By Pam North
Sometimes, meaningful objects from childhood have a way of carrying forward their influence into adulthood. New Jersey artist Linda Lyons had the usual playthings as a child. “Teddy bears brought me immense joy and love,” she recalled. “I fondly remember the shelves in my room, adorned with bears of all sizes, from the tiniest to the most grandiose. I loved dolls, too, and art, but I never thought the two would somehow come together later.”
Lyons studied art in college for two years and enjoyed working in several mediums but targeted no specific one in depth. After college, she worked as a personal trainer for 15 years, but she eventually tapped into and cultivated her latent creative passion. “My art was dormant for so long,” she said, “but it kept calling my name.” Never formally trained in sculpting, she learned the craft from books, videos, and a class taught by artist Diane Keeler.
In 2011, she began experimenting with polymer clay, creating simple charms and ornaments. Drawn to creating 3D pieces, she studied the works of accomplished doll artists and the techniques used by some of them when working with clay. After about five years, she started producing her own dolls from clay. “La Doll Premix is my favorite,” Lyons said. “I enjoy working in both polymer and air-dry clay when developing my stylized dolls. In that endeavor, I can sculpt, paint, design clothing, and style hair. The coming to life of each finished character helps the evolution of my style. I never thought in a million years I’d be sculpting dolls, but I’m so glad that I followed my heart.”
Lyons has grown in her craft over the years. “When I first started sculpting, everything was more like a statue,” she said, “but after a few years, I started making more doll-like creations.” Now an accomplished artist, Lyons specializes in handmade original art dolls and animals, sculptures, mixed media, and custom works. She needle felts, as well, and said this is something she wants to do more of in the future. Her artistic inspiration comes from fairy tales, childhood experiences, animals, and everyday life. “My original, one-of-a-kind creations range from ghosts, vampires, and angels to anything else my mind can conjure up! Over time, I’ve created a lot of creepy-cute dolls I call Lost Ghosts — all pretty yet sad. I was always very emotional as a child, so a lot of my dolls are shedding tears. Because of my love of animals, I create anthropomorphic creations. One of my favorites goes by the name Mugsy Baconi; he is a hit man of animal abusers.”
Lyons’ studio is in a spare bedroom, which she states is “now bursting at the seams” with her art supplies. “My main table is positioned so I can look out the window, which I love to do in the fall and winter. Even though I tend to make a very big mess when I’m working, my workspace is a little piece of paradise. Before I start something new, I have to straighten it out in order to think clearly, which always seems to work.”
With the space set, her creative process begins with the head, which is constructed from foil and then wrapped in masking tape and overlaid with clay layers. Glass or resin eyes are inset. After the head is sculpted, Lyons draws out on paper what the body will look like, using that as her blueprint. The bodies are usually soft-sculpted over galvanized steel wire and filled in with cotton batting or needle felting. When creating the limbs, Lyons starts with a straw covered with tape, which makes it easy to slip the pieces over connecting wires. Each arm is sculpted in clay from the elbow down to the hand; each leg is sculpted from the knee down to the foot. She attaches the limbs with two-part epoxy, which dries rock-hard. Lyons noted that making the hands is the most challenging step. She said, “In the beginning, it was so frustrating, but in the last five years, I see how much I’ve improved, and I don’t dread making them anymore. Persistence and patience with myself have paid off!”
All sculpted parts of a doll are underpainted with black gesso before the flesh tone is applied — a technique that gives a more translucent appearance. The painting is then finished with soft pastels, watercolors, and acrylic paint.
Each of Lyons’ dolls has a built-in loop on its back so it can be hung on the wall. Many of them can be posed in a seated position, too.
Making a doll’s clothes is something Lyons views as fun. “My introduction to vintage fabrics and materials by one of my artist friends has shown me how to give my dolls a rich, beautiful look, and how fabric that is too bright can be given a tea bath or be distressed for an older appearance,” she said.
Lyons sells her work through Lovetts Gallery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and occasionally other galleries. She also has an Etsy store, through which she usually sells her smaller dolls and ornaments. She creates soldered jewelry, whimsical paintings, and 3D mixed-media pieces for her online store, Linda Lyons Studio. Additionally, she accepts a limited number of commissions per year from those looking for a custom creation. Making dolls has given Lyons the confidence to pursue these other art forms. “I love it all,” she said. “I love it when someone tells me my dolls make them feel some sort of emotion, whether it’s happiness, sadness, or something else.”
For 37 years, Lyons has been married to her husband, Michael. She said, “He is a teacher and passionate football coach, and is very supportive of my art. I am very grateful to him for his constant encouragement. We are both big animal lovers and our current dog, Bailey, was rescued from Texas. We are so happy to be able to provide a loving home for a pet in need. My family is my husband and my sweet dog.”
Since beginning her dollmaking venture, Lyons’ creations have found homes across the U.S. and beyond. She said, “Many wonderful collectors have obtained my pieces throughout the years; their appreciation for my work is the reason I keep going, and I am eternally grateful to them and to the galleries who have let me be a part of their exhibits. I look to inspire others with my creations and to bring joy and happiness to those who appreciate one-of-a-kind art dolls.”
