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Artsy Fartsy Tuesday 2/14/12 Gretchen Lima

Tales from the Backroad Posted on by
Today’s Artsy Fartsy Artist is Gretchen Lima.  Gretchen creates the most magical and unique dolls. Every doll is one of a kind, and a great work of art. Gretchen starts by hand sculpting each face, then she decorates each doll with wool, fabric, feathers and beads.  I love the colors, design, and the great spiritual feel of each piece. 
 

  

Here is a little about Gretchen and her art.
Technique
I have combined natural fibers in the hair as well as the hand woven or hand dyed clothing. I individually sculpt and paint each face using Sculpey inlaid with beads, pearls or pieces of turquoise.Each design is conceived and executed by me. I first make a sketch from an idea, then a rough prototype. A final pattern for a piece is then cut from muslin. Each individual doll is different depending on the fabrics used to decorate it.People at art fairs ask me how I got started in dollmaking. I believe it’s a 55–year old story, interwoven with a need and a passion to create, using detail, color and a sense of spirit.My work is not only an expression of what I see, but of what I feel. I create the messages and give a voice to a girl inside who has patiently waited to be heard.
Education

  • B.A., Art, Northland College, Ashland, WI 1971
  • Teaching Degree, K-12, Northland College, Ashland, WI 1976
Professional Experience

  • Homecraft Teacher, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, 1976-1985
  • Founder and Sole Proprietor, Designs by Gretchen, 1985-present

Awards

  • Invitational Award — Art Fair On the Square, Madison, WI – ’88,’89,’90,’92
  • Award of Excellence — Festival of the Arts, Stevens Point, WI
  • Fiber Award — Morning Glory Art Festival, Milwaukee, WI
  • Award for Excellence & Celebrity Award — Columbus Winterfair, OH – 1992
  • Award of Merit — Art Street, Green Bay, WI – 1993
  • Celebrity Award — Columbus Winterfair, OH – 1993 & 1994
  • Award Winner — Village Fair, Milwaukee Public Museum – 1995
  • Award Winner — J M Kohler Art Fair, Sheboygan, WI – 1997
  • Featured Artist — Ann Arbor Winter Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI – 1998
  • Award Winner — 57th Street Art Fair, Chicago, IL – 1999
  • Northern Lights Arts Award — Northland College Alumni Assoc. – 1999
  • Featured Artist — Studio Art Crawl, Milwaukee, WI – 2001
  • Award of Excellence — Morning Glory Art Festival, Milwaukee – 2001
  • Second Place Award Winner — Powderhorn Art Fair, Minneapolis – 2002
  • Purchase Award — Minnesota Crafts Festival, Minneapolis – 2004
  • First Award Winner — Oakbrook Craft Fair, Oakbrook, IL – 2004
  • Best of Mixed Media — Common Wheel Arts & Crafts Fair – 2007
  • Best of Mixed Media 3-D — Tempe Festival of the Arts – 2008
  • Best of Mixed Media — Common Wheel Arts & Crafts Fair – 2008
 
Gretchen also does workshops at her studio in Arizona, were you can go and create your own doll with her help. I personally, would love to do this. All the info is on her website about the workshops. You can also purchase dolls or the material for making a doll of your own, on the website. 
 
 
Gretchen can also be found at art shows, check out the art show schedule to see here she will be this year.
 
 
Be sure to visit Gretchen’s website http://www.gretchenlima.com 
And she also has an Ebay shop  http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/gretchen6540 

Comments

Artsy Fartsy Tuesday 2/14/12 Gretchen Lima — 2 Comments

  1. Pingback:Roxy's Artist Farsy Tuesday-Gretchen Lima

  2. Wow, I’ve never seen anything like those dolls before! I love the way you share all these artists that I’d otherwise not run across.

    And looking to hearing more about 5th wheel adventures!

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