"INSPIRATION"

in·spi·ra·tion (nsp-rshn) n.
1.
a. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.
b. The condition of being so stimulated.
2. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.
3. Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.
4. The quality of inspiring or exalting: a painting full of inspiration.
5. Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.
6. The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.

Altered Art Dolls





"Altered Art Dolls"....Created By: Amy Maisel....Mixed Media (Porcelain Doll Parts, Napkin Rings, Curtain Ring, Tuna Can, Jar Lid, Fibers, Beads, Charms, Buttons, Ribbons, Beads, Clay, Glitter, Etc.

These dolls were "INSPIRED" by a fabulous artist JoAnnA Pierotti of Moss Hill Studio.... mosshill.blog.com

I saw a sweet little doll she did for a workshop and I had all these little porcelain dolls I wanted to do something with and one of her dolls inspired these dolls. My dolls look completely different than hers, but inspiration is a wonderful thing. It is a spark that hits you and gets your own gears moving so that you can create something completely unique to you, but capture that moment you had when you saw the art of someone else. "Copying is the most sincerest form of flattery.....BUT, Copying is Copying!!! I do not mix Inspiration with Copying, nor should anyone else!!!!


"Make a Wish"






"Make A Wish"....Made By Amy Maisel.....Mixed Media.....Inspired by JoAnna Pierotti's Art Dolls in the book "Exhibition 36".

I made this doll for my Art Doll Exchange Gift at my Christmas Party for The DollieMama and the Fabric Floozies Doll Club!!! (I am now tongue tied...LOL) I wanted to try something new with altering Baby Doll heads and I saw JoAnna's sample of how to make one in the Book "Exhibition 36". I liked her mixed media approach and wrapping fibers around a cylindrical object for a body. This was fun to experiment with and I liked how it turned out!!! Fun!!! Inspired!!!


"Colorful One"





"Colorful One".....By Amy Maisel.....Mixed Media (Lampshade, Babydoll Head&Arms, Mixed Fibers/Cloth, Beads, Charms, etc.) Inspired by the artists (JoAnna Pierotti and Lisa Loria).

Again, I wanted to try and play around with this idea of using Baby Doll Parts. I have been making some steampunk dolls and thought I would use them for a "darker piece" but, I decided to do something more colorful and fun instead. I love using my upholstery fabrics, zippers, fibers, ribbon, charms, etc!!! She had to have some funky dreaded wool yarn hair along with a full colorful skirt made from an old wire lampshade. This doll was fun to make and different than what I normally make, but still staying true to my style!!!

The TimeKeeper

“We all run on two clocks. One is the outside clock, which ticks away our decades and brings us ceaselessly to the dry season. The other is the inside clock, where you are your own timekeeper and determine your own chronology, your own internal weather and your own rate of living. Sometimes the inner clock runs itself out long before the outer one, and you see a dead man going through the motions of living.”
~Max Lerner










"The TimeKeeper".....Created By Amy Maisel......Mixed Media (Beads, Buttons, Fabric, Bendi Doll, Fibers, Odds&Ends!!!)

Wise Woman Workshop~With Gretchen Lima

A wise woman, who was traveling in the mountains, found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.

But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he said. "I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone."

--- Author Unknown



"Wise Woman of Worries"...Made by Amy Maisel...Mixed Media/Fibers...Created in Gretchen Lima's Workshop "Wise Woman" http://www.gretchenlima.com/

In the wonderful world of Art Dolls lives a woman by the name of Gretchen Lima. She is an inspiration not only for her abilities as an artist, but her nature, wisdom and spirit. I took her "Wise Woman Art Doll Workshop" and learned a lot about tapping into your inner spirit to put into your artwork. The journey for me took me to a place of deep meaning and for me my Wise Woman I created is so much more special because of it!!!

"Wise Woman of Worries" is a Woman who takes your worries and gives them to the birds to fly away with them. Exactly the wisdom I need!!!!

a part of you and a part of me...Camelia-The Garden Fairy

“The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises.”

~Leo F. Buscaglia




















Camelia-The Garden Fairy.....Created By: Amy Maisel (and Friends)....Beaded Art Doll

This Art Doll started as 6 doll parts from 6 fantastic artists. Each doll part was created as a fun art challenge in my Art Group "Dollie Mama and The Fabric Floozies" During our meeting we mixed all the doll parts together in 6 different bags and chose one of each (head, body, right arm, left arm, right leg, left leg). Obviously, the challenge was to create a doll using all the random parts. My parts were pretty similar in size, however, I had to nip and tuck a few to make them match up a little better. I starteed with a large hand and beaded it into a tree branch with flowers and I couldn't stop beading!!!!!!!! I worked on this doll for a whole month. I used it as a stress reliever from a very hectic month!!! She really turned out amazing and is so different from anything I have ever made on my own. So, thank you my dear artist friends for all those inspirational parts of you. I used them to make something that was from a deep part of me.

Camelia...means Giveness....appropriate for the giving nature of all of you whose parts I have!!!! XOXO

Steampunk TinkerARTdoLL

tin·ker noun /ˈtiNGkər/ 
tinkers, plural

1.(esp. in former times) A person who travels from place to place mending metal utensils as a way of making a living

2.A person who makes minor mechanical repairs, esp. on a variety of appliances and apparatuses, usually for a living

3.A Gypsy or other person living in an itinerant community

4.An act of attempting to repair something








TinKeR.......By Amy Maisel.......Altered Bendidoll with Mixed Media Objects..Beads, fabric, fibers, jewelry, odds and ends, etc.

I was just hanging out in the studio one Sunday afternoon with my daughter and she wanted to make a steampunk doll with my felt. Well, I wanted to do something similar. As I went through my scrap fabric I found a zipper I salvaged from an old bookbag. I thought about the zipper being a mouth....then I realized I had a ready made bendi doll I got at Michaels and I envisioned what you see now...A steampunk Tinkerdoll. I was influenced by Tim Burtons movie "9". I love anything vintage, tattered and well loved...and well, this looks all three. Tinker is my favorite doll I have ever made!! She has a lot of love and a lot of little stories in her.

Art Unravelled -Phoenix 2011

A pretty a day
A pretty a day
(and every fades)
is here and away
(but born are maids
to flower an hour
in all,all)

O yes to flower
until so blithe
a doer a wooer
some limber and lithe
some very fine mower
a tall;tall

Some jerry so very
(and nellie and fan)
some handsomest harry
(and sally and nan
they tremble and cower
so pale:pale)

For betty was born
to never say nay
but lucy could learn
and lily could pray
and fewer were shyer
than doll. doll

Written by: E. E. Cummings.








"POD HEAD NIMPH".....Created by Amy Maisel....CLass and Design by LISA RENNER ....Mixed Media Art Doll

This was my first year at Art Unravelled...I guess this was my first year for taking any classes (outside of college classes of course)! I really wanted to experience what all my favorite artist bloggers were talking about!!! I have lived in Arizona for 3 years now and regret I did not come until now! I had an amazing time and wish I could have taken more classes!!! Well, the class I did take was called "Pod Heads"....which spoke to me because of the mixed media with natural elements!!!! I also really wanted to try my hand at Encaustic wax (which now I am addicted)!!!! Anyway, I loved the instructor Lisa Renner and she is an amazing artist and sweet soul!!!! I hope I can take a class from her in the future!!! The piece I made turned out really cool and I love her!!! I created these really cool wings out of Wax, Wire and Tissue Paper!!!! L.O.V.E.