Stephanie Blythe Biography

Stephanie Blythe - Back to Stephanie Blythes main page

PERSONAL DATA DIRECT FROM THE ARTIST:

B.F.A. Philadelphia College of Art, Philadelphia, PA
M.A. Applied Psychology, University of Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA

Fantasy, especially fairies has always characterized my work as an artist. I spent from 1979 to 1996 working in collaboration with Susan Snodgrass. I now design all the clothing, choose the fabric and accessories as well as sculpt, clean and paint every doll myself. I am striving to get beyond being "the teacup fairy lady". There is always the temptation to make one and occasionally they show up in my work. In the past three years I have been on a journey to find a new expression while continuing to create dolls that awaken the joy, spirit and imagination of childhood. I am exploring newly awakened feelings of romance, sensuality, power and passion.

Using traditional doll making techniques (my own plaster molds, porcelain slip and china paints) I find myself striving to go beyond its limitations. In my Stephanie's Garden series I use molded figures and then sculpt individual delicate flower bonnets which are china painted. These 2 1/2 inch dolls have jointed arms. Also included in this series are a bee, a bug, a snail and an elf riding on a frog. A spin off of these called Floral Whimsies is being produced by the Georgetown Collection.

The Babes in the Woods series breaks with the tradition of using fabric and utilizes natural materials. Lichens for hair and clothing, acorns for hats and cicadas for wings. Some have their own little wooden chairs and beds. Although each of these figures come out of my original molds I re-sculpt each one by cutting and turning heads, moving arms and legs and fingers and toes giving each its own unique little personality.

Originally inspired by The Kiss by Gustav Klimt Renaissance Romance was created by sculpting two individual figures and making molds. With the porcelain casts of these two figures I re-sculpted them together, cut them apart and made my final molds.

I love creating costumes that include bits of antique fabric, lace & trim lovingly collected and salvaged from other time periods then given a new life on my dolls. I have been working with some historical costuming on my larger one of a kinds. Renaissance Romance, Shakespearean Sonnet , Odalisque and Amorous Liaisons are a few examples.

Although my work is small in scale I enjoy including intricate detail so that living with my work is contemplative and a constant discovery. Their diminutive size also enables the viewer the opportunity to hold some of them in the palm of their hand for a closer, more intimate look.

INVITATIONAL SHOWS & EXHIBITS

NIADA, Washington DC (1999) Celestial Seasonings: A Loose Interpretation II, Boulder, Colorado (1997) Edith Lambert Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico (1995, 1998) World Doll Art Exhibition, Frankfurt, Germany (1994, 1998) Art Against Aids, Strikoff Gallery, Soho, New York (1994, 1995) Dollmasters of the World, New York City, New York (1993, 1994, 1995) 13th Annual Creative People Art Show, Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1991) Poupees D’Hier- Creations D’Aujourd’hui, Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Palais Du Louvre, Paris, France (1991) American Crafts Museum, “Toymakers: A Family Affair” New York, (1990) United Federation of Doll Clubs Annual Convention (1990 -1995) Dexterity, Montclair, New Jersey (Annual Guest Appearance 1989-1995) Artique , Lexington Kentucky (Guest Appearance 1994, 1995) American Craft Council Craft Fair, Baltimore, Maryland (1988-1995) Columbus, Ohio (1994, 1995) The Merry Christmas Shoppe, “The Dollery Show” Whitman, Massachussetts(1988-1998) Tennyson-Metamorphosis Gallery, Provincetown, Massachussetts (1987-89, 1992) The Pendragon Gallery, Annapolis, Maryland (March, October 1986) Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1983) National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts Annual Convention (1979-1985) International Guild of Miniature Artisans Show (1979-1985)

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS

Washington Doll’s House & Toy Museum, Washington, D.C. The Mott Collection, Knotts Berry Farm, California The Miniature Museum of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Palais Du Louvre, Paris, France Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, Bellvue, Washington Delaware Toy & Miniature Museum, Wilmington, Delaware The Carol & Barry Kaye Museum of Miniatures, Los Angeles, California

COMMISSIONS & AWARDS

Elected NIADA (National Institute of American Doll Artists) (1999) Georgetown Collection, Floral Whimsies (1998) The White House Christmas Tree, Washington, D.C. (1993) Dolls Magazine Nominations for 1990 Award of Excellence for “Spring” (Porcelain$501-$1000 Category) and “Gentle Wind” (Porcelain over $1,000 Category) (1990) Neiman Marcus, Fine Jewelry Display, Chevy Chase, Maryland (1988) Bell Ceramics, Designer Doll, Clarmont, Florida (1986) Bell Ceramics, Design for the The Golden Bell Award, Clarmont, Florida (1985) Kauffman’s Department Store, Christmas Windows, Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania (1983) Atlanta Toy & Doll Museum, Permanent Exhibit of Fairies (1983)

FEATURE PUBLICATIONS

Doll Collector’s Price Guide, Autumn 1997 Dolls Magazine, October 1991 (feature article), January 1994, July 1994,January 1997, January 1998, August 1999 The Doll by Contemporary Doll Artists, Krystyna Goddu & Wendy Lavitt, AbbeyvillePress,1995 Kunstler-Puppen, Ingrid Tilmann, Battenberg Verlag, 1995 Doll Ami, April 1995 Angels from the Heart Ho Phi Le, Hobby House Press, 1995 Doll Art, Internationale Puppenszene, Verlag Puppen & Spielzeug, 1994 Daring Dos, Mary Trasko, Flammarion, New York, 1994 The World’s Most Beautiful Dolls, Pursley & Bischoff, Konecky & Konecky, 1994 Puppen Kunst & Handwerk, 1994 Gift Reporter, January 1991 Contemporary Doll Magazine, Winter 1990, January 1994 (feature article)June/July 1994 The Doll Collector, Vol. 2, No. 4, Franklin Heirloom Dolls Collector’s Society Collector’s Showcase, May/June 1988 Dollmakers Workshop (cover), December 1986 Miniature Collector, November/December 1986 The Nutshell News, October 1980 - March 1985 (nine issues) July 1981 (feature article) Creative & Collectible Miniatures, Lillian Baker, Collector Books, Division of Schroeder Publishing Co. 1984 Doll Reader (cover), October 1983, September 1993, July 1994, July 1999, August 199

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

American Craft Council 101 Doll Club National Institute of American Doll Artists United Federation of Doll Clubs