PROFILE OF AN ARTIST

 Black Doll-E-Zine had the pleasure of profiling Jean Henderson in our debut issue.  We  are honored to share another profile of her that was recently written by Deb for another online publication that may or may not have been available to our readers.  

ABOUT JEAN:

Jean Henderson has been making Black cloth dolls for 8 years and sewing for 39.  She enjoys designing and describes herself as a fabric-a-holic.  She loves the feel of the many different textures, the way fabric behaves, and its beautiful colors. 

Her inspiration to make cloth dolls resulted from the many years spent sewing and designing special-occasion clothing for herself and others.    If some of Jean’s customers would request special-occasion attire that was not exactly suited for their physiques, Jean would suggest more appropriate alternative styles.  Most customers were quite receptive and appreciative of her suggestions.   Soon the revelation came to Jean that if she designed and created dolls with cloth, her creative expertise would never be questioned.  

THE FIRST ONE:

Jean’s first doll was a rag doll that she made when she worked for the Federal Government.  She made another one for a friend; and once it was shown to others, everyone wanted one!  She eventually made 10 such dolls and they sold for $25 each.  After this, she was hooked!

WHY CLOTH?

Because of her love for fabrics, cloth is Jean’s doll-making medium of choice.  She has made dolls from porcelain and Sculpey, but she always returns to cloth doll making.  She prefers to create dolls that represent young girls between the ages of 9 and 10, and male dolls that vary in age.  The fabric chosen for each doll usually determines the doll’s appearance.  She explains, “I have no idea what my dolls will look like until they are finished.  Images of faces will ‘appear’ to me in the fabric before I sculpt it.  They may start out looking one way, but my dolls will ‘let me know’ what direction they should take.”

Typically, Jean does not create portrait dolls.   Each doll has its own, unique look.   One male doll, Hank Henson, was sculpted by Jean while her husband, Henry, was asleep.  According to Jean, that doll bore a striking resemblance to her husband. 

DISTINCT FEATURES:

Jean’s one-of-a-kind dolls have their own personalities, unique names, wear clothing and most accessories that she designs, and they all have very distinct noses. 

For naming purposes, when she hears a name that she likes, she writes it down and keeps a list of names for future use.  The decision for a doll’s clothing centers around its skin color, how the face looks, and the age of the doll.  The same is true for the accessories that Jean uses for her dolls. 

She enjoys sculpting noses and will build faces around them.  She explains that, “The nose, just like the rest of the doll, can start one way and end up another…  The nose is their most distinct feature.”

On average, about 1 to 1-1/2 weeks are required for Jean to create a doll from start to finish.  In a year’s time, she generally will complete 30-35 dolls.  Today the average price of a one-of-a-kind Jean Henderson doll is $350. 

A MESSAGE IN THE DOLLS:

When collectors look at Jean’s dolls, she wants them to see past and present friends, relatives, and associates.  When looking at her dolls, Jean also wants the collector to let their imaginations soar and allow the dolls to become what the collector wants them to become.

Jean believes that, while each doll is unique and has its own personality, a little of every artist’s personality is captured in each doll they create.

LATEST DOLL CREATION: 

Jean’s most recent creations are her bed dolls.  These dolls have dresses that consist of layers and layers of fabric and lace, made to spread out on a bed or to decorate a table or mantle.  The dolls are 8” seated and have lengthy legs.  Jean uses several bright colors for her bed dolls due to the demand from collectors for something small, colorful, and frilly.  At the most recent doll show that Jean attended, her bed dolls were very well received.

This year, in addition to dolls, Jean has added teddy bear making to her repertoire.  Sometimes she will combine the two  crafts to create a particular scene or to capture a particular look for her dolls and teddy bears.  

WHERE ARE THEY?  

Jean’s dolls are presented to the public via doll shows, conventions, luncheons, and her website.

She recently participated in the Doll and Teddy Bear Expo in Washington DC as well as the Black Doll Expo – Towson MD and the  Dolls of Color Show and Sale – New Carrollton MD.

Jean's upcoming shows include:

• April 10, 2004 - Greater Washington DC Black Memorabilia & Collectible Show - Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg MD  
• May 16, 2004 - Lady Baltimore Doll Study Club 9th Annual Doll & Teddy Bear Show - Tall Cedars Hall, Baltimore MD
• May 29-30, 2004 - 17th International Black Doll Show and Sale - Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia PA
• August 27-29, 2004 - Doll & Teddy Bear Expo 2004 - Marriott Wardman Park, Washington DC
• October 23, 2004 - Greater New York Area Black Memorabilia and Collectible Show - Crowne Plaza Meadowlands Hotel, Secaucus NJ

           
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS:

·         One of 20 artists featured in Dolls the Magazine in 1998 as one of  “20 Up and Coming African American Artists” 

·         Won 2^nd place in the “Created by Exhibitor” category at the Charm City Dolling Club of Maryland’s 1999 Luncheon.   The doll that won this award was a soft-sculptured, painted African doll named Bakari. The doll was dressed in a long dark green robe trimmed in leopard fur and gold braids. His shirt and pants were also in a leopard print. The hat (kofi) was dark green with brown feathers.  Bakari’s accessories included gold chains draped around his neck, wrists, and ankles.

·         In February 2001, Dolls the Magazine featured Jean and her husband, Henry, in “Creative Couples.”  This article featured Jean’s dolls and her husband’s upholstered doll furniture. 

·         In July 2001, Jean received an Honorable Mention Award for a Black Oriental doll that was created at the United Federation of Doll Club’s 53^rd National Convention in Atlanta GA. 

·         Three of Jean’s dolls are featured in The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Jean’s doll making is now a full-time business for her.  She designs, creates, and sells her dolls and intends to advance in her doll making and teaching.  Jean wants to expand her website, exhibit at more doll shows, and promote more of her own shows.  She hopes to create dolls as long as she is able or until the dolls tell her to stop.

Because she has had requests to teach classes, Jean hopes to begin teaching the art of doll making this year.  In the meantime, she offers the following advice to aspiring cloth-doll artists: 

“Find out all that you can about doll making.  Don’t be afraid to ask others to help you if you have a problem or need advice, and be sure to return the favor.  I believe in always giving back what was once given to you.”

"Alyssa" - Young Girl

"Taja" - African Boy, Standing

"Adia" - Young Girl

"Ayanna" - Bed doll

"Bakari"

"Kyesha"

"Kenyatta"

Thank you Jean for allowing Black Doll-E-Zine to showcase your beautiful doll art once again!  
 
Contact information for Jean Henderson: