This week's artist feature is
Jade Perez of
New Age Dolls.
Please tell us about yourself. What is your name? Where do you live? What makes you tick?
My name is Jade Perez. I live in Edmonton, AB, Canada with my husband Kotten and our two cats, Boris and GG. I am a huge horror fan. I live for the dark side, which obviously shows through in my artwork.
When did you start making dolls? Why did you start making dolls?
I started doll making in 2006. Before the dolls, I spent all of my free time painting and drawing. When I completed a piece, I would store it in the closet where it was forgotten and never seen again. Because of that, I decided I wanted to create art that would be more appreciated and displayed rather than hidden. So I began making dolls. After my first one I was hooked. They were shown proudly and had a great response with my friends and family. That was very rewarding, so I kept on going and will continue on for as long as I can.
Who or what influences you? Inspires you?
I was first inspired by Jodi Cain aka Tattered Rags, a gothic rag doll artist. She was the reason I started doll making. I actually started out doing rag dolls but because I wanted more detail and a creepy feel, I switched from fabric dolls to clay dolls. Now, I am inspired by horror movies, news, my dreams and just random thoughts.
Tell us a little about your dolls and your process for making them. Materials, preliminary sketches, inspiration, etc.
I have a few different doll styles. Realistic, gothic, monsters and gore. Half of the time I have an idea and the other half I have no clue as to what I am going to create. I just decide which style I want to make that day and build it from there. I never sketch a doll. I just go off what I have in my head. I use polymer clay to sculpt the dolls, giving as much crazy detail as I can. The plan is always to end up with a freaky, ugly doll. My favorite ones are the dolls drenched in blood. I guess I watch too many horror movies… the bloody ones are the most fun for me.
Do you have a favorite doll? It can be handmade by you, handmade by someone else, or even (gasp) mass production. I love my Tattered Rags doll by Jodi Cain. It’s a devil with leather wings and a noose. I also love all of the art from Boogily Heads and of course my fav mass production line from Todd McFarlane, the Tortured Souls series. Google all of those, they are great! As for a favorite doll of mine, that would be the 1st doll I created in 2010, Chimera.
Besides making dolls, what do you do? Job, other creative pursuits, hobbies, etc.
I am a web/graphic designer. When not working or making dolls, I love to be outside enjoying life, camping, drawing and playing Xbox. I love my video games!
What are some of your favorite: movies, books, websites, magazines, foods, TV shows, music? (Any or all!) You would never guess this but I love HORROR movies!!! Anything scary or suspenseful and comedy. Same thing goes for books. I don’t really watch tv but I enjoy Dexter quite a bit. Music, metal metal, metal and trip hop.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Hmm, near the mountains or the beach… I don’t really care where I live.
Where do you see yourself in one year? Five years? Ten years?
One year, where I am right now. Anything after that, who knows but I hope to travel a lot more and move to a warmer area with less snow! I would also love to do my doll art full time.
Where can we find you on the internet? (blog, website, Etsy shop, eBay, et al.) Website:
http://www.newagedolls.com/Etsy Store:
http://www.creepyhandmadedolls.com/Facebook:
www.facebook.com/newagedollsMyspace:
www.myspace.com/newagedollsBlog:
http://www.newagedolls.blogspot.com/
