded, creative souls who might allow me to share my years of doll making experience with them!

The Cloth Paper Doll

The Poppet class is only one of the two classes she is teaching at AFIC. Lillian has developed a very intriguing class. This doll is a mix between Paper dolls, Cloth and Peek-a-boo painting techniques. Lillian’s way of building paper clay on a paper doll has endless possibilities. I immediately thought of the advantage one would have using this technique in shadow boxes, collage work or simply building on flat objects and recycled art projects. How much fun would that be? I am sure you can think of a few more ways to incorporate this method into your art. This class should be loads of fun.  Along with learning out to make the Paper - Cloth doll you will be painting the peek-a-boo skirt.  Lillian will assist you will your choices. The more experiance you have with painting the more detail in the skirt design you will have.  Regaurdless, an elaborate landscape or a simple backdrop painting the process is fun and full of new techniques.

See details on the workshops that Lillian Alberti is offeringat AFIC click here

Leslie Molen - Art and Origin

There is a long history of Santos Cage Dolls In Portugal and Spain, Santo(s) cage dolls were used in Catholic religious processions —frequently dressed in elaborate gowns and crowns. The cage body was traditionally used as a shrine with items displayed inside them such as photographs and flowers to represent celebrations. For centuries, Santos figures have been a symbolic bridge between earth and heaven. Leslie has taken artist fascination with dolls and caged skirts. She found a fantastic woodworker to make the wooden skirts for her, and the rest is history. Leslie will be teaching this spectacular new class at Artistic Figures in Cloth. AFIC-for a closer view at Leslie classes. To discover how Leslie design elements and textile choices made this Santo Cage doll and how she is going to teach others to make this cherished art piece, read on and get an insight into a fabulous workshop.

Leslie states, “I have always found a fascination with dolls and caged skirts...the skirt may be an old bird cage...something from metal... or maybe- wood, or a found object. They may vary from a simple Santos- style, to a Flemish dress form, to an altered piece with kitschy embellishments. Looking over my fabrics, I decided to use the burn-out velvet for the torso and upper arms or sleeves for this doll. I loved the vintage feel of this fabric and the subtle depths of the color- blue. In designing this doll, I chose to "joint" the arms- as in the antique Santos. For the skin tones, I used this beautiful pima knit. One of my favorite parts of the making of the doll is painting and coloring the face. It always amazes me how a little color can create such a distinct personality!"
"Details.. that is what sets your doll apart. Many of you know that I am a big fan of Japanese design. In that design things are kept clean and simple, but that simplicity is the complexity of balance. It is actually something that I strive for within my work- ask any of my students, the doll may look simple but there are very detailed techniques and thought that goes into each piece to make it beautifully balanced, clean and simple in design.

Leslie goes into a lot more depth on her blog.

I keep very close eye on the classes and how they are filling. AFIC web site open on September 1, 2010. I knew Leslie's class The Cage Skirt Santos Doll would fill up quickly. I did not know one week later that I would have more people sign up for the class than I had spaces. As of 9/8/10 there are still openings in Leslie's Madonna.


Madonna
Leslie is an artist member of the National Institute of American Doll Artists –NIADA. She is a renowned sculptor and with her guidance you to can discover the wonder of sculpting a face that is beautiful. Do you want to improve sculpting skills or learn how to sculpt with precision? Madonna is believed to have held goodness in her life. This doll was created to share love and kindness and I think you will find that so does Leslie. Leslie has so much to offer; she is determine that all her students are nurtured and walks away with excellent sculpting skills.

Welcome Back! Monika Shedden

Monika Shedden is one of two instructors brought back from the first Artistic Figures in Cloth in 2003. Seems she has been sewing round the clock, getting ready for a studio tour. Samples of her wonderful work like this Woodland Fairy are art pieces she is working on non stop. A group of 10 artists get together each year and open up their studios for the weekend. There is lots of food involved and hundreds of people come. Monika is so lucky she lives in a very artsy town. She has been doing this for twelve years now.



Dumas Valley School of Art has asked Monika to teach this fall. This is a dream come true come true for her. A twelve week workshop will be geared to students wanting to learn cloth doll making from beginner to advance with lots of costuming, exploring fibres and so much more. I was so excited for her when she said “I can't wait because i can do whatever I like in this class and we have twelve wonderful weeks to get creative and explore so different techniques.” The Fish Merchant is only a sample of the type of dolls and techiques Monika has to offer.


