Your name:  Christy (DOA), harlowkitty (Livejournal)
Your Legal Name: Christy Johnson (formerly Allum)
Your Website: Captured in Thought:
http://www.irisshell.blogspot.com

 

How did you get involved in Super Dollfies and customizing them?
It simply started from a result of an online search that I found out about them.   A Volks Michael was my first SD and my first customization began with separating his fingers.  The whole aspect of customizing them is very rewarding and fun.

What Inspires You?
I’m inspired by many different things including time periods, characters, other artists, and actual processes of customizing.  Portraying the individual dolls in photos is also an inspiring way for me to ‘bring them to life’.

What do you want people to think when they look at your Customizations?
I would like them to think that that particular doll could start walking and talking it looks so realistic and alive.  I strive for realism in my customs.

What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years?
I’d really like to learn more about sculpting and casting my own accessories/attachments for dolls.  I’d also like to try and sew my own stuff more and get creative with that aspect of the hobby.

What sorts of things do you enjoy the most about your designs/customizations?
I think my work focuses on small details and I’m proud of that.  Certain things take a long time to do, but the reward in the end is seeing it come together and look very nice just as I had envisioned from the start.  I also strive for certain amounts of ‘imperfection’ that may be found in reality, such as eyebrows that aren’t exactly even, or lashes that are irregular.  Little lines around the face that I stick in there but that may not necessarily show very much, but they help give the face up depth.

Other than yourself, who are your favorite doll customizers?
Oh, I can’t mention myself?  ^_~ I love the earthy tones of Heavybomb’s work; I also enjoy the impressionistic style of Glass Orion’s work.  Others I enjoy looking at are Ravendolls (wonderful eyebrows!) and Sdink – lovely airbrush work.  I’ve also been inspired by the spontaneity and creativity of crybabymommie since I first came into this hobby. 

What’s the Best thing about customizing your own dolls?
I enjoy the freedom of being able to change or redo any aspect of them whenever I want.  It’s very convenient to not have to mail them off.

What’s the most difficult thing about doing face ups and altering them?
Getting started!  Sometimes I just have to be in the ‘mood’ to start.  Once I get started I’m a face up *fiend*. ^^

What type of dolls do you enjoy customizing (male/female/brands)
No real preference here.  I do like making a doll look so different that people will ask what mold it is.  That’s always fun.

What is your favorite style to create?
I generally go with a more natural, realistic style…however, I’d like to say that I approach it in a more impressionistic way.  I’m not really into making things look too perfect.  I think of it more along the lines of a painting where up close you see brush strokes but some are almost hidden.  Then, when seen as a whole piece it all comes together and there’s a ‘harmony’ about it.  I look for subtle lines to add where you wouldn’t expect them and in the end it adds to the anatomy or expression.

Who would you love to collaborate with? 
Oh wow, I think it would be wonderful to put a doll together with Anu and her creations!!  I can dream…

Why choose doll customizing as a form of Self Expression?
I think it’s because I’ve always enjoyed theater and I see this as an offshoot of that.  You have your characters and you’re the director, the makeup artist, and the set designer…and the ideas are endless!

How long does it take from start to finish on a typical doll to create and complete?
It depends on what needs to be done…generally on a face up it takes me about a week or more in between my day-to-day schedule.  But on special projects like my SA Bermann’s tattooed arm sleeves, that took a little over 2 months.

How do you like to work best with a custom order for a client? With total freedom to create your vision, or do you like some feedback/interchange with a client who might have an idea or theme they would like to see realized?
A little bit of both.  I like getting a general idea or theme from the client at the start, but after that I prefer to be left alone to my own style and most clients trust that.

What have been your favorite projects you’ve done thus far?
I really enjoyed working on my Bermann’s tattoos but also I enjoyed the full body freckle job I did to a client named Sher’s Sooah/Dollfie Dream girl.

Examples of the Tattoos Christy did on her doll, Timo.

What sets your doll customizations apart from all the others?
Hmmmmm….how long I take?  Lol…

Are there any sort of projects you’ve been hoping to work on but just haven’t gotten around to it?
Definitely.  I have probably 5 projects of my own waiting in the wings right now. This is why I’ve halted doing commissions at the moment.

What was the most challenging thing you have ever done thus far?
I worked on a Ganguro style face up that actually was very much like Ganguro in the end…and the challenge for me was leaving it alone and not making it ‘pretty’, lol!

How has your style evolved over time, and where do you see it going in the future?
I’ve definitely improved in technique, mainly by learning about better tools to use.  I’ve improved on my use of the brush first and foremost, but I am pretty happy with my style.  I don’t want to get overly technical.  It takes away from the fun and the spontaneity of a great idea.

