When I made my first doll, I discovered that the process of creating a doll from piles of fabric, stuffing, wool and clay was an intensely powerful and personal experience. It is difficult to describe, it was as if in creating the doll I was also creating, or discovering, another aspect of myself. I have always longed to be a tall, slender and willowy creature, but fate had other plans, so I can express that part through doll making. The guardian dolls are a representation of that part of myself that wants to take care of others, they hold things and keep them safe like I have tried to do for those I care for and love. Other dolls I have made are expressions of community and commitment to friendship that is found among those that share ideas and ideals. I am also fascinated with the powerful spiritual nature of the number 3.

I have asked myself many times, why dolls? I do not consider myself a traditional “doll” person, yet here I am, compelled to make art dolls. Looking back, I think it was a synchronistic conspiracy. My Grandmother had given me a box of her old sewing notions, which I was storing in the bedroom closet, and I had a co-worker who had pictures of dolls she admired, but could not afford, hanging in her office. One day, she and I got talking and decided to try and figure out how to make those dolls. We met at my house and started pulling boxes and bags of old art and craft supplies out of closets and other nooks and crannies. After a while, we had created two “pretty darn good lookin’” dolls and we both agreed that it was a creative experience that changed us in some way.

It was as if all my past experiences in jewelry making, sewing, sculpting, painting and years of crafting and dabbling in art had conspired into this one expression of self. I’ve felt since that day, that artistically, I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.

Since that time, I have had ideas for dolls come to me in dreams, during the middle of the workday and rise out of conversation and communion with others. The faces come from a meditative space within, and while I do not consciously form them after people I know, there are times when I wonder at a resemblance found in the turn of a lip or expression.

I get the same sense of creative power making jewelry. A pile of gemstones, beads or pearls, a bit of silk and silver and, wow! Someone can wear that and feel good about it.

For me, it is about process. Creating, changing, forming, impacting, putting together and taking apart, it is the act of those things that makes the art real for me. It is in those processes, those sometimes ruthless decisions, that the art happens. In my dolls it is not only what you see, it is what you don’t see. I hope you enjoy my work.

Peace