August 23, 2010

A Troll for Luck

image

*Drawing inspired by this picture on Flickr.

Yikes!!….A troll facing forward. These guys are so ugly, they’re cute. Well, kinda…only if you dress them up and color them in, I think.

In the early to mid 90’s I bought about ten of these guys over a 2 yr period for my sister. They had the Lottery Troll, the Halloween Troll, the Birthday Troll, you get the picture. Promoted a little like beanie babies actually, just not stuffed, LOL!

Spent the entire weekend coloring this guy in. I really need a life. But then again, this is what I’m comfortable doing. I’m a bit of the book-worm type. Back in college I hung out in the library. Yes, I’m a Nerd! At least I can admit it now.

image

All that hair is a perfect place to add those RAINBOW colors to this guy. Don’t want to miss an opportunity to support the use of rainbow colored markers.

image

Had to doodle them up a bit to add interest.

image

Not quite done…..just need to do something to the background now.

image

Did you know that in the 1960’s these Troll Dolls were the second most popular doll right behind the Barbies, who’d have thought?

Part of the dolls charm was that it was so ugly - it had huge ears and a pot belly, no forehead and long strands of sheep's wool for hair. Danes believed the dolls were so ugly that you had to laugh at them and if you were laughing, nothing bad could happen to you. Soon the dolls became a source of good luck to people around the world. Initially they were favored by high school and college girls but soon grown men were carrying them around on their travels. This information found Here.

I bet if I looked around my house I’d find a troll doll stashed away somewhere. How about you?

25 comments:

  1. That's a definite improvement on the so-ugly-he's-cute little guy. I remember the troll craze. I love what you've done with his hair.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Goodness, this brings back childhood memories! My big sis had tons of these troll dolls, ... and I was scared of them, lol. Your drawing is awesome, Eden! Love when you use the rainbow! And this background Rocks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. love your troll ... I remember the dolls -- I really like how you "doodled" him all up - awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  4. how awesome is this?? we have a little troll that we call "indoogu" and he has become the family game - we hide him in different locations in families homes until one day you are suprised to find him in your shower or kitchen drawer. we take him on trips, too, and take photos of him. i love indoogu. thank you for reminding me it's time to get him out! LOVE the drawing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is SO awesome Eden!! You are SO fun!!! The doodles are incredible, I can seriously look at your work for hours!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I still have 2 on my desk at home! And drew one (in pastels) recently.

    I love yours! He is so gorgeous with all those doodles!!!

    Really enjoying your "Facing Forward" efforts!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think it was more than 10 and I may still have them stashed somewhere.

    Whitney

    ReplyDelete
  8. i have a troll hanging on my peg board here in my studio.....she's dressed as a little dutch girl. her hair isn't nearly as fun as this little guy's hair, though!!! and if there were ever a time for a rainbow, it's with troll hair.....woo hoo!!! i love the way you've added your eden touches to him....he's fabulous!! thanks for taking us through the process, too.....it was fun to see that!! xox, :))

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really love to read your blog! And this troll is wonderful! You can by them in the childrens store now. ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fabulous, fabulous, FABULOUS fun!!!! Hugs, Terri

    ReplyDelete
  11. ummmm....AWESOME! I remember trolls! I think maybe I had one or two, but they were ever so popular. I am in love with your colors and doodling and drawing ability.

    *swoon*

    ReplyDelete
  12. eden! i loooove this! i have a troll w/green hair at my psychology office (so professional, i know!). i love EVERYTHING you did w/this!
    i seem to love everything you do!
    (& how in the world did you find me on that copic blog?!!! your magic powers are as great & beautiful as your art & heart!).
    lots of love to you, friend across the colorful miles. xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  13. How can something so ugly turn out so fabulous?!!! this is how. He is actually cute and the detail and color work if really amazing! I love him!

    Smiles

    ReplyDelete
  14. I used to collect them when I was in high school. I even had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle troll. I actually think I still have that one and maybe two more lurking in my closet.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow I really love your stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I remember they were quite popular in the 80's too. I didn't go crazy for them but I remember having a few little trolls that fitted rather unceremoniously on the end of a pencil for decoration.

    I LOVE how you did the hair!

    ReplyDelete
  17. i had troll dogs. i mean, those guys needed a pet. who else would love them.
    your troll is wonderful and makes me smile. im going to share your flickr image on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I always had a troll in the house and he's been lonely for so long. I'm so glad that I found Troll6 that you created. So here they are together:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/toubib46/4943027895/

    Liêm Phó Nhòm

    ReplyDelete
  19. I just love it... as a doodler myself, I'm really impressed with all of the work that went into it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. That is SOOO cute! I always loved my troll dolls...far more than Barbies or anything else. I don't know what it was about them :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very cool. You've proven that doodling is an art form!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I remember trolls from way back. Great doodle!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tu dibujo me sirvió para hacer un trabajo de Artes Visuales, muchas gracias, saludos desde Chile :)

    ReplyDelete