Black Doll Collecting: artist doll

Showing posts with label artist doll. Show all posts

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Ruby Bridges Tribute Doll by Gloria Y. Rone

After seeing the above October 3, 2023, Facebook announcement of Gloria Y. Rone's most recent Ruby Bridges tribute doll, I immediately messaged Gloria to inquire about the doll's availability. Because it was still available, arrangements for purchasing followed.

My precious doll's arrival was delayed for a few days because, as Gloria explained through a Facebook Messenger update message, she made me a little something special to go along with Ruby. I had no idea what "the little something special" was but was quite thrilled that Gloria took the time to exercise even more of her creativity to make it for me.

Ruby's shipping box was delivered on the 2nd Saturday in October 2023, which was the day of my most recent Doll Chat (online) meeting. Gloria's name was mentioned by another member, prompting me to announce Ruby's arrival and that I had not opened the shipping box yet. (I had planned to open the box the following day, but inquisitive chat members asked me to do a box opening and I complied.)

This is one of my first photos of Ruby Bridges, a 10-inch polymer clay and painted cloth doll tribute to the real Ruby Bridges. (Use the link at the end of this post to learn about this remarkable trailblazer.)

Impressive as the doll is, the "little something special" was just as impressive. The box opening was not recorded, but I took several photos of the doll and, of course, I recorded Ruby's addition to my collection in the Description column of my Excel 2023 Doll Inventory spreadsheet as follows:

10-inch doll inspired by 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, one of the first children to integrate the William Frantz School in New Orleans, LA on November 1, 1960. The doll has a hand-sculpted polymer clay face with side-glancing painted eyes, parted lips with painted teeth, and a cleft chin. The polymer-clay-sculpted black hair is styled in two braids. A large white bow accents the top right of the doll's hair. The handmade white dress has a large collar, short sleeves, and is trimmed at the hemline with white cotton lace. White cotton pantalettes, white painted-on socks, and black painted-on Mary-Jane-style shoes complete the costume. A Ruby Bridges mock book has a handmade pencil and ruler attached to the front. Inside the book is a photograph of 6-year-old Ruby Bridges. The hangtag bears the same picture of the 6-year-old child. A different picture of young Ruby is on the back of the hangtag which attaches to the doll's wrist with jute twine. Made especially for me, is a hand-painted, decorative storage box, the top of which bears Ruby Bridges' name, a photograph of Ruby at play with two white children, and another photograph of 6-year-old Ruby. The bottom inside of the box contains a brief printed bio of Bridges and the role she played in desegregating the William Frantz School.

Ruby's spreadsheet entry also documents the month received, the artist's name and year made, the doll's name, the cost, an "other" column for additional information, and a photo of the doll and the decorative box.

My Additional Photos

Ruby's hangtag is tied to her wrist with jute twine.

The handmade book has a handmade pencil and ruler attached.

Ruby is proud of her oversized white hair bow and her sculpted polymer clay braids.

Before the next photos were taken, Ruby posed for a profile photo.

Ruby sits in front of the decorative storage box, which is the "little something special" that Gloria created for the doll (and me).

(Gloria included a handwritten note to thank me for my support of her doll art throughout the years, which has been my pleasure to do.)

This is an extra-large view of the top of the box which bears a photo of young Ruby at play with two other children, a headshot photo of Ruby, and Ruby's name.

A photo of Ruby and a U. S. Marshal escort and a written bio of Ruby are on the bottom inside of the box that Gloria created.

This is another view of the inside of the doll's storage box.

Everything is impeccable and beautifully crafted as are all of Gloria's creations. I am thoroughly pleased. Fashioned after Gloria's #1 Ruby Bridges doll, my doll is a welcome addition to my collection.

Gloria's Ruby Bridges #1 and a Series of Others

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Cameron by Barbara J. Larsen

Recently, a member of my doll group gave me the privilege and honor of looking at photos of dolls she planned to sell at a doll show. Cameron, by Barbara J. Larsen, is one of three dolls I purchased from her (Nini).

Nini knew I owned Calley, another doll by Barbara J. Larsen, and offered Cameron to me for a price I could not refuse. (Follow the link at the end of this post to view Calley's virtual museum installation.)

Cameron's description is recorded in my Excel doll inventory workbook as follows:

22-inch doll with painted and gessoed cloth face has black gessoed-ribbon hair, painted facial features, brown painted eyes, smiling mouth. Wears original one-piece shirt/pants of light-blue, white, and dark red plaid at the top with a Peter Pan collar, light-blue pants with two buttons on the sides of each pant leg, spats that match the plaid top, black knit socks, and replaced shoes (brown penny loafers). Has a replaced burgundy ribbon necktie. Missing is a light blue wooden rocking horse on wheels.

This close-up photo of Cameron's face provides a better view of his curly "hair."

Another look at Cameron's hair

I love the unique way Larsen fashioned the hair from gessoed fabric that looks like folded ribbons.

The nape of Cameron's neck is signed by the artist: ©Barbara / Jane Larsen / 1989 #

Larsen, who made dolls during the 1980s and 1990s (and possibly before and after) usually made girl and boy pairs in limited editions that were dressed similarly. Cameron's girl counterpart, Cammie, wore a dress that matches his clothes.

My dolls, Calley and Cameron, are not displayed together because there is no room for Cameron to be displayed near Calley. I might place them together after rearranging a few dolls.

Calley is in this photo. Can you find her?

Cameron should be easy to find.

This is the link to Calley's Virtual Black Doll Museum installation. View the slideshow where photos of another Cameron and his counterpart Cammie are included.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Black Doll Enthusiast

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Ruby Red Fashion Friends James

A headshot of Ruby Red Fashion Friends James is on the front of his box.

James had been here for at least two weeks before I opened the box. I ordered him from his exclusive seller, Happily.com (see the link below the video). This blog post contains James' Excel entry, his initial photos and captions, and a video that provides more details about this handsome boy. Enjoy!

This is a full view of James' box.

Excel spreadsheet entry

Ruby Red Fashion Friends James is a 14-inch vinyl doll with 9-joints, a curly brown removable wig, a silicone wig cap, inset light brown glass eyes with upper eyelashes, and a closed mouth. Arrived wearing only underpants with clothing separately packaged for the owner to dress. Clothing includes a dapper pin-striped blue and white button-down shirt, matching tan waistcoat and trousers, and beige slip-on shoes that the manufacturer describes as gray. His accessories include a rich brown tie, a black leather-look belt, and a gray felt trilby hat ringed with a brown ribbon. Includes a certificate of authenticity that is numbered 003.

Initial Photos In and Out of the Box