Inspiring Dolls from Yolanda Jordan

Bedtime Bella lovey
        Big Twist Premium Gingerbread
        Carons simply soft wig cap
        Afro puffs: Hobby lobby’s fleece light.
Miss Maddie:
        Doll: RHSS Warm Brown
        Hair: RHSS Redwood

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😍#nocaptionneeded

A post shared by Yolonda Jordan (@myprettybrowndoll) on Nov 11, 2017 at 11:23am PST

I’ve been having some trouble with my dolls. That is, with my jointed dolls.

Remember, I’m moving forward from making teddy bears, which are not made jointed but all in one.

I’ve been trying to use the safety-eye ball-joint method.

The result makes all my dolls look really tense.

Shoulders hunched up.

Also, the shoulders are king of poofy, like quinceañera dresses from the 80s.

And I just realized, after reading about Ramona Garcia’s doll workshop, Stringing Ourselves Back Together, that the technology is not traditional for me!

I need to string my dolls back together. Remember Coyolxauhqui, even when she’s not.
I think I’m going to try this with my next doll.

I wonder if I should do buttons, as well as string?

Other ideas: Dora Milaje doll.

Red sleeveless top. dangling bit in the front. bare legs. bare arms. bald head.
something akin to a black harness/bra on top.
wrist cuffs? collar?

Finished my first Mermaid!.

I have a big-haired brown mermaid with pointy eyebrows and purple lipstick!

She already has a fan club and folks want to purchase/order her.

Quote from Margo: maybe the one I was thinking of. Maybe just close to it:

I really wanted to improve my drawing skills so I had a lot of motivation. I took a few private drawing lessons and committed to drawing (or making art) daily about 3.5 years ago. I think I've missed a couple of days but really have made that a priority through everything, even the hardest days.

The more I do it the better I feel about my drawing skills and the more I enjoy it. And it is often my meditative time during the day.

I've done it alone, in classes (as student or teacher), in sketching meet ups, with friends, with my wife.

The main thing is to do it. And to enjoy doing it (sketch things that are meaningful to you, play good music or an audio book or talk with a friend while sketching) will keep you coming back.

I like working just outside my comfort zone for maximum skill building with minimal frustration. This push has helped me get closer to where I want to be.

I also like experimenting with subject matter and mediums to keep it interesting and exciting.

Hope you give yourself this gift.