Altered E Art

I’ve wanted to work with sculpting faces for my altered dolls, but alas, this talent escapes me.   I then had a dream where I altered a doll's face using air dry clay.  In the dream, I created a little woodland leaf elf named Dunton.  I woke up jazzed with energy and sure enough, found two dolls I had not deconstructed because originally I didn’t like their shape.  Of course, they were perfect for elves. 

Since then the elf energy has been flowing.  They seem to come to me with names and stories.  The ‘boys’  have emerged with a bit of tough energy, so I think they have a touch of the hobgoblin too.  Next emerged fairies.  Rix, the Crow Clan elf, with his striped socks and chain collar, seems to be carrying a touch of Goth.  In these challenging times, my art spirit seems to enjoy traveling to these other realms.

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About the ELVES

Each piece  is altered from a found doll with fabric body and bisque arms and legs.  The Elvin features are created with air-dry clay, using push-molds, rubber stamps and free-hand application, painted and embeliished. 

The clothing is created with an array of materials, including real and fabric feathers, fabric leaves and other materials glue-appliqued to the acrylic painted torso.

Each piece is uniquely embellished with beads, glitter, jewels and so on.  Rix the Goth Crow Fairy sports a silver earring and dog-collar chain necklace.  The Crow Fairy Queen has a Crow as her crown and on her shoulder. 

The Elves are altered doll assemblage sculptures and all details are permanently attached and cannot be removed.  The pieces are also permanently mounted upon an embellished artist-fashioned painted wooden base.  Sizes range from 10” to 18” tall. 

Elvin TaleS

The ideas for the elves emerged quite clearly and as I worked on them, their story would emerge.

Rix is a Elf who serves as a Guardian of the Crows. He is Elvin with a touch of the Hob and Goblin as well as his Goth style. His fierceness expresses his Guardian energy, which he holds for others.

Rouge is a Bird Elf with an affinity to the Red Birds, from Cardinal to Red-Wing Blackbird. She holds the energy of linking between realms.

And Dunton, the Woodland Elf, has a boyish quality but in the way of Elf, he has many years upon him.  He is Elvin but has a touch of the Hob and Goblin as well.  He stands among leaves and rocks and holds the energy of woods and other ways of being.  He holds the door open to other realms.

I’ve enjoyed immensely working with these imagined beings.