Exquisite Corpse Dolls

A few years ago, my daughter came home from school talking about a project they had done in art class...exquisite corpse drawings. As she explained the concept, I realized that I had done it years ago. We gave it a try, folding paper up, drawing part of a body, then switching and drawing the next section to connect with the unseen portions of the other's drawing. We came up with some pretty wild stuff!

Periodically we remember the art game, and give it a try again. Over the years I have amassed quite a collection of strangely charming little creatures. I decided recently to scan some of my favorites and print them on fabric, and then I stitched the edges and stuffed them to make little dolls. Amanda likes to draw animals, so the kitty, monkey or dog faces are hers. Mine are usually humanoid but some show my fascination with space aliens. We both like bright colors, crazy boots and textured tights...I guess it is my inner 60s child coming out and Amanda's secret desire to have been born in a different era (one with better music and fashions) showing through.

It is a great art game for people of all ages and abilities...give it a try!

1960s Revisited

I was pretty much a little kid in the 60s, but I still coveted the Carnaby Street fashions. This allover altered square pattern reflects my inner go-go girl.

Expanded Squares, Altered Squares

Lately I have been returning to my textile design roots. I have been playing with altered squares. You take a black paper square, divide it (with a pencil) into 4 equal parts, and cut out shapes. Then you flip the cutout negative space out of the black section and glue it all on white paper so there are mirror images of the cutout.

The black and white image is my square. The turquoise one is the image reduced and stepped and repeated in photoshop. I flipped the second row 180 degrees.

Thrinchies

A while back one of my art exchange groups did a valentine trade. We made a variation on inchies, which we called "thrinchies" because they were 3" x 3". Using six, I made this little quilted treasure box. My contribution, made with thin layers of torn cottons and a cut-out gold heart that I stamped on fabric (using my own hand-cut stamp) makes up the top. The left side is from Sonja in Hawaii, and has her hand-painted flowers. The right (with the heart and soul stamp) is from Kate in Texas. The sides of the thrinchies were sewn together and I added the beading. Oddly, I don't actually keep any treasures in the box...anyone have any ideas on what should go inside?