Enchanted Doll Idea

The wonderful doll artist Marina Bychkova of Enchanted Dolls is celebrating her birthday......and giving away one of her beautiful porcelain ball-jointed dolls! To pick a winner, she is holding a contest to pitch an idea for a doll you'd like to see made. For my submission, I made a paper doll of the lovely sea nymph, Ondine. Here she is posing with her long black hair on a background painting of the sea.

Here's Ondine with her jewel encrusted crown and fancy wave belt. My printer made her flame red hair extra vivacious!

Here's the original head/bust painted in egg tempera on watercolor paper taped to the sketch of details. I worked on this project for a solid four days (as solid as one can work with a baby up to all manner of mischief!). I can't believe how intensely I want to win. Its going to be a long wait to hear the winning name. Anyway, here's accompanying explanation for this piece:

Ondine

The inspiration for this design concept is the legend of Ondine and the symbolic connection of women and the sea. The tale of Ondine begins as many fairy tales do, as a love story and ends almost like a tragic cautionary tale. The handsome prince vows faithfulness to his last dying breath to the beautiful sea nymph, who trades immortality to become wife and mother. Eventually, Ondines beauty fades and the prince strays. Upon discovering his betrayal, she demands the fulfilment of his promise by cursing him so that the moment he falls asleep, that breath will be his last. Although likening a woman to the sea (in all its tempermental and life-giving beauty) is an ancient and universal idea, it remains intriguing.

This design features many layers of symbolism, from the crown of coral and shells to the tattoos of sea plants entwined around her lower body- as if unwilling to let her leave the depths, by binding her with reminders of her roots. The belt is a series of links, patterned after waves, ending with an eye-shaped clasp set with a moonstone and tear-like pearls. The paper doll is meant to be cut out, assembled with brads, then dressed in the accoutrements. It was painted with egg tempera on board.