Eyes

I have a confession to make. A few years back I discovered totally by accident how to use my secret element to make eyes. When this happened I was thrilled as the truth is I've never felt very comfortable painting eyes. As it would happen the eyes of my dolls have made them my own and I'm grateful for this accidental discovery.

But I can't deny that I'm always so impressed and intrigued by peoples ability to make such life like eyes and thought I'd give it a whirl.

With a little help from one of my ADO team mate, Susie McMahon I've managed to give my last two dollies some hand painted eyes. Please take the time to check out Susie's blog and work, she is an amazing artist and just a wonderful person as well. Susie is an accomplished artist with great knowledge and she is so willing to share with and help her fellow artist. I feel privileged to have come to know her through the art doll world.

I will certainly still be using my regular eyes for most my dollies but I'm feeling a bit accomplished in having actually painted eyes. I've been telling myself for years that I can't paint eyes and well...apparently I can:) The funny ways we limit ourselves....

Grimms Fairy Tales

Hansel and Gretle

I've been spending some time getting inspired by reading some of the original Grimms Fairy Tales. The original brothers stories are nothing like the stories that our parents read to us a children. They are much darker and were actually written for adults of the time.

Lil Red

I've been having so much fun reading these stories I have to remind myself to stop and actually make a doll!

Greed and the Gulf Coast

Our Mother Earth has a gaping wound and continues to bleed because of greed.

No dolls in this post and no images of the subject because we've all seen them and frankly they only make me cry.

Of course because I'm from New Orleans I have a personal interest in this current man made disaster. The last time it was mother nature and though the wrath of Katrina was devastating, what we are facing now I fear is far worse.

Our wetlands and wildlife will suffer for years to come. Our local economy will not be the same for a very long time. Animal life, people, the earth... we all will suffer.

Though I blame BP and feel they are responsible, I can't help but feel a bit of the responsibility lies on my own and each of our shoulders. I've begun to rethink mine and my families need and use of energy, plastics and oil. Changes have been made and we will continue to make an effort to reduce our reliance on these companies product. I hope the rest of the world will give this some thought as well.

I've recently made a donation of one of my dolls to a shop on Etsy that is a collaboration of artists, vintage and supplies sellers that have come together to raise money for the clean up on the Gulf Coast, Help the Gulf Coast. 100% of the proceeds go toward helping with the clean up.

If your an artist, perhaps you would like to donate to the cause. Or perhaps you'll find something of interest within the shop that you can't live without. Every little bit each of us does helps.

As I've stated many times in my blog New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region is very near and dear to my heart and this recent series of events has my heart aching, but it's not only my personal home that I cry for it's the earth and the horrid things we do to her that really has made me so very sad. I do hope this is a huge lesson learned and that all of us will take the time to stop and think about what we are doing to this beautiful planet we all call home.