This is reposted from my other blog (I thought it was worth the double mention).

Yesterday, I received my issue of Paper Doll Studio in the mail (how geeky is this: I belong to the OPDAG: the Original Paper Doll Artists Guild ~ impressive, no?). Anyway, I was all prepared to be put off by the issue knowing it would be including my Edwin Booth doll. I know I tend to prepare for the worst while secretly hoping for the best, I guess, for all the good it does me. But in this case I was delighted (really, what other word is there?) to see my artwork given some prominence at the front of the issue (page 4 no less!) underneath paper doll artist giant Brenda Sneathon Mattox. And the art doesn't actually suck too much. I mean, I look at it and think: wow ~ I did a not-too-shabby job on some of the details there!

Okay, it's a small thing, but it amuses me greatly and I had a fabulously fun time painting it and submitting it and not feeling like the weight of the universe was crushing around my shoulders just to throw it out there. Clearly I need more of that in my life.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to painting something for the Spring issue as well. I certainly have plenty of time to get it done, whereas this one was such a last-minute struggle! If nothing else, it's nice for the exposure.

I have been meaning to update for some time (always excuses, I know), but it's been a juggle working on other web-related projects. I am officially caught up, however, and so can devote a moment to some small bit of proof that I am working on the dolls that I had begun when I started this blog.

Here at the right is a riding coat for James ~ nothing fancy but I love the vibrant "cadmium pale" (I absolutely cannot resist that gouache color ~ everything should be cadmium pale in the world when I paint with it). I took the design from a simple 1840s cut. James ought to have something fancier, so I might make more than one style (he is, after all, all about excess). And of course I have will have to make a horse and a hound (or two) to go with this when all is said and done!

I also finished his West Point Academy cadet's uniform. This is two separate pieces, which is nice because then he can wear those white pantaloons with other coats, etc. And while I personally have a horror of white trousers, I do not doubt for a moment that James would have worn them and fancied them (as well as ones in "buff"). I've never thought of James as someone who would care for the dreary black suits that would dominate the latter half of the century.

While I have not been working on these dolls as much as I have meant to, I hope to step up. I have in addition to these piece here a pair of boots to go with the trousers (riding boots, of course!), and a fancy vest about which I have mixed feelings.

Next on the to-do is a winter coat and yes, I need to work on something for poor Emmaline. It'll probably be either wedding attire or a formal fancy attire for a ball for the both of them. And hopefully before Christmas!

This one's a bit out of the 19th Century theme, but who doesn't love George Washington? Given that's it's Election Day in America, it seemed no other doll would do. This one is by Tom Tierney (and probably one of his nicest of his presidential dolls).

So I hope you have all gone out and voted, America. Thank you for taking responsibility for your country!

I had wanted to post something Halloweeny yesterday, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to find a paper doll in costume (though I had a couple in mind who are wearing masquerade ball gowns ~ nothing too exciting anyway, so it's probably just as well.

Instead, today, in commemoration of All Saints, I'm sharing one of the most famous of the 19th Century saints of the Roman Catholic Church: Saint Therese of Lisieux, who was also called the "Little Flower" (you can read her story and see images of her at the Patron Saint Index if you click her name). The artist is Patricia Anderson Milan, who has done a handful of saints in paper doll form. Unfortunately, these appear to be out of print, but you can still find copies floating around.

There are a good number of things I love about these dolls. They are made for young children, so they are large, bright, and extremely easy to cut out (all of the dolls and dresses are very simple shapes, making most of the clothing interchangeable between characters (an added bonus). Also, there are just so many of them! This set includes Therese as a child and an adult, her sisters, aunt, uncle, cousin, parents, friends, and even her dog. The range of clothing includes school clothes, everyday wear, Communion dresses, and numerous habits of her religious order. Although the artwork is somewhat crude, it's got a handmade charm you can't get from super-polished work (with which I have a love/hate relationship). And because they are so easy to cut and handle, the set really does encourage play (more complex sets can seem too fragile or have too many very small pieces).

Click on the images to see more details. The overall quality of these dolls make them worth every penny.

Meanwhile, I actually have been working on making clothes. I just haven't had much energy to scan and post anything. As usual, I am at that place where suddenly I dislike my own creations rather intensely. I tend to get bogged down at this stage. Everything comes to a grinding halt. Why continue making a doll I dislike?

I will continue to muddle.