Art Dolls by Du Buh Du Designs

New Years Resolution..a few months late

A second hand chest of drawers that I repainted and put new knobs on. It now resides in the kitchen along with the sewing machine that I vow to figure out how to work..soon (heard that one before?).

Thank you to all for a wonderful update this past Thursday! I was telling Mark that as soon as my dolls go up in the shop I immediately want to start on the next dolls. But that momentum is often lost as the next few days are spent cleaning up after myself. I need to figure out a way to stay organized throughout my dollmaking (sculpting, glazing, painting, sewing, packing, etc.). So this weekend I have spent reorganizing my studio and part of the kitchen which I have taken over (t.v. trays anyone?). I just need separate stations and some discipline so that once I finish a set of dolls I can move on to the next when I usually ready to. Hopefully I'll be working on some new ones this afternoon! I will be making a few more girls with tattoos, more dolls with masks and a few "different" ones for Donna O'Brien's "Swashbuckler Soiree".

Enjoy the remainder of the weekend:)

My husband Mark and son yesterday.We were on our way back from Earth Day Celebrations, including a "Procession of the Species" parade (which we missed but explains the mask..he doesn't normally walk around like this I assure you).

Andres's bench..It is April 20th and still snowing here..I'm wondering if we will even have a garden this year (only weeds so far)! My son is still singing Frosty the Snowman..there's no reason for him to stop now :)

In honor of Earth Day this Tuesday a beautiful video from space. Worth watching if you have six or seven minutes. I like to think this is maybe what we see on our way in or out of this life. Maybe that's a little weird but nice to think of while watching this.

Sneak Peeks at Thursday's Shop Update!

Greetings everyone! The weekend zipped on past me but despite that and a bum arm (now cramped hand!) I was able to finish some dolls for the shop update this week. These particular dolls have been a lot of fun to make and I plan on including more of these along with bird mask dolls (which people are still asking about). A few of you have given me ideas as well which are stored away for future reference..thank you! I plan on doing a little experimenting with my dolls in the near future as I feel the need to branch out a little. In the meantime here are the ten new dolls that will be in my shop this Thursday at 2pm Pacific (see the clock at the top of my page). Hope to see you there:)
Oh, and check out Betty's tattoo and Stella, Harper and Marcella's locket necklaces pictured at the end of the post :)

Sorry about the photo quality but I included a picture of Oscar in the lockets of Harper and Marcella. He was the only male doll I had available and so I thought it was appropriate (or rather in appropriate) to include him. He will not be in this week's shop update as he prefers to remain shirtless at this point. But he will be included in a future one I promise:) I forgot to mention the lockets are a nod to Anne-Julie who makes some beautiful ones (I have one that I love)!

Betty just seemed the kind of girl that would have a tattoo..

Please note: A few of these have been changed a little since this and the group photo were posted. Individual photos of the the dolls are current however..just thought I'd let you know :)

Photography and a peek at my Dolls..

"Dog Portrait"~ 35mm, 3x5 negatives,color print from my days at SJSU for a project I never used.

It's funny, many of you know me as a dollmaker but I actually studied photography at San Jose State University where I graduated back in 2004. I miss being in the darkroom for hours on end and the camaraderie I felt among my fellow students. The students and faculty were among the most supportive people I have ever encountered and I am happy to have had that experience in my life. There's nothing like super creative people and a bit of healthy competition to make one do their best. I learned that I definitely didn't want to do studio or product photography (which is funny since I have to do that with my dolls to some extent).

My studio shot for magazine article assignment on Handwriting Analysis~ 4 x 5 color transparency used as a negative.

I loved experimenting with alternative processes and tried to work them in even during my beginning classes when My instructors probably preferred I learned the basic first. Many of my project were made into books, partially to solve the problem of displaying the works during critiques, but mostly because I loved books and paper, texture, images,fonts, text,etc.

One of my Black and white infrared photos, sepia toned.

Sadly, I wasn't able to get into the one class that I had wanted to for a few years, the Alternative Process class. It was the most popular class in the Photo Department . I tried getting in , even as a Senior but unless you were graduating that semester, you had no chance of getting in (the class was offered once a year and you had to bring in transcripts as proof of your status). The class was also sought after due to the instructor, Brian Taylor, who was one very popular because of his personality, friendliness, talent and enthusiasm. I was fortunate to have taken a lecture class (Photo History) from him but one of my regrets is not having had him as an instructor for other classes.
Anyhow, I came across his website yesterday and was reminded of the wonderful books he has made for his shows and it immediately made me want to delve back into bookmaking and photography ( I just may :) ). Here are some of the pages form his handmade books~ if you're inspired go visit his site.

© Brian Taylor

© Brian Taylor

© Brian Taylor

This Tuesday's shop update has been moved to Thursday! Due to problems with my arm (still) I'm a little behind on my work. Plus it's suppose to be in the seventies here this weekend, so I may be busy with other things as well..I deserve a little break I think :)

Current dolls..I'm working on their arms and mine!!

Enjoy your weekend!