Thursday, November 25, 2010

Blythe and Me

I am happy to say that finally, my first series of Blythe doll paintings is completed.  It has been a labour of love that I started in July 2010. Funnily enough, I chose to paint the series to commemorate my 40th birthday (which is coming up on December 25) because the original Blythe dolls were born the same year. Upon doing more research about the dolls, I found out that they were "born" in 1972, not 1970. Whoops. Oh well, my friend Trish has told me that because it is within the same decade, it's still okay:)

Ilonwi Blythe
2010
acrylic on canvas
30"w x 24"h

Aside:  If I hear Jessica Simpson singing another Christmas carol on tv, I may just freak out.  She's terrible!!  I listen to tv while I'm painting and because she is just releasing a new Christmas album, she's been on every single talk show for the past week. At least at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade she's not singing live.  

Anyway, if I had to pick a true favourite in the series, I'd have to go with Ilonwi Blythe.  Part of the fun for me in doing the series was naming the dolls!  When I was younger I used to want to name my daughter Ilonwi.  What?  I don't even remember where I heard that name (it was some random princess) but my roommate at university, Lisa, and I used to laugh ourselves to death about that name.  I actually find it quite fitting for the doll in this painting.  Working from photographs (like usual) I chose to paint Ilonwi with tattooed skin and ethereal white hair.  She's so gentle and peaceful.  Her eyelashes turned out so "feathery"--they worked!!

Tabitha Blythe
2010
acrylic on canvas
20"w x 24"h

I named Tabitha her name purely because she looked like a Tabitha to me.  I think her eyes worked the very best out of the whole series. They are very liquid and yet plastic looking at the same time.  She's a good blend of sweet and spooky--two of my favourite things. I wanted to incorporate many of my "styles" into the paintings, so I created Tabitha's background with layer upon layer of green and yellow orbs. She's kinda got my hairstyle too, but mine is longer now.

Lizzie Blythe
2010
acrylic on canvas
24" w x 48"h

Lizzie is the largest of the five paintings.  I had actually painted her face with a multitude of colours at first.  Then I had a dream that she had a pink face, so I had to redo her with a fluorescent pink face.  Now she's a little bashful and reserved--appropriate with her frilly, girly clothes.  Lizzie kind of reminds me of my daughter Carter for some reason, not that Carter is bashful or shy.  I really love the background for Lizzie too. The pink/white/gold squares is one of my signatures these days.

Fairest Blythe
2010
acrylic on canvas
20"w x 24"h

Who's the fairest of them all?  Fairest of course!!  There has been a lot of interest in Fairest.  People seem to like her little hand in front of her mouth.  She's such a polite little doll and would never say the wrong thing.  I love the strange proportion of the Blythe dolls.  GIGANTIC head and eyes and tiny little hands and feet.  They are a little bobble-headish.  I chose to paint Fairest on a simple black background.  There is so much going on with the golds, whites and blues in her hair and her CRAZY eyes that there didn't need to be anything competing in her background.

Middleton Blythe
2010
acrylic on canvas
24" x 24" x 3"

Last but not least, we have little Middleton Blythe.  What a fabulous name that is, isn't it?  I want another daughter just to name her Middleton.  When I had a friend over to see the series before I was quite finished, she suggested that I pick a "current" name for this one.  I always felt that Middleton looked quite British with her little yellow slicker.  Since Prince William and Kate Middleton had just announced their engagement, I thought that Middleton would be the perfect name for this little girl.  Middleton actually looks the most like a true Blythe doll.  I used the blue halo effect that I have used previously in several family portraits and on Oh Bama.

For some reason, I chose to work on the whole series at the same time.  I'm not sure if I would do that again.  It seemed like it took forever to make any progress with any one painting.  I normally do work on several pieces at once, but they are usually all completely different from one another.  Working on 10 little eyes, 5 little mouths, 5 different backgrounds etc. seemed to be a bit tedious.  I am ALL about instant gratification and in this case, it was a bit of delayed gratification.  Live and learn.

I currently have all the dolls at my house, waiting to hear what I'll be doing next with them.  Drop by if you are in the neighbourhood to meet them in person.  In this case, the photos really do not do them justice--they are much more colourful and full of personality in "real life"

I'm actually extremely attached to the girls and I'm going to have some trouble with letting any of them go.  Perhaps I'll do another series of them at some point.  Several years ago my friend Laura suggested that I paint a Blythe doll.  Maybe I'll see if Laura has anymore suggestions for me!!  Actually, once I finish all the Christmas commissions I think I'll take my dad up on his idea and do a series in the style of "The Garden".  We'll see.  I'm just about to start my first dog portrait which I am so excited about!

xx
Justine