Another doll

This is Sekhmet. I am sorry I don't have a close-up of her face or the beading on her shawl.

I made her right after the death of my beloved cat, K.C. I wanted to create the Egyptian lion goddess, Sekhmet, who was the goddess of war and healing (odd combination). But this goddess has a mane of auburn hair and green cat eyes (couldn't find golden ones at the time).

She stayed with me for several years and then was bought by a woman who wanted the doll for a sick friend. To make a sale was nice, but to have it bought for a sick person was icing on the cake. Sometimes I feel very selfish as an artist, so it is rewarding to know my dolls can bring joy to others.

Why a plastic bag?

I used to volunteer with cancer patients. One of them had beautiful red hair When I commented on it, she said, "It's falling out, but I'm saving it in a plastic bag so I can know what it will look like when it grows back."

I always thought that was a good title for a book.

Solange, the Mystery Lady

This is a place for rambling thoughts and making connections. I want to talk about doll-making & connect with other doll makers, artists, crazy people, people who like to laugh, and people who are dealing with debilitating health issues. Tall order!

But first I want to introduce one of my creations:

This is Solange. She is an acrobat with the Cirque du Soleil. Very few people know she is really Maddie Cohen from Conrad, Iowa. As a child she was very shy, coming from a family of five boisterous brothers. She did excel at gymnastics at school, but she also worked on a dairy farm.

When she goes to work at night, she is a plain, freckle-faced girl with short, pale hair, long legs, and big feet. No-one notices her.
She feels awkward and clumsy, in spite of the hours she spends practicing.

But once she puts on her make-up, the hair extensions, and the spangled tights, she becomes Solange. Solange, who is confident, sure-footed, and exudes a mysterious, sexy glamor. After the show, men wait patiently outside for the chance to see her. But she quickly removes her make-up, costume, hair extensions and changes back into a dark sweatshirt and jeans. She walks out unnoticed, and goes back to her flat to watch old movies and eat popcorn with her roommates.