The “You Piss Me Off!” Art Dolls - part 2
Following on from my previous post, I have two more dolls from this series to share.
This is Ms. Rude Bitch. She is a sour-puss. When things don’t go her way, she does not hesitate in making a face and usually blurts out a catty remark designed to make you feel REALLY BAD.
Like my other dolls, wrapped up in this Rude Doll’s strip of clothing is a note stating “My name is _____ and I am imperfect and it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Interestingly, instead of just one person’s name replacing the blank in this statement, I wrote down four names and I could have kept going but I forced myself to leave it at that.
I know, I know, Dear Readers. It is hard for some of you to believe that anyone could possibly be rude to me. Right?
So as Ms Rude Bitch represents multiple women who have pushed my buttons on this point, let’s do the uncomfortable thing and ask, “Where in my life am I a rude bitch?”
Hmmm. Yes. I am quite capable of playing this role myself.
All four dolls in this series have stick bodies wrapped in burlap strips and string that I’ve dirtied with brown paint. Heads are modelled from air dry clay. Gaping mouths are painted brown because what these dolls have to say is unpleasant. At least that is the part of the conversation I remember.
These dolls are basic and ugly and represent the ugly side of people. They don’t represent the good side. And everyone has a good side. That is why I want to take a last look at the ugliness, learn from it, then ceremonially bury it.
Mr. Timid’s fault is that he hesitates to take action for fear it will be the wrong action. He lacks confidence. I’ve written on his sign, “I’m too timid to take action and it’s pitiful, really.” It is pitiful, and I do business with Mr. Timid and I feel sorry for him, really I do, up to a point … and then we reach a stage where his indecision SIMPLY PISSES ME OFF!”
Mr. Timid has no mouth because he is too scared to voice an opinion.
Where in my life am I indecisive and fail to take action?
Mr. Timid, Ms. Rude Bitch, Mr. Blaming and Mr. Liar Liar were all put into a cardboard box and given a ceremonial burial. As I shoveled dirt onto the box I said my goodbyes. “I am over your bad behavior. I no longer need to dwell on your imperfections,” I was addressing the dolls who represent aspects of real people. And they each represent aspects of me, too.
“The past is past. It doesn’t matter anymore. I am moving on. ” Then I put down my shovel and said a little prayer.
“Thank you, God, for sending these Precious Jewels my way. Thanks for the lessons.”
(This post relates to Art Dolls number 15 and 16, You Piss Me Off Dolls 3 and 4, February 08, by Stacey Apeitos.)
Actually Stacey, it’s not hard for me to believe that people could be rude to you. You’re honest, genuine and with those qualities potential situations may arise where you tell people things that they don’t neccessarily want to hear. Personally, I prefer to deal with rudness from others rather than compromise my integrity. Again, well done.
Arrigo.
Oh yes! This reminds me of a few women I have known–not a lot, but a few. This is a GRAND IDEA. Kudos to you.
I love this blog and will join in in the 100 doll challenge. This doll, hmmm… yup, been there, done that, seen that. Makes me wonder what the vision of charming and gracious antidote to this is! I might have to jump in!
Love it!
Joyce
Thanks, all, for your comments.
As a happy ending to this two-part tale, I definitely released a lot of negative thought patterns as a result of making and ceremonially burying these dolls. (I say ceremonially, as I dug up the box the next day and put it in a storeroom, in case I choose to exhibit my 100-art-dolls next year!)
When an angry thought does still start to creep into my head (about Mr Liar Liar, for instance) I gently remind myself that I buried that issue and don’t need to replay it again. Then the thought disappears quite rapidly.
It was a great healing exercise and all the more powerful because I was able to share it publically with the My Art Self blog readers. By ‘going public’, there is more pressure on me to retain the lesson.
Hey Stacey,
Doesn’t it feel great to get that angst out into a piece of art?
I think that is the same woman I worked for in 2001/2002!!! I didn’t know she had moved.
I did the same thing with my evil ex-mother-in-law in a piece called “Attack of the Dragon Woman”! Actually, anyone that pisses me off usually ends up in a piece of my fiber art…I feel like it is my right as an artist to point these people out to the general public. (insert evil laugh here!!!)
big hugs,
susan :>