Recently in Featured Artists Category

Name: Neta Amir

Nickname:  Netamir

Snail-Mail Address: P.O.Box 5003 Tel Aviv 61050
 
Location/Business:  Bobilina Studio
 
Website:  http://bobilina.blogspot.com/ 

Please tell us a little about yourself: 31 years old artist and designer,

After graduating from my fashion design studies in 2003 (Shenkar Institute of Design) and following several years of work in commercial clothing companies I decided in 2005 to devote myself to a more creative and artistic work-path.

At first I created crochet dolls and sold them to collectors via the internet. The creation of textile dolls then extended itself to installation where these dolls were part of a space that I formed. My installations are a grouping of the dolls, objects made of textile as well as photography. I am also still developing in the fashion front, designing and creating accessory for my private clientele. 

 
How long have you loved art and have been creating?

Since I can remember myself; at kindergarten every time I was asked what I would like to do as a grown up I said that I would like to be a painter. It was changed a bit during the years, after graduating art high school I wanted to learn something more useful, some craftsmanship which wasn't been taught at art schools. For that reason I went to the fashion design academy, but I never really liked to do only fashion, I always felt like something is missing.

Now I combine both fields of art and design.

What started you off?

I didn't like my work as Fashion designer. I found it so frustrating and boring to draw with computer all the day long while others make the patterns and sewing. I missed those parts of the work; I missed creating something with my hands. When I quit my fashion design work I began to create my dolls, then little by little I sold them. I couldn't make my living out of it but preferred to take some students works that allowed me keeping up with the dolls instead of getting another job in the fashion industry.

What is your favorite creation?

I like mostly the pieces of art I created to my scraps exhibition and the Buba installation.

What is your favorite type/style to design/make?

It's depends when, now I like most to create the mixed media dolls.

I like everything with hand stitching and crocheting.

What is your favorite media to work with? Why?

Do you have a background in art?

I graduated Art high school and the Fashion design academy.

Do you teach classes/workshops or do Trunk Shows? Where?

I teach kids and adults.

Every week I am teaching twice needles craft workshops at after school program. I also teach every month a socks dolls workshop for adults at home and sometimes being invited to teach single workshops in ecological centers or schools.

Who is your favorite designer?

I always find the work of Elsa Schiaparelli as great source of inspiration for me. As fashion student I also admired the work of Vivian Westwood.

Do you have a favorite pattern?

Lately I prefer working without patterns for creating dolls, just free modeling pieces of fabrics and then add crochet and embroidery features. I do use patterns to my fashion accessories, I like all of them the same.

What artists/people/places inspire you or where do you get your 
inspiration?

My inspiration in creating the figures and objects comes from my biography and personal memories as well as the people and materials in my immediate surroundings and every-day life.

Different kinds of textile also inspire me and many of the ideas for my creations came out of piece of fabric which I was manipulated.

Most of the materials I use are often recycled, i.e. clothing, beddings and socks that are no longer in use in their original capacity. These materials and their wear-and-tear add another dimension to my work. They still possess the sensations of the previous owners in their former "incarnation". In this way they too recount another chapter in the stories I interweave.

Where is your favorite place to work/design/draw?

I really like working at home, I have my little studio in our shuttered balcony, but most of the time I prefer to sit in the living room and use the little coffee table to store on all of the threads, needles and other stuff I need .

What was the first piece you ever sold?

I sold few garments and one necklace as student and short while after graduation, but the first meaning full piece I sold, when I have just begin with the dolls making, was a cloth doll named Shulamit.

You can see her here.

Do you name your creations?  If yes, how do you come up with 
the names?

Sometimes I do enjoy naming my dolls, at the beginning I named every single doll I made.

There were no rules about it, it was mostly intuitive, following something in the doll's expression or total look that made me think: oh she looks like that.

Gal my boyfriend also helped with naming, Shulamit named after Shulamit st. where he used to lived in before he moved to my place.

Many of my dolls were also named by the people who bought them; I also received some letters from them with greetings from the dolls and stories about names they gave to my dolls.

Now I mostly name the dolls with names that tell something about their characters, like "bird in love" or "wizard bird".

Do you have a favorite tool and/or product?

