Activist Art Doll for Empowerment+

“Hollie Rose Up”

An Activist Art Doll

“Hollie Rose Up” is a You-Do-You Voodoo™ Art Doll with an activist spirit. Dressed for a protest with her fist in the air, she’s an art doll meant to empower and inspire her owner.

Detailed Images

The Backstory

A patron of Kellie Jo Art commissioned this You-Do-You Voodoo™ art doll for a dear friend’s birthday.

Creation of the Activist Art Doll

Choosing Part of Hollie Rose Up’s Personality

One of my favorite parts in creating a You-Do-You Voodoo™ art doll is choosing its gemstones. I’ve played with rocks since I was a wee one (the kind in the driveway mostly). But at some point someone gave me a tumbled gemstone and it was all over.

I learned about the healing properties of gemstones just like everyone else, but if I’m stuck on where to begin, I dip my hand into my rock collection and feel for the right one. Kind of tooting my own horn here, but the rocks I’ve blindly chosen have never been the wrong ones.

Description

This collage offers a glimpse into the creation process of Hollie Rose Up, the activist art doll. The images showcase:

• The initial layout of gemstones (amethyst, snow quartz, and turquoise) placed on a preliminary sketch.
• The front view of Hollie Rose Up’s wire armature, highlighting the attached stones and cotton cord structure.
• The back view of the armature, featuring the same gemstones and a half racquetball forming the doll’s belly.

She’s Got Thick Skin

Hollie Rose Up, like all of my dolls, was created in layers. First the guts, then the muscle, then the skin. After that, there’s undies and layered outfits. You can’t see all those layers, but I send pictures like this one so the owner will know what into the art doll.

So far, Hollie Rose Up is the only You-Do-You Voodoo™ art doll that wanted some cotton panties and a bra.

Description

This image presents Hollie Rose Up, the activist art doll, before clothing is added. Wrapped in colorful yarn, she features womanly curves that emphasize her unique and natural design.

No, Not a Pole Dancer

She could be a pole dancer if she wants to be because she’s a doll of empowerment and can be whatever she wants. But in this case, the pole you see is a simple doll stand that I use to hold my dolls upright to help with their build and for photoshoots like this one.

Did you notice her belly-button ring? I love it!

Description

This image features Hollie Rose Up, the activist art doll, dressed in white panties with red trim and a halter-bra. She stands confidently with her left arm raised in a fist, symbolizing empowerment and strength. This step highlights her transition into a more defined and powerful figure.

Photoshoots Like This One Too

I can’t help myself. I have to add this picture of Hollie Rose Up and Wally. Wally helps me create everything in my art room, but he especially liked Hollie Rose Up. In this picture she seems to be petting him and I think that’s absolutely adorable.

FAQs

Art Specs

Artist Statement

Hollie Rose Up, an activist art doll, is herself a symbol of empowerment, self-care, and personal strength. I’ve called her Hollie Rose Up to honor the idea that she is a strong, independent woman who “rises up” and fights when she feels it is important.

Hollie Rose Up’s story begins with the sketch and the selection of gemstones—amethyst, snowy quartz, and amazonite—which provide energies for focused thinking, healing of body mind and spirit, and protection among many other qualities that would help to empower a person. The integration of these stones into the wire armature of the doll infuses this work with layers of meaning and intention.

Her construction highlights a blend of traditional craftsmanship and innovative techniques. The wire frame is wrapped in cotton cord, securing the stones and forming the doll’s structure. A half racquetball forms her belly. I’m not afraid to use uncommon methods to build these little spirits, learning through trial and error.

Moving from her armature to her skin is a layer of quilt batting to smooth the bumps and hollows, creating a layer of muscle. After that comes her skin, the yarn that pulls her all together. This stage of her creation is usually where I begin to hear the doll’s voice, giving me ideas and preferences about its appearance. Hollie Rose Up’s skin layer includes “hair” down below to acknowledge the beauty of human authenticity.

Hollie Rose Up transforms further with the addition of white panties and a halter-bra, then a fluffy empire waist top paired with blue jean shorts, thigh-high socks, and boots. Her purple hair, black on the bottom layers, is decorated with braids and beads. I think the choice on how she keeps her hair reveals a unique bit of character. Hollie Rose Up is ready for a protest or a festival, each braid reminding us of a woman’s complexity and resilience.

The contents of her backpack include a floral fabric that wraps a special note for the owner, various crystals, a small voodoo doll, a key, a bottle for aromatherapy oil, dried sage, and a yellow oil diffuser—are carefully selected to represent empowerment and personal care. Each item plays a role in Hollie Rose Up’s story, reminding us to be as self-reliant as possible and to take care of ourselves all of the time.

Hollie Rose Up stands with her left arm raised in a fist. This isn’t only the symbol of an activist at a rally, but also of a determined soul who feels this is the day to do something about “it”, emanating a feeling of empowerment and defiance.

Finally, her detailed accessories, including copper and turquoise hair wraps, bracelets, and a circular necklace, add more hints to Hollie Rose Up’s character. Her jewelry is pretty but also symbolic, each spiral representing the connection between spirit and the natural world, a life path traveled in authenticity. The circle symbolizes the eternal spirit, reflective of her multifaceted nature developed on her travels.

Hollie Rose Up is more than an activist art doll; she is a story of empowerment. With Hollie Rose Up, I hope to encourage her owner to stand tall, enjoy her multi-layered life story, celebrate her strengths, and find power in her true self.

AI Critique

Mystical Fusion: A Critique of an Activist Art Doll

“Hollie Rose Up” is a fascinating and visually striking doll that showcases a unique blend of materials and textures. The use of an amethyst crystal for the face immediately draws attention, imbuing the piece with a sense of mysticism and natural beauty. The contrast between the hard, smooth surface of the amethyst and the soft, intricate textures of the yarn creates a compelling visual and tactile experience.

The combination of the amethyst head with the yarn body is innovative and visually captivating. The crystal face adds a mystical and almost otherworldly quality to the doll. The use of various colors in the yarn, especially the vibrant purples and blues in the hair, brings life and energy to the piece. The muted tones in the skirt and boots provide a nice balance.

The different textures, from the smoothness of the amethyst to the fluffy yarn skirt and tightly wrapped yarn arms, add depth and interest. The tactile nature of these elements invites viewers to engage more closely with the piece. Additionally, the jewelry in the hair and around the neck adds a personalized and detailed touch, enhancing the art doll’s character and story.

On the other hand, while the amethyst face is intriguing, it lacks the ability to convey emotion, which might make the doll feel less relatable or expressive. The artist might consider experimenting with ways to incorporate subtle facial features without losing the unique crystal element.

Overall, “Hollie Rose Up” is a captivating and imaginative piece that effectively combines natural and crafted materials. The attention to detail and creative use of textures make it a standout artwork with a strong, unique personality.