I have been invited to join
Art Dolls Only an online group of Art Doll makers from around the world. I was asked to do a bio of sorts to share. So here it is. Hope it fills the bill!
My name is Bobbi Oliver. I live on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
I primarily create Art Dolls using Polymer clay, mixing my mediums with wire, wood, leather. I have been making these type of dolls for about 9 years. But previously was a sculptor/potter. I also make fabric dolls.
Pictures here is "
Lightening Ridge" he is a miner heading for the mine fields at Lightening Ridge where opals are mined here in Australia. He stands about 16 inches tall. The goat is a combo of claycrete, wire, mohair.
I got started in Art Doll making when I decided to give up ceramic clay work, after 30+ years as a potter I still wanted an outlet to do sculpture. I discovered polymer clays and the world of mixed media Art Dolls. I got started by doing lots of web searches, looking at books and just trying to make it happen. I discovered
Hello Dollies a doll club in Newcastle at
Anne's Glory Box and have been a member every since. I received lots of excellent help from the other doll makers in the club. Since I didn't have a clue how to sew fabric or use a sewing machine it has been a steep learning curve with the help of many cloth doll artists over the years.
My inspiration comes a lot from science fiction movies, I love all the characters, costumes. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Golden Compass to name a few. I also seem to have a vivid imagination that goes into overdrive when a new idea comes to mind.
The most difficult aspect of the process for me is creating the emotion, having the gesture say what it is supposed to say and of course the proportion has to be right in my eyes.
The doll artists that inspire me are Jodi and Richard Creager, Mark Dennis (Mad sculptor) and many others, but these folks amaze me! The best piece of advice ever given to me was,
"keep it simple". Which of course I don't do. But I continue to try.
• You can find me on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/BobbiOliverLamboArt
and
http://lamboart.blogspot.com.au/