I really like to work with my old industrial sewing machine.

I purchased it immediately after graduating the fashion school, when I was really broke and looked for the cheapest sewing machine I could find. I bought it from an old technician. It is yet functioning very well though I guess it is more than 20 years old, and owned by me for 5 years already.

I also like all my crochet needles very much, I have one from my childhood but I also like to buy new ones in different sizes.

What is your most favorite part of creating?

I like the beginnings, the first stitches in every piece, I also like to take photos of my creation, and I like it when I manage to give new meanings by photos.

What is your least favorite part of creating?

I don't like when I have to hurry up finishing something when I have a deadline.

What's your secret for overcoming a creative block?

I am trying to create constantly, like doing something every day, when I feel less creative I would do the trims, hand stitching or technical works then I mostly will get over the creative block.

If all the above wouldn't work I will tidy and clean home, that's always work!

What is your best art tip?

Doing what ever you like and believe in, I found out that when I like something it would be loved by others, when I don't like something it would not evoke any interest in others.

It is very banal and well known Cliché but I always surprised to find out that it really works in real life.

What advice would you give a beginning artist?

Don't compromise.        
 

Name: Linda Misa

Nickname:  none that I am aware of!

Snail-Mail Address: 938 Pateena Rd, Longford, Tasmania 7301, AUST
 
Location/Business:  Longford

 
Website:  www.picturetrail.com/linda38

www.tact-ilse.blogspot.com

 
Patterns Type/Style Available:  elves, fairies, angels, mermaids, woodland series, on-line doll classes

Books Published: in 5oo handmade dolls

Please tell us a little about yourself. Wife, mother, artist in any given order on any given day! Born in NZ with 4 brothers and a creative mother and a teacher father. Moved to Australia in 1985 and studied clothing design and beauty therapy in Sydney. Met and married my NZ husband. Traveled to Europe and spent a year traveling around before settling in Tasmania and having 3 children.
 
How long have you loved art and have been creating? Since I was a small child - got my first sewing machine at age 7.

What started you off? Watching my mother started my journey and having my daughter moved me into the direction of doll making.

What is your favorite creation? My children LOL!  Followd by my doll called "for my children" which is made with lots of recycled items.

What is your favorite type/style to design/make? I love to create characters that evoke a sense of "knowing" when you look at them. I like to work from a theme or a word that has meaning to me.

What is your favorite media to work with? Why? Paperclay would be one of my favorite mediums. It is so forgiving to use, easy on the hands and very versatile. Sculpting a face is an exciting part of the creative process for me. I see the creation come alive in my mind and it helps me decide what colours and shapes I need to use in the rest of the doll.

Do you have a background in art? I guess I would answer that by saying my life has always included art and craft. Formally I have attended many study courses and really enjoy learning new things but I feel that most of my learning has come from reading, watching, lots of practicing and the desire to learn more and get better with each thing I create.

Do you teach classes/workshops or do Trunk Shows? Where?
On-line workshops are my main focus at the moment. I have classes with http://www.dollstreetdreamers.com/

www.classheaven.com

www.fabricaddictions.com

I am also available to travel to teach workshops!!!!

Who is your favorite designer? There are many I admire greatly including my friend Susie McMahon and Akira Blount.

Do you have a favorite pattern? Not really, but I love great hands and toes on a pattern.

What artists/people/places inspire you or where do you get your
inspiration? Inspiration is all around me - I live in a beautiful place with magic natural beauty. I draw a lot from nature - flowers, trees, leaves - colour, form texture. I just look in the garden or at my children and I am inspired. I guess I also use the power of words to evoke an image in my head. The desire to create is so strong with me that I can find inspiration in most things. Needless to say my head holds more ideas than I will ever be able to recreate!

Where is your favorite place to work/design/draw? In my beautiful studio - with lots of windows looking out across the gardens and countryside.

What was the first piece you ever sold? As a child I used to make various things that I sold in craft shops to make pocket money. I learnt how to make what was called a Chinese lantern out of plastic drinking straws. You split the straw and fold it up into this odd shaped "bead" that is then stitched together to form a 3D star shape. Sold quite a few of them too !

Do you name your creations?  If yes, how do you come up with
the names? Yes I do name the dolls. Name usually comes from some image/idea I had when I started creating the doll. Or sometimes it is from a person who is special to me.

Do you have a favorite tool and/or product? My sewing machine.

You are a great believer in recycling. Can you tell us about some of the strangest things you have successfully recycled?

 Absolutely, I encourage it in all my classes and patterns. Often it is the start of a design - some odd object that I have kept because I knew it would make an interesting look. For my Children is all about recycling. She is made over a broken lamp base, has a hat made out of a computer monitor internal part, clothing made from scraps of fabric felted together on the needlefelting machine. An old watch, tea strainer, marbles, electrical wire, shells. Around her base are the words " gathering up bits of the world and putting them in an order so that my children can understand." She represents my role as a mother  - encouraging my children to recycle, to make sense of this world.


What is your most favorite part of creating? The process, the "doing". If I get a good end result - that is the bonus!

What is your least favorite part of creating? Cleaning up afterwards!

What's your secret for overcoming a creative block? Go into the world and look - inspiration is all around - the sounds, the colours, the smells of life. Have a coffee in town and watch all the faces passing by. I just love faces. No matter what face you sculpt - there would always be someone who looks like it!

What is your best art tip? Practice, do it again and again. Enjoy the journey, impart some of your soul into each thing you make and be grateful that you can.

What advice would you give a beginning artist? If you want to be good at something - you have to do it over and over again. Love the art of creating and learning and the journey will be a totally enjoyable one and that love will shine through in the art you create.

Name: Rivkah Rosenfeld

Nickname:  Rebeka

Location/Business:  Doll Makers Muse/ Israel

Website:  http://rivkahrosenfeld.googlepages.com, http://dollmakersmuse.blogspot.com

Patterns Type/Style Available:

“Orianna (beginners) Ruth (intermediate, advanced)  Niamh (advanced)  All patterns are online classes / patterns.  More patterns are in the works and /or are not released yet.

Books Published: I’ve not written any books but my work appears in various publications.  Art Doll Quarterly, Dolls United, Patti Medaris Culea’s second book, a new book by Rockport to be released in 2007 (secret)

Please tell a little about yourself.

I’m 36 years of age, married with three daughters age 9, 11 and 13.

I moved to Israel 3 1/2 years ago from Seattle, WA.  I have no formal training in art but have always been a talented seamstress.  In college I was very gifted in literature but did not major in English.  I loved Irish literature and plays, Shakespeare, etc.  I appreciated it while I was “being graded,” since it came naturally to me, but never realized what a profound impact it would have on me until years.  Looking back, I realize that this small exposure had a major impact on my artistic inspiration, which has only begun to develop in recent years.

How long have you loved dolls and have been making dolls?

4 years

What started you making dolls?

I was a project manager for an upscale commercial lighting design firm at the prestigious Seattle Design Center. I did not receive any formal art training, but learned to appreciate fine art while working at the Design Center.  My profession was mainly business oriented, and I was mostly around lighting and furniture designers, architects and interior decorators.  However, something about working in that luxurious atmosphere, and spending so much time there, sparked my desire to create art.

I have always been involved in sewing, having begun to sew at the early age of 12.  I used to make elaborate dresses for myself and my children.   About a year before relocating, I was given a marvelous sewing machine which was complicated, and rendered me to take lessons from the dealer on how to use it.

At the dealer, I became mesmerized with different classes going on, and the high level of enthusiasm that went along with them.  On one occasion, I saw a group of women sitting around a table passing dolls around.  I had never witnessed such a thing in my entire life.  It was so against the grain of society, you know, so funny to see, but yet it felt so refreshing and so brilliant.  I joined the group immediately and was completely hooked on dolls.

It wasn’t long before I relocated.  Once I got to Israel I discovered that I was not going to find a prestigious job like I had in the states.  In fact, it was hard for me to find any job.  I decided to engross myself in the art of dolls, and it has changed my life profoundly.  I would never have been able to do this had I stayed in Seattle.  I never knew what I was missing.

What is your favorite doll?

David by Michelangelo, if you can call that a doll.

What is your favorite type/style of doll to design/make?

