Meet the Artist ~ SecondStoryDolls
What is your name?
Nicole
Where are you from?
I live in American Fork, Utah (right next to the beautiful Uinta Mountains)
Age?
Thirty-eight (thirty-nine in November)
How long have you been customizing?
I started customizing dolls July 2016
What got you started?
This is a long story. In November 2015, we discovered that my husband had an aggressive, malignant tumor. He started chemotherapy and went through four intensive cycles that lasted about four months. The tumor did shrink, but, unfortunately, it was not gone. One surgeon told my husband to plan for the end of his life. We were not going to accept that. We were fortunate enough to have contacts at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, who had been keeping up with his case. He went down for a surgical consultation, but he was told he’d need more chemotherapy: five months, four more cycles, high-dose chemo that required stem-cell transplants. The night we received the news, I was so stunned. Five months away is a long time. How could I help him? Be there for him? And our children? My brother and my dad came over. We talked a long time. My brother gave me the most helpful advice: Do something creative. I had been interested in customizing dolls, but I hadn’t ever tried. My niece gave me her Monster High dolls, and I bought my first can of Mr. Super Clear while staying with family in Houston while my husband was in the hospital being systematically poisoned.
What types of customs do you do?
I mostly customize Monster High dolls, but I have customized a few Ever After High dolls, a Bratz doll, and a Disney Merida doll. I have a whole bunch of DC Superhero Girls in line for customizing.
What sorts of mediums do you use?
I use pastels and watercolor pencils, like most customizers. While I use acrylic paints sparingly, most of my customs have some kind of acrylic. I don't always reroot hair, but thanks to Shannon (here with Retro Dolls US) I've tried a lot of different kinds of hair. I love kiwi, kanekalon, and nylon.
Are there any products you just can’t live without?
I think Mr. Super Clear is vital.
What is your favorite custom that you have made?
Such a hard question. At first I feel like I just want to stare at the finished product forever, but then I feel ready to let them go, and I'm so happy to see people's reactions when they first get their dolls. Aislinn Peaclops is one of my favorite concepts, but Glory conveys a sort of strength that I love.
What is your least favorite custom that you have made?
I hate to say it because my husband and I developed the story together, but I am frustrated by Evie Gray. Her hair hasn't ever looked quite right, and I keep thinking I should redo her eyes. I love her dress and shoes, but I'm just not satisfied with her face and hair.
A lot of beginners get so frustrated when their customs don't come out the way they want them to, and often compare themselves to their favorite artists and give up. Can you show us your very first custom?
I always work on several customs at a time, so my "first custom" was actually four dolls. I finished Vera and Shabti a week or two before the others. To be clear, I erased and started over on this Ghoulia custom three or four times.
What is your most recent custom?
Since I work on multiple dolls at once, I also have two for my most recent. The first I made for @zaks_dolls for the Retro Dolls US Lolita Swap. She was such a challenge! I have never made a doll like this before--all of the frills and curls and layers of clothing. I learned so much from making her, though.
I actually started the second one months and months ago. She was my first full reroot, but then I couldn't get her face right and the dress was killing me. She's the character Syl from Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archives, who is described as being transparent, girlish, and like the wind. Very tricky.
What is the worst injury you’ve had from working on customs?
Just a bleeding finger from razors and needles. Nothing too severe.
Who/What inspires you?
At first I thought of creating the Monster High characters to be more feral or realistic versions of themselves; however, as I went on, I found that I love bringing out new characters and creating stories for them. I am an English professor, so I've turned a lot toward different historical and literary eras. I also love looking at makeup artists and fantasy photographers and designers. I have a doll in queue inspired by @kimberlymargarita on Instagram. Her makeup is amazing.
What projects are you currently working on?
I have a Halloween Swap custom and a Magic Swap custom on the table getting their faces done. They are secret, though! My next step will be repainting some boys. Big step for me.
Do you have any odd habits while working on customs?
As I mentioned, I always work on multiple dolls. Most of my customizing time takes place late at night since I have four kids. I don't get much done while they are awake. So, my customizing time is spent sitting in the sunroom with my iPod on shuffle while the sun sets. It's quiet and beautiful.
What types of art do you enjoy?
My favorite artistic era is Art Nouveau. I was able to study abroad in London as an undergraduate, and the Victoria and Albert Museum had a special Art Nouveau display at the same time we were studying Great War literature and visiting World War I sites. I have always loved Modern literature and Great War poetry, so the intersection of the hope and the destruction and devastation is fascinating to me. One of my first customs, a Draculaura who is now Ausra, is actually based on that era. The Iris Clops I customized to be Aislinn Peaclops is also based in Art Nouveau patterns and styles.
Do you take commissions?
No. I'm not sure how well I would do with creating a doll to someone's specifications. I feel that my own style might infringe upon what he or she wants, and I wouldn't deliver. Since I do this as a creative outlet and a type of therapy, I haven't wanted to do commissions. However, I do like participating in Swaps because I feel that I am challenged by what the other artist wants and the constraints of the Swap.
Where can people see your work and contact you?
I am on Instagram @secondstorydolls.
Some dolls are for sale on Etsy at 2ndstorydolls.
Do you have any favorite tips or tricks?
I spent an evening with Drew Olds (gardenninja.com, @odinsgrndson on Instagram), the husband of a friend from graduate school, who paints miniatures professionally. He worked with me on shading and using every curve and detail to my advantage. Finding a light source and translating that to the doll has really given my dolls more depth and emotion. Thinking in terms of natural shading and light sources has made this more of an art.
Any advice for people just starting out?
Research first. My instinct is always to research. I love research and learning, so I spent a lot of time reading and watching tutorials, researching materials and strategies, and searching out photos of repaints I admired before I ever took off a face. It's tempting to just get started and slap some acrylics on a doll, but I advise to carefully consider the supplies and the techniques before getting out that acetone and taking off some faces. Most especially, don't quit if the first few don't work. Research, work, and try more.
Much love, Nicole*
