Myriam Powell
Born in Colombia, this gifted artist got her
inspiration from her family – her brother and mother both artists themselves. She focuses in doll making, with
beautiful, unique pieces in cloth and paper clay. Some of her art is done in felt.
We’d like to thank her for taking the time to
answer our questions, and think it’s great to start this series of interviews
with her since she was our first admirer in Etsy!
Delocatio:
Hi Myriam. For starters,
I’d like to perform an experiment.
Can you choose a song you like, or that you think fits your art? It’ll become our soundtrack for the
interview.
Myriam:
I love all the alternative music from the 90s. One of my favorite bands is The Smashing Pumpkins. So I would say let’s play “The
Everlasting Gaze”. One of my dolls
is inspired by that song and Billy Corgan.
D:
When did you start making dolls and why?
M:
I started making clay dolls about 3 years ago and cloth dolls about 6 years
ago. I just love them. They intrigue and fascinate me. I feel like I’m creating a new personality
in this world.
D:
Many artists make dolls because of fond childhood memories related to
dolls. Do you have such a memory? If yes, can you share a story you have
from your childhood involving a doll?
M:
I liked dolls when I was little, but wasn’t super crazy about them. I’d say I really got interested in
dolls as an adult, for some reason.
D: Your family has been very important in your becoming an artist. How did they help you in the process?
M: Well, my mom has been an artist all her life. She taught me how to paint, sew, work with wood, and always kept
me involved in some sort of art.
And my brother always inspired me through his paintings and fashion
designs. I was lucky to have
talented people around me growing up.
M:
A while back a friend mentioned a handmade website called Etsy. So I visited it, loved it, and got
hooked. I started buying art and
supplies, thinking all along I might open my own shop one day. Then another friend from NY who designs
eyewear came to Austin, TX to be part of “Style X” – a fashion show that
promotes new and Indie entrepreneurs.
She asked me to design some dolls sporting her line of eyewear. I did. After seeing them, she totally pushed and motivated me to
open my Etsy shop. That’s how it
all started.
D:
How do you view your doll shop – as a hobby, or a means of livelihood?
M:
I see it as my business now.
I’m working ready hard to improve it everyday, to create new designs,
and make my dream happen.
M:
Yes, I love Tim Burton, and his dark but cute characters. I’m inspired by Paola Zakimi, who is an
amazing illustrator and doll maker.
I also love Salvador Dali and different artists in the music industry. I think a lot of my inspiration comes
from music.
D:
The best thing about the characters you create is that they give the
feeling of being lonely and outcast, but at the same time have this vibe that
makes them likeable. How do you do
it?
M:
I guess I like to create dolls that unlike traditional dolls, are imperfect. When I make them you can see something
is off. It can be their oversize head
or long arms or maybe their big eyes, or simply the expression on their face. They are not perfect but they’re
likeable all the same. That’s how
I see life, a combination of opposites – things that try to find balance in
order to make it work. Combine the
pretty with the ugly, the good with the bad, and you have my dolls.
D: Do you have a favorite doll you’ve made? Why is it important to you?
M:
I probably don’t have a favorite doll, but I have I favorite style. I love creating Gothic, enigmatic
dolls. I’ve always been attracted to
the dark, vampire-ish, paranormal, life after death stuff. So my Gothic dolls help me connect to that
side of me.
This was it for the interview with Myriam, We hope you liked it, but before leaving, why not take a look at some of her marvelous art?
* None of the answers have been modified nor edited after receiving them.
* Pictures included in this post are property of Myriam Powell, do not use without permission.
