I Am Honoured

Creative Artistry Blog Award

This very special award was recently developed by Dessa Rae of Dessa Rae Art Dolls. I love what it stands for and when I first read Dessa's blog about the creation of this award, I thought - this is brilliant and really does exemplify everything that is good about blogging. As the first recipient of the award, Dessa presented it to Joanna Thomas of Joanna Thomas Art Dolls. What a perfect person to receive this I thought!

To my surprise and delight, Joanna has passed the award on to me. I am honoured and thrilled.

When I started blogging just before Christmas 2008, I was very wary. I was sure I would not have anything to say, and felt that it may be yet another project that I start, and lose interest in very quickly. I started visiting other blogs, first of people I knew (or knew of), and then explored some of the people that would post on those blogs. Getting up nerve, I started leaving responses of my own, and following some of the blogs. Within a couple of days, my interest was firmly peaked, I had made some new friends, and I was completely enchanted by the world of blogging. I never imagined the brand new world that blogging has opened up for me. Each day, I find inspiration, information, humour, friendship...something to brighten my day, just through blogging. Joanna, thank you so much for this award, it is so special to me and I am truly honoured.

When Dessa created this award the one stipulation was for the recipient to pass the award onto another blogger who was felt to be deserving of it.

This is tough, there are so many people in blogland that I know that deserve this award - how to pick just one? Just off the top of my head are seven people that I immediately thought of, however the one person that creeps to the very top of my head is

Marilyn Radzat of As Seen Through My Eyes.

Marilyn is one of the most talented artists I know of, and one of the most beautiful people that I have the pleasure of "knowing". (one of these days, I hope to meet Marilyn in 'real life'). I've known Marilyn for approx. 10 years now, and consider her not only a friend, but a mentor. (When I started creating dolls, I wanted to be just like Marilyn LOL) This extremely talented and creative woman is also one of the most selfless and giving artists that I know of. She is always a source of inspiration and her blog constantly reflects this. It is a pure joy to visit and as with her incredible pieces of art, one is transported to a magical place.

So Marilyn....this one is for you!

Sunday Spotlight Eye Candy

Joanna Thomas Art Dolls

Marie Antoinette

Joanna Thomas, insanely talented, one of a kind doll artist is the first subject for my weekly Sunday Spotlight. I met Joanna (virtually) approximately seven years ago on another polymer artists forum group and over the years have come to know her as just as beautiful a person as the incredible little figures she creates.

Duchess

Every figure I see of Joanna's, regardless if it is a small faerie, a delicate dancer, enchanting story book lass, or one of her little ladies, is so inspiring. The attention she pays to detail in all aspects of her work is so evident just with a quick glance at a picture of one of her figures. But, a quick glance is never enough - from the perky little hats to the coordinating bases, there is so much to take in.

Flower Pixie

Joanna sculpts from polymer clay and handpaints the faces, including the soulful eyes. She designs and handmakes the clothing out of delicious silks, laces and other delicate fabrics. She doesn't advertise that under the outer costume of each doll, is a complete set of undergarments, to rival the finest that any woman of the ton would have possessed. Not only is this artist a sculptor and costume designer, but she is also a cobbler - each tiny shoe is handcrafted, usually from leather by Joanna.

Bebe

Joanna sculpts elaborately costumed Little Ladies, using historical reference as inspiration. She creates delicate small
faeries, enchanting storybook figures, graceful dancers and tiny dollhouse sized pieces.

Periwinkle - Faerie

Mon Alice - Storybook

Odile - Dancer

Young Girl - The Minis

Joanna's newest piece, (I'm absolutely in love with this one):

MarieTherese

Looking at the above pictures, I'm sure you can understand how this very talented and creative artist is such an inspiration to me.

It is no surprise that as soon as a piece is listed in Joanna's Etsy shop, Inchelina, it is sold and that she is also kept busy with commission work.

To see more of Joanna's delightful creations, please visit her site, here