One of Monika's well known dolls is the Story teller, seen here. Monika talks about how she got started. “People always want to know how I got started. When I think back on my very first class in Erie Pa with eleanor and the subsequent doll camps in Meadville, then Wee Folk, I feel as if I am witnessing someone else's life. I could never have believed I would end up at AFIC. I remember sitting at the Faculty Table in 2003 and looking around, wondering how I came to be up here sitting with all these incredible people. I almost feel sometimes I'm just following blindly along these roads. I’ve been published in Soft Dolls and Art Doll quarterly. Teaching is the thing I love the most. Once I get started I get so excited about walking students through the steps to create their own version of the doll I designed. I always hope students feel the same sense of excitement and anticipation I felt in all the workshops I took.”

Monika will be teaching classes at AFIC get for more details and a closer view go to: Artistic Figures In Cloth Web site

Jenny is a doll I look forward to sharing. I love creating whole pieces of cloth with snippets of fabrics and fibers, adding collages, paints and creating a truly one of a kind piece. Draping this finished cloth around the doll in endless ways will produce some amazing pieces. I look forward to having students at all skill levels but especially beginner doll makers because I know they will be astonished what a few bits of fabric and threads will create. As there is no right or wrong with this doll, students will be free to unleash the artist within. I design my classes so everyone leaves with a finished doll.




Rose of the Wood is a doll I can't wait to teach. I have so many wonderful costuming techniques to share. From simple gathering, to making bubbles on painted cheesecloth with elastic thread in the bobbin. There is free motion embroidery, drape over the bodice, painting dryer sheets, stitching with decorative threads and beading. The techniques are simple but I have pages of them, so of course, no doll will be the same. These also become great head wraps for any student who wants to take a simple doll and add lots of pizzazz; I hope this is the class for them. All costuming techniques can be applied to any other project. This doll was designed to be finished in two days - no problem. My workshops are definitely not designed to just follow a pattern. But more so to get the basic figure sewn so we can get on with the good stuff.

I have already thought of a few more ideas for my workshops - By the time next April rolls around, I will have so many more things to share.

Ohio State Fair & Dolls

I can not encourage you enough to get involved with your State and Locale Fairs. It is so rewarding and you can show off your work to thousands of people. Just call the administration office up and tell them you or your group wants to volunteer in the Arts & Craft section. Do demos, work on projects or Make-it-take-it interaction are all ideas that have worked for us in the past. They will jump at the chance to have you. They are always looking for ways to punch up their fair. It is a opportunity to raise awareness in your part of the world about Art Dolls.

This year The Guilded Lilies, The Doll Gatherers and the River City Artisian Group sponsored prize money for the "Hand Made Doll Competition" The showing was superb. My only regret is my picture of the cases have too much reflection so you can not see the dolls very well. However, I got some great pictures of our Make-it-Take-it project.


As you can see we use stamps and round circles of cotton fabric. Then lay a thin layer of fiber over a piece of cardboard. Just as you would make a YoYo. Run a gathering stitch around the outside edge of the fabric, pull and whala a Face pin. We made them in sets of 25. Every month we would turned them in to the OSF committee before you knew it we had over 1400 of these little Face Pins. We talked to thousands of children and adults. We dispersed information on Ohio clubs, how they could join up and find out more about Art Dolls. We show off a few dolls at our table to attract attention. Some of us worked on projects. It is great fun!

Charity Dolls for Good Deed Doers

I just have to share with you the outstanding job The Guilded Lilies Doll Artist Guild did on their charity project this year. They pulled together and put their heart and soul into the project. The clubs one rule is that you must make a charity doll every year. This year I made the pattern so we did not have to worry about copy right issues. The pattern is very basic and simple to make. You can use scraps and mix match colors. In fact the more you mix match the more fun Scribbles and friends turn out. The group went to town! They donated fabrics, time and talent. We had 98 dolls finished by the deadline in July. All donated to Children's Service here in Columbus, Ohio. We think there is probably an additional 20 or so still out with members on vacation. When they come in those are going to the Children's Radiation Cancer center. I decided why just keep the pattern for ourselves so I posted a PDF file on my web site. I set up a special page for this pattern and would love to post the other groups that make the dolls for charity. Free Pattern


Here is a close up of some of the Charity dolls created by the members. We have a couple of artist that did most of the faces for us. As you can see they went crazy and had a blast drawing fun silly faces. Scribbles and Friends pattern is open to all ages and genders. We had the best time making them. In fact we have adopted Scribbles and friends as our official Charity doll for next year.

