Q: How long
have you been a doll artist?
A: I have been an artist for almost 7 years.
Q: What influenced you to become one?
A: I made a rag doll for a friend and in doing so, I
incorporated my own ideas into the doll so that it became my 1st
completely original creation. I began making dolls for my friends
and family, who encouraged me to market my dolls at shows. I have
been making my soft sculptured dolls ever since. My husband and I
did our first doll show together in 1997 and Expressions of Color
has continued on since then.
Q: Do you have a "day job"?
A: Yes, I work full time for the federal government and
"full time" on my dolls.
Q: How did you acquire your doll-making
knowledge?
A: I began sewing as a little girl and discovered that I
liked to design. I began to limit my work to bridal gowns, evening
wear and prom dresses. After making a rag doll for a friend, I
realized that I enjoyed getting the opportunity to exercise my
freedom of design in dollmaking. I used every book and article that
I could find on dollmaking to teach myself the art of soft
sculpting. I also learned a lot from other cloth doll artists who
were willing to share their knowledge and give me pointers.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration (people,
places, dreams, music, etc)?
A: My inspiration comes from a lot of different things.
Sometimes it’s people that I meet at shows or something that
someone says or does. A lot of times I "see" images of
people from my past in my dolls, often before I begin sculpting .
Using someone's own personality or events connected to that person
gives me the inspiration for the concept of the entire doll. I often
say that I communicate with my dolls and they "tell" me
what they like/dislike or want me to change about them.
Q: What's your favorite material/medium to
work with?
A: I am a cloth doll artist, specializing in soft sculpture.
Q: How long does it usually take to make one
of your dolls?
A: Usually a couple of weeks to complete 2 dolls. I work on
more than one at a time.
Q: When you begin, do you have an idea of
what the completed doll will look like or does that come later?
A: I have no idea what the completed doll will look like
until it is finished.
Q: Do you also design the clothing?
A: I design all aspect of my dolls.
Q: Do you have a favorite doll? If so, why
that one?
A: I really don't have a favorite; each one means something
different to me.
Q: Do your dolls tell a story?
A: Some of my dolls tell a story. For example, I created a
male doll named Hank Henson, which looked like, and reminded people
of, my husband, Henry. I sculpted it while Henry was asleep
and the two were a perfect match!
Q: Do you have your own personal style?
A: People say that a lot of dolls resemble their artists. I
guess I am no exception. All of my dolls express part of me---my
thoughts, ideas or perception of a family member or friend.
Q: Do you teach your
art?
A: I do plan to teach soft sculpting, because I have been
approached by several people who are interested in lessons.
Q: Where can collectors see your dolls?
A: My dolls can be seen on my website at
www.expressionsofcolor.com or at one of the doll shows that I
participate in on the East coast. My husband and I were also
featured in the February 2001 edition of Dolls Magazine.
Q: Have you done any shows recently?
A: I participated in the Philadelphia Black Doll Convention,
Show and Sale, the Metropolitan Exhibitors Show and Sale in
Alexandria VA and Doll and Teddy Bear Expo in Washington DC. I will
be in all of these shows again this year. My husband and I
also hosted the Black Doll Expo in October 2000 and 2001. I
also did shows in New Jersey and here in Maryland.
Q: How many do you do a year?
A: I do between 5-8 shows a year.
Q: Do you have any tips for aspiring doll
artists?
A: Find out all that you can about dollmaking. Don't be
afraid to ask others to help you if you run into a problem or if you
need advice. And be sure that when you are asked for help, return
the favor. Always give back what was given to you.
Q: What was your most recent doll?
Please describe it.
A: My most recent doll was a black Oriental doll (unnamed).
She is dressed in a pink kimono with matching pantalets and shoes.
Her hair is piled on top of her head with ringlets of curls around
her face. She kneels and sits on her feet. She retails for $375.
Q: What's next for you? Do you see
yourself creating dolls long into the future?
A: What's next? The sky's the limit. I want to advance in my
dollmaking and teaching, expand my website business, and increase in
show promotion. Along with my husband's upholstered doll furniture,
we plan on making Expressions of Color a full time "labor of
love".
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