Deborah C. Pope, a New York mixed medium doll artist, and proud member of NIADA, brings an imagery and life-like force to her doll making mastery. With her unique technique of welt felting, and skills of great depth, Deborah Pope takes various vibrant and fine fabrics and composes realistic frocks, skirts, hats, trousers and vests' along with the sculpted faces and bodies with a hand that is so attentive to detail, that New York viewers will find themselves mesmerized; Mesmerized by the intricacy of the one of a kind doll creations. From the realistic doll features to the contoured shape of the dolls form, the designs of the costuming and clothing are impeccable.

Every corner of the doll's wardrobe has fine detail that cannot be ignored. Doll making is a labor of love for Deborah, but not an easy one. Deborah expresses challenges with her doll art, stories of inspiration and reactions from those who have viewed the creations of her doll making venture.

EA: What do you find challenging as a doll artists?
DP: The most challenging part for me is finding the time to do the work. It's really difficult to carve out a block of uninterrupted time that I can dedicate to creating my figures.

EA: What is most important to you when creating your dolls?
DP: The magic of creating is the most incredible part of the proceeds.

EA: Describe a funny moment in creating a particular doll?

DP: One of my figures, Don Quixote, is modeled after my father. My Dad loved opera and classical music. One of his favorites was the Man of LaMancha. Inspiration comes to me in those twilight times between waking and sleep. One Tuesday morning back in June, 2007, I woke up with the tune from the musical The Man of LaMancha in my head. You probably know it- "I am Don Quixote the man of LaMancha..." I thought "hmmm... this has possibilities. I knew I'd be seeing my Dad in the afternoon. The song stuck with me the rest of the day. In fact, my Dad and I even sang some tunes from the play. It was fun. That started me on the journey. After doing some more research, I decided that Don Quixote would be a good starting point for a new figure. I looked for ways to make the piece relate to the process of getting older with dignity and grace. Not just for my father, but for all of us. I also wanted it to convey a sense of humor.

EA: Share with us some comments people have made about your work?

DP: It's always interesting to listen to what people have to say about my work. Here are few examples:
"They bring a smile to my face."
"Your dolls have a soul.
Your costuming is brilliant. I wouldn't have the patience."
"How did you do this?"
One of my favorites was a comment that was made about one of my pieces titled The Eggman. I had used Sculpey® to make very realistic teeth. A lady looked very closely at the figure and asked quite seriously, "Are the teeth real? Did you collect them from your children? I assured her that they were not real.

EA: Where in New York do you exhibit your work, if any?

DP: Most of my work is exhibited at out-of-state conferences or through NIADA (National Institute of American Doll Artists) gallery shows. Two f my pieces are in the Susan B. Quinlan Teddy Bear and Doll Museum and Library in Santa Barbara, CA. However I exhibit annually at the Rochester Area Fiber Artist show held at the gallery of Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester.
 

EA: What other types of dolls do you indulge in as an artist?
DP: At this time I don't indulge in any other dolls.

EA: Are there special types of dolls that you would love to make but haven’t?
DP: I think I would like to explore making dolls in paper clay and learning the finer points of mold making.

EA: What would like to say to doll collectors, viewing your dolls?
DP: Please treat the figures as living things, because they are all imbued with a soul.
 

Photography of Mack A. Runne, Victoria's Dream               by Lloyd Wilson
Photography of Hiram Der Hase #1 &2 and Good Mourning by Robert Batey
 

Doll photos courtesy of Deborah C. Pope

Visit Deborah Pope's  blog and learn more about her workshops and classes. Deborah Pope is a doll artist of Rochester, New York.  For Special comments and questions, email: Elizabeth