| '20 Questions...' Repaints by HEIDI Interviewed by Vincent Trapani |
Heidi, the most important
question that usually sits on a
doll collectors mind is; "How did
you get into collecting and
repainting?"
Like many OOAK artists, I
discovered it by accident.
About four years ago I was
looking on ebay for soe
handmade Barbie clothes for my
daughter when Ic ame across
listing that had "OOAK" in the
title. At first I couldn't figure
out what the acronym stood for
so I did a search for it to see if
other things would come up.
That was when I saw a
customized doll for the first
time. neer even knew that doll
collecting was so popular or that
these OOAK creaions existed.
Being an artist myself, I was
fascinated and wanted to try
painting a doll right away. I
went out that day and bought an
amazing nails Kayla. I had no
idea how to start or what to do
so I dove in and winged it.
I ended up doing a parial repaint
and I made a goth style gown
and a hand beaded hooded
cloak for her. I learned o sw at
an early age so the costuming
part fel completely natural. The
painting however, was a bit
more challenging since I was
accustomed to working on 6'
canvases with huge paint
brushes. It took me several
days to complete everything.
I listed Kayla on eBay for
$75.00 and she sold right away.
My nex project was a fairy
design and she also sold right
away. After that I knew that I
had found something that would
become a part of my daily life.
Almost four years later I am still
painting everyday and i can't
imagine not being surrounded by
my "Litle Vixens."
question that usually sits on a
doll collectors mind is; "How did
you get into collecting and
repainting?"
Like many OOAK artists, I
discovered it by accident.
About four years ago I was
looking on ebay for soe
handmade Barbie clothes for my
daughter when Ic ame across
listing that had "OOAK" in the
title. At first I couldn't figure
out what the acronym stood for
so I did a search for it to see if
other things would come up.
That was when I saw a
customized doll for the first
time. neer even knew that doll
collecting was so popular or that
these OOAK creaions existed.
Being an artist myself, I was
fascinated and wanted to try
painting a doll right away. I
went out that day and bought an
amazing nails Kayla. I had no
idea how to start or what to do
so I dove in and winged it.
I ended up doing a parial repaint
and I made a goth style gown
and a hand beaded hooded
cloak for her. I learned o sw at
an early age so the costuming
part fel completely natural. The
painting however, was a bit
more challenging since I was
accustomed to working on 6'
canvases with huge paint
brushes. It took me several
days to complete everything.
I listed Kayla on eBay for
$75.00 and she sold right away.
My nex project was a fairy
design and she also sold right
away. After that I knew that I
had found something that would
become a part of my daily life.
Almost four years later I am still
painting everyday and i can't
imagine not being surrounded by
my "Litle Vixens."
How was doll collecting not like anything else to you? Did you
enjoy dolls as a child... have some affinity toward them?
I didn't really play with dolls much as a child. it just didn't interest
me. Mt eldest daughter has a few Barbies, but my youngest is the
one that really loved them at an early age and now has more dolls
than I count.
enjoy dolls as a child... have some affinity toward them?
I didn't really play with dolls much as a child. it just didn't interest
me. Mt eldest daughter has a few Barbies, but my youngest is the
one that really loved them at an early age and now has more dolls
than I count.
Tell me what your very first experience was like, seeing an OOAK
for the first time?
I was fascinated and intrigued. I knew that it was something I
would be good at and it would be fun to try a new medium.
for the first time?
I was fascinated and intrigued. I knew that it was something I
would be good at and it would be fun to try a new medium.
How do you feel that you have evolved over the last couple years
in your ar work? Influences? Trends? Fashion?
I have evolved tremdously. In the last two years my work has
become much more detailed and I feel that my dolls now have
more realism than my earlier work. I am in a very comfortable
place with my style and it will most likely stay this way now.
in your ar work? Influences? Trends? Fashion?
I have evolved tremdously. In the last two years my work has
become much more detailed and I feel that my dolls now have
more realism than my earlier work. I am in a very comfortable
place with my style and it will most likely stay this way now.
Tell me in detail, regarding your process,from choosing a doll
to repainting/cotuming to painting and photographing...
I almost always use brand new dolls versus rescues.
Occasionally I will use a rescue if it is a doll that is out of
production or has a particularly unique look. I prefer the
closed moth colls over the toothy grin ones, however I have
perfected a mouth resculpting technique which changes the
look of the face completely. My specialty is the newer style
Skipper dolls. They are great candidates for resculpting.
to repainting/cotuming to painting and photographing...
I almost always use brand new dolls versus rescues.
