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We Girls Can Do Anything by *Tell-Me-Lies:iconTell-Me-Lies:

Categories Fan Art > Digital Art > Painting & Airbrushing > Miscellaneous

©2008-2009 *Tell-Me-Lies
:icontell-me-lies:

Artist's Comments

May I rant? I thank you.

If you type in 'Barbie' here on dA, (and I'm not recommending you do) I can promise you that the vast majority of what you find will be art or photos of Barbie dolls who are either mutilated, photoshopped to appear mutilated, or posed in offensive ways.

What. Ever.

I find the entire concept of using children's characters for 'shock' art obnoxious - partly because the people who do it always seem to think they're being awfully clever and edgy and original, in spite of the fact that everyone on earth has done it already, and partly because I find that sort of cynicism and cheap shock value distasteful.

If it makes you feel smart and important to make some sort of statement about Barbie dolls and unrealistic body image or sexual attitudes, whoopie.

I, for one, do not care about being edgy. I am proud to say that I loved my Barbies. They were princesses and superheroines and mermaids. I took good care of them and I've kept them as an adult.

Annnnnyways, in light of the above sentiments, I decided to do this little piece of Barbie (and Midge, too) as she was created to be - ladylike, fashionable and friendly. The title is a slogan that was used in the late eighties/early nineties.

This was a great chance to try out both a lineless piece and this 50s retro style, in which I tried to emulate vintage box and catalog artwork.

Done in openCanvas, except for a few touches in Photoshop. The Barbie and Midge brushes were made by yours truly using scans of the vintage 'yellow' fashion booklet. Both dresses are based on real vintage fashions - Barbie is wearing 'Busy Morning' and Midge is wearing 'Fancy Free'.

Comments


:icontophatt:
~Tophatt Aug 30, 2008, 2:17:16 PM
Thank you for saying this. I agree, I loved my Barbies, expecially the ones that could like rollar skate and ride bikes x3
The dolls I always hated were BRATZ because I didn't like how... the lacked clothing often.
Anyway, I like the colors and the soft tones you used. And I love Midge's Hair! x3

--
I see what you did thar ¬.¬
:iconvaladilenne:
Mood: Adoration ~Valadilenne Aug 30, 2008, 2:48:40 PM
*squealing*

This is totally your style! You should draw everything like this.
:iconsasamixolo:
Mood: Love ~SasamiXolo Aug 30, 2008, 2:51:22 PM
Ah, I remember when I used to play all of my barbies. I still have them, actually. They're in my closet. Sadly, Ken's hair is messed up, one of my dolls (which had red hair) has deformed hands because I liked to chew on things when I was a kid. And one of the barbie's head fell off. That was, perhaps... 2 years ago? And still I was so very sad when it did.

But I love how this picture is line-less. It makes it seem more... original-barbie-like (though that doesn't make much sense) Did you know that barbie was actually based on a german sex doll? Creepy!!

--
Blue and Red: The standard pill colors
:icontell-me-lies:
*Tell-Me-Lies Aug 30, 2008, 3:05:14 PM
Yes - 'Bild Lilli', who was herself based on a (by today's standards) mildly naughty comic strip. Although, I think the idea of the fashion doll would have happened anyway, eventually.

I had one cat that chewed on a couple of my Barbies' hands and feet - I was furious. After that I got containers with lids to store them in. But Ken's hair did get messed up terribly - I liked the old molded-hair Kens, they looked less crazy.

--
My talent for exaggeration is the biggest, most massive talent it is humanly possible to have.

Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
:icontell-me-lies:
*Tell-Me-Lies Aug 30, 2008, 3:11:49 PM
*laughs* Do you think so? It was lots of fun and I'll definitely use this technique again soon. And while I may not use it for everything, I'd love to do some Disney characters this way - including Alice, of course!

--
My talent for exaggeration is the biggest, most massive talent it is humanly possible to have.

Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
:icontell-me-lies:
*Tell-Me-Lies Aug 30, 2008, 3:13:52 PM
Midge's hair is the style I've promised myself I'll get if I can work up the nerve to cut it that short. Too cute!

--
My talent for exaggeration is the biggest, most massive talent it is humanly possible to have.

Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
:iconviolet-gypsy:
*Violet-Gypsy Aug 30, 2008, 3:16:43 PM
I love this, the style is really beautiful. I also agree 100% with your comment, I used to love my Barbie dolls too, especially my Disney ones :heart:

--
`Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe.
All mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe.
:iconvaladilenne:
~Valadilenne Aug 30, 2008, 3:21:25 PM
DO IT OMG

It's so 50's/60's 101 Dalmatians style, I absolutely adore it.
:iconcarija:
Mood: Disbelief =Carija Aug 30, 2008, 3:31:12 PM
I definetly have to agree on what you say of barbie images. It's really sad that people think they are cool when they proudly show how they destroyed things. Apart from the fact, that mutilating human-shaped dolls (for me) is a sign for some questionable charcter traits, I always thought that art was about CREATING and not about destroying.

Just to add another Barbie story: I hated them when I was small and I still don't like them. You could and still can chase me with any kind of plastic doll. I really fear them, dunno why, they make me shake.
I thought I had to say that. I'm sorry.
But youre picture is great. It reminds me of some old washing powder packs.
Sorry for the long, nested sentences.

--
Don't let your life pass you by.

...and chat with me! [link] :eager:
:icontell-me-lies:
*Tell-Me-Lies Aug 30, 2008, 3:53:23 PM
I think anything that looks like a person but isn't alive has potential to be creepy. That's why there are a lot of horror movies about dolls. I think it's the same principle as being afraid of masks or mannequins.

--
My talent for exaggeration is the biggest, most massive talent it is humanly possible to have.

Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
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