I love fairies and other fantasy creatures.  They represent the "impossible."  By creating such a composition, and bringing it into “existence,” I feel that nothing is truly impossible.

What medium do you like to work with?

I love to MIX media.  I love cloth, clay, paint, glue, beads…..together.  I feel that I’m creating something novel and exciting that way.  It satisfies my compulsive need to PLAY!

Do you have a background in art?

I studied art and literature in College, but only to meet my elective requirements.  It happens to be that I studied Irish Literature and took an art course on Medeival Art, which was of course Irish.  I was never taught art “hands on”- I never learned painting, sculpture, etc.  That is completely self-taught information.

Do you teach classes/workshops or do Trunk Shows? Where?

Yes, I teach classes and workshops in Israel.  I have been thinking about teaching a conference in the States and might accept an invitation if afforded one.  I’ll probably send a proposal to teach in the near future.  I’m just slightly dreading the long plane ride!

I sell exotic textiles through my website.

Who is your favorite doll designer?

Edna Dali, a friend and advisor, who has been in the doll business for 26 years.  She works in Porcelain, though, and is not involved in cloth pattern making.  Her dolls are contemporary but inspired by culture of old. 

Do you have a favorite doll pattern?

No.

What artists/people/places inspire you or where do you get your
inspiration?

Artists/ people:   I am inspired by Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Shakespeare, Rubin, and of course, a variety of contemporary and old world fantasy and fairy art masters. 

 

Places:  I begin the design process in my mind.  I always have an idea of who this doll is, some basic theme behind it, and I get that inspiration from something musical, conceptual or visual.  I browse pictures of paintings that take my breath away.  Then I push the “image” into my own theme. Here is an example:

I’ve got a doll pattern called Niamh.  She is a faery who lives at the Dead Sea.  Have you ever heard of such a thing?  That is completely from my imagination.  However I was inspired by the painter Rubin, whose rolly-polly “rubinesque” angelic-looking subjects enchanted my mind until I created a doll with that character and body composition.  The personality of the doll is completely different, but you can see that Rubin truly inspired me.

What was the first doll you ever sold?

She was called “Miri.”   The doll was modeling a religious Jewish costume and was purchased by a collector who was interested in cultures.

Do you name your dolls?  If yes, how do you come up with
your dolls' names?

Yes, I do.  I never name the doll until it is complete, even though many names pop in and out of my head as the doll progresses.  I give my dolls actual names, not things like “girl with white dress” or some such thing.

The names are sometimes words from Hebrew which have something to do with the character.  Sometimes they are odd names that I made up, and just like the sound of it.  Sometimes the name eludes me and I search the internet for ideas. 

Do you have a favorite doll-making tool and/or product?

Translucent Liquid Sculpey, Pigment Powder, Genesis paint

What is your most favorite part of the doll to make?

If the doll has wings, that is my favorite part.  If not, I love to embellish (beading, trimmings, Angelina fibers, etc).  I try to create the embellishments by hand as much as possible, to be as creative as I can.

What is your least favorite part of the doll to make?

Garments. Somehow I don’t like sewing clothing separately and then putting it on the doll.  I feel it covers the sculpture!  I overcome this by draping fabric on the doll and sewing the “clothing” right on the body.  This creates the illusion that the doll is “dressed” and it gives me much more pleasure.  In this way,it feels more like “embellishing.”

 
What's your secret for overcoming a creative block?

If your block is because you can’t seem to ‘get started,’ then look at an art book or magazine or go to the bookstore.  You’d be amazed how inspired you can become.  If possible, select one picture of a painting or a doll or something that touches your soul.  Look at it and study it, and pretend you were in the picture.  It helps.

A word from the wise:  shut off the computer and go OUT for your inspiration.  If you have already done the above, then just take out your clay, patterns, fabric or whatever, shut off your phone and sit there for a minimum of a half hour until something comes.  If nothing works, tell another creative friend about it. 

What is your best doll-making tip?

Never pose the doll’s head dead center.  Always tilt the head and turn it to the side at least a little bit.  This makes the doll look more animated.  If the doll’s pose requires the face to be absolutely centered, then have the eyes glace toward the side.