Occasionally I will use a rescue if it is a doll that is out of
production or has a particularly unique look. I prefer the
closed moth colls over the toothy grin ones, however I have
perfected a mouth resculpting technique which changes the
look of the face completely. My specialty is the newer style
Skipper dolls. They are great candidates for resculpting.
Does each doll take ona personality during the process or od
you have a notion of what the doll's personna will be before
hand?
It varies. Sometimes I have an idea before I start, but most
of the time I just start and let it evolve into whatever it is
going to be.
How does the name for each doll come to you?
Once a doll is completed, I name her based upon her finished
look and personality.
Do you have any ideas of where the market for OOAKs or
repaints may be heading now?
It sems that there are a lot more collectors out there [with
varied tastes in dolls] versus a couple years ago, so I would
think that it will continue to grow. We will probably see a lot
more doll conventions and shows with categories that are
geared toward the OOAK market.
you have a notion of what the doll's personna will be before
hand?
It varies. Sometimes I have an idea before I start, but most
of the time I just start and let it evolve into whatever it is
going to be.
How does the name for each doll come to you?
Once a doll is completed, I name her based upon her finished
look and personality.
Do you have any ideas of where the market for OOAKs or
repaints may be heading now?
It sems that there are a lot more collectors out there [with
varied tastes in dolls] versus a couple years ago, so I would
think that it will continue to grow. We will probably see a lot
more doll conventions and shows with categories that are
geared toward the OOAK market.
Do you think that eBay will continue to play a large part in the
doll collecting world?
Definitely. I think that without eBay, most of us would not have
even been able to get our work out there for the public to see and
to reach so many diffeent collectors. many people discover
OOAK dolls by accident and eBay plays a huge part in that.
What do you think of some of the newer lines within the last 5
years, such as Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty line or R&D's
Susie Doll... How do you think these trends in collecting affect
the average collector?
I think that the variety opens up new doors for us as artists. As
you know, we are always striving to find new challenges for
ourselves. In my opinion, having 'canvas' choices helps to keep
the creative juices flowing. It also gives the collector more
choices so that their collection can have a more varied and unique
style.
doll collecting world?
Definitely. I think that without eBay, most of us would not have
even been able to get our work out there for the public to see and
to reach so many diffeent collectors. many people discover
OOAK dolls by accident and eBay plays a huge part in that.
What do you think of some of the newer lines within the last 5
years, such as Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty line or R&D's
Susie Doll... How do you think these trends in collecting affect
the average collector?
I think that the variety opens up new doors for us as artists. As
you know, we are always striving to find new challenges for
ourselves. In my opinion, having 'canvas' choices helps to keep
the creative juices flowing. It also gives the collector more
choices so that their collection can have a more varied and unique
style.
What form of
advertising/exposure did you
feel made the most impact for
your artwork?
eBay first and foremost. then a
couple years ago I designed a
website for myself and i think
that has helped my exposure
quite a bit. I hope some day to
be able to exhibit at a
convention.
How do you think the repaint
business should/will change with
the times? Any ideas on the
progress of the artform in the
forseable future?
I don't think that I can speculate
on that. Because this business
is an art, it will evolve into
whatever it is meant to be.
advertising/exposure did you
feel made the most impact for
your artwork?
eBay first and foremost. then a
couple years ago I designed a
website for myself and i think
that has helped my exposure
quite a bit. I hope some day to
be able to exhibit at a
convention.
How do you think the repaint
business should/will change with
the times? Any ideas on the
progress of the artform in the
forseable future?
I don't think that I can speculate
on that. Because this business
is an art, it will evolve into
whatever it is meant to be.
My last question may make you ponder a bit... Who, out of the doll
repainting world do you feel is going to make an impact and why?
there are so many wonderful repaint artists that are well known and
some that are not so well known. I think that the group combinedas a
whole are making an impact already. In the past three years we have
taken what started as a hobby for some to an enitre new level. now
OOAK creations are recognized by major magazines and doll
manufacturers. I truly feel that fashion doll repainting has evolved
from a craft hobby into a serious art form. Who knows where it will
go from here.
repainting world do you feel is going to make an impact and why?
there are so many wonderful repaint artists that are well known and
some that are not so well known. I think that the group combinedas a
whole are making an impact already. In the past three years we have
taken what started as a hobby for some to an enitre new level. now
OOAK creations are recognized by major magazines and doll
manufacturers. I truly feel that fashion doll repainting has evolved
from a craft hobby into a serious art form. Who knows where it will
go from here.
