Primitive Dolls

Have you ever made something and wondered why you did? But felt like it would lead you somewhere in the future. Most times I know where I am going at the time. But a couple of weeks ago I had some left over clay and was inspired to make a couple of primitive, doll-like figures. At the time I wasn't sure what I would do with them, but decided to let myself go with the feeling.

The figures turned out very primitive to say the least. I thought about crumpling them, but once I made them I decided to let them live. In the back of my mind I had a feeling there was a reason I made the dolls, but wasn't sure why. I looked at the dolls a couple of times and thought I could perhaps improve their look if I knew more about sculpting the human face and figure. I thought about adding some fabric after they were fired. Somehow I felt the reason I made the dolls would be revealed to me.

Yesterday I saw an ad for a daybed with a trundle on Craigslist. I wanted to have a place for relatives and guests to sleep when they come to visit. I emailed about the bed. It was still available and I made arrangements to go see it this morning. Of course Gary was saying we don't really need it right now; gee do we have to go. I said yes, if we like it, we'll both have to lift it in the car.


We arrived there and as we walked in the house I was immediately struck by a fabric collage on the wall the woman, Darlene, had done and remarked about it. Next we went into the room with the daybed (example posted is not the daybed) and there were several fabric collages on the wall and each one called to me. I kept asking questions about Darlene's work and the next thing you know Darlene was explaining all about her art and how and why she had constructed each piece.

Gary and Darlene's husband, Bob, went in the other room and sat down because they could see it would be some time before we even got around to looking at the daybed.

Then Darlene took me around her home showing me her art, fabric and mixed media pieces; each one so unique and wonderful. She had made several dolls, I will call them dolls, but they were much more than that. I was amazed at Darlene's creative use of unique materials and the dolls each had their own personality. I mentioned to Darlene about having made a couple of primitive figures in clay and how I was inexperienced with human sculpture and wished I knew more.

A long story short, and it was a long story, because we spent more than an hour talking before I even saw the daybed. Darlene invited me to a group she teaches on making dolls and also invited me to join a mixed media group. I realize now I was meant to meet Darlene. On the way home I was so excited thinking about Darlene, the groups I'll be joining, and the (much improved, I hope) primitive dolls I'll be making in the future.