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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2018 Cover Photos: BJD - STELLA BY CONNIE LOWE Fashion - EDEN BY FASHION ROYALTY fashion and photographer RIMDOLL All images are owned by their respective photographers and all images are provided with permission. Credit is given on each image according to what is provided by contributor. STAND is not responsible for incorrect information.
// from the Editor
Dorothy Drake Editor-In-Chief thestandmag.com
Visit me at Facebook.com/thestandmag So 2017 is finally in the rear view mirror and 2018 is the only road ahead of us, no fork in the road, no turns, just 2018. I am always glad to see the past recede, I don’t want to live there. I don’t want to live in the future either. Now is my life with all of the good, the not-so-good and the unknowns. So, today is the day to finish putting this magazine together and it has been fun. Through the referral of others, there are new artist contributions. I love this! I am discovering new creative work frequently and I bet you do to. It is my pleasure to introduce the expressiveness of artists that I have not known. I hope that you will continue to let people know that the STAND is all about dolls as art - as seen through a camera lens. The fact that we have chosen BJD and Fashion dolls as our main theme was not by accident. Both can tell a story with the turn of a head or a slightly different pose. I don’t see many examples of this in other parts of the doll world. I have often had a booth next to Connie Lowe at conventions, but frankly sales room floors are not the best place to spark up a meaningful conversation. I really enjoyed getting to know her while preparing the Artist Profile. I have been enthralled with Connie’s ability to not only speak volumes through costuming but in creating BJD characters that tell their own story. Yes there really are 2 contests in the works for 2018. I love sponsoring the Photo Contest again, putting this magazine together tells me that many of you should be entering! I am also excited to announce that the STAND will be sponsoring a juried doll contest this year. You will find preliminary details inside. Note that there was an error in the doll contest info in the last issue - got some numbers mixed up ... sigh ..! Everyday the slate is blank - let’s write on it together,
Dorothy
photograph: LAKEIDA SPRENKLE
All images are owned by their respective photographers and all images are provided with permission. Credit is given on each image according to what is provided by contributor. STAND is not responsible for incorrect information.
doll: KATHRYN BY VOLKSphotographer: LAKEIDA
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doll: BUMONG DANDELION ON DOLLSTOWN ELF BODY photographer: NATSUMI
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doll: ORIENTAL REVERIE MOLLY HAYWARD BY V.HON photographer: MICHAELA UNBEHAU
doll: NUFACE EDEN BY INTEGRITY TOYS photographer: PRUCHANUN R.
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doll: FASHION ROYALTY, LIULIU OOAK RIMDOLL photographer: RIMDOLL
doll: FASHION ROYALTY, LIULIU OOAK RIMDOLL photographer: PRUCHANUN R.
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doll: MIGIDOLL, ELL photographer: JANE KOLYADINTSEVA
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doll: LYSE JOLIE BY FASHION ROYALTY, 10TH ANNIV. JASON WU photographer: PRUCHANUN R.
photo source: PEXEL
doll: FR VERONIQUE, REPAINT photographer: WIL HEROLD
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photo source: PEXEL
doll: ELL BY MIGIDOLL photographer: JANE KOLYADINSEVA
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doll: W CLUB POLLY PARKER MA PETITE FLEUR BY INTEGRITY TOYS photographer: TATTONKA
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doll: NOVA BY MIGIDOLL photographer: JANE KOLYADINSTEVA
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doll: ELL BY MIGIDOLL photographer: JANE KOLYADINSTEVA
doll: HAR BY NABARRO BOYSphotographer: ILONA MARIA KALINOWSKA
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doll: AVA BY DOLL IN MIND SWEET ARIA photographer: LADICIUS
photographer: Olia Gozha
doll: VENITU BY 5TH MOTIF photographer: NATSUMI
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doll: FR HOMME, REPAINTS photographer: WIL HEROLD
doll: FR HOMME, REPAINT photographer: WIL HEROLD
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doll: TAKARA CUSTOMIZED BLYTHE photographer: CYNTHIA YIP
photographer: ANTHONY AT PEXEL
doll: JIA BY LATI DOLL photographer: PRUCHANUN R.
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doll: FARFATROUILLE BY FAIRYLAND REALPUKI SOSO photographer: LADICIUS
photographer: MARC MARCHAL
doll: S. BELLE BY LATI DOLL photographer: PRUCHANUN R.
