Bella Bride, The First Muse

Chagall’s Muse Bella

Art Muse by Marina Elphick. Marina makes inspired muses in fine hand dyed cottons and silks, in her UK studio. — Bella as bride, Chagall inspired muse.

Bella was my first muse after a prototype of Jane Morris. I was still experimenting and finding my way with my ideas and blog technology. I started to write about the lives of my muses later on, finding the research equally interesting to the design of the muse.

Bella’s life story can be read here.

I was inspired by the dream-like quality of Marc Chagall’s bride paintings, which permeated his love for his wife Bella. I chose floaty, sheer fabrics to give a lightness and ethereal feel to my Bella muse.

Art Muse doll by Marina Elphick. Doll muses handmade by Marina in finest silks and hand dyed cottons, at her Sussex studio in UK. — Bella, Chagall’s muse.

Art Muse doll by Marina Elphick. Art doll inspired by muses, individually hand made by UK artist Marina Elphick. — Veil with areas of Appliqué and hand painted imagery.

Art Muse doll by Marina Elphick, made from finest hand dyed silks and cottons. Art Doll muses handmade by Marina in finest silks and hand dyed cottons, at her Sussex studio in UK. — Bella, back lit, displaying her veil.

The mages below show the working stages of creating this muse, which was a trial version. I hope to make more in future, possibly based on other Chagall paintings.

Art Muse doll by Marina Elphick. Art dolls uniquely hand designed.

Chagall bride at early stage, face not yet painted but drawn in pencil.

Early stage of Bella body.

Art Muse doll by Marina Elphick. Art dolls uniquely hand designed, commissions taken.

Face painted on bride.

Art Muse doll in the making by Marina Elphick

Dress completed, hair yet to be stitched.

Art Muse doll by Marina Elphick, made from finest hand dyed silks and cottons.

Detail of Bella’s painted face.

wedding-couple-in-paris — Wedding couple in Paris, by Marc Chagall.

This painting was one of my references for Chagall’s muse, although I decided to give Bella green hair rather than a green face in this instance.

Muse : The source of an artist’s inspiration.

Bella and Chagall’s love story continues, click here

Other 20th Century muses by Marina

Jeanne Hébuterne Modigliani’s muse

Lydia Delectorskaya Matisse’ muse

Marie-Thérèse Walter Picasso’s muse

Emilie Flöge Klimt’s muse

Frida Kahlo muse

Teha-amana Gauguin’s muse

Wally Neuzil

Jeanne muse as ‘Woman with Blue Eyes’ by Amedeo Modigliani.

Matisse muse, made by Marina, in 'Gran Interior en Rojo', a painting by Henri Matisse.

Matisse muse in ‘Gran Interior en Rojo’, Henri Matisse.

Marie-Thérèse , seated in front of Picasso's painting of her. Art Muses individually hand made by Marina Elphick. Picasso's muse and lover, Marie-Thérèse.

Marie-Thérèse muse, seated in front of Picasso’s painting of her.

, handmade from finest hand dyed silks and cottons.

Emilie Muse with batik silk by Marina Elphick.

Frida Kahlo muse by Marina Elphick, set against detail from Kahlo's "self portrait with necklace of thorns".

Frida muse against monkey and black cat detail from Kahlo’s “self portrait with necklace of thorns”.

Teha'amana, Gauguin's muse. Art muse made by Marina.

Teha’amana, Gauguin’s muse, made by Marina.

My muse, Walburga Neuzil, or Wally as she was known to her family and friends. Designed, sculpted, modelled and painted by Marina Elphick.

My muse, Walburga Neuzil, or Wally as she was known to her family and friends. She was inspired by Egon Schiele’s paintings and drawings of her.

5 thoughts on “Bella Bride, The First Muse”

I discovered your site yesterday. I am enchanted. Your dolls are so beautiful. They should be in a museum.

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Amazing creations.

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Marina, you never cease to amaze me with your beautiful images and now the dolls. You are so very talented. I can’t wait to see more of your dolls, too beautiful to ever part with. Brilliant.
Ali xxx

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Thanks for inviting us, Marina. They’re beautiful muse dolls – really exquisite! I love the way you have photographed Bella in natural settings. Also, thank you for introducing me to the work of Chagall. Looking forward to seeing more. Well done!

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Can’t wait to see more of these Marina. I really like them a lot. Always been a fan of Chagall myself! It’s great to read about your inspirations and hear more about your art.

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Anonymous says:

September 4, 2017 at 2:05 pm

I discovered your site yesterday. I am enchanted. Your dolls are so beautiful. They should be in a museum.

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highwealder says:

October 20, 2016 at 6:20 pm

Amazing creations.

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alijoan says:

October 3, 2016 at 7:51 pm

Marina, you never cease to amaze me with your beautiful images and now the dolls. You are so very talented. I can’t wait to see more of your dolls, too beautiful to ever part with. Brilliant.
Ali xxx

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stephanieiris says:

October 1, 2016 at 7:23 am

Thanks for inviting us, Marina. They’re beautiful muse dolls – really exquisite! I love the way you have photographed Bella in natural settings. Also, thank you for introducing me to the work of Chagall. Looking forward to seeing more. Well done!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Duncan Walsh says:

September 30, 2016 at 10:10 pm

Can’t wait to see more of these Marina. I really like them a lot. Always been a fan of Chagall myself! It’s great to read about your inspirations and hear more about your art.

LikeLiked by 1 person