Fashion - A Book Worth It's Weight in Gold

The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute
Author: Akiko Fukai
ISBN 978-0-7607-8202-6

Find this book at your local library now. Buy it used or new, just get your hands on one. This is a history of the original fashion from the 18th to the 20th Century. I have many outstanding reference books on fashion. None have the visual reference to detail or are as inspirational. For over all visual reference and eye candy his book is my favorite. Maybe it is because I am such a geek when it comes to amazing designers. I just drool over every picture. The collection has been photographed with such detail that you can see every bead, pleat, rushing and each embroidery stitch. It is a must have for anyone that is interested in fashion, how to emulate, reproductions, or wants inspiration to create their own spin on fashion for your Art Dolls. Most all of the collection is photographed with a detailed close up along with the over all look. Kyoto Costume Institute has held exhibitions around the world. This book consists of five hundred of those fashions. It is a reference book worth it's weight in gold.

Artist Feature - Liz Seibold

Guilded Lilies Doll Club
Member - Liz Seibold

When I first returned to Ohio in 1980's I worked mainly by myself. One of the avenues I was working toward was creating figurative art from fabric. By 1998 I found a newly formed doll club called The Guilded Lilies. One of the founding members was Liz Seibold.
This picture is of her and the Guilded Lilies with their charity dolls in 2007. Every year the group makes Dolls for charity, and every year Liz paints the faces on the dolls for those that are too shy to paint the faces on their own dolls.
Liz is a fabulous artist. Her first love is painting and more often than not she merges her painting skills with her creations of art dolls. Most recently I have been taking lessons from her. Painting on cloth is just not as easy as it looks. Here is some of her work.


Jumping Jack

This is a perfect example of the way Liz brings her first love of painting into her art dolls. Jumping Jack is based on the old time Jump'n Jacks that would dance when you pulled the strings. This too dances. The body is made from solid white fabric and each body part is painted. That is right completely painted, with the exception of the hands and head. Liz of course made and painted the stand, so that Jumping Jack could be displayed properly.



Liz loves whimsical animals. Her color pallet is usually in pastels but she does not shy away from bright colors if the project calls for it. Creating something simply for the fun of it is more or less her motto. She does not think you always need to be so serious when working. Do your best yes but have fun doing it. You can tell she has fun just by looking at her work. This cat is a sure fired example of just how much fun she has in her sewing room.




Games & More Games

A challenge dolls "The Object of My Obsession" The idea of this challenge was that Art dolls was your obsession and the object in this art piece is GAMES. Liz has made the skirt from playing cards and has integrated, jacks, domino's, Slinky's, crazy balls, checkers, scrabble, puzzle pieces and a few dozen other games. You can look at the Art doll named "Games" and be amazed in all the different ways the game parts were used and applied. Who would have thought that your old board games could be used in so many different ways.



Liz creations often are a mixture of techniques. In this Art doll she has added beading, quilting arts, painting and doll making. The skirt was made by layering fabric, quilting batting and fabric. Creating a thick padded skirt in several different pastel colors they were then beaded at the base of each skirt. The base of the stand is painted.



She can design her own work but that does not stop her from taking classes. This is a creation from a Jo Ann Trilling class. It was an open class and all the students created there own animal She loves to learn new techniques and then puts her own spin on them. I think you will agree her work is totally awesome.

Where is this blog going.

For over 10 years I have devoted a lot of time and effort to promoting Artistic Figures in Cloth. Not just the convention but the art form itself. I have also been a long time lurker on blogs. I love reading them. I never thought I could find that much to say, but admired those that could. I do love showing off other peoples work. I can talk endless about products and business that can provide items that enrich the making of figurative cloth art.

So I decided to create a blog to share with others the people, products and things that I enjoy. I will be starting out with art work of some friends of mine. They are not famous. Their work should be famous I think. There work is stunning and I would like to share it with you.

I also thought it might be fun to publish a little the behind the scene information of the development of Artistic Figures in Cloth the Convention. It is coming up in 2011 and I am busy working on all the little details. I can share a inside view of the teachers, special products that will be prizes and other cool stuff like profiles on the vendors, their web sites.

After that I want to move on to other Art Doll Artist. I particularly like to profile talent emerging. What ever I post it will be always about art dolls, fiber art, or textile art in general. I have a love for fiber since I was a tot and there is just no changing it.