Fine Art Dolls

Fine art dolls are usually inspired by feeling and emotion. Each doll has its own unique character. Figure A  REAL VIDEO Click the icon to see a collection of fine art dolls.

The Carol Duvall Show cameras focus on Santa Fe doll artists Marlaine Verhelest, Monika, and Stephanie Blythe, who have discovered the growing field of fine art dolls.

"I don't think of myself as a doll maker, but more of a three-dimensional illustration maker," says Verhelest. Fine art doll makers create dolls that are more than just toys; they become expressions of emotions and feelings.

Making the dolls requires various skills from sculpting to painting to hair dressing. The hair is made of raw, unspun silk and then curled on toothpicks. Fabric for the dolls' clothes is often hand-dyed so that it is more subtle because the dolls are so small.

Verhelest shapes her doll's head around a foam egg and then creates the facial details with tiny tools. She makes small grooves in the side of the head to help the ears adhere better. Once she completes the head, she cuts the back open to take out the foam ball and then adheres the head back together.

Costuming is chosen by the look of certain materials on the dolls and the original inspiration behind the dolls. For instance, music inspired Monika to make the flowing costume on the doll in figure A.

The cost of artwork from these artists ranges from $375 to $10,000.

Guests
Stephanie Blythe
Doll artist
San Anselmo, CA
Phone: 415-455-8415
Email: sblythe@pacbell.net
URL: home.pacbell.net/sblythe/

Marlaine Verehelst
Doll artist
Email: marlaine@wxs.nl
URL: home.wxs.nl/~marlaine/
Also in this Episode

Carol Duvall Show : Episode CDS-950
•	Toothbrush Rugs
•	Fine Art Dolls
•	Trash Cans