The first in the series, this doll sculpture is created to appear as a ball jointed ballet
Every Friday I feature a one of a kind (OOAK) doll artist of the week. This week I am a day late but I am featuring an especially talented artist. This week I would like to take you into the mind and world of Connie D'Angelo DiMichele the artist and designer behind cdlite.
Connie started creating OOAK dolls in 2001, "I just love that I can create something wonderful with a small amount of clay and turn it into something so beautiful. Also, to have only one like it in the whole world makes it even more special."
Connie states that her inspiration is her father, "Everything he touched turned to art. Growing up we really had no toys or dolls so our minds were our tools. We created anything out of boxes, rope, you name it. My parents came from Italy with nothing really so food and a roof over our heads came frist. Basically we had to be very creative. I still remember my sister getting her first doll and I cried for a week! So one day, my dad took us to buy our first Barbies and I can't even explain the excitement that was going through us."
She told me about the first time she saw an OOAK doll. "I remember back in 2000, I can't even recall what I was searching for on ebay, and I saw my first sculpture. It was a tiny fairy from Julie Mansergh (aka FITA), an amazing artist that I have always looked up to. She is the one who inspired me to try working with polymer clays. I started making small OOAK fairy sculptures, but today my pieces are a little bigger and looking more doll-like. I call them doll sculputres, but you can say they are more show art rather than a play doll."
Connie has created numerous themed pieces from fantasy to people, animals, and dolls. I asked her which were her favorite type of characters to create, however she could not pin down a favorite, "I enjoy anything I create!. What I do is work with feelings and whatever catches my eye as an inspiration. Sometimes it even comes from a dream."
Connie has given us a peak into the future of cdlite, "Lately, I have been working on a series of ball jointed inspired pieces. I really enjoy creating eerie, beautiful dolls. The kind that when you look at her you fall enchanted under her spell."
The above picture is of the first doll in Connie's ball jointed inspired sculpted dolls. "This is one of my first in the ball jointed series. This piece is called "My ballerina doll" She is not movable, she is only made to look so. Her ballerina dress is hand sewn and embellished in jewels and glitter and it is removable. The wooden base that she sits on is handcut to size and then painted and embellished with silver leafing."
Cdlite features various types of dolls that would suit any and all doll collectors. To view some of her past works you can visit her website. You can also check out dolls she has available to purchase in her eBay store.
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Comments
What superb work! I am looking forward to following her on ebay and perhaps making a purchase! GORGEOUS work!
Hey Connie, your work is so beautiful.
I wish you all the best. xoxo
p.s. I still get requests for your candles wish we could still be working together, although we never met!!!
Absolutely breathtaking creations!! Such an amazing artist, I am utterly enthralled.
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