ABOUT BARB KOBE

ARTIST BIO

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© 2006 Kobe

I began making dolls over eight years ago using roots found in my garden.        My first dolls were explorations into deeper, parts of myself. Some of my dolls helped me to release hidden parts that I,  at first feared, and learned to accept and appreciate through the creative process. I am challenged and stretched        when I search through my personal culture, moving through the creative process, and producing an image that represents what I am feeling. Through these images I am able to affirm my  life process, the joy and the pain, and let go of what I'm ready to release and move toward transformation and healing.

Some of my inspirations come from other cultures' spiritual and healing symbols.  These images add deeper meaning to my doll images. Other inspiration comes from  words, my art journals, nature, and my own healing process. I also enjoy designing - playing with possibilities, allowing my imagination to flow free and surprising myself with a doll that makes me laugh. I often use sticks, roots, materials from nature, clay, fibers and painted fabric.

The threads that weave through my work are women's issues and empowerment, spirituality and healing.  I am passionate about the subject of art and healing.        I believe the act of dollmaking can take the dollmaker through a deep creative process that can bring unknown parts of self to conscious awareness, creating change.