Beauty Standards:
Celebrating the things that make us different

American Geisha

The American Geisha is inspired by the popularity of the Japanese Gothic Lolita fashion. It seemed fitting to add the touch of Ohaguro, the fashion of blackening women's teeth, which made women more beautiful during the 1800's and early 1900's in Japan. This series of dolls were made in 2011. The American Geisha is 16 " long and 11" tall. The doll is permanently in a sitting pose. She is hand sculpted using the polymer clay Cernit and air dry clay, Apoxie Sculpt.

The Bearded Lady

This Bearded Lady is inspired by Jennifer Miller, of Coney Island fame, and who I heard speak at a local museum a few years ago. I was really moved by the talk. This is an homage to Jennifer as well as the beautiful bearded ladies that preceded her. This figure is 13 inches tall and is made from resin, Apoxie Sculpt and fabric. This series of dolls was made in 2013.

Priestess

The Priestess is 21" tall and mounted to a wood base. She is sculpted from polymer clay and her clothing is hand sewn using a mixture of heavily textured fabrics: snakeskin, fringe, embroidery, and a cross necklace. Although her story is different, she is inspired by Olive Oatman.

Chelsea Smile

A Chelsea smile is a wound caused by making a cut from the corners of a victim's mouth up to the ears, leaving a scar in the shape of a smile. This doll stands 20" tall. She is hand sculpted from polymer clay, Her hair is the softest blank mohair and her clothes are hand-made. This doll was made in 2012.

Albinism

At the time of making this series (2010) I found a girl's website that talked about what albinism is, how it affects vision, how she lives with it, and how villainized albinos are across the globe - from popular culture in the USA to small communities in Africa where albinism is a cultural stigma. This doll is 20" tall. She is hand sculpted from air dry clay and Apoxie Sculpt. She is drenched in white velveteen ruffles because she is pure and regal. She was made in 2010. Exhibited in Paris.

Conjoined Twins

These are Dicephalic Parapagus twins: sisters with two separate heads but a shared body. They are also known as "Siamese Twins". Conjoined twins have been a Sideshow staple since the dawn of Coney Island but Brittany and Abby are reminding pop culture they are teenage girls and have the same experiences and feelings and growing up to do just like anyone else. They were sculpted from polymer clay and mounted to a wood base.

Puking Princesses

The dolls are 16 " long, 11" tall. They were hand sculpted using the polymer clay Cernit and air dry clay Apoxie Sculpt. All clothing was designed and hand-sewn for the doll. The princesses have vintage pearl belts. The doll is permanently in a sitting pose - forced into passivity. The princesses speak to a deeper message about expectations of perfection in little girls. There were 3 dolls that I sculpted for this series in 2011. 2 had pink hair, frilly pink clothing, a gold crown, and the third (shown here) was a take on Alice in Wonderland. I suggest that the reality of being given a mysterious drink, in Wonderland or not, usually results in far different results. The Alice doll came with a little brown bottle with the tag "Drink Me" on it.

Gothic Lolitas

In 2008 I created a series of Gothic Lolita dolls. There were 4 large sculptures and a myriad of smaller ones. I became fascinated with the movement of Gothic Lolita amongst Harajuku girls. I was inspired to use these girls who were trying to dress like little perfect dolls - and make dolls of them. These dolls were exhibited in Vermont and Berlin, Germany.