Johnston Original Art Dolls

Hi everyone! I found the same problem when I first started out. Of course, I'm still trying to break into the professional doll community. Jack Johnston has been a BIG help. Any time I have sent an email with a question, he himself replies! I believe in helping any who ask. I find not only do I help them but I learn in the process too!! I'm an administrator over on Our Doll World Community http://dollworld.forumup.com/