What advice would you give a beginning doll maker?

A successful composition is one that makes the viewer think.  That viewer can be yourself.  Even if the viewer thinks you have a lot to learn, then you have created a masterpiece.

Name: Tatjana

Nickname:  Tanja

Location/Business: I work at home in the Zemun, Republic of Serbia

Patterns Type/Style Available:  Marko the butcherman-nylon sculpted head doll.

Website: http://www.PictureTrail.com/tanja22   http://www.tanjas-dolls.blinkz.com/

Please tell a little about yourself. I'm SAHM of two girls,addicted to doll and crafts.

How long have you loved dolls and have been making dolls? I love dolls all my life,but started making them about a year ago (little longer)

What started you making dolls?  I saw some beautifull dolls on the different websites, but I couldnt afford them.Than it becomes challenge for me to find out if I can make something like this,and here I am now.

What is your favorite doll?  My favorite doll is basic woman by P.Grose

What is your favorite type/style of doll to design/make? I like dolls with needle sculpted faces,with lot of wrinkles.

What is your favorite media to work with? Why? Fabric is my usual media,but I would like to try my self in sculpting too.

Do you have a background in art?Usualy no,I just do the way I feel in this moment.
 
Do you teach classes/workshops or do Trunk Shows? Where?

No,nothing of that but hope to start something.

Who is your favorite doll designer?I cant tell because there is lot of great designers out there,and lot things to learn from all of them.

Do you have a favorite doll pattern?No,cant tell,I'm like the monkey -want everything and like everything.

What artists/people/places inspire you or where do you get your
inspiration? I'm inspired with anything around me,it can be picture,fabric or something I hear on the news.

Where is your favorite place to work/design/draw/make dolls?I have my room with all my fabric's beads,wools etc.Cant call it studio because it is small room,but it is only my room(untill I'm stronger than my older daugter).

What was the first doll you ever sold? It was comisioned bellydancer doll.

Do you name your dolls?  If yes, how do you come up with
your dolls' names?   It is difficult to name my dolls because we have different names and it has no sence in English,but I do give them some names.

Do you have a favorite doll-making tool and/or product? Favorite tool for me is my computer because it is my first and most important conection with doll world.

What is your most favorite part of the doll to make? Heads are favorite parts,because you can put feelings in your dolls face.

What is your least favorite part of the doll to make?I dont like to stuff dolls it is boring.

What's your secret for overcoming a creative block?Just dont do anything untill I feel like it.

What is your best doll-making tip? If you cant do it the way designer wants you to,do it the way you can, it always turns good.

What advice would you give a beginning doll maker?  To take one step at the time,nobody knows everything at once.

Anything else you would like to add?
I'm werry happy because I met lot of kind and generous people from all ower the world,through my dollmaking passion

Today I would like you all to meet Phyllis.

The day I saw my first fabric needle-sculpted dolls, I walked out in a dreamy haze, delighted, thrilled and in raptures over what I had just seen.

And, as all crafters can tell you, I had to make one IMMEDIATELY!

Alas, I could not find a single book to help me in our local bookstores or libraries. So I turned to the Internet. And discovered Phyllis Robinson’s wonderful group ClothDollMaking.

Apart from all the information one needs to make the most the most exquisite cloth dolls, I also met several gifted, innovative doll makers who shared their experiences and advice with all of us in the group.

I learnt that the Internet is a marvelous resource for Artists and Crafters from all over the world, across all barriers.

An interview with our first Guest Artist, Phyllis Robinson:

Name: Phyllis M. Robinson

Nickname:  Princess P (don't ask!)  Actually, my best friend
gave me this name because I like to stay up late (working) and
sleep late in the mornings.  She thinks I live the life of a princess.
We laugh because I am the type who really could feel a pea
under 10 mattresses.

Location/Business:  My little home office.  I am fortunate
to have a sewing room and a separate office.  There are no kids
living at home any more.

Website:  http://www.designsbyphyllis.homestead.com/

Patterns Type/Style Available:  I try to create realistic looking
ladies with French or Victorian clothing.  It wasn't a plan to
do this, it just evolved this way.  I don't think I have fairies or
character dolls in me.

