Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Berthas, Bettys and Belluahs


Hello Friends,
I know it's been a long time. Between falling down,
working, death, and life, it's been really busy.
I live for my weekends and this is what I did
on Sunday morning. As many of you already know,
I am a Geechee Girl or Gullah Geechee.
I come from a long line of strong men and woman who
all could either cook, sing, dance, preach, or tell
a tale. In honor of my Great Grammy , Grammy and mom
I did this collage called Berthas, Bettys and Bellauhs named
after some of the woman in my family.
I adore the Russian nesting dolls, but I have never seen
any African american ones, SO, I made my own, but started
it out as this collage piece.
Can't wait to show you the nesting dolls. It's a weekend project
so it won't be for a while. Hope that all of you are
doing well and being creative. Sending you all
the positive energy I can muster up.
Have a great week!
Shalom
at

24 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Nice collage work!

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  2. Eric BarclayOctober 12, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Beautiful! Would make a wonderful print.

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  3. Anne Huskey-LockardOctober 12, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Love these Vanessa!
    The collage seemed to capture the feel of the old handmade dolls--some I have whose dresses were made from fabrics pieced together.
    Take care my friend---I'm still under the weather, but your work brightens my day!
    Love you much!♥

    XXOO~~
    Anne

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  4. IndigeneOctober 12, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    I just love them! :) I've been missing you. Sending you girlfriend hugs and out loud laughter. :)

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  5. Tracy BishopOctober 12, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I love this collage work! It's so you and it's always so nice to see your experimentations.

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  6. justdoodleitOctober 12, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Nice painterly feel to this one.

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  7. Lisa M GriffinOctober 12, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    looking forward to seeing more.. and my memere was a Bertha too! And boy could she cook.
    thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week. :)

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  8. GlorV1October 12, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Hi Vanessa, long time no see. Hope all is well. I love your 3 B's. Excellent work. Great to see you!

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  9. rachel awesOctober 12, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    brilliant nesting dolls, dear love! they are gorgeous!
    i would totally nest HERE.
    yes. with all the b's.
    & happily be. xox

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  10. Trauma F NewellOctober 12, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Hi Vanessa, I love your Collage Dolls and I can't wait to see your nesting dolls when you finish them. Vanessa I would love to see your collage on kitchen items like dish towels, oven mitts, aprons, dishes and canisters. Vanessa think about girlfriend! Smooches!! Have a fabulous weekend.

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  11. Melissa SaylorOctober 12, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    This is truly wonderful. I can't stand it. Love, love, love!

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  12. Tomás SerranoOctober 12, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Vanessa, this is fantastic, so original. Excelent.

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  13. Ms. DeeOctober 12, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    I love the collage, and can't wait to see the dolls!

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  14. Bella SinclairOctober 12, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    Ooooh, these are GREAT! I agree, nesting should not just be a Russian thing. What a loving and wonderful way to pay homage to all the strong, incredible women in your family. The little itty bitty baby in the middle -- will that be little Z? :) Have fun with the project. I can't wait to see it!!!

    xoxoxo

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  15. Tamara HendersonOctober 12, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Hi Vanessa, Lovely collage!

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  16. Laura ZarrinOctober 12, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Beautiful collage! I agree that they also feel like handmade dolls. I just love them! Thanks also for the Gullah link. I love history, but had never heard of them. What a gift they were able to preserve.

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  17. yoon seeOctober 12, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Always so fascinating and what a blessing to be able to be with you here a while sister Vanessa!

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  18. Damion009October 13, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    your work is so crazy beautiful!!!

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  19. Carin BramsenOctober 13, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    What a fabulous idea!!! This collage is gorgeous, and I cannot wait to see the nesting dolls.

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  20. k.h.whitakerOctober 13, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Heya Buttercup! How are you? I loooooove this and I wanna see those nesting dolls. I love nesting dolls and yours are going to be fab. It's so much fun to find nesting dolls that are unique. I have to ask, did you find a set to paint or are you doing paper mache or some other creative thing that I can't think of? Well, whatever it is, I am sure that they will turn out great.

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  21. UnknownOctober 13, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    What an awesome idea! Seriously I could see the dolls becoming very popular in the African American community. I think you're onto something besides just the great artwork. :)

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  22. JanineOctober 13, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Hi Vanessa,
    your ancestor- nesting doll- collage is soooo gorgeous.
    I can see you having fun while playing around with colours and glue.
    Have a great day
    Hugs
    Janine

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  23. lincolnOctober 17, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Beautiful use of collage on these— and it works with the subject matter! love to see a traditional animation done in your style, it's so fresh and sincere in it's approach.

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  24. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Please consider actually making these nesting dolls.

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