Biography
I have always been into art in one form or another. With my mother and sister being artists, and my father being a professional photographer, there was never a lack of inspiration at home. My mother was always sewing, so materials for me to play with were always close at hand.
I graduated from the Illustration program at Sheridan College in 1982, and though I spent a number of years working as an illustrator and graphic designer, my sewing machine was never out of reach.
Once my two children were born, I started looking for a creative outlet that would allow me to maintain my sanity and keep the creative part of me going. At one point I came across photos of old fashioned Santas and I just fell in love with them. I built one from a kit, just to get a feel for how things were done, and didn’t like it. So I promptly designed my own and I haven’t looked back since.
Now, I have body parts under my coffee table. I have body parts in the closets and, if I dig deep enough, maybe even a head in my purse. I know it sounds weird, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. My figures (I prefer not to call them dolls) range from small pin figures (like a brooch) to much larger goddess shapes. I do have a tendency to keep the body shapes simple (hence the mermaids and goddesses) in order to maximize the surface area I can play with. Texture is a big word in my vocabulary these days. I don’t just want to see it but I want to feel it as well. If I can achieve something that looks like it has grown on my figures then I am happy. I can’t get enough of colour and I try combinations that can be intense. Let’s face it, my favourite combination of fuchsia, tangerine, lemongrass green, and aqua isn’t exactly subtle.
Inspiration comes from everything around me; from music to a comment made by one of my children. I love old fairy tales and children’s books and try to put a bit of “magic” into my creations. If I can picture my creations getting up and walking away, I know I have succeeded.
I am definitely addicted to fabric and sometimes find it very hard to use pieces that I have because if I use them and my work is sold I won’t have the fabric anymore! Quite often, I use fabric from old clothing and old jewelry in what I do. This is especially true with my Santas and other Christmas creations. I am firm believer in repurposing items, so what I don’t use, I pass on.
I have taught both for private groups and at the Creative Festival in Toronto, Canada. My figures have appeared in “Art Doll Quarterly” and “A Needle Pulling Thread” magazines.
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My first mermaid “Moana” took Best of Show at the 2005 Canadian Doll Artists Association’s annual conference.
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“All dressed up and no place to go” won Best of Show at the Canadian Doll Artists Association’s 2007 conference.
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“Undine” has graced the packaging on bags of Soft-Touch Poly-fil Supreme© stuffing after winning first runner-up in a competition put on by Fairfield (makers of Soft-Touch Poly-fil©).
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“Azulla” graces the pages of a how-to book, Stitch Journeys, published by Wonderfil© threads.
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As long as these “people” spring from my head, I’ll keep on making them.
Contact Heike at: heike@heikeblohmdesigns.com
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