Inspiration for a Doll - the Movies

Doll artists can take inspiration for doll from anywhere - nature, a single colour, a phrase or expression, a child's storybook, folk tales, a real life person, a different culture, a political issue, an historical figure and so on. There are so many wonderful movies with amazing costuming ideas that it's hard not to be inspired.

Consider for example the wonderful world of Pandora from the latest James Cameron blockbuster. Not just the creatures dreamed up but the whole beautiful, lush world they enhabit. If you are inspired to make a fantasy creature ask yourself - what environment do they live in, how do they breathe, communicate - experience all the senses. How do they dress and show individual identity, rank, importance or role. What weapons or articles would they use and carry?

What about the magical creatures that are just over the bridge in Bridge to Terabithia?

Alice In Wonderland is a perennial favourite with Doll Artists. I am sure the 2010 version by Tim Burton will spark another frenzy. It's so interesting to see how art directors and costume designers play with such defined characters like the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts or even Alice herself. Johnny Depp is almost unrecognisable as the Mad Hatter (as is Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen - love the Bobble head look!)

Of course, we can't forget the always spectacular Lord of The Rings Trilogy. Firstly - my personal favourite the Ents.

Those interesting creatures - the hobbits .....

(Photo credit - Pierre Vinet)

Then, of course there were the ever luminous elves......

(Liv Tyler's gorgeous headpiece is absolutely glorious....)

Not to mention Gandalf with his wizard's staff and amazing hat, Aragon, the Riders of Rohan,  - even the baddies- Gollum, the Orcs, the Witch King - all provide enormous inspiration to the doll artist.

But perhaps your 'thing' is realism and historical dress? Well of course if you love the Elizabethan period there is Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth and Elizabeth the Golden Age....

If you fancy a bit of Ante-Bellum charm how can you go past Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind?  The white dress with the green sprigs and ribbons which Scarlett wears in the opening scenes is very iconic - but I've always adored the red dress she wears to Ashley's birthday party - looking every bit the Scarlet Woman!

or perhaps you're a bit of a fan of the Victorian period - what about Emily Blunt in Young Victoria?

Maybe Chicago inspires you to make a doll from the Jazz age?

Or my personal favourite by Francis Ford Coppola - The Cotton Club?

Which movies inspire you with your dollmaking? Do you love fantasy films or realistic ones? Are you a sucker for a costume drama? Which movie makes you want to hit the sewing machine and try to recreate a character? Share some inspiration.

Free Dollmaking Resource - Adele Sciortino's Newsletter

Adele Sciortino is a dollmaker originally from the US who now resides in Canada. Her work is completely stunning - she is well known for her very detailed costuming and embellishment. Her dolls are always presented properly posed with suitable props and a base upon which it is displayed.

(Image 1: Music by Candlelight - (c) Adele Sciortino - used with permission)

Journey Woman's Fish Tale (c) Adele Sciortino - used with permission.

Ming - Origami Gypsy (c) Adele Sciortino - used with permission.

Adele has a fabulous quarterly newsletter which she offers free to readers - all that is required is a quick registration - according to the latest newsletter there are over 3000 subscribers for her newsletter. It's not hard to see why! They are PDFs with wonderful colour photography and in depth articles about the various topics which to date have included Santas, Mermaids, 18th Century Fashions, Elizabethan costumes, the Art Deco period and so much more. It's an essential read for those who are serious about creating art that's "a cut above".

Neptune's Daughter (c) Adele Sciortino - used with permission

Adele's gorgeous creations don't stop at figurative sculptures. She also creates stunning beaded pieces such as beaded cuffs, necklaces and so on.

(All images (c) Adele Sciortino - used with permission)

I caught up with Adele's latest news via email. She is working on two new classes, is planning a workshop in Italy and launching a new online class "A is for Artistic" in March. The workshop in the Tuscany area of Cortona, Italy will be May 25 to June 1 of this year. The trip includes workshops with Adele but  apart from that there is a wonderful list of things to do including a Renaissance Festival, Tuscan Cooking Class, visits to local Etruscan Museums, a day trip to Florence, a farewell wine-tasting dinner and all meals, accommodation and more. To find out more or (better still) to book your spot - you can go here .

Australian readers will be happy to know that Adele is also scoping out a possible visit to Australia to teach her workshops. If you have a doll making group who would like Adele to come and teach, or you are an individual who like to attend a workshop you can contact Adele to let her know you are interested. I know I am!

Apart from all that activity Adele also runs the Figurative Art Consortium Conference on a bi-annual basis. 2009 saw the last one with a wonderful line up of teachers including Adele, Marilyn Halcomb, Pearl Moon, Barbara Schoenhoff, Wendy Rinehart, Edwina Sutherland and Peggy Wilson. Apart from the workshops, there was also a Shoe-Delicious Challenge,  a Vendor's Market, Pin-doll swap and Auction, hands on workshops and a whole lot more! The next Conference will be June 9 -12, 2011 at the Algonquin College in Otowa, Canada. with a theme of time-travel, hot air balloons and starships.

Adele has also produced a beautiful Figurative Art Calendar which is available from her website. She is currently working on the 2011 Calendar which is her fourth. This very busy lady has also just started blogging too - you will find her blog at http://www.adelesciortino-figurativeart.blogspot.com/ be sure to bookmark her blog - it will surely be worth reading!

Thanks to Adele for sharing her plans for 2010 and beyond and for her permission to use her images. Be sure to subscribe to her wonderful newsletter - it is chock full of information for doll artists.