Angel Inspiration!

I just finished a very inspirational book by a doll artist Patricia Coleman Cobb entitled "Angels in The Mud." I read it with so much interest and curiousity. There are very few books that actually hold my interest for any particular period of time. However this one did. Ms. Coleman Cobb webs a story of her life and experiences with family, friends, lovers and her beloved husband Larry and three boys while taking us on an incredible journey of the inspirations of her wonderful dolls!

I found the book an inspiration to my own doll making. It has forced me to view my environment, people and experiences as a catalyst to my creativity. This is something I have never quite explored before.

There is one quote in particular that I absolutely loved in the book. This quote is found at the bottom of page 117 and it states " I have learned that you have to believe in yourself and in your dreams even when nobody else does. If you get knocked down, you get back up again, and again, and again. And, remember that it ain't over till it's over!"

I would love to meet Patricia one day. From reading her book, I have found her to be quite a strong, resourceful and creative individual who will continue to dance to the beat of her own drum!

My Next Exhibition: Honfluer Gallery East of The River Group Exhibition

Greetings folks! I have just been accepted into the juried Honfluer Gallery East of The River Group Exhibition. Here is the info:

The Honfluer Gallery presents the Second Annual East of the River exhibition, highlighting the creative minds of Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, DC. The exibition dates are as follows:

August 9th - September 19th, 2008
Exhibition Opening Reception: August 9, 2008, 7:00 pm

The location of the gallery:

Honfleur Gallery
1241 Good Hope Road, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Phone (202) 631-6291
Website: www.honfluergallery.com

I will be exhibiting "The Three Divas" mixed media art dolls on canvas. I look forward to seeing you there!

The Three Divas: Mixed Media Art Dolls

I decided to try out a little mixed media craft with my doll art. These mixed media dolls were submitted to a gallery for a possible exhibition entry. I call these ladies the Three Divas because, well they are little Divas! Aren't they cute? I love the little outfits and the abstraction quality about them. These come individually or as a set.

My Latest Doll Creation!

This is the first doll I have done in a long time that I actually placed a face on it. I am a bit insecure when it comes to faces, but because this was a commissioned doll and I felt the client would prefer to have a face, I decided to do one. My husband actually liked the face. He prefers my dolls be faceless but I took a risk on this one. The doll is called "Wanda" for a particular reason. It was named by my husband who has reasons for everything!

Meeting Poncho Brown & Sharon Tucker in Philly!

Oh how I love art and music festivals! Especially in a city that definitely knows how to do it right- Philadelphia, PA. My love, my home, my city of brotherly and sisterly love! I had a great opportunity to visit my birthplace and attend the West Oak Art and Jazz Festival yesterday, June 22,2008. It was purely a blast. In full disclosure, I wanted to see in person, Sharon Tucker, one of the well known, African American doll artists on the east coast. Sharon was conducting a doll workshop there and I wanted to meet her and learn from her. Indeed I did. She was so open and willing to share which I believe is rare for African American doll artists and any profession to do for some reason. Giving back is of primary importance to Sharon who shared with me how frustrating it was when she started, 15 years ago, for others, particularly African American doll artists, to share with her various doll making techniques. Her workshop was to put together a doll. It was demonstration and lecture on the art of doll making and what is important to remember. My eyes were attentive and stayed placed on her as she took us through a quick run through of a doll making excercise. I was so amazed at her style and grace and that she "got real" with me and others she encountered. This personality sold me and in fact I purchased two of her dolls to take home with me.

I also met great artists Poncho Brown and Charles Bibbs while I was there. Both of these gentlemen were very down to earth. Poncho during his workshop preached about the need for all of us to look around our homes and see if we can identify any portion of our ancestry in it. He also talked about spending money on things that will appreciate like art and giving back to our community. Lastly, which I really liked, he showed his techniques and encouraged everyone to look at their creative side and find a way to cultivate it. I really enjoyed my Sunday afternoon in Philly! Peace to the artists who attended!

Sewall-Belmont Art Exhibition Reception, June 18th!

On Wedndesday, June 18th, the official reception took place for the Project 3: Empoerwered by Empowered Artistry which is an exhibition of a collaboration of arts organizations dedicated to social justice issues, making a difference, both locally and globally, through individual creativity and the fine arts. The venue, The Sewall-Belmont House and Museum is located in the heart of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC next to the Hart Denate Office Building. The exhibit features work from me which is a stamped doll that has been framed in a shadow box called Feminine Mystique.

Feminine Mystique
Artist Statement

This doll was created based upon the then controversial 1963 book of the same title by Betty Friedan which attacked the popular notion that women of that time could only find fulfillment through childbearing and homemaking.

The book argues that women are victims of a false belief system that requires them to find identity and meaning in their lives through their husbands and children. Such a system causes women to completely lose their identity in that of their family. I believe in many cases women today still fall victim by society to have a husband and children in order to be considered completely feminine.

This stamped doll describes the emotions and feelings of women today in relation to the various roles they play as business owner, wife, mother, daughter, sister, etc. It’s not easy to be all and still be yourself.

The doll is handmade- Pima Cloth doll, Dyed and stamped in Shadow box frame. If you are in the Washington, DC area, I invite you to stop by to see this striking piece of art.

My Newest Doll Creations

Hey all, I am showing off the latest creations from Sankofa Doll Artistry. All of these dolls are spoken for. But I am excited about all of them. These photos are a testiment of the true nature and spirit of the dolls. I am proud of the growth that I am moving towards. Now I have to create more. What will the themes be? How much time I am going to spend on the next editions? Who knows but I have several shows coming up in the fall so I need to get crackin!