Since the dawn of history, humans have been drawn to small spirit figures that dance, protect, and charm. Most ancient dolls found in tombs were very simple creations, often made from such materials as clay, rags, wood, or bone. The manner in which these “spirit dolls” were placed leads anthropologists to believe that they were cherished possessions.
In this workshop, The Simple Grace of Spirit Dolls, you will create your own cherished Spirit Doll from simple materials and heartfelt purpose in the manner of the figure-makers of every age and culture.
Lyn Belisle, who has designed and taught numerous Spirit Doll workshops, will guide you on a highly personal path of discovery as your bring together materials and meaning into one small being.
You’ll bring twigs for your Spirit Dolls from places are special to you. You may bring leaves, as well, and moss, feathers or any other natural materials that seem to attract you. For fabric, think like a quilter and bring scraps of old garments that have been worn and loved. Use old jewelry and ribbons that you’ve worn for adorning your Spirit Doll.
Most importantly, you will be setting an intention for your Spirit Doll – will it be a wish for wisdom? Creativity? Self-awareness? As you construct you spirit doll, you will make artistic and intuitive choices that result in a cherished possession – your deeply individual and intrinsically beautifully intuitive Spirit Doll.
Course Curriculum
- Introduction (4:02)
- Lesson One - Sticks and Twine (6:20)
- Lesson Two - Body building (7:55)
- Lesson Three - Heads Up (7:01)
- Lesson Four - A Choice of Graceful Faces (9:14)
- Lesson Five - Do Spirit Dolls Wear Underpants? (7:31)
- Lesson Six - A Hairy Problem (8:56)
- Lesson Seven - Listen and Learn (4:15)
- Lesson Eight - Going Forward with Simple Grace (9:59)
Thanks for joining me in The Simple Grace of Spirit Dolls
I'm LYN BELISLE (say "buh-LYLE"), artist, teacher, author, and perpetual work-in-progress. My hometown is beautiful multi-cultural San Antonio, Texas, where I practice art, design amazing eBooks, run a popular Etsy shop called Earthshards, and teach workshops.
I work in four main media to explore my ideas:
In collage with encaustic and altered papers, celebrating anonymous faces and otherworldly places
In earthenware clay with found objects, creating spiritual and symbolic “neo-santo” assemblage
In fiber, with natural colors, wax, felt, tattered and dyed cheesecloth and digital photo images
In acrylic abstraction, with intuitive, non-referenced explorations of form and veiling
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You'll love the way your Spirit Doll comes together in this delightful workshop - it's almost like having an imaginary friend joining you on your creative journey!
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