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doll: TIT’HERBE BY NYMPHEAS DOLLS photographer: MELU
doll: MADYM SCULPT CIAO BELLA BY BAMBICRONY photographer: MELU
doll: BAILEY, MEADOWDOLLS photographer: DOLLFANZ
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doll: MEADOWDOLLS BAILEY photographer: DOLLFANZ
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doll: TWIGLING NEWKIRU photographer: MASHA
doll: FASHION ROYALTY, DANIA photographer: RIMDOLL
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doll: MIDNIGHT STAR ELISE, ELISE JOLIE SCULPT photographer: PARISUTHI WASANASOMSITHI
doll: AGNES VON WEISS, SOUVENIR JASON WU EVENT XI, INTEGRITY TOYS photographer: TATTONKA
doll: FASHION ROYALTY doll: DECLAN VERONIQUE WAKE / INTEGRITY BY INTEGRITY TOYSTOYS photographer: photographer JURRIE WILDE HEROLD VRIES
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doll: ELYSE BY FASHION ROYALTY, 10TH ANNIV. JASON WU photographer: PRUCHANUN R.
doll: ELYSE, OOAK BY RIMDOLL photographer: RIMDOLL
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IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS
CONNIE LOWE
Article By: Dorothy Drake
Connie Lowe, costumer and doll creator extrodinaire became instantly popular with her costume intrepretation of how BJD dolls should look. I first saw her at IDEX many years ago and like many, was drawn to the way that she used antique fabrics and combined texture, pattern and color in the costumes of modern BJD dolls. In my opinion, Connie’s work with textiles changed the artistic face of the BJD industry I was fortunate to catch Connie between shows and doll sculpting to spend some time with STAND Readers. TSL - How long have you been making dolls? CL - When I was in my early 20’s I started making cloth dolls then switched to collecting and costuming antique dolls in my late 20s. I still do this today. I started painting and costuming artist BJD’s in 2005 and have been selling resin dolls that I made myself since 2010. So technically I have been working in dolls for over 30 years. TSL - Do you have any examples of your early cloth dolls? CL - Sadly, I did not take myself seriously at that time in my life and kept nothing I made. TSL - When did you know you were an artist? CL - As a young girl I would draw many things, including cartoons and animals but also people ...I even made some of my own paper dolls with clothing. When I was a teenager I won ribbons at the county fair for my watercolor paintings. During those years, myself and other students painted large business windows around town for Halloween, working in larger than life scale. This was a yearly event and I remember it fondly. Also while I was in high school, I met art teacher Dean Floyd who introduced me to water colors. I loved it. I worked a lot on dry brush detailing. Landscapes or animals were my main choice of subjects but I worked on still life’s as well. Mr Floyd also introduced me to clay. Our class would go out in the country where we found a wealth of natural clay that we brought back to class. Towards the end of my senior year, I sculpted young children and a mother and child figurine with the clay. I did not pick it up again until much later in life. TSL - With so many talents to draw from, how did your career evolve? CL - I started sculpting as a fun project to do with the kids at the beach. We always took art projects with us to fill the late afternoons. With friends, we would make babies in shells out of sculpey clay. I would also sculpt a large mermaid in the sand every year. Still do. Sculpting that started at the beach continued at home. I had always loved dolls and decided, after seeing some amazing Japanese art BJD’s, that I wanted to try just for fun. That’s when I picked up paper and stone clay. It became a love. I like the feel of it and choose it over all other mediums.