Books Published:  1984 a small booklet about making
porcelain dolls.  It wasn't anything really to call a book.

Please tell a little about yourself.
I am just a normal middle aged woman who loves to make
dolls!  It is an urge that can not be denied.  Several times
I have quit making dolls only to return to them.  Sometimes
I wish the urge to create wasn't so strong.

How long have you loved dolls and have been making dolls?
I wasn't really interested in dolls as a child.  I started making
porcelain dolls in 1977, that started my doll making career.

What started you making dolls?
At about 30 years old, I saw a porcelain doll that stole my heart
and I just had to have her.  It was an inexpensive Bye-Lo baby
and I decided I wanted to learn how to make my own porcelain
dolls.

What is your favorite doll?
After going through many mediums, I now like realistic cloth dolls.
I like them in many different types such as ladies, fairies, mermaids
and historical dolls.

What is your favorite type/style of doll to design/make?
Fashion, historical or other ladies.

What is your favorite media to work with? Why?
Cloth is my favorite type followed by clay.  Cloth is a flat one
dimensional medium and it is a real challenge to turn it into
three dimensional body parts.  I used to get a thrill out of turning
a gallon of porcelain slip and a plaster mold into a beautiful
little person.  Now, that thrill is from turning flat cloth into a
beautiful lady.  I also love to sculpt in water based clays for the
same reason.  I start with a blob of clay and end up with a
little person.

Do you have a background in art?
No, not at all.  I was a hairdresser and used to love to
decorate homes, so there was always an interest in artsy
things.

Do you teach classes/workshops or do Trunk Shows? Where?
I teach online classes because I can teach them in my jammies!
I used to teach porcelain dollmaking twice a week for two years
and got burn out.  My husband also does not like for me to be gone
from home, so I never considered teaching in person classes or
shows.  Now that he is retiring, I may consider it.

Who is your favorite doll designer? Wow, there are too many to
narrow it to one, so will list them all!  Antonette Cely, Patti Culea,
Robert McKinley, Shelley Thornton, Sue Sizemore and I could
go on and on!

Do you have a favorite doll pattern?
No, not really.  I usually don't make the patterns of others.
I buy them for bed time reading to learn techniques, but don't
usually make the patterns up.

What artists/people/places inspire you or where do you get your
inspiration?
Sometimes I will design a doll that I know there is lot of interest
in for my groups doll challenges, but normally I design what I
find interesting.  I never have a lack of inspiration, it is just the
opposite, too many ideas in my head!  I feel all of my talent and
ideas come from the Lord, so I just go where he leads me.

Where is your favorite place to work/design/draw/make dolls?
Sitting in bed watching TV late at night.  That is the drawing
part, not the sewing!  Haven't figured out how to do that in bed!

What was the first doll you ever sold?
A porcelain Googlie doll.

Do you name your dolls?  If yes, how do you come up with
your dolls' names?  Yes, they sort of tell me their names.

Do you have a favorite doll-making tool and/or product?
My sewing machines.  I have a Sears top of the line that was
made by Janome and it is like heaven to sew on it.  I also
have a Brother 8500.  I think a good sewing machine is the
one thing that makes a difference in the out come of our dolls.

What is your most favorite part of the doll to make?
The torso, I love to try to create curvy lady bodies out of
flat pieces of cloth.

What is your least favorite part of the doll to make?
The heads, I don't know why.  I just love to make the bodies
and design clothing.  As a child, I wanted to be a fashion designer.

What's your secret for overcoming a creative block?
I have never had a creative block.  I have just the opposite problem.
I have far too many ideas in my head!  I sketch (poorly) ideas as
they pop into my head.  I would have to live about 100 years to
actually make all them all.

What is your best doll-making tip?
STRETCH yourself!  Do not keep trying to make easy dolls,
move on to dolls that you think are too hard for your present
level.  Only by moving on do I learn new techniques in design
and keep my level of interest up.

What advice would you give a beginning doll maker?  As I
said, constantly keep moving on ward and up ward.

Anything else you would like to add?
Yes, I have an online cloth dollmaking group where we work
on projects together.  It is open to anyone who is interested.
This is the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClothDollMaking/