Hemlig - a secret

After my Solo Show I felt I needed to take a break from my serious, time consuming and detail heavy watercolours. I found myself entranced (yet again) with the porcelain dolls of fellow artist Hemlig (a word which means "secret")

Back in Australia I have a small collection of her Myling dolls, and am particularly drawn to her sugar skulls and ghosts. Working with many similar themes (ghosts, conjoined twins and anatomical references) right now myself, I found the intriguing little characters she creates the perfect muses for some quick illustrations whilst I've been abroad.

 

This is the same style I use when sketching out costume ideas (my side "business" is sewing petit couture for dolls) and I find it refreshing to work in a simpler, more charming style for a change.

Here is the little "portrait" I painted of her doll Breathmint, and the thank-you that brought a smile to my face in return...