Art Doll Adventures – review
Art Doll Adventures: Exploring Projects and Processes through Cultural Traditions by Lisa Li Hertzi
First, a disclaimer: I know Li (she’s one of our expert reviewers) and she’s a very good friend. That said, I’d rave about her book even if I didn’t know her.
See, I’ve been making art dolls since childhood, and selling them since the early 1970s, so I’m always interested in books about creating dolls of all kinds. I’m also bored out of my mind by vapid, cookie-cutter dolls.
Since I’m venting… the other problem that I have with many dollmaking books is that they’re either too much by-the-numbers, or they’re so advanced, even experts gasp in awe when they see some of the projects.
So, I opened the package with Li’s book and held my breath as I opened the cover. I mean, I hate to write a negative review about a friend’s book, but I also need to be honest.
Whew! (That exclamation should be in neon lights.)
I love this book. Really, it’s one of the few dollmaking books that I can recommend to absolutely anyone with any level of experience, even a total beginner.
Well… okay… If you’re looking for dolls with sweet, realistic faces made from skin-toned fabric, with the correct number of fingers and toes, this probably isn’t the book for you.
For anyone else: Get this book. I mean it. Skip the rest of this review and order it right now. (That’s an Amazon.com link, btw.)
Need more info?
Okay, here it is: Li features all kinds of wild & wonderful cloth dolls, including lots of designs inspired by tribal and primitive art and archaeology. The colors (and sometimes beading) are vivid and juicy.
Li has provided lots of detailed instructions, not just about the dolls, but about the techniques of making them. She doesn’t just say, “Rub ivory black into the crevices,” she has a photo showing exactly how to do it.
This book isn’t just about dolls, either. There are many very cool, fabric art projects.
One of them is a fabric color wheel… unlike any color wheel you’ve ever seen. Then, there’s the Agreements Book Screen, which is a paneled fabric book that’s also a backdrop for displaying your handmade dolls & figures. And, an Etched Petroglyph ATC made from fabric and acrylic artist’s supplies, as well as instructions for a simple, layered-fabric ATC.
If you’re interested in making contemporary cloth dolls and figures, this book belongs in your collection.
If you’re a total beginner and you can buy only one book, this is an ideal choice. It includes full-size pattern pieces, and detailed, illustrated step-by-step directions.
Or, if you’re a professional dollmaker and you’re looking for inspiration, this is one of those books that you’ll consult again and again. Even the step-by-step instructions feature illustrations and tips that make me say, “Ooh, what a great idea!”
I especially like that the basic designs are really simple.
You won’t get bogged down with teensy little sewing details. You won’t spend 20 minutes trying to figure how to attach pieces A and B to piece C.
And, you’ll have plenty of energy left for creative embellishments that will make the figure uniquely yours.
I don’t usually write such long reviews, or rave this much about a book unless it’s truly one of the best in the field. Art Doll Adventures gets my 100% enthusiastic recommendation as a must-own book for dollmakers at all levels.
SUMMARY
- Fun, innovative, highly original cloth doll projects.
- Great for beginners and advanced fiber artists alike.
- Nothing insipid! Dolls, ATCs, fabric books & more.
Doll artists with figures in this book include: Inez Brasch, Patti Medaris Culea, Sue Farmer, Cody Goodwin, Linda Hansen, Jan Hayman, Judith Harmon Hertzi, Barb & Doug Keeling, Kathy Kenny, Elizabeth McGrath, Leslie Molen, John Murphy, Rosie Rojas, Rivkah Rosenfeld, and Isabella Zambezi.
[rating:4/5]
Order a copy or read others’ reviews at
Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
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Colourwash Quilts by Deirdre Amsden
Colourwash Quilts by Deirdre Amsden is a superb and inspiring book for advanced quilters.
If you enjoyed Strip Pieced Watercolor Magic, but you are ready to try more complex, innovative or original designs, this is an ideal book.
In this book, author Deirdre Amsden spends far more time explaining how to design your quilt than the details of constructing it.
Although she gives many examples that you can copy by following her directions, this is not a book offering by-the-numbers instructions. In fact, many of the quilts that you make from this book will be one-of-a-kind, and designed on graph paper, or an enlarged grid.
One of the reasons that I like this book so much, is because the author uses wide range of fabrics in modern and historical inspired patterns. She talks about her pattern, color and value choices as part of the design process.
She also is a daring with colors. On the cover of the book, you’ll see color opposites — such as blue and brown — placed next to each other. You’ll see other similar, startling combinations inside this very exciting book.
