Still Playing with Dolls!

 

I do believe I am definitely developing a theme in my artwork. Dolls and toys are becoming the focal areas in many of my projects. 

 

One of my first scans

It all started in 2011, when I was asked to contribute to an October 'Creepy Doll' exhibit in a friend's shop window. At first I thought I would photograph some of my old dolls and Halloween skeletons and see what I came up with. I wasn't very excited with the results and I had a new idea. I laid the dolls on my flat-bed scanner and was quite excited with what came. The scanner made images that were ethereal, spooky, and sometimes quite deliciously frightening! I even put a fake tattoo on a doll (it is still there) and the results are among my favourites.

 

 

Self Image 02

Rebel

 

For more images see previous posts:

Playing with Dolls - part 1

Playing with Dolls... Again

Deviant Dolls

and on my website KmBennett Art and my Etsy shop

I didn't use the scanned images in the window display. For that, I turned to mixed media and designed a small gas mask and a plague doctor mask (with hat). They both sold, which was very cool. I displayed them on my dolls, which were not (nor ever will be) for sale. I have had them since childhood.

I believe my doll projects have a strong connection to my “Egg Project” (see previous post). To me, eggs and fertility are directly related to birth, childhood, and growing up.

I make frequent trips to local thrift stores and spend a lot of time going through the toys. To be chosen, they have to strike me as being good to use in a project. Of course, the creepier the better! Sometimes I am rummaging through a pile and I find a doll that makes me say, “This is it!”

 

These dolls were dismantled and sprayed with primer. They will be worked into mixed media boxes and other projects.

 

 

Some will be left just the way they are. I found this treasure, a 5” doll head, on my last trip and thought it was perfect for a creepy project. When I got it home I discovered it is made of wax! I researched and cannot find another like it. I did learn about how in Victorian times, many dolls were made of wax because the material was less costly and more durable than porcelain. I hope to find a case or dome to protect her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There isn't room for all my doll finds in this post, so I can guarantee there will be others. I am having way too much fun to stop now!