I have been working hard on my craft since 2004, and I think I have a skill level that shows in my work. I am the do over queen and there are many heads without bodies to suggest that these mistakes drive me to the perfect end. The finished doll always seems to lead to the next doll, one is born out of another. This is why I love making dolls. It is the air I breathe and pretty much defines me. I am a doll maker.

This may sound strange but these bodiless heads and headless bodies speak to me. I have control over the parts and pieces individually, but the position involved in the connection is revealed at the moment the pieces touch one another for the first time. The head moves me to sew it in a certain pose, same with the hands and arms. The whole doll forms itself to be expressive according to its idea of itself.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Dark, Darker, Darkest

At first these eyeless faces kind of left me wanting more. But now I think they are something to look deep into. I find myself very absorbed in the nothingness.


I think I could go even darker with the eyes. I use watercolor pencils, so I am able to get a smudge and blur around the edges, but sometimes the dark doesn't stay dark enough. Not sure if there is some better way to get dark. I am always scared to make the first experimental stroke with anything, but maybe you all have some thoughts.........................

Something about that face. I know it from somewhere..........................................

9 comments:

Lisa said...

The worst pain I ever experienced was being molested and having the people who were supposed to be watching over me and being concerned with MY welfare to tell me that I had to keep the molestation to myself because the wife of the molester couldn't handle knowing that their husband did that. I was 5. So for many years, I thought that it was more important that other people be ok, than that I be ok. (I hope this is where you wanted that info)

I think your dark eyes are perfect. Very empty. These dolls really evoke, for me, that feeling of knowing that something's just not right but not knowing what to do about it.

Unknown said...

okay, Nat, I LOVE these faces!! really, really, like this direction in your work! want to see more.

Sue said...

Nat, these are NOT eyes of nothingness! I think so much can be interpreted from them and I'm with Nicole....do more. They are fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Wow Nat these are fantastic dolls!!!
I think when you leaves eyes blank or have it look like nothingness, it really can evoke feelings in a person.
I love where you are going...dark, darker, darkest!
Pat

julie said...

I can feel them sucking me in...and the thing is, I do not want to put up too big of a fuse....They hold secrets of other dimensions...

Primgrl1 said...

Oooh spooky but I love it!! Make more! Nice work...I love the blending. :)

Unknown said...

Nat........OMFG they are killer..Love the eyes, deep and convincing. I find different emotions looking at them..I see sorrow, sadness, emptiness, comfort, love, and confidence. I find them comforting, like the eyes say "I understand"...once again Nat your dolls are spellbinding...clap clap clap

Smiles,
Sonia ;)

Nat said...

Thanks for all the great comments. I shall explore this style further. Already have ideas for 2 to 3 heads in one piece. Need More Time to Spend with Them.

Kathie said...

They are so deep, I love it ... they remind me of ink pools or ink blots and being asked what the shape reminds you of ... and of reaching into our subconscious/unconscious to find out what lives there.