About
About the Art – Altered / Altar Dolls
Altered Art is art that begins as something else, a toy or a book, even “garbage” and through the eye and craft of the artist becomes something new and different. Upcyling of the coolest kind!
Altar Dolls are works of sacred art designed to be picked up, loved and gently played with. Each doll is a one of a kind creation inspired by the myths and magic of ritual traditions from around the world.
Some of the denizens of my “work in progress” shelf
The original idea behind the altar dolls was to have kind of a pos-able statue, something that would be a bit softer and more touchable than a typical resin, bronze, or cement cast image. I like to say they are hugable, but my husband always points out that they aren’t really hugable, they just aren’t that squishy! However you see them, they do manage to blend the joy we get with playing with dolls with the reverence we give and receive from spiritual icons, so I think it balances out in the end.
My personal Demeter a Demeter sold on line
Most people who have one of my dolls, or items like them, use them as a focal point for meditation and connection with the divine power articulated by the doll. Many people add additional items to the place where the doll lives and in that way build a living, ever changing altar that is sacred to the specific divine power the doll represents.
Hecate Doll set up with a minimal altar to honor the passing of a Hekate Priestess
The Oshun dolls set up on Oshun’s altar during a Headwash (initiation) to Oshun
Each doll is hand crafted with sacred intent and respect, and each takes between 15 and 40 hours to create from design through construction to the final adjustments, depending on the complexity of the design.
Sketch and notes for Isis of the Healing Winds commission
In addition to the completed works shown in the gallery, I accept commissions for special pieces throughout the year. For custom work, I have a list of question that I ask clients about how they understand the power divine they wish the doll to embody, how they see that power, how they communicate with them, and so on, so that I can get a sense of the connection between the client and the power. As the artist its then my job to expand upon that information with research and then listen to that inner voice that all artists have, close my eyes and start to work. In that way the dolls themselves are also works of service to the powers, my gift of service to them as I learn about them and connect with them and do my best to bring their image into the world in the doll’s body. If I’ve done my job well, then both the power and the client are happy with the end product.
This is the same commission with two radically different designs. Below is the completed doll – Oshun Dancer.
Feel free to use the projects within the gallery to inspire your dreams; we can discuss how to make them a reality when you’re ready for your Altered/ Altar Doll to come to life!
