Angels Unawares, a Mystical Art Doll

Roberta, the Angels Unawares, Moonstone Art Doll

Roberta is a You-Do-You Voodoo™ art doll made with a beautiful June birthday moonstone and hidden angel wings tucked under her coat.

Detail Pictures of Roberta

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The Backstory

Roberta’s backstory is pretty simple. She came to be because a patron wanted to give her good friend a birthday gift that “means something”, so she asked me to make a doll. After learning a bit about the woman who would take care of the doll, I started building it. As usual, the doll’s spirit soon took over the design phase and I was just the hands doing the work!

Angels Unawares, Moonstone Art Doll: from Beginning to End

Creation Sheet

I call the white paper you see in each of these photos the doll’s creation sheet. You can see that from the beginning, before I ever got her head on her body, I heard the name “Roberta”. As the wrapping went on, I made notes of other things to pass onto my patron’s friend. I don’t know if they’ll resonate with her, but paying attention to thoughts like those help me create the You-Do-You Voodoo™ art dolls.

Description

Clockwise from top left:

1. Roberta’s armature and moonstone head along with a sticky note telling me a little about my patron’s friend.
2. Roberta, now in one piece, endures the first go-round of wrapping to build her shape.
3. Here is a little naked Roberta decked out in the skin chosen for her.
4. Getting started on her outfit which turned out to include a petticoat, a slip, and finally the skirt itself. The petticoat and start of the slip is shown.

A Bit of Booty

Roberta has a round backside that might be mistaken for a bustle.

Description

This close-up image captures the detailed progress of Roberta’s outfit, highlighting her slip and the start of her skirt. The careful layering and choice of materials reflect the meticulous craftsmanship involved in her creation. In the background, the artist’s supplies and creation sheet provide a glimpse into the thoughtful and intuitive process that brings each You-Do-You Voodoo™ art doll to life. This image showcases the dedication and artistic vision that made Roberta a unique and meaningful gift.

The Invisible Wings

So why would I include her angel wings but cover them up with her coat? Because Roberta is an angel, but she’s like her caretaker: an angel who hides her wings. “Angels Unawares” comes from the King James Version of the bible, but I also like this quote:

“Be not inhospitable to strangers, lest they be angels in disguise.”

~George Whitman

Description

This collage captures the intricate details of Roberta’s hidden angel wings and the beginning stages of her blouse. The upper image shows the delicate wings adorned with small turquoise beads, symbolizing protection and hidden strength. The lower image presents the start of Roberta’s blouse, highlighting the careful wrapping and layering techniques used to create her unique attire.

These images emphasize the thoughtful craftsmanship and symbolic elements that define Roberta as a You-Do-You Voodoo™ art doll. The hidden wings reflect the idea that true strength and protection often remain unseen.

The Coat of Many Colors

Initially, I planned for her coat to be much longer. However, I noticed that it would get caught in the twine ribbon of her skirt and would never lay the way I wanted it to, so I chopped it off short.

Description

This collage offers a detailed look at the intricate weaving on Roberta’s coat, showcasing both the front and back perspectives. The upper image highlights the colorful and textured weaving on the front of her coat, while the lower image reveals the equally detailed weaving on the back. Each strand is meticulously placed, creating a rich tapestry of colors and textures that add depth to her overall appearance. These images emphasize the careful craftsmanship and artistic vision that define Roberta as the Angels Unawares, Moonstone Art Doll, making her a unique and cherished piece within the You-Do-You Voodoo™ art doll series.

Art Specs

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Artist Statement

As an artist, I draw my inspiration from observing the world around me, especially the many ways in which people interact with it and with one another. The You-Do-You Voodoo™ art dolls were born out of witnessing the pervasive issue of social comparison, particularly on social media. I saw the negative effects these comparisons had on people’s mental health and felt a compelling need to address it. These dolls advocate for self-care and self-acceptance, providing a gentle reminder that we should nurture our own wellbeing rather than wish to be someone else. Social media is but a highlight reel, usually omitting the not-so-pretty aspects of our lives.

Now, meet Roberta, the Angels Unawares, Moonstone Art Doll, a special creation within the You-Do-You Voodoo™ series. A birthday gift made specifically for a patron’s dear friend, Roberta embodies the energies of moonstone. I chose moonstone because it is one of June’s birthstones, but its deep connection to the moon and the divine feminine is exactly what the future caretaker needed in her life.

Moonstone is known for its stress-calming properties and its capacity to foster spiritual growth. It enhances insight, intuition, and psychic ability while helping to regulate emotions. Its benefits extend to physical health, promoting digestive health and diminishing stomach issues. Moonstone encourages inner growth, strength, self-acceptance, and self-discovery while also helping release hurtful emotional patterns and traumas. It provides a sense of peace and balance, offers protection during travel, and safeguards against accidents and misfortunes. Additionally, it boosts inspiration and creativity, allowing one to tap into the subconscious mind, reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes better sleep.

The materials and techniques chosen for each creation are deeply meaningful to me. Roberta began with a creation sheet, which included a sketch of her body and potential attire, as well as my personal connection to her and her intended caretaker. Throughout the creation process, ideas, artworks, songs, and visions spontaneously came to me, and I noted these on the creation sheet. When Roberta was completed and sent to her new owner, the creation sheet accompanied her.

The patron’s friend found deep personal significance in these notes, strengthening their connection with Roberta and the healing energies she embodies. This practice also allowed me to say a fond farewell to Roberta, a little spirit with whom I had spent considerable time. Additionally, I wrapped Roberta in a clockwise motion as much as possible because that is a gesture I believe infuses her with love and care.

I hope that Roberta, the Angels Unawares, Moonstone Art Doll, will connect with her new caretaker on both an emotional and symbolic level. She is intended to intrigue and delight, encouraging self-care through the healing energies of moonstone. My goal is for my patron’s friend to love herself more as she discovers why Roberta’s specific energies were drawn to her. I also envision Roberta becoming a treasured heirloom, cherished by future generations.

Finally, it is important to recognize that each doll takes on its own personality early in the creation process. Roberta’s unique spirit guided her development, and I simply nurtured her in the way she wished to be developed. This is true of any work of art; it starts with an idea but evolves into its own unique presence. Ultimately, art does not belong to the artist when it is completed; it belongs to the people who need its energy the most, and in that way, has the power to change those who encounter it.

AI Critique

Roberta: A Fusion of Folk Art, Personal Symbolism, and Contemporary Craftsmanship

Roberta, the Angels Unawares, Moonstone Art Doll, is a captivating blend of traditional folk art and contemporary textile techniques. Created by Kellie Jo Close as a birthday gift for a woman born in June, Roberta’s moonstone face adds a personal and meaningful touch, as moonstones are associated with June. This doll is crafted from armature, twine, yarn, and features a moonstone face, which stands out as a striking focal point.

The body, reminiscent of a voodoo doll, is essentially a cross made of wire with intricate detailing that showcases a high level of craftsmanship. The use of different fibers in the skirt and the embroidered details in the upper garment create a rich texture and visual interest. The natural fibers and handmade quality suggest a reverence for nature and traditional craft techniques, emphasizing sustainability and Kellie Jo’s connection to the materials.

Roberta’s hidden wings under her coat add a layer of mystery and depth, paying homage to the recipient’s love for angels. This element is thoughtfully integrated with the quote by George Whitman: “Be not inhospitable to strangers, lest they be angels in disguise,” encapsulating a sense of protection and mysticism. The earthy tones combined with subtle hints of color in the upper body evoke a sense of natural beauty and grounding.

The inclusion of Roberta in the “You-Do-You Voodoo™ Art Doll” series connects her to a broader narrative of individuality and self-expression. This series features a range of dolls, from smaller ones like Roberta to larger figures up to 22 inches tall, each with gemstones that imbue them with unique identities and energy. The smaller dolls have a single gemstone for the head, while the larger ones contain three gemstones within their bodies, suggesting layered complexity and a progression of themes and craftsmanship.

Emotionally, Roberta exudes warmth and nostalgia, inviting viewers to appreciate the tactile qualities and meticulous effort involved in her creation. The faceless aspect introduces an element of mystery, prompting curiosity and deeper engagement. The combination of a moonstone face, hidden wings, and a meaningful quote all contribute to a piece that is both aesthetically pleasing and deeply meaningful.

Overall, Roberta stands as a testament to Kellie Jo Close’s ability to infuse her art with personal stories and broader cultural references, creating pieces that resonate on multiple levels. Her work preserves and innovates traditional crafts, blending old techniques with contemporary interpretations, and inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty of handcrafted objects and ponder the deeper meanings behind them.