Doll-making class stops by Albrecht-Kemper
Mar. 20—While most people don't have doll-making on their resume, a few St. Joseph residents will now be able to say otherwise.
The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art hosted an art doll-making class Wednesday taught by world-renowned artist and art teacher Marylin Huskamp.
Huskamp, who specializes in mixed media and oil painting, said she likes to work with fibers and always has, which inspired her passion to create these art dolls.
"I've come up with the technique of making a wire armature and then we wrap it with batting and things, and then we make the clothing," Huskamp said. "I do that because I've worked with so many fibers making fiber art. And that's kind of my love."
Huskamp said there is no particular cultural significance, and she doesn't know how the dolls will end up until the project is done.
"I'm just having fun with color and different fabric, patterns and different yarns, because different patterns and yarns make them turn out different," she said. "It's kind of one of those things you start out making it and you don't really know what it's going to look like till you're finished."
When it comes to teaching art, her favorite part is watching her students enjoy making it. She said that people are often hesitant to create art for fear of messing up.
"I've got a person today who's never done anything like this before, and it's just fun to just watch them realize if they try it, they can do it," she said.
Along those same lines, her students teach her lessons as well.
"They teach you a lot. My favorite thing is having them show me maybe a totally different way of how I do it," Huskamp said. "And then I realize that, it doesn't have to be done my way and it still turns out good. And that's always kind of a joy."
Overall, her experiences have taught her that anyone can do art regardless of how simple or complex the piece may be. She uses art to relax and doesn't pressure herself to create something perfect.
"When I work with art, I am totally in the moment ... and that helps me relax," she said. "It's taught me to respect other people a little more and what they do and just to relax and enjoy the art for art's sake and not pressure yourself in trying to mimic someone else or make a masterpiece every time."
She encourages other artists to just have fun and remember that they can do it.
"I try to give them enough instruction, both verbally and written, that when they go home, if they decide they want to do it, they can do it and they have that confidence," she said.
