Inspiration: I love making books and hoped to make a book in the shape of an art doll so I could create pages where each page would hold thoughts about my favorite book. I like the phrase “You are the sum total of all of the books you have ever read” and felt a book of this design would illustrate that concept nicely.
I am also struck by how I am defined by the piles of books I have gathered as companions, but have yet to read and tell myself: “You are the sum total of all of the books you have not read!” My Art Doll needed a reading companion and a cat was just right. The cat’s body holds a very special miniature book. The cat sits in a magical tree that reminds me of the scene in Alice in Wonderland when the Cheshire Cat appears and disappears. Each item that can be discovered in the tree represents a story that I love. The signs include phrases, quotations, sayings and words of inspiration from/about/referring to books that I love (or reading in general).
I have spent a good amount of time thinking about creative characters and the Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood - while not my favorite book - is one book that has had a significant influence on me over the past six months. I first read it in law school. Today, the character reminds me of the strong sisterhood or shoi that can exist between women in a wide range of circumstances. I’m grateful for the Art Doll collaboration.