Several of you guessed right away that I was referring to the movie Black Swan in my last post as that which has inspired my latest dolls. When it was listed as an Academy Award Nominee, it was given the category 'ballet psychodrama' - how could it not be great? It's quite absurd and over the top in some ways, but if you surrender to the melodrama, it's thoroughly awesome. I didn't like Aranofsky's filmmaking style when dealing with heroin addiction in Requiem for a Dream - a dark, heavy subject matter treated in such a heavy-handed, melodramatic way - it felt too self-serious and relentlessly punishing. But that style coupled with ballet as the subject matter - somehow the contrast was really appealing.
The ballerina dolls are coming along slowly. I don't know if I'll have them done by the end of April as I'd hoped - my little monkey has had a few very rough nights sleep-wise, so I've been forcing myself to go to bed early rather than work on dolls so that I'm not a complete wreck. But I've really enjoyed spending more time on the faces, and I've made real pointe shoes for each doll. I use silk for the slipper and sole and silk embroidery ribbon for the ties.
They literally take about 10-15 times longer to make than a painted shoe, but I think it's worth it. For ballerinas, aren't shoes half the point? (Oh, bad pun! NOT intended.) I'm sorry for the quality of the photos - I didn't have time to get my macro lens out, but I'll be sure to get some better shots once the dolls are finished.
Those dainty little feet are just divine!
Posted by: Tamara | April 15, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Gorgeous!! They are looking like a wonderous little moody group of stage diva's :-D
Posted by: monika viktoria | April 15, 2011 at 10:07 PM
I'm in love with the soles! And I can just feel the secret arrogance in their eyes. Like they are tired, trying to be cool but at the same time so ambitious to be the prima ballerina!
Posted by: Burcu | April 16, 2011 at 07:43 AM
I can't hope for see these dolls!!!!
A greeting
Ana
Posted by: La Minomalice | April 17, 2011 at 04:03 AM
I couldn't agree more with your review of Black Swan vs. Requiem for a Dream; and your dolls look amazing so far! Tiny shoes are time consuming but absolutely worth it :)
Posted by: Kaci | April 17, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Those faces are compelling!! You're such a star making pointe shoes, it brought such a smile to my face.
Posted by: Melanie | April 18, 2011 at 10:46 AM
I can see in ballerinas eyes dance addiction. They love dancing, hate dancing and they have to dance. I like them very much.
Posted by: Agata | April 19, 2011 at 05:09 PM
Love the legs with lovely little feet, you're amazing as usual! ^^*
Posted by: cardcaptorsakura | April 20, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Ah ah! love your pun!! lol
Anyway can't wait to see your new dolls!
Posted by: alicia | April 20, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Exciting! What a perfect piece of inspiration, terrific movie. I hope you get some rest with little M. Can't wait to see the finishes swans!
Take care my dear. Xo
Carrie from the more than words blog
Posted by: Carrie Lee | April 24, 2011 at 02:11 AM
I like those legs. Well designed for ballerinas.
Posted by: playmobil farm | April 26, 2011 at 10:05 PM
That was a nice piece. Looks very fitted to all ballerinas. Looking for more great dolls.
Posted by: plumbing | April 29, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Wow ! Stunning dolls. All I can say is that you really had a great artist and a very imaginative blog. Love it !
Posted by: party bags | May 25, 2011 at 08:42 AM
You're such a star making pointe shoes, it brought such a smile to my face.
Posted by: louboutin | June 24, 2011 at 03:53 AM
hi i love these shoes and for me personally (because im a ballerina) there really good. I love them...
Posted by: Frapel | January 24, 2012 at 01:05 PM