American doll artist Eva Wilson of Lume Doll is back with the Giddeous Project a new series of limited edition art dolls. The first release was Baughn. She is also working on more dolls for her more traditional Lume lines.
Q: What is the origin of the Giddeous project?
A: There was a time a few years ago when I really didn’t know what to create next, and I was at the point where I felt that I was finished making dolls. I met some inspiring people at some very interesting jobs over the course of the last few years and during that time, I made a quick sketch of a person with a rabbit-like face that just evolved into Giddeous Project.
Baughn and the other characters were originally going to be made in wool since I had taken an interest in needle felted 3D figures. It was just supposed to be a little hobby. Then one day I asked myself why not make these in resin as ball-jointed dolls? I was also drawing more and I really wanted to illustrate the larger story that surrounds the Giddeous Project characters.
The name Giddeous Project comes from smooshing giddy and hideous together. There are some characters that I’ve drawn or started in clay that I think are pretty unusual in the ball-jointed doll world. Baughn is probably the most normal in my opinion and there are a couple of others that just make me wonder what in the world I was thinking…but I love them anyway!
So the Giddeous Project is, for me, a reflection of finding humor in difficult or dark times, or maybe finding beauty in what might seem grotesque at first. I think it’s in those moments when you’re struggling that you lose your sense of fear as an artist, when perhaps you can feel less guarded in your work, and all the good heavy stuff that filtered to the bottom of your creative mind can be flung out in the open to startle any unwary passerby.
So Giddeous is the silver lining in my life. It started with a quick sketch of a melancholy rabbit-esque person in the early spring of 2016 I think, and from there the design evolved and other characters joined him. There was a lot of laughing involved as well.
Q: So are all of the dolls based on sketches or are only some designed that way? Have you always sketched your dolls first?
A: All of the Giddeous Project dolls are based on drawings that are eventually colored and I use them as a kind of map since these new dolls aren’t what I’m used to sculpting. When I started making dolls I would do simple sketches and then draw the doll actual size to use as a template for measurements, but after a while, I would just sculpt with no drawings at all. I think that just comes from practice…you just know what size things should be and where things go.
Q: So will each doll be sculpted with a different body, or will you be able to use one body for multiple dolls?
A: Each doll has its own unique body and I think that idea has really taken hold with me even with regard to the new Lumedoll bodies that I’m working on. I envision all of the dolls I make going forward having their own distinct look. With Giddeous Project, they are vastly different in size and shape but with the same general art style, and with Lumedoll it might be only a minor difference but one that is recognizable to a particular doll just by looking at the body.
Q: Will there be a story that will eventually be released based on the characters? Or is the hope to simply let each collector envision their own story for the dolls?
A: I definitely want to tell their story and I’m still considering the best way to go about it. My first thought was a comic but in my mind (and sometimes out loud while I’m driving) they have particular voices and there are jokes that might not come across in print so I do daydream from time to time about them being animated. In the end, it will most likely be a comic.
Q: So you mentioned Lumedoll bodies. Does this mean that you are also working on other dolls besides the Giddeous Project?
A: Once I had finished Baughn and he was ready to release, I resumed a 1/4 scale head that I was working on a while back. From there I decided on a new body for her and now I’m considering re-releasing some of the 1/4 scale sculpts but on new bodies. The goal is to have her ready to release next spring, then just alternate between Lumedoll and Giddeous Project.
Q: Are all of the Giddeous dolls going to be limited editions?
A: I do plan to release them all as limited editions, and I’m considering doing the same with new Lumedoll releases as well. Limited editions feel more in the moment as projects and then you can move on creatively.
Q: When do you think the next one will be released?
A: The next Giddeous Project character is Edgar and he won’t be ready until next year.
Q: Is there anything I haven’t asked about that you would like to add?
A: Lumedoll will be joining the Patreon community in the near future for anyone interested in behind the scenes looks or finding out Baughn’s favorite pickle brand while supporting the BJD arts. The links and launch date will be announced soon!
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