Package Exchange - "The Private Life of a Cat" ~ Kokeshi Doll #1

I was first introduced to Martin via Sandra, and immediately fell in love with his photographs.  His photos are inspiring - each one of them beautiful, tranquil and soft but with a tiny hint of melancholy moodiness.  Perhaps his photography resonates with me in how I perceive my own memories and my possible feelings towards Europe.

Please have a look at his recent self published magazine "Sova". He is an amazing photographer, and brilliant artist/designer and needless to say, when he asked to do a package exchange, I was delighted.

As part of the exchange, I decided to paint on a blank Japanese Kokeshi Doll.  I personalized the doll to Martin's blog, "The Private Life of a Cat", and literally used his idea of 'him being a cat'.

Please bear with me the (lengthy) process.

Rough sketch:

Blank doll:

Pencil sketched after the base coat:

Outlines:

Sooo, I need to fill the inside with some things...

Started with some felt (organs) and yarn (spine):

I sewed the lungs, heart and kidney to the yarn and glued it to the inside of the head:

First time experimenting with Sculpey:

Sculpted and baked items that Martin fancies (Sverige flag, pizza, a slice of cheese and kanelbullar):

Adding the red thready yarn for the insides (veins):

Assembled:

Homemade card....where I got a little carried away with the watercolour :P :

Varnished (multiple views here **except I forgot to take a pic of the personalized message on the bottom of the doll.... :S **):

Have a safe journey!

*meow*