Thursday, September 17, 2009

Alice and the Mad Rabbit

Here's a few photos of the finshed Alice and her Mad Rabbit! She is about 10 1/2" to the top of her head and 13 3/4 to the top of her hat. She's Free standing, and ready to run through the rose garden! She has hand painted pinkish/redish brown eyes and cute little buck bunny teeth.
Her dress is from antique civil war mourning dress sleeves, which is all that I had from this dress. I do not deconstruct antique dresses, I only use fabrics that are slavaged pieces and parts from them that otherwise do not have a home. I love using the old fabrics, as I feel it gives a since of history and mystery to the dolls. I love to wonder at who may have worn the piece and what their life was like, and to give the material a new life for someone to enjoy.

Her Mad Rabbit has had painted eyes, and new and old materials


Her hat is sculpted from polymer clay then flocked. The rabbit ears are leather. I like to combine different materials and textures.

Alice is happily haunting her new home far away from here!
When I create a doll I love to set a mood for myself. I am fortunate to have a studio to work from and do not have to pick up after myself! When I start a piece I do like to have a clean spot... I light absinthe candles that I got from a wonderful seller on ebay. Alas..the name escapes me as I write this, but I will look it up and post it later for you. I like to play movies and listen to music that deals with what ever subject matter I am sculpting at the time.



If your a big Alice Fan and like darker imagery than you get with the disney movies, Miss Pennythistle,...who is posing as the doremouse in this photo, recommends some of our favorites for you. "Alice" directed by Jan Svankmajer. The master Czech animator, no talking in this movie , lots of stop motion antique dolls and strange animated pieces, very artsy. Yaso, a japanese magazine has an issue devoted just to it. You can find the movie on amazon and the Yaso mag. can be found on ebay.
Another movie that is more of a darker Alice, is from the BBC. It's called "Alice in Wonderland" and stars Peter Sellers and Sir John Gielgud. I think also available from amazon.
Then there is the original music score from "American McGee's Alice" the game..very creepy and strange! All this sets the mood for making a more unusual type Alice. To top it off, I love the perfume oil blend from Black Phoenix Alchemical Laboratory called "Alice".
I hope this inspires you to create your own Dark Alice!
On more of a personal note, I just brought my husband home from the hospital today from his knee replacement surgery, so I am putting on my "nurse Ratchett" uniform for the next week!
I am hoping he heals fast as I will be leaving for France on the 30th to meet up with Marilyn Radzat and our friend Phyllis who is brave enough to drive us around France!
Marilyn will have her laptop and will be posting our adventures on her blog if you want to follow! she is already there paving the way for me and Phyllis!
Also..we have just a few openings left for some ladies for our hawaiian retreat in Nov. This is not a dollmaking retreat but a creativity retreat open to anyone searching for new inspiration. No experience required. Contact Marilyn at ikons@hawaii.rr.com or check her web at www.marilynradzat.com/
Happy hauntings, Gail



22 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW Gail this Alice is the best one I've seen ~ I love her buck teeth.

Yes you better get that husband well and on his feet before you leave...

I'm so happy for you getting to go to France. What an enchanting time you'll have there!

Love~Pat

Sycamore Moon Studios said...

Her teeth were such a clever addition! Well done!

julie campbell said...

Gail she is just fabulous and who would have thought she could look so beautiful with buck teeth LOL you work so much detail into your dolls and I love that her dress has its own history.
I think wonderland is in the air.
I am putting the finishing touches to my through the looking glass display for a show in a few weeks. Have been listening to my alices adventures in wonderland talking book as I work !
Will check out that movie, it sounds fab, I love the darker side of alice. I'm basing my work on john tenniels illustrations and some of the characters definitely have a darkside !
Hope your hubby heals in record fast time and you have a wonderful time at your retreat,
julie xx

Crafts From The Stash said...

Gail, shes wonderful and so is bunny. I have a feeling that there is going to be a lot of Alice pieces popping up soon. Brilliant. I too hope your hubby heals and everything goes smoothly. Have a fantastic time on your adventures and I will check out blog land frequently to see what you are all up to. Safe journey and happy travellings.
Debie xxxxx

Dorote said...

what a wonderfull doll! i love her eyes and clothes and her rabit. Well in general I love her all :) - this is a very interesting and creative interpretation of Alise.

magikalseasons said...

Enchanting!

KatHreN said...

Fantastic....she is wonderful....love the bunny.
kathren

Jdee said...

She is adorable Gail! I love all your details and reading the history behind her dress. Her teeth are so cute and I love her little bunny!
Thank you for sharing all your Alice stuff! Have fun in France and be safe~
xoxox

Unknown said...

perfect!

horriblesweet said...

Her dress is beautiful and I Love the teeth! Have a great time in France.

Unknown said...

Love her!! She's SO Alice!! The dress is beautiful and her bunny is too adorable by far.

The Studio at Crow Haven Farm, LLC said...

She is absolutely wonderful!
Cheers

Skellyton Art said...

Gail,
She is So Wonderland!

The dress fabric,amazing! Just as you imagine about the woman who once wore those sleeves...She could never imagine that bits of her dress could some day be a tresured piece of art as your Alice.
Have a fun and safe trip.
Hugs,
Shirley

Kristina von Wiesen said...

She is so cute with those teeth. Love her outfit and the bunny!

Odddollz by Jacqui said...

OMG Gail.......I am speachless......the feeling I got when I saw her this monrning is just not possible to put into words!! Her eyes are amazing, like I can look into her soul.....I almost feel like I am "Alice"
Simply MAGICAL:)
I do belive this is my all time Favorite from the "adorable dark dolly MASTER"
OMG!!!!!

Huge Hugz
Jacqui
xoxo

Village Gift Shoppe said...

Definitely drool worthy!!! She makes me smile and I love pink too!

Happy Hauntings!
*Lori

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love this Alice doll! And I'm so glad Tim Burton took on Alice, who better than Johnny Depp to play a creepy mad hatter?

Great blog, I'm following.

Gail Lackey said...

Thanks everyone for your comments! Alice is always fun to do. It will be interesting to see the different interpetations of her when Tim Burtons film comes out. You know there will be an Alice Explosion!!
Hugs, Gail

Unknown said...

she is absolutely fabulous gail!

Drycha said...

OH!!!!!
That's love at first sight....
Love her! Love mad rabbit...

By Way of Salem said...

Gail - I JUST discovered you and your fantastic dolls! OMG! I found you through Amanda Day, who I'm flattered follows me, and saw you're blog on her site. I love to check out who other artists are following. You're dolls are just breathtaking!!!
And France - what a wonderful place. I loved it there and can't wait to go back. Have a great trip! I will check you out on Etsy as well, as I'm on there as well. Take care!! Jeannine

HopHopJingleBoo said...

hmm first time here.. Really like your version of Alice ..from her top hat to here toes.. just perfect in a edgy dark but sweet way..