French Marionette 11 1/2" x 19 1/2" x 5"
by Judi Riesch
Atlanta, Georgia
Featured in Somerset Studio - Sept/Oct '02
Judi's
inspiration for this piece came from the French theatre marionettes
of the 19th century. A sweet friend (Michelle Ward) gave her this very
old clock case and it seemed the perfect theatre for this marionette!
The entire figure was wired to the back of the clock case and vintage
ribbons, buttons, feathers, and pieces of ivory trim the front of the
case.
She
began by cutting a heavy matboard base for the trunk of her figure.
A tin nicho became the bodice, housing an altered tintype.
Ivory-bead
feet and hands were attached with wire.
Her
skirt and wings were fashioned from feathers.
Judy
attached arms and legs cut from vintage papers and glued to matboard
with wire and buttons.
A
vintage photo was used for the head.
Judi
made a paper hat for a tiny, old, articulated bisque doll, added some
collage items to her, and wired her to the hands of the larger figure.
Finally,
she added fiber to give a very "marionette"feel to the piece.