Describe your perfect client. Do you like to get a lot of direction, or just be given a general mood, or do you like to see visual examples?
I love receiving visual examples of real life people to use as reference. Models, actors, or just people in general.  If I get good reference like that it helps me get the ball rolling and inspires me.  I like getting direction from the beginning of what is wanted, but after that I like to be left alone to work.  I generally don’t prefer contact with the client during the face up process.  It interferes with my momentum.

Of all the faceups you’ve done, do any stand out to you in particular? Howso?
Of course, Sher’s freckly girl I worked on, but also a Hound I modded.  His name is Hart and belongs to Eve.  I did some extreme facial modding to him cheekbones added and also extensive carving and sanding to his nose and mouth that rounded the features out more).  And starting with a Hound that had very sharp pointy features, it was a lot of modding!  And he turned out very lovely.

Do you paint other types of dolls, and if so, how does that compare with painting BJDs? If you do other types of art (drawing, painting, etc) does that influence your face up style?
I’ve only ever worked with sculpture that I painted some, but nothing like bjds. I do draw and paint which definitely has influenced my painting style with faceups.  Of course, bjd are a MUCH smaller canvas!

Have you ever refused a commission? Why? Or if not, can you think of a circumstance where you might?
I have.  Mostly when I was on ‘hiatus’.

Is there something that is still difficult for you to do? What is the most difficult?
Probably getting *started*.  Sometimes I just stare at that blank head…. I don’t know why that still intimidates me.  But once I get the eyelashes and eyebrows painted I’m fine.  Eyebrows can be tough though too!  Maybe that’s why I stare at it a while.

How important is customer feedback to your creative process?
I don’t usually ask for feedback during the process, but I do like to hear it afterward, definitely.  I want them to be happy, but also, it inspires me and gives me a feeling of success if I know they’re happy.

Is there a mold, doll, or company that you prefer to work on?
No preference really.  I like to see all kinds of molds.

Do you prefer working on male or female dolls?  Why?
No preference here either.

What is your background?  Have you had any special schooling (art school, sculpture, painting, etc)?
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree as well as an Associates in computer animation.

When you were a child did you ever work on dolls or create with similar things?
I used to sew clothes for a little ‘Annie’ doll I had as a kid.  I also made a robe for an Close Encounters of the Third Kind ‘alien’ doll I got for a present once. I guess it bothered me he didn’t have clothes on, lol!  I’m surprised I didn’t become a seamstress, really.

Do you have any other interests that might have helped you in your development of customizing ABJD (like customizing other dolls, action figures, etc)?  Please tell us about them.
I have enjoyed sculpting (from my days in Fine Art College).  I also enjoy life drawing and that has helped me a lot with painting and shading a doll.

Do you have any other interests?  Collections?
I’m also interested in film – cinematography, storyboarding, etc.  Another interest of mine is photography and working in Photoshop.  I have collected dolls in the past…. Gene, Franklin Mint, McFarlane, Star Wars…

What factors do you consider before giving a doll its make-up so it will have the expression you want?
The eyes and eyebrows for me are very important.  I have modded eyes before so they will have an expression for instance, that matches a reference photo someone has sent me.  I will also add lines to the mouth to give a very subtle expression of some sort.

Are there any painting techniques that can make a face look more masculine or feminine?
Feminine is very light and wispy I think.  Masculine has harsher, bolder lines.

How long does it usually take to do a face up?
For me, generally a week, from the first steps on through to taking photos for the client.

Can you offer any helpful hints to the amateur face up artists? Can you recommend a list of supplies including colors, paints & pastels etc?
First of all practice all you can.  I recommend a practice head that you don’t worry about redoing over and over again.  Don’t drink coffee before you have to paint brush strokes!  I am usually very shaky if I do that.  Also, very fine brushes with long bristles work great for those nice wispy lashes and eyebrows.  And just relax.  I find you get the best work once you’ve completely relaxed and just go with it.

Do you have a favorite medium you like to work with when not creating for BJDs in your spare time?
Oh – do I have spare time outside bjds?  ^_~ I do like home decorating!

How long have you been doing faceups?
Ohhh since my first bjds in 2003.

What is your biggest inspiration for your faceups and customizations?
Probably film and photography.  I find a ‘mood’ in those that I like to capture in a character and ‘reenact’.  I am also constantly inspired by seeing other’s creations in this hobby; it keeps the creative juices flowing!

Do you have any tips you’d like to share for people that want to learn how to do face ups or just want to improve?  Something that’s helped you a lot or something that you think is important to know when doing a successful face up?
Same as above as far as practice.  And don’t be discouraged; everyone has his or her own style that is always evolving with doing it over and over.

Closing Comments (anything you’d like to tell us)?
I have found this hobby a wonderful outlet for my creativity.  I’ve met many wonderful people and have been to some great meet ups and events.  It’s always fun to see new creations and inspiring meeting new people.

Thanks Christy for the Interview! You can also check out her Flickr stream over here!