Reflections of the South
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Reflections of the South |
Read this short essay companying the African American Mardi Gras Doll. Character dolls celebrating the true spirit of Mardi Gras.
written by JoAnn Bernard
Mardi Gras Masquerade is a collection of character dolls celebrating the true spirit of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras, "Fat Tuesday," or Carnival is celebrated in February or March prior to Ash Wednesday and 40 days before Easter. The carnival season officially begins on January 6, beginning the Feast of Kings. People of Louisiana begin the season by consuming purple, green and gold "King Cakes" with a plastic baby hidden inside. Festive King Cake parties begin. The person who gets the piece of cake with the baby hidden inside has the next King Cake Party, continuing till the end of the season. The celebration includes costumed float parades, parties and formal balls in New Orleans.
JoAnn Bernard is a self-taught artist. Born JoAnn Gonzales on the bayou of Delacroix Island, Louisiana, with an Islenos heritage that stems back to Spain's Canary Islands. Her love of the beautiful State of Louisiana has inspired the Days of Old Collection, a line of Louisiana heritage character dolls. Through research, she has reproduced Louisiana ancestry; African American, Cajun, Islenos and others in life-like forms as they were seen years ago. JoAnn has created a complete original collection. She sculpts the original pieces and reproduces them in plaster molds. The face of each character is hand-painted, dressed (clothing and jewelry may vary) and positioned on handcrafted wooden pedestals and chairs to recreate photographs and sketches of the 1800's. The body designs are unique in construction and design. All wigs are hand-made by the artist using mohair strands. The artist developed original clothing designs and patterns. Props were designed and created for each individual character doll. All clay pieces are limited editions of 500 and are numbered and signed by the artist. Booklets and display cards are also designed by Jo Ann to include the number of the piece and a short story about the character doll. Booklets are attached to the piece, and the display card can be framed to stand along side the piece. Character dolls range in height from 16 to 18 inches tall. Total height of the piece may vary depending upon position of character dolls. A numbered and signed Certificate of Authenticity is provided with each character doll.
ŠJo Ann Bernard
Attached booklets contain above information
   
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African American Heritage Dolls |
Visit the Louisiana State Crafts Program
Learn about Louisiana Culture through this African American Heritage Doll collection inspired by sketches, photographs and stories of the 1800's.
Display card and Booklets printed on aged parchment paper
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For more information email: jo_ann_bernard@southernelegance.net
Display card printed on aged parchment paper
