Heather Louise Bennett, Doll Farmer

The Rose Lady from South Salem

My first loves are painting & illustrating, but once I discovered how to turn my illustrations into something tangible, my creativity shifted to an entirely new echelon.

My collection of dolls is completely handmade by me -- no machine is involved in their construction whatsoever. Many of the objects & materials featured on them were found in unusual places throughout my travels. The fabrics I use echo the early days of quilting & the first settlers to America, blended with elements from old European costumes. Finally, the finishing touches complete the essentials that give them access to a world that’s not entirely our own.

The fabrics, buttons, & beads are often vintage-era, found in thrift stores, markets, or estate sales. Many of the snail shells used I've found while digging in the soil. The dolls are usually stuffed with poly-fil but some have been stuffed with wool. Each doll is a one-of-a-kind work of art & may not be suitable for small children.

I love to travel & have acquired an extensive collection of passport stamps. A large portion of my childhood was spent living abroad & in several American states, as well as travelling to over 50 countries. I attended college in both Glasgow (Scotland) & Belfast (Northern Ireland), & eventually earned a BFA in painting from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. I currently live & work from my home studio in South Salem, New York.

Creating stories is my passion, especially ghost stories… and all of my dolls have their own stories to which they belong.

	The Queen from Alice in Wonderland: "She cooled her head and they kept theirs"
The Hairy Scary Alice