this Messenger is inscribed with the Holstee Manifesto.

See the Messenger at The Empty Spaces Project in Putnam CT

Mass produced, over perfectified, glamorized fashionistas destined for goodwill, thrift shops and dumpsters can be given new life! Learn how to “up-cycle”, alter and embellish Barbie into an interesting, fun, whimsical, and or thought provoking work of art.

It is with malicious joy that many a child has taken scissors to Barbie’s golden mane. That would be just the beginning in the Barbie Redux workshop! The plastic pop culture icon can be re-constructed and held up to a higher standard of representation. As a work of art she may reflect societal issues about the roles that women play, related to gender, beauty, sexual objectification and feminine idealism. Or, she may become a whimsical or surreal creature leaving commercial symbolism behind in favor of a unique, one of a kind, work of art not to be destined for a landfill.

Instructor, Patricia Anders started altering Barbies in 2009 and continues to give new life and meaning to the mass produced object. Her altered dolls have been exhibited and published many times. Having altered nearly a hundred Barbies, she brings a wealth of experience to “playing dolls”.

The Barbie Redux workshop will be held on Nov 9th and Nov 10th (tentative)in conjunction with the Ojai art festival, “Dis-carted”.

The workshops will be held at OVA Arts
108 Signal Street, Ojai, Ca 93023 Phone: 805 646 5682
Class fee 40.00
All materials provided

I incorporated some found objects in this piece, the eyes are actually pebbles. I also decoupaged some fabric at the skirt area. I tend to shy away from fabric because of fear of the piece looking less artsy and more craftsy, dolly. if that makes sense :b And, lately, I feel inclined to not call these little figures dolls since really they are not toys and probably shouldn’t be played with.

More dolls in the works but I need to make an excursion out of town today for a visit to the craft store. Its been a while since I have purchased supplies and while I could probably go a whole year without buying any more supplies there are some specific items that make my heart art production faster and easier. And, honestly, I just need a craft store shopping “fix” 😀

These are ball joint dolls. the inside of the heads are hollow, I plan to put a tea light candle in them or a potted plant

Tonight is the opening reception for Barbie as art at Ann Street Gallery in NYC; “The Ann Street Gallery is delighted to present its newest exhibition Gendered Object: Barbie as Art, with an Artist Reception on Saturday, May 19 from 6 – 9 pm. This event is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

It seems the entire world knows who Barbie is, and in Gendered Object: Barbie as Art, a group of contemporary artists embrace this plastic beauty, whose iconic pop culture image exerts a powerful influence on artistic and visual culture alike. Mass-produced objects like dolls can tell us much about the creation and significance of self-image in the context of group identities. Since the 1960′s and the advent of the “consumer society” playing with gender identity through styling and fashion has moved from the margins to occupy a more mainstream position. This has since been expressed in popular culture through an interest in androgyny, breaking conventional gender dress codes, gender bending and body reconstruction. Read more here

I have contributed about eight dolls, this is one of them in the exhibit:

Ann Street Gallery

Ann Street Gallery, 104 Ann Street, Newburgh, NY 12550

I am an artist and an intuitive person with the ability to not only see but empathize and recognize the beauty in chaos, the beauty in a single rock and the beauty of the hearts eye. I have a friend who has inspired me by his ability to see beauty in “monsters” and outcasts which always has me trying to see through different eyes and recognize that there are many things and people who at first glance appear to be beautiful but are deadly or evil or ugly in reality. There are people like Ted Bundy who are attractive but a lie and Gacy who pretends to be funny and a friend to children, pure evil. People turned their heads aghast at the elephant man who’s deformity was mistaken for an ugly heart when it was those who tortured and exploited him who were much more ugly. Why we mistake external beauty for goodness is kinda crazy. Crinkles has a twinkle in her eye and offers up a flower and if you look at her expression closely you will see there is nothing menacing in between the lines. XO

Delightful package of arty goodness arrived in the mail for yours truely from friend Eve Noir. Many thanks dear EVE!!

Art in the mail, more real than the internet and so much better than bills!

First ever Barbie commercial