This is a visually dazzling book if you love color.
There are books that talk you through projects so that you can create the quilt that you see in the photograph. This is not one of those books.
Instead, this is a book that you will browse for inspiration when you want to create an award-winning quilt that is innovative as well as a unique art statement.
[rating:4/5]
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Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
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Embroidery from Sketch to Stitch by Pat Langford
Embroidery from Sketch to Stitch by Pat Langford is a great book to read if you are interested in crossing over from drawing and painting to fabric art.
That said, this book assumes that you already know how to use a sewing machine and have some skill with machine embroidery, or that you can embroider by hand.
This hardcover book is largely a series of illustrations showing embroidered work that relies on varying levels of painting as well. Generally, there isn’t much instructional material with the art; you’ll be reading this for inspiration, not instruction.
It is rich with full-color illustrations and wonderful ideas. If you’ve been staring at your sewing supplies, wondering what to do next, this book might be exactly what you need.
The author has provided examples of the sketches that she used to create some of this work. The photography also captures important elements in the art, including the dimensional embroidery.
I think that this is an excellent companion volume to the book Stitch Magic.
Since this book is out of print as I’m writing this in 2008, you’ll probably be buying a used copy. If the price is low enough, this is a book that is worth owning.
Otherwise, see if your public library has a copy, or if they can get it on inter-library loan.
[rating:3/5]
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Art of the Needle by Jan Beaney
The Art of the Needle, Design in fabric in thread, by Jan Beaney is a beautiful book. It covers far more ground than her other book, Stitch Magic.
However, while this is a more accessible book for less experienced sewers, it’s also far more dated than Stitch Magic. Though this book was first published in 1988, to me it has a very 1970s style.
Many of of the topics will look familiar to experienced fabric artists. From log cabin patchwork, to darning, shadow quilting, and hand and machine embroidery, the author displays techniques that will appeal to intermediate and advanced sewers. It’s rich with examples but light on instruction.
I guess that I’m saying this: If you already know how to sew by hand and machine, but you don’t know what to do next with your work, this is a good book.
Because so many of the projects have a “hippie” look, in a way, this book is ideal if you are working with retro styling. (I’m not talking about tie-dyed and primitive art from the late 1960s, but the more upscale, intricate fabric art of that era.)
This book is a fine introduction to the kinds of surface treatments that can turn any fabric art into gallery quality work.
Though I personally prefer per other book, Stitch Magic, I keep this one in my bookcase because there are times when it sparks ideas because the techniques are familiar but the author’s approaches are opulent.
If your primary focus is surface embellishment with dimensional embroidery, select Stitch Magic instead.
However, if surface treatments are a new subject for you, this book is an excellent introduction that will keep you busy — and learning — for many months… if not years. Generally, it costs far less than Stitch Magic does. If it’s less than $10, I’d recommend it in a second; it contains at least as many good, inspiring ideas as any magazine.
[rating:3/5]
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Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
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Stitch Magic by Beaney and Littlejohn
Stitch Magic by Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn is a glorious book about rich, dimensional embroidery techniques. It also addresses several other kinds of surface treatments for fabric, mostly related to embroidery.
This hardcover book includes a variety of amazing techniques whether you are working with geometrics, abstracts, or realistic imagery in your embroidery and surface design.
The book begins with several historical references for a better understanding of the kinds of dimensional embroidery that have been used in the past.
From there, you’re shown several samples to practice on at home. This not only gives you an opportunity to build confidence, it also helps you understand your personal style of embroidery.
Chapter 2 talks about backgrounds. The first illustration in this chapter really excites me. The artist used a photo transfer from acrylic painting on cotton, and then embellished it with a variety of threads and copper wire. Without any further work, this piece could be displayed as fine art or used as a cover on an artist’s journal.
In Chapter 3, you’ll learn how to use a variety of stitches to add strength, describe atmospheric images, and create bold as well as subtle effects. The examples of innovative couching techniques make this book a must-own for anyone interested in embroidery as an extraordinary art form.
This book continues for many more chapters covering both hand and machine stitching.
Whether you are embellishing a quilt, a wall hanging, or wearable art, you’ll be inspired by this book.
As of 2008, this book is out of print. If you are attracted to surface design and embroidery, it is worth finding an affordable copy of this book and buying it. You’ll re-read it often.
[rating:3/5]
Order a copy or read others’ reviews at
Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
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