Dolls have always been a part of horror. There’s something about a doll that captures the essence of life staring back at you with those two unforgiving and all watchful eyes. I got the chance to sit down and talk with the creator of Deadcreepydolls, Debi Ann.
Who creates works of arts from dolls that she restores. Read on to find out all the details on how these amazing Deadcreepydolls come to life!
Horror Society: How did the concept for Deadcreepydolls come about?
Debi Ann: Well, I’ve been an artist/illustrator of the horror and bizarre surreal genre since like forever, *Laughs* and I always wondered about perhaps creating something that I could really hold; you know…three-dimensional. I’d never really been a fan of dolls growing up, I mean, sure I had some like most little girls did, but never really a collector. Then about a year ago, I got the urge to try my hand at dolls – specifically to see if I could somehow “transfer” my art onto a new medium. My first two dolls came from my neighbor’s rooftop. They were old baby dolls covered in grime and dirt, and they became my first creepy dolls. I got hooked after that and began collecting dolls to work my weird, twisted “magic” on.
HS: Where do you gain inspiration from each of your dolls, since no two are ever a like? It must be hard?
DA: Wow, thank you; that says they are truly one of a kind! My inspiration comes from different things, really. Sometimes I have no idea what I’m going to do, and then all of a sudden the Muse strikes! Other times I actually do have an idea, say “vampire baby”, or “spider baby” and I go with that. I also get ideas from friends who suggest I try “this or that”. Plus, I get a sort of “sense” from each doll. I’m sure that sounds pretty strange, but perhaps no more strange than when one paints on a blank canvas and “sees” what they want to paint. It’s not really “hard” as much as fun; many times I’m not sure where the creating is going to take me. Example is when I tried creating my first “re-born doll kit” and had totally planned on making her normal. Well, I looked at the purple paint and that was it…this normal doll became a “changeling doll”…purple/blue skin with light blue hair, wings, and larger than normal eyes.
HS: How long does it take to create one doll, or does it depend on the effect that you are trying to create?
DA: Depends on the effects I’m making, yes. When I get in the artistic “zone”, I can spend hours upon hours on just one doll. My “changeling” doll took me about two full days start to finish. Other times I may start many dolls at once, and leave them in varying stages of uh, creative “magic”; then go back to each of them when the Muse strikes.
HS: Dolls have a bad representation in horror films – they’re usually portrayed as evil – and like clowns there’s something about certain dolls that can just give you the creeps, how do you feel about that? True or not true?
DA: Definitely true! *Laughs* I find so many people are just scared shitless when they see my dolls, and I really don’t get why? Same with clowns…and when you put the two together, i.e. making a clown doll, well then you’ve pretty much got the ultimate in “evil creep-out”. I do agree that horror films have greatly over exaggerated dolls as being evil and have given that a lot of thought lately. I think that perhaps it’s the doll’s eyes. You know how they seem to stare either right through you, or just over your shoulder, suggesting that perhaps there’s someone else there that you just don’t see. I actually had one doll whose eyes really MOVED! It was a bit creepy working on him (he was a little Gerber baby I worked my “magic” on), and whenever I was working on him, his eyes would literally follow me. Now I know logically that it was simply mechanics; you know, very old doll, eyes jiggled from the sockets…but then again…
HS: Where do you get all your dolls from?
DA: Ebay mostly, but also trading with other doll collectors (I seem to do more trades than sales, but I’d probably just buy more dolls anyway, so it’s all good), and the local thrift stores. Early on I had an awesome friend who would shop at the local flea markets and send me boxes of old, used dolls. And, as mentioned earlier, the two dolls from my neighbor’s roof. I will take any doll and/or doll part I can find. In fact, I have two very large jars filled with doll heads, arms and legs along with various doll heads lying about. My house, to many I’m sure would be considered quite “creepy”.
HS: One last fun question, what’s your favorite horror film?
DA: Oh jeez! Just one? *Laughs…Okay, it would have to be “The Exorcist”. I think it’s the ultimate horror film of all time. Because it’s scary as hell and is based on a true story. After that there are so many; I’ve always loved the old Hollywood horror classics from the early 30’s, there’s such a wonderful dark, sinister charm to them. Oh, and I LOVE the old Hammer films of the 60’s. Guess I’m a bit old-fashioned, eh? Of course, there’s the original “Halloween” that I just love too, so I’d have to say add to the classics from the early Hollywood years some of the awesome slasher films from the 80’s.
You can find out more about Deadcreepydolls on their Facebook page.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Deadcreepydolls
One Comment
Leave a Reply