Since I returned from Costa Rica (hence my lack of updates since August), I have had many distractions. While the beach is conducive to relaxing and having fun, it's not so great for drawing, so I didn't get much done. Upon returning I had a number of other projects and family business to see to, and that has taken me away for the whole month of September! Now that I am back however, and more or less recovered from the travel (which always makes me lazy and stupid for a good while after), I am trying to get back to work. So I am forcing myself to update this blog.
Today's doll is by Peggy Jo Rosamund. Her dolls have always creeped me out because they are done in the style of old bisque and cloth dolls rather than "real people". They are rendered beautifully and the clothes are always exquisite, but those doll heads and joints just creep me out. Anyway, that didn't keep me from recently acquiring this small set representing Robert E. Lee and his wife done up as dolls circa 1860. The set includes uniforms from Lee's time in the Corp of Topographical Engineers (1839), with a lovely circa 1831 gown for Mary Custis; from Lee's time as Superintendent at West Point (1850s), which is the image shown; and during the Civil War.
It's a nice doll that I don't intend to cut. I also understand that Rosamund died earlier this year or last year (recently), so that makes it a nice keepsake.
Tom Tierney's presidents series is probably my favorite of all of his works for one major reason: with the various presidents as the focus of the books, Tierney is forced to come up with actual fashions for them! In too many of his other books, the male dolls seem to be secondary to the women and many of them have no dressing clothes (with the exception of, perhaps a hat). I love the presidents series because no matter what, they have to have outfits right alongside their wives, children, etc. The 19th century was dominated by the reign of Queen Victoria (and so is considered for the most part, the "Victorian" Era). Much as I like the term, it brings to mind a particular style for most people: the fashions of the "High Victorian" era, namely large bustles, high collars, and lots of neck jewelry ~ popularized by the beautiful Princess of Wales Alexandra (later Queen Consort to Edward VII), actually. When you think about the range of fashion throughout the century (Victoria was crowned in 1837 and died in 1901), calling everything "Victorian" can sometimes feel a little pointless, so I have opted to stay away from the term for the most part in favor of the American époques which break down into smaller, more defined sets of years/styles. I am still organizing content to fill here, but hello in the meantime! I am using this first post to set up the tagging feature. It's my goal to add new content at least twice a week, so even though this probably won't be a "daily", I hope you will subscribe to the RSS Feed and check back regularly! |
Paper Dolls Downloads
The download gallery has been closed indefinitely. You can still see posts related to each character by clicking their name in the list under "Categories" below. Categories
All
Archives
December 2012
|