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Friday, July 17, 2009

ADO 4 Elements Challenge

The challenge was to create one or more art dolls based on 4 elements. My ambitious nature took over and instead of one doll I did all four. They are all little goddess dolls measuring from 8" to 10". This was a fun challenge and probably explains why I couldn't stop at one.

The first element is Fire. All life on earth depends on the energy of the sun. Plants use that energy to live and grow, it is also the element that warms our houses and cooks our food, the hearth fire is sacred in every earth-based tradition, for fire is the living heart of the home. South is the direction we associate with fire. The time of day connected to fire is high noon, the season is summer ( of course), the colours are red, orange and bright golden yellow.

Fire2

Life began with Water, in the primeval ocean and living things need water to survive. Water moves in a great cycle around the globe. Rain falls on the earth, bringing life to plants, soaking the soil or collecting in streams and rivers that flow to the sea. For us water is in the west. The time of day is the gray twilight  and it's season is autumn. The colours of water are blue, blue-green and grey. My goddess is a combination of ice and water, since ice can become water and water can become ice and snow, like that which has accumulated on her arms, soon to become water.

Water2

The Earth is the element that stands for our bodies. Our physical bodies are sacred and we must take care of ourselves as we take care of the earth. All the food we eat, all the things we make and do and use, are part of this element. Plants draw energy from the sun, but they are nourished by the earth. Seeds are planted beneath the ground to begin their lives. Gardening, tending trees and plants and caring for animals are all the ways to honor and protect the sacred earth. The time of day is midnight, the season is winter, the direction is North. The colours are black and shades of green.

Earth2

My personal favourite is this goddess doll for Air, probably for it's simplicity and movement. I thought about how I would represent air and it clicked. I love windy days. Every moment of our lives we must breathe in order to survive. Air carries sounds and scents and its clarity allows light to pass through so that we can see. Air is invisible, except when other things move in response to its motion, when the wind makes branches dance and leaves fly, or bends the grasses down as it passes. We share breath with all life. Like other re-blooded creatures, we breathe in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, which is used by plants and trees to transform the pure energy of the sun into food for all living things. We associate air with the east, the season is spring and the colours are pale pinks, yellows and whites.

Air2

If you would like to read the full document that I took my notes from, please click here. Want more, click here.   If you would like to see what element you are, click here.  Thank you for taking the time to visit my challenge dolls.

23 comments:

  1. Romona, they're all beautiful. If I had to pick I'd probably pick air, too. I hope you win the challenge.

    Linda

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  2. wow. these are all so wonderful and so creative. i love all the colors. very nice work!

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  3. Romona, thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. Your elementals is just amazing!Very nice work!

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  4. Romana, your dolls are stunning representations of the elements...beautiful~
    hugz
    Pam

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  5. Beautiful set of4 elemental dolls, great work. Lindax

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  6. These are all beautiful dolls and I love the explanations to go with them. I love them all but my favourite is earth-I could stare at her calming face for ages and I love her colours. Beautiful!

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  7. Hi Romona,
    I love your elements dolls! So much work each one so different And inspiring. My favorite is earth, but I love them all! The colors are excellent! Hugs

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  8. Loved your work!
    I had already tried to access your blog this morning but, somehow, I wasn't able to.
    Your dolls are rich and creative. And, if that wasn't enough, you gave us your knowledge/research.
    Thank you for making me contemplate and learn!

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  9. oh, so much work. they are all beautiful, but i especially love the movement and mood of the wind. nice job.

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  10. Oh my, you sure out did yourself on this challenge... 4 Art Dolls...WHOOOHOOO Great job on all of them. What a wonderful experience this was and fun too! Great job on all of your art dolls.
    Cheers

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  11. They're all beatifull, but Earth is the best! I love her peacefull expession.

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  12. Very much your dolls-elements are pleasant! Interesting invoices and images!

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  13. they're all beautiful but i think i like earth the best, she looks so calm and serene and i like the fabric her body was made from.

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  14. Wonderful dolls, Romona. You know it makes me feel like such a sloth for only creating ONE doll!

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  15. thanks for commenting on my blog :)
    wow, you've made all 4 elements! i love the colours and way you used the fabrics and the beads. great work!

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  16. Each one of these are exceptional and so creative...what a wonderful way to use beads....I love beads.
    Bonnie

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  17. Your goddess element dolls are wonderful!!!

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  18. Excellent work, I would like to address them, many beautiful items, dolls of all colors I love

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  19. Very cool, the dolls are wonderful! ☺

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  20. I love your dolls, earth is my favorite

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  21. Ah, what a wonderful representation of the 4 Elements...great work, Romona!

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  22. These are great, you did them all! I love the colours you used for the fire goddess, she's HOT! The earth one looks like a cool forest and what a great interpretation of air, I woul dnever have thought of that!

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  23. Hi Romona! I definitely cannot choose a favorite...they all are so beautiful!!:o)

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