Yesterday I started the jury process for the National Polymer Clay Guild
I am a juror for the section ‘Sculpture object’ in the yearly Progress and Possibilities challenge. I don’t work in polymer clays but I was asked to judge the work based on my own experience, background and knowledge. Although it is going to take a lot of time (over 100 entries) I enjoy it very much. The quality level is amazing and I see so many beautiful things that I feel like a child in a candy store. On the weaker pieces I try to give my honost but positive comments knowing how much love and efforts the artist has put in it. Having fun,
Marlaine
Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog! Take a second to peek around and check out some of my previous posts. Of course, I would love to find out what you think as well, so make sure to comment. See you around! More ...Author Archive for Marlaine Verhelst
16
Sep
Jurying again
From October 11th - October 18th 2008 I will be in Paris, France again for my yearly Doll Holiday and Workshop Week This year there will be participants from Australia, Canada, Holland, Latvia and the USA. In 2009 this Paris Week will take place from October 24th - November 1st. Not only students are welcome but partners, family, friends as well. If you click on the link you also will find pictures of the location and finished dolls.
Together with my fellow DABIDA members Ankie Daanen, Yvonne Flipse, Nel Groothedde, Tine Kamerbeek, Ana Salvador and Gerda Schaarman from The Netherlands I am invited for an interesting project in Lithuania in the last weekend of June. Together with local Lithuanian doll artists and doll artists from other countries we will work together with Lithuanian celebrities (politicians, actors, writers, musicians, business people). The doll artists have to bring one of their pieces for an auction and one piece that is half done. The piece in progress will get finished working together with one of the celebrities. On the picture my half done piece. I tried to come up with something that could have input from a second ‘artist’ (the Lithuanian celebrity). We will have to paint and decorate the boxes and put something inside. The theme of the project is ‘Love’.
I hope to post a picture of the finished piece later. Fall 2008 there will be a big auction on Lithuanian television with all the dolls that were finished in Lithuania. The project is a charity event for children with cancer and will have a lot of publicity.
I am looking forward very much to the trip to Lithuania.
Marlaine
24
Apr
Las Vegas Class
‘What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas’ but better not my suitcase. It didn’t arrive when we came back from teaching our ‘Meet the Dutch Touch’ class. Fortunately I got already a phone call from Delta Airlines that my suitcase will be back home today.
We had a great time in Las Vegas. And our hostess June took us for a trip to Zion National Park the day before we left.
A few windy days but mostly beautiful weather and I won 25 cents in one of those machines. I just was disappointed that the money didn’t fall down but came as a ticket. Who wants a ticket?
On the picture the group of the Las Vegas doll class.
More pictures on: http://marlaineverhelst.com/lasvegas.htm
11
Mar
just playing around
This has nothing to do with making art dolls but from May 30th 2008 I will have another online class called ‘Totem Fun’. It’s just playing around and building some fun stuff (totems) with simple sculpting using air drying clay like Creative Paperclay.
More details: marlaineverhelst.com/announcement.pdf
It was so much fun making this class that I hardly could stop playing around with this subject to finish the class. If you select ‘online classes’ in the menu you will find the URL of the site where this class will be running.
11
Mar
Flax Paperclay
Finally I found the time to start working with the new clay that was waiting there for me: Flax Paperclay. It is a porcelain with fibers in it that has to be fired. I am having quite a hard time with this clay: it is sticky, hard to smooth and it gets porridge-like easily when I try use water for smoothening. If anyone has more experience with this clay, I would appreciate some advice.
Marlaine
26
Feb
DABIDA doll award
In 2006 DABIDA was founded: The Dutch and Belgian Institute of Doll Artists. I am an artist member and board member. On April 6th 2008 the second DABIDA day -with an exhibition and demonstrations- will take place. 
And everybody is invited for the 2009 DABIDA challenge. More info on www.dabida.eu (in the menu on the DABIDA site select Doll Award 2009). The English text you will find below the text in Dutch.
The closing date is February 1st 2009 so it will give you plenty of time to come up with something really special. If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you select ‘events’ in the menu you will find more info on the 20th anniversary of this puppet theatre festival in Southern France: Festival International de la Marionnette in Mirepoix (August 2008).
03
Feb
Dreamkeeper
Last week I received an invitation for a virtual exhibition. I have choosen for the ‘Dreamkeeper’ I made this piece earlier for an exhibition on the theme ‘Poetry’. The doll is sitting on a pile of bricks made from Styrofoam blocks covered with papier maché and decorated with reliefs. The top block has a little flag sticking out that shows in the lower right corner of the picture.
The virtual exhibtion is on
on http://www.art1.org.il/English/Hom.htm
The total piece is on marlaineverhelst.com/dreamkeeper.html
Marlaine
08
Jan
Online sculpting class
Last year I worked hard on an online sculpting class. I am very proud and happy that I have finished it and the class will be online from May 5th. I have made pictures from all the steps in the sculpting process. More details on
marlaineverhelst.com/announcementnew.pdf
The class is in English and for all levels.
On www.dollmaking.org/classroom/moodle
you can sign in for the class.
If you have any further questions please send me a message.
