Ralonda Patterson from Decatur, Texas Third Bi-Annual 2007 ALL DOLLED UP: BEADED ART DOLL COMPETITION Theme: Celestial Reflections Return to the web-page displaying all 6 semi-finalists and overall results

Doll named Azure [Please be patient - These pages are graphics intensive and will load slowly] After reviewing the Beaded Art Doll Images on this page, and reading the artist's stories, materials list, and summary of techniques, VOTE & EVALUATE See the overall Results When voting closes 1/15/08, voting logs will be reviewed for any duplicate or otherwise illegitimate votes (for example, those from the same IP or email address), and these will be deleted. The on-line votes will be tallied and used to adjust the original votes of the Panel of Judges at CBJA, in the selection of a winner. The public's votes will weigh towards 25% of the final tally in selecting the Winner and Runner-Up.

AZURE

Blues, whites, fiery reds and yellows --
overtaking the sky from dusk 'til dawn --
fascinate me, whether in my dreams,
or longings for that something more,
whirling nebulas, mysterious planets and stars I barely see
... my Beaded Art Doll, my celestial reflection, I name you ....

Azure.

As you prepare to express your adoration to the Ancient of Days, you put on a garment of pure rightness. It is snug and holds fast to your true form for all to behold. Those in His courts who have eyes to see, witness the swirling vigor of praise rising to the surface from within you. Your feet are nestled in the slippers of a thousand sunsets that paint a new and fasinating curtain for the stage of life upon which you dance.

Snug Garment

When the light from the sun dims in its brilliant display to give rest to all His subjects, the curtain rises and there you are; center stage, standing in the nebuluous dusk. The moonlight illuminates your face as you look to a higher power for the strength to carry on in such a tense moment -- a moment to come boldly to the throne-room before your Lord and be judged. You lean your ear to hear the rythym of worship. The meaning of your dreams is realized and that longing for something more is quenched as a peace takes its place. It is then that you know you are free, free to dance across the universe.

Face

You begin to move to the sounds of praise with a passion and grace known only to those who have taken that leap of faith across the dark expanse of night. You whirl across the stage rotating and turning like a mysterious planet. The symphony of your movement across the heavens make the stars twinkle as you enter into the glory of His sanctuary. You turn your eyes to He who made you. With outstretched arms you burst forth. With your spirit lifted high you are caught up into His presnce as He recognizes you as one of His own.

Outstretched Arms

All the witnesses watch, holding their breath, waiting for you to stumble, but you dance before the King as though He were the only one watching, and nothing else matters. You dance until the Son stands up, and His light shines upon us all. The audience rises in encore for a new day has dawned. The sun has begun its journey across the sky with healing in its wings as you prepare to express again your adoration to the Ancient in the place which He has promised that you will enter if only you believe.

Front Body Detail

Side Close-Up

Hair

Side Image



Frontal Image

Back Image

Detailed Image

Leap of Faith
(rotation)

List of Materials
and Techniques Employed

Dimensions:
Doll measures approximately 13" from toe to toe, and 10-11" from mid-leap to top of head and 4" from hand to hand.

Construction Techniques:

The theme suggested a lapse of time or beginning and ending, so I wanted to freeze her in a burst of movement. I also wanted her to be purposeful in her motion instead of being a drone going about the everyday routine of our days. I wanted to create an energy and anticipation that suspends with her in mid-air. She needed to be pleasing to the eye, and maintain a sort of grace and elegance of a performer. Her color is meant to capture you and lure you closer so that you can feel her leaping. She touches our need to feel beautiful and the pressure to perform well and be accepted by those who are important to us.

I created her form by using a silhoette of a Barbie, then I altered it like crazy to get her torso to twist and her head to tilt back. I used memory wire to keep her back arched and floral wire to support the weight of her head. There are no wires in her arms or legs. I used a bead tube to act as a channel for the dowel to support her on the stand, so that she may be removed from it without suffering any damage.

Materials List:
white fabric
polyester fiber fill
red piping trim
coats and clark sewing thread
nymo and sono beading thread
memory wire
floral wire
polymer clay
craft paint
high gloss clear coat
3/8" wooden dowel
end of a bead tube
wooden plaque
E6000 epoxy
size 15/0 seed beads
size 11/0 seed beads
4mm Swarovsky bicone crystal

Techniques:

Stitching was limited to beaded back stitch to accent her lovely shape. Simple beaded wire set in a polymer base was used for her head-dress and her face was sculpted from polymer and inset with beads.

Ralonda Patterson
from Decatur, Texas


Doll named
Azure
[Please be patient - These pages are graphics intensive and will load slowly]

After reviewing the Beaded Art Doll Images on this page, and reading the artist's stories, materials list, and summary of techniques,

VOTE & EVALUATE

See the overall Results


When voting closes 1/15/08, voting logs will be reviewed for any duplicate or otherwise illegitimate votes (for example, those from the same IP or email address), and these will be deleted. The on-line votes will be tallied and used to adjust the original votes of the Panel of Judges at CBJA, in the selection of a winner. The public's votes will weigh towards 25% of the final tally in selecting the Winner and Runner-Up.