By the infallible method of "switching it off and on again" I have managed to persuade my scanner to talk to my laptop, so I can share with you the crafts I have been doing this morning. I've been making mixed-media paper dolls and dressing them up with scraps of paper and fabric and embellishments.
A part of me is complaining about the futility of this activity. I am not making clothes, or curtains, or furniture or anything else I will use. But another part of me replies "Shut up. It is fun. I am playing and enjoying myself. Not everything has to have a function."
I'll show you some of the dolls in the book. There was a template you were supposed to copy for this doll, and then dress it however you wanted. But I am so sick to death of female figures
invariably being represented as stick-thin that I rebelled and drew my own doll with more lifelike proportions (lifelike to me anyway. I had a good look in the mirror and took a few measurements). I tried to keep the cartoony look, such as the over sized head but the big hips and little bust are true-to-life.
I don't think the public run screaming in horror from images of female bodies that are generously padded. I don't think fat (or just average-sized) women look disgusting or repulsive. And I don't think anorexic lollipop-headed women look beautiful. Beautiful women look beautiful, whatever their size or shape, whether they are fashion models or cartoons or paper dolls.
By the infallible method of "switching it off and on again" I have managed to persuade my scanner to talk to my laptop, so I can share with you the crafts I have been doing this morning. I've been making mixed-media paper dolls and dressing them up with scraps of paper and fabric and embellishments.
A part of me is complaining about the futility of this activity. I am not making clothes, or curtains, or furniture or anything else I will use. But another part of me replies "Shut up. It is fun. I am playing and enjoying myself. Not everything has to have a function."
I'll show you some of the dolls in the book. There was a template you were supposed to copy for this doll, and then dress it however you wanted. But I am so sick to death of female figures invariably being represented as stick-thin that I rebelled and drew my own doll with more lifelike proportions (lifelike to me anyway. I had a good look in the mirror and took a few measurements). I tried to keep the cartoony look, such as the over sized head but the big hips and little bust are true-to-life.
I don't think the public run screaming in horror from images of female bodies that are generously padded. I don't think fat (or just average-sized) women look disgusting or repulsive. And I don't think anorexic lollipop-headed women look beautiful. Beautiful women look beautiful, whatever their size or shape, whether they are fashion models or cartoons or paper dolls.
7 comments:
*Much* prefer your doll's shape to the idiotic ones in the book. Now all we have to do is to get Mattel(?) to agree...
Fran
Oh my gosh, you weren't kidding when you said those book dolls looked like sticks, Melanie! Glad you've been having fun making your own. Love your outfits!
Oh, they really look like sticks! lol
Your are MUCH better!!
And mostly *everyone* has bigger hips than bust, except porn stars and Hollywood starlettes full of sillicone!!
And a few friends who complain they *wish* they had bigger hips!! he he
Good to see you back and I'm so glad you're feeling better. I love the doll idea - and yes, why should everything have a 'useful' purpose, fun is good too. And I completely agree with you about body shapes and sizes. I find the 'ideal' of skinny anorexic women quite damaging, especially to young girls who try to emulate it.
My hubby loves it when I have some curves. Makes me feel like Marilyn Monroe alittle, Ha.
Cute paper dolls, love em!
Very creative. And I like your doll's shape to one that doesn't even look human. Must be fun choosing new outfits for them.
That looks like a lot of fun! I enjoyed your post. I prefer your doll's shape, as well. Funny post:)
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