stone dolls

Well it's official, I'm completely smitten with stone painting! They are such a perfect little canvas! Holding a little part of the earth seems to ground and inspire me all at once... mmm...smooth stone in hand and time disappears. Last night I could have painted dolls until the sun came up...but I knew the price to be paid was too steep! Thursday mornings are a flurry of activity around this place...a little sleep helps. When I collected these stones at the lake on Monday, I had no idea that I'd be needing more...so soon! I think I see another Father's Day project happening this afternoon...whoops! Hope you're not reading this, sweet husband... who feels like I've traded him in for a pile of rocks!

As much as I've loved creating stone dolls, my daughter has enjoyed carrying them around and playing with them. I've been reminded of a beautiful children's book by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, Elizabeti's Doll. This is a Tanzanian story of a young girl who longs for a doll to cuddle, when a new sibling is born. She finds a stone that is just the right size and shape to nurture and carry on her back (just like her mother). What a gentle and universal tale.

I must have been tapping into something deep and primitive within...I've discovered stone dolls have an ancient history. Archeologists have uncovered a 4000 year old stone doll (Bronze Age). They thought it was a religious artifact, at first, but it was found in the children's quarters next to a set of tiny dishes. Click here for the article. I encourage you to forage for natural materials for your children's play...and the art you create ...sticks... stones...nuts...seeds...