Artist Statement - Mary Kochevar As a dollmaker, quilter, sewer, designer, I am endlessly astounded by the possibilities that cloth provides for the creative soul. My sewing machine is an extension of my hands; my hands are an extension of my mind. When they are all working in concert, I am "in th zone", a place I love to be. When it comes to dolls, I often think of Carl Sagan saying "we are all star-stuff". As we humans symbolize stars with five points, as did DaVinci in his Vitruvian Man, so too do humans have five points of reference - arms, legs, and a head with a central location, the body. In that context, however, a complex language develops that we unconsciously understand. The slightest angle of an eyebrow or the turn of a lip can reveal the face's innermost thoughts that we understand universally. And that is what makes dolls fun and exciting. Not just the face, but the entire body speaks this language, if only we take the time to observe and listen. Why take the time to make a doll? I believe that dollmakers have a burning desire to create. We have messages that must come "out". On an unconscious level, we are all trying to say something important about ourselves, our lives, our desires and our needs. Left inside, we wilt on the vine of creativity. I believe it's healtier to let it all out, make a few mistakes along the way, learn from those mistakes and give birth to our dreams. Allusion, the doll I designed and created for GALA 2010, exemplifies my beliefs. She is a simple form that, when dressed, can be anything you desire. The rich colors, print and texture of fabric, the drape of the cloth, and the embellishments make Allusion just what her name is - "the art of alluding or hinting at an implied or indirect reference". Allusion is a 15" self-standing stump doll with attached arms and a separate head. Patterns for the garments shown here are all included with the pattern. The entire doll will be made in class. Your only prework will be selecting the fabrics and embellishments for the doll you want to create! The wooden base will be provided in class. The pattern for this doll is $12. |
