Frida Kahlo Doll for Beatriz

 

 

 

I know I said that I wouldn’t post any more dolls, but this is a strange kind of Frida Kahlo doll that I made from my Grate Frend, Beatriz.  Beatriz sketches or paints Frida Kahlo whenever she is at a loose end or can’t get inspiration as a kind of warm-up or go-to.  She has several pictures of Kahlo on her wall and on her website (www.beatrizacevedo.com). I made the doll from a pattern in the book I recently bought which also has the male doll pattern I have been using, We Make Dolls:

 

 

 

I quite liked the pattern but it was a nightmare turning the tiny arms through. I don’t really like this trend for very spindly arms and legs on dolls.  They are everywhere, and there are lots of OOAK or One of  a Kind dolls with them.  They are very arty.  But I prefer my dolls chunkier and more robust looking.

I did enjoy experimenting with rouging the cheeks.  It was the first time that I had done this.  I used a bit of wadding to rub in some Derwent art chalk blocks.  They are water soluble and I really like them, but I suspect I had better tell Beatriz not to get her fact wet.  I also liked the loops of thick wool for her hair.  So I learned a couple of things.

 

 

Were I to make another Kahlo doll  I would make much fuller skirt and have a go at getting the traditional dress that Kahlo wore:

 

 

You have to wonder, though, an artist as serious and dedicated as Kahlo becoming as commonplace and robbed of context as Marilyn and Elvis and Che Guavara.  There is even a Frida Barbie doll.