I sculpted, sculpted and resculpted the doll that became Winona and then she sat on a shelf in a basket for years. TSL - What was the catalyst that made you produce Winona CL - I met Paulette Goodreau on a forum when I was discussing bunnie rescue and some bad experiences with a vet. She and I hit it off with a mutual love of animals. She had seen my photos of Winona and the next doll I started working on, EPPIE. She strongly encouraged me to produce both dolls, but I didn’t think I was good enough or ready yet. And the timing felt off as I was preparing for cancer surgery. Paulette said “you are ready, and it’s time”. I know she wanted to keep me busy and I am grateful - I’ve have been busy ever since. TSL - What inspires you? CL - I am inspired by the antiques I collect and by travel. I love researching and finding treasures. While in France a couple years ago I stumbled on a small fabric and costume museum. There was one display I was particularly taken with. The top skirt was clipped up on one side forming a pouch. It was explained to me that this was for the women who gather lavender in the fields to carry the stems in. I was so inspired by the mix of florals and plaids and the layered skirts that for the next show ... my theme was the lavender gatherers. Last year I added gilded items to my costumes and even gilded some of the shoes, all in response to some lovely gilded findings I bought. I even used some of these findings in the hats. I used a postcard collection to inspire another display last year. I also use my knowledge of antique dolls when sculpting and designing. The bodies have many of the same characteristics. EPPIE was inspired by the early googlie dolls. As were some of the Sprockets . TSL - The way you use antique textiles brings a different life to the dolls, tells a bit of how that evolved. CL - My antique doll collecting created a need to fashion clothing for them. After having designed costumes for my first antique dolls, I traded my work to pay for those dolls and continued to design clothing for antique doll dealers for years. It was this need that inspired me and led to developing a love for antique fabrics, trims and laces. The more I made, the more fabric I needed and the hunt was on. Many of my BJD clothing and shoe designs are based on early antique doll costumes. I like being able to see the beautiful under pinnings such as corsets, so sometimes, my design is to have them on top. Flea markets are a passion of mine. I have been lucky to make my way to southern France regularly to fulfill that passion. “Creating is a need. I don’t think I could breath without it”
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Dollstown Dolls Custo
BJDC 2016
omized by Connie
“Dollstown dolls are used as my creative path for designing couture costumes and shoes.�
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TSL - Your characters seem real in a very elemental way, with their own story to tell. Can you share how this creative process works? CL - Each doll is a part of me ... a mood, a feeling. I have a story in my head behind each doll and combine that with what happens to me to give each doll their own identity. I start with a basic, sketch, research and then begin working in paperclay. For Modern Doll events, I have written and illustrated some of those stories to accompany the dolls. Someday I hope to write and actually finish a few children’s books. I have started but time gets away with me. TSL - Your fans love that you paint each doll individually, how was that decision made vs having the painting done at the factory? CL - I want each person to get an art doll, I want to touch and put as much of me into a piece as I can. I have been happiest when I control the complete outcome of a doll. I love making each doll different when it’s not a convention piece that needs to be consistent. TSL - Do have a favorite creation? CL- Stella means more to me than most. She depicts the depression era and represents my mother. I have collected post cards and images of children from this time and was inspired to start sculpting. With my mothers name and a mix of family and vintage images, Stella was born. Shortly after I finished Stella and sent her to the factory I got a Christmas card ... it had a vintage image of children on it. One reminded me so much of Stella I made it my certificate for Stella. She has made so many people happy and I love that. Stella travels with me everywhere. Most recently, after returning from Prague she adopted a stray puppy and named it Prague. She also has become a bit of a celebrity. While I was in southern France this last fall I took her to the Mediterranean for a photo shoot. While walking through a nearby fleamarket, I found a very nice Gypsy woman who made lovely crochet work and also sold vintage trims and fabrics. During a conversation about how the fabric would be used, I pulled Stella out of my bag and the gypsy exclaimed ‘’Stella! I know this doll from the Internet!” I wish I had gotten their photo together now. It truly is a small world.
Stella in Clay Form
TSL - Connie shared what she has on the drawing board, or in production. She is one busy lady! Inspiration for Ruth
Meet Ruth, 22-23” - Stella’s older sister, or maybe an older schoolmate. The release date has not been announced. NEW NEWS! This is the sculpt, in a smaller version (slightly bigger than Little Stella), that will be used for the MDCC convention in September 2018. Meet 8” Eloise, a new head and hand sculpt on the Lulu/Little Red body. Stella’s dolly? Available at the PNW BJD Expo in March 2018.
Inspiration for Eloise
TSL - What do you want collectors and STAND readers to know about you? CL- My collectors and followers are the most important part of what I do. I would create no matter what but I am only as successful as my collectors make me. Without them I am someone who creates art. With them...I am an artist. I love keeping in contact on Facebook and going to shows. TSL - What is your advice to an aspiring artist? CL - Work with what you have ... use your emotions and what ever life gives you, turn it into something you love. Work hard, nobody can do it for you ... it’s up to you. It’s not an easy life and it’s more hours than I have ever spent on any job. However I love every minute of it and am thankful for the opportunity to be an artist. thestandmag.com
ARTIST PROFILE CONNIE Lowe- MARBLED HALLS LIVES: Lancaster PA SELF TAUGHT SCULPTOR BEGAN SCULPTING: 2010 FIRST DOLL CREATED: Eppie and Winona in resin CONTACT: bullwinkle2001@hotmail.com Facebook
Stella and her new puppy, Prague
Editors note: Connie displays her dolls at select shows around the country and through her Facebook page. She is very tuned in to the collector and communicates progress reports on dolls arriving from the factory as well as when they are shipped to new homes. Connie’s fans enjoy Stella’s adventures and stay connected with posts of their own. A true example of what we love about the doll world.
2010 - 2011 Winona, Eppie followed by the Sprockets
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Wren and Twig
Olga
Sasha
Muddle
“I love to create a story with my designs... my own little world that I like to live in and hope many will visit.�
Alice Wren
Little Lulu
Stella
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LITTLE STELLA’S 2017, CONNIE LOWE
E ORIGINAL SCULPT thestandmag.com
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doll: STELLA BY CONNIE LOWE photographer: CONNIE LOWE
doll: PYGMALION ROBIN photographer: LISA JAMESON
doll: ISABEL BY DOLL CHATEAU photographer: MELU
doll: MANON BY DOLLSOOM photographer: CYRANKA
doll: MINAS BY DOLLZONE photographer: CYRANKA
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doll: NATASSA BY DOLLSOOM photographer: CYRANKA
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doll: MOMOKO DOLL BY PETWORKS photographer: CYNTHIA YIP
photographer: Philippe Des Forg
doll: BRIAR BY VIRGINIA OBEIUS photographer: DEBORAH HOOD
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doll: IPLEHOUSE YID BLISS photographer: HUGO’S DOLLS
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doll: RYO BY MIGIDOLL photographer: JANE KOLYADINSTEVA
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doll: SLAJORIE photographer: FREYA74
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doll: ANDREA BY BJDC photographer: LAKEIDA
doll: MIEL BY LATI DOLL photographer: PRUCHANUN R.
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doll: POETIC BEAUTY LILITH BY INTEGRITY TOYS photographer: TATTONKA
doll: EVA BY IPLEHOUSE photographer: NATSUMI
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doll: LOVESTONE, ROXY photographer: RIMDOLL
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doll: MOLLY HAYWARD ORIENTAL REVERIE BY V.JHON photographer: MICHAELA UNBEHAU
doll: MARGAUX BAROQUE BY DEMUSE DOLL photographer: MICHAELA UNBEHAU
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doll: GISELLE DIEFENDORF MAGESTY BY INTEGRITY TOYS photographer: MICHAELA UNBEHAU
photographer: Charlotte Coneybeer
doll: RUGENIA PERRIN FROST BY INTERGRITY TOYS photographer: TATTONKA
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doll: LANDY ART DOLL BY POPOVY SISTERSphotographer: CYRANKA
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doll: MIU, SOOLEEDOLL HEAD ON BAMBICRONY BODY photographer: CYRANKA
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doll: PULLIP, AMELIA BY GROONE photographer: SILENT DISTRACTION
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doll: GUHU BY HZBJD photographer: XATSHE
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CONTRIBUTOR CONTACT LIST The STAND Lookbook is not possible without these incredibly talented people. Show them some love and let them know you appreciate their talents.
Ilona Maria Kalinowska
https://www.instagram.com/frailll/
Jurrie de Vries https://www.facebook.com/Jurrie-de-Vries-Fotografie-828680637242674/ Jane Kolyadintseva
https://www.instagram.com/jane_kolyadintseva
Parisuthi Wasanasomsithi
https://www.flickr.com/photos/parisisburning/
Supplementary images are used with permission by photographers or sourced from various CC0 platforms.
Cynthia Yip
https://www.instagram.com/cynthiayip/
Deborah Hood
https://www.instagram.com/deborahhoodphoto/
Cyranka
https://www.flickr.com/photos/91499533@N07/
Dollfanz https://www.flickr.com/photos/75926291@N05/ Freya74
https://www.flickr.com/photos/freya74/
Hugo’s Dolls
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hugos-dolls/
Rimdoll
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Rimdoll
Lakeida Sprenkle
https://www.instagram.com/sprenkle_me
Ladicius https://www.flickr.com/photos/120033498@N03 Lisa Jameson
https;//www.pepstarsworld.com
Wil Herold
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7507084@N07/
Masha
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bubbastudio
Melu
https://www.facebook.com/meludolls/
Michaela Unbehau
https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelaunbehau/
Natsumi https://www.flickr.com/photos/-natsumi-/ PruchanunR.
https://www.facebook.com/pruchanunr/
Silent Distraction
https://www.flickr.com/photos/140031689@89/
Tattonka https://www.instagram.com/tattonka44/ Xatshe photographer: TOMMY JEPSEN
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ameretty/ thestandmag.com
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