"Fake-Babies", yes, but the Art is Alive!!

(Pennsylvania)

I am a young artist who first saw Reborn dolls in an MSN online article a few years ago. I found the realistic baby dolls to be amazingly painted and yes... a little bit creepy. When I found that they sell for hundreds of dollars on sites like eBay, I knew I had to have a try at it for myself. After all, I have student loans to pay off too!

So far, I've amassed many Berenguer/Berjusa dolls/parts, doe suede bodies, air-dry/heat-set paints, mohair, teeny tiny cable ties, dye for purple-washing, etc etc etc and I have yet to start on a single doll. I needed a good visual to teach myself. So today I purchased a fully-completed reborn doll from a very good sculpt on eBay. It should arrive in a few days, and I can begin my 'creation'!!

I do think some people take it a bit far with these dolls. In private you may do as you wish, but taking the dolls into the public is a bit much. If you've miscarried/aborted, lost a child or are unable to conceive, or are an empty-nester or eldery person, these dolls would be a perfect item to reflect old emotions on. They create a sense of needing and being needed.

My boyfriend of 3 years is an artist as well, and he feels that the dolls are somewhat creepy (wouldn't want to hold one), but that the act of creating them is fascinating! I'm definitely not one of the types that would snuggle and cuddle the doll in public *runs*, but I definitely see myself becoming as attached to the doll I'm making as I do with any of my paintings, drawings or model repaints. A lot of your time and emotions go into a well-done piece of art, and I believe these are no different!

Wish me luck, and look for me on eBay in a few months! :D