February 07th, 2020

After last year's International Doll & Teddy Show, I came back to a hot mess in the art room. It was as if a tornado made of silicone, thread, mohair, and fabric bits had torn through the place. Note to self: pack earlier next year.

After I mustered up a basic sense of order, I sat down and wondered... what will I do in 2020? I simmered on that thought for months. 

I know that silicone dolls are big in the doll world. Huge. I was fortunate to have the experience and materials to work with that medium. I enjoyed it. Despite that, I kept returning to the type of dollmaking that my mother taught me... painted cloth. There is something so enduring about that process and effect.

Antique Oil Painted Primitive Cloth Folk Art Rag Doll

Luckily, I had a digital 3D scan of my original Booshka (my 18" dolls) sculpture. I 3D printed that sculpture and covered her in cloth.

If you've ever painted a silicone doll, you know that it is all about precision and meticulously thin layers. Painting my cloth Booshka with acrylic paint was totally liberating! 

'Rose' is one of my painted cloth 18" Outsider Dolls Booshkas with inserted realistic eyes and mohair wig.

Her body is jointed cloth and her hands and feet are also painted.

She's rustic and folksy, but still delicate and realistic. I'm really happy with the outcome of this design. Once I got my process down, I translated the silicone Little Ones (9") into the same medium. 

Painted cloth Outsider Dolls 9" Little One with inserted eyes

Finished painted cloth Outsider Dolls Littles Ones with their monster masks

I'm feeling like my 2020 is going to be all about painted cloth dolls and monster hats. Speaking of monster hats, would anyone want an adult size version of a monster hat like this? A dainty, cute, and terrifying head band? You just might see that at the June 2020 International Doll and Teddy Show.

Jennifer