The Bohemian Art Spirit

It has been a lazy Sunday...everything was left behind and making art dolls took hold of me again...laughs*

I have a passion for making art dolls, and now days almost an obsession for altering porcelain dolls, I have been doing this for the past few weeks which has taken me into a journey of discovery to my childhoood places, into my secret garden.

Let me tell you a bit of my own story.

I grew up in a small town near Mexico City, we shared my grandparents house with one of those inner gardens where the rooms are built around. This was a magical time in my life, and I often use the imagery of this garden while I meditate.
I was only 4 or 5 when I found a doll, she was very old, my grandmother said, she did not remember how it came to be there. I rescued her from an old storage place at the back of the house. She was dirty and kind of spooky baby doll, even though my
grandmother cleaned her and made new dresses for her, the poor thing looked like she had been resurrected from some ancient place or another world.

One day I left my doll in the garden overnight and it rained for two days...I don't need to tell you the results of this because the doll was made of some kind of paste. I remember how we lovingly buried her in the garden. I felt so guilty, but somewhat happy I did not have to look at her again...I remember her more than I remember any of my dolls.
I think that each of us has a Secret Garden where the "inner child" likes to play...if you ever read about the life of Frida Kahlo or her diary, she describes this in detail...so while I work on the dolls all wrapped up in gauze, I think of the one left buried in my grandmother's garden.

So, these little altered porcelain dolls have awaken in me nostalgic feelings. I wonder what others see in them, wrapped up like a mummy, holding an old key...these little creatures bring out a sense of mystery and the memories of childhood come alive.

They were inspired by the technique used by Patricia Anders (I have seldom met anyone with more imagination, if you want to be enchanted, check out her site, she has magnificent works of art http://www.patriciaanders.com/ ) using porcelain dolls altered with gesso and acrylics. I have listed a few in my eBay store.

http://stores.ebay.com/Visionary-Paintings-and-Art-Dolls

Most of my new dolls hold an old key, like "Destiny's Child", "Gate Keeper", "Moon Gate Keeper" and "Mystery Key", like a doll perhaps found in some old forgotten garden...left behind or buried by a child...does it sound creepy? I find it facinating!

Here are my dolls, most of them are listed in eBay for sale
In here you can view my porcelain altered dolls

Altered Art Dolls

• New Dolls


• eBay store and current auctions


• Other Spirit Dolls