The emergence of Serena, a Mannikin doll
Take two with this doll, but I feel we are totally getting there. The making of this little sweethart has taken me so long but I am both relieved and overjoyed at this moment in the time of her creation.
Natural fiber art doll Serena, wool sculpture over armature. 16” tall Mannikin by Fig and Me.
Making Serena has been a blessing on so many ways for me, and yes, I know I say that of each doll but the truth is they all teach me something important.
On occasion that is a skill, how to draft x pattern, how to better construct a feature, or I discover a new face, a new expression, a new eye shape. Other times they teach me to pay attention, they bring up a painful memory I must work out from, they elicit emotions that aid me both in understanding this art form, or photography or writing.
As I also always say: each doll comes with a gift. To me first, because I am the one that unearths them from the wool, but also to the people that welcome them in their homes.
Articulated natural fiber art doll by Fig and Me. Mannikin style, 16” tall wool sculpture over armature.
We have spent the entire week going over all the fabrics and laces that we both selected together. She has sat with me and tossed those curls around where she sees something that catches her eye. She made a few design changes, all for the better.
I won’t lie. Some dolls touch you much deeper than others. Some dolls come out of your hands so “easy”, they agree to everything, and they leave the nest before you really get used to their essence.
Then there are others, like her. That become a task you are afraid of, that you don’t think you would ever truly overcome. Yet when all is said and done: there you are. As happy as can be, with a lovely girl in your hands asking you for one more row of ruffles!
Serena, a natural fiber art doll, sculpted in wool over an armature. Fully poseable 16” doll by Fig and Me.
Over the many years I have been making dolls, I have seen many trends, ideas, things pop up and things go down. I have always tried to keep an open heart and embrace much of what is going on, but one of the things that has helped keep me sane and very grounded is that I follow the tune of my hands.
I have grown very slowly, but very steadily, in my craft. I ponder questions for very long and examine motivations, always. I try to approach dollmaking as a service, as an art form and as a mean of self-discovery.
Yes, I make dolls, but to me they are so much more than that. They will always be.
Serena, a natural fiber art doll, sculpted in wool over an armature. Fully poseable 16” doll by Fig and Me.
Look at this face and tell me this doll is not full of life? of magic? It is not all about beauty, about “perfection”, about construction details, movement or proportions. Some dolls are just so alive. They are way more than their statistics…just like people. Don’t you agree?
I can give you all the measurements, her construction, her materials…but that doesn’t explain “her”. I can actually tell you a story about her, that will help you get to know her better, but still…she is more than that.
Dolls like her are little vessels. They become expert mirrors and they are such good helpers. Serena walks her path with conviction, so confident of where she is heading and so ready to be there for her new Mother.
Me too because every hour that I keep working on her I get more and more excited. If only I didn’t have to mail her away! Ah…the blessing and the curse of being a dollmaker.
I will come back with more of her and that darn pattern that I can’t seem to load for sale. Trials and tribulations I tell you.
