Monday, March 10, 2014

I Don't Know Her Artist-Given Name

11-inch BJD by Bo Bergemann

Purchased from the estate of Michelle Fontenot, this 11-inch, all-resin ball-jointed doll was created by Hawaiian artist and sculptor, Bo Bergemann.  I was introduced to Bergemann's BJDs approximately four years ago through my late friend, Ruth Manning.  Ruth met Bergemann during one of her many doll convention trips.  After that convention, during a phone conversation with me, Ruth shared her experience of riding the shuttle van from the hotel to the airport with the free-spirited Bergemann.  She described Bergemann as a delightful person and thereafter purchased one of her BJDs.

Several years before the above mentioned convention, Ruth and Michelle met in person at another doll convention.  Both women were members of my WeLoveBlackDolls (WLBD) Yahoo! group (now closed).

In a WLBD group message to another member who needed cheering up about something, Michelle wrote:

Keep a positive spirit about you and you will keep, keeping on.
God Bless
I miss you.
~Michelle~





BJDs are generally priced outside my doll-buying comfort zone, but when I saw this spunky little girl with the multicolored dread locks being offered for sale, I asked the cost, which was affordable.  Having been part of Michelle's collection, I am delighted to now have her in mine.



I have not yet discovered her artist-given name.  Until then and perhaps even afterward, I will call her Michelle in honor of her previous owner, who is probably now still playing dolls with our shared doll-friend, Ruth Manning.

Michelle has been welcomed by several other members of the doll family.  I love her!

Addendum: This doll's artist-given name is Little Miss Sunshine. 

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16 comments:

  1. Michelle is too cute! I love her hair! I clearly see why she had to join your family. Beautiful doll!

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  2. She looks so very "animated." As though she stepped out of a cartoon or video game. Was the flower in her hair or did you add that?

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    1. Animated is a great way to describe her. The flower was already in her hair. The flower in the hair is one of the artist's trademarks. I think I might have Michelle's wig on incorrectly, but it fits better this way. I just found an image of the doll and now I know her name: Little Miss Sunshine. I am still going to call her Michelle.

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  3. Spunky is the perfect description for her. That hair is way too cute. Seems like she would have no trouble telling you what was on her mind.

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    1. Hi Vanessa,

      I played with her yesterday. BJDs are interesting dolls. Their multiple joints allow for lots of pose-ability, but they can be awkward to pose and hold in position after awhile due to the inner stringing that must get distorted after awhile. Their limbs and joints take on a life of their own. Michelle is like this. I will pose her one way and she assumes another, but similar pose.

      Their wigs are usually not attached because most have head cavities that open to allow changing out the eyes and if desired the dolls can be rewigged. These two features are designed for versatility and the illusion of creating multiple dolls with one. I won't be rewigging or changing Michelle's eye color. I do enjoy her spunk.

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  4. I nominated you for the Liebster Reward. http://aprilperlowski-ofdolls.blogspot.jp/

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    1. Hi April,

      I am so honored to be nominated by you and even more honored to be #2 on your list. I, too, will nominate others in an upcoming blog post soon. Thank you for the honor.

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  5. She sure is spunky! I love her expression, she seems like she will give her new brother and sister some attitude!

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    2. She has been pretty well behaved so far, Brini, but she does have a mind full of determination.

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