Rococo lady, part 2

So I made two Rococo ladies. Actually I had started with the little one back in August.

I wanted to make something quick to sell at a market.

But she didn't turn out nice at all. So I didn't sell her and took her back home where she stayed hidden in a drawer for about 6 months.

I don't remember why exactly, but at one point I pulled her out of her hiding place and decided to give her a make-over. Why not? She couldn't get any more hideous anyway.

The pearl eyes are still in there. I covered them with dark wool.

I thought it would be interesting to show the the process of reworking something that didn't turn out so well into something new. It's like recycling. And it feels good.

Rococo lady, part 1

Those of you who follow me on Instagram, have been able to see the development of my latest piece. A needle felted portrait of ... what exactly?... a snow queen, a drag queen perhaps? My first thought was Rococo when I saw her outlines taking shape, so I guess that's what she'll be. 

Prepping my 'canvas.' At this point I still have no idea what I am making other than a face.

The birth of a face. This is such a magical moment - always - when I see the features of a face emerge from the wool.

Mouth, nose, cheek bones and eye sockets are in place. Now the fun part starts.

This is where I go a little crazy. I know I'll cover it up with white wool again, so the initial colors can be as bold as I want them to be.

See? The colors are just shining through.

First time I am using eye lashes. What a dramatic effect!

The bow is added for maximum Rococo effect (I used one of my daughter's ballet shoe ribbons).

Marie Antoinette's husband

After Joseph Siffred Duplessis, Louis XVI roi de France et de Navarre (1774)

Such a kind man, born at the wrong time and in the wrong place. Was never meant to be king. Was never meant to marry a duchess from an enemy country. Would have preferred being a simple locksmith. He was so simple they didn't think he would need his head.

Heritage

Pieter de Goede, Alkmaar 1889 - Amsterdam 1983

Pieter was the son of Cornelis (Beemster 1861), 
greatson of Jacob (Beemster 1832), 
great-greatson of Pieter (Beemster 1793), 
great-great-greatson of Klaas (Stompetoren 1767), 
great-great-great-greatson of Jacobus (Schermerhorn 1732),  
great-great-great-great-greatson of Arian (Ursum 1708),  
great-great-great-great-great-greatson of Cornelis Dirckzoon (Broek in Waterland 1677),  
great-great-great-great-great-great-greatson of Dirck (Broek in Waterland 1641) and  
great-great-great-great-great-great-great-greatson of Cornelis Dirckzoon (Broek in Waterland, ca. 1620). 
Our oldest known ancester was a milliner and millbuilder. We couldn't be more Dutch.

Pieter de Goede, Alkmaar 1889 - Amsterdam 1983

 
Pieter de Goede, Alkmaar 1889 - Amsterdam 1983

My handsome great grandfather, also probably on his wedding day. He was like a father to his bastard grandsons. They lived with him for a couple of years in the wooden house behind the fire station on the Marnixstraat in Amsterdam. He was the caretaker for the veterinarian. 
My great grandfather was a gentleman. He smoked a pipe. When I kissed him, I would smell the sweet tobacco in his white moustache.  I met him when he was already very old. He mumbled a little. Like with my great grandmother, we didn't talk much, but we smiled a lot at each other.

 

Gerarda Johanna Hardeveld, 1888 - 1986

My beautiful great-grandmother, possibly on her wedding day. She married Pieter de Goede on July 24th 1912 in Amsterdam. Together they had three children, Annie, Catharina (my grandmother) and Gerard. I would visit her once in a while, she was very old and fragile. She was always embroidering something.  She would let her daughter take care of her, which she did quite sternly. Getting even perhaps, with the old days. My great-grandmother shared her lunch with me and smiled.