Jess Brown is the co-owner of Maude Shop in Petaluma. She is also an artist, doll-maker and mother of two. She makes her dolls out of antique, found and recycled fabric, tea dyes their bodies over the course of three days to create variations in skin tone and provides each doll with an exquisite outfit, the likes of which I've never seen on a doll. There is a free-ness, beauty and simplicity to everything she does and these are qualities that I aspire to in my own work. I believe a great deal can be learned from Jess, from her way of being in the world and her creative spirit. I've already learned so much, just by observing and sharing some good conversations. Jess is definitely someone to watch, a true inspiration, so I've decided to ask her a few questions.
Note: the first series of images are of a Jess Brown doll that just happens to be mine (!) - the rest are borrowed images from either Jess' blog or one of the boutiques that sells her dolls. A full list of those boutiques can be found here.
What sorts of things did you love the most as a kid?
as a kid i loved comfort toys (of course huh?). i had a few really special dolls and animals that were always with me. i would make little things for them. i loved old movies... one of my favorites was the little princess. when she woke up and her room was magically transformed in to an indian palace...i loved that!
Note to reader: I looked all over the internet for a movie still of this particular scene that Jess mentions, which was one of my favorite scenes too. Google usually works for these things, but I got nothing. However, it did make me want to do a post on Shirley Temple sometime in the near future. Alright, that's the last time I'll interrupt this interview with my comments, please read on.
Where did you grow up?
i spent the first part of my childhood in ny (upstate, manhattan, brooklyn) then we moved to marin county when i was 10.
At what point in your life did you start to pursue art-making, designing and/or crafting as a profession?
actually, when i was 20 my husband and i lived in the haight. there was this sweet shop a block away called "what the moon saw". i made these mirrors using broken glass and antique bits... i guess that was the beginning. it all really got going when my daughter (now 10 1/2) started waldorf school. i had to learn to knit to keep up with her. i was totally hooked on handwork after that!
Where do you stand in the debate between art vs. craft? Is there a difference in your mind and/or do you have a strong opinion about it? Which one of these terms do you think best describes you?
i guess i didn't know there was a debate! i am kind of out of the loop with that stuff. i suppose i feel like what i do is less of a craft and more of an art. i work in several stages to create exactly what i am looking for in the dolls or the quilts or whatever. i guess i would maybe call it folk art. i definitely feel different when i am "crafting" with my daughter and son. there is usually an end result we are looking for. i guess it's all semantics! i have what i call art hanging on my walls that someone else may call a craft...
What's inspiring you the most right now?
what is always inspiring to me is antique fabrics and flea marketing! if i have enough beautiful fabric around me... i just can't wait to make something!
Do you have a favorite room in your house? What do you love about it?
my favorite room in my house is my daughter's room. it just feels alive! there is a bare tree in it that my husband cut down in our yard (it was dead anyway). it's covered in fantastic bare branches and on them are several antique japanese lanterns... i love it!
Do you listen to music while you're working? What are you listening to lately?
music all the time! this week..... edith piaf, the clash, the finches, elliot smith, billie holiday, the byrds....the rushmore soundtrack
Can you tell us one of your favorite quotes? Don't worry if you can't think of one. You are welcome to skip over any of these questions….
think of something quiet
Do you have any tips for balancing your crafting/designing/shop-owning with being a mother?
tips on balancing? i am the worst at it! when i get going on a project it's hard to take a break. the main rule for me is the kids come first!
Do you have any tips in general? About life and stuff? Tips are always welcome and appreciated here on the slow progress blog….
tips... uh oh! i guess, i believe that everything is in balance. struggling is important if you are going to have any success. i try to keep moving forward no matter what and appreciate and pay attention to each moment so I know how it fit's into the balance...(that sounds so preachy! i really don't mean it to!)
Do you have any new projects or ideas that you're working on or looking forward to working on?
always new projects! fun accessories for the dolls, collaborations with other designers..... and more quilts!
5 comments:
thoroughly insightful, inspiring & enjoyable. Thank you to you & Jess Brown.
delightful. She's so charming. And her work is amazing. I liked the way you broke up the images with the questions and answers. It was like watching a mini doc.
skills!
This was lovely! Thank you to you both. I look forward to reading more of your blog!
Jess is lovely. And so are you, Danica. Come by soon. XOXO
so inspiring !! i looove the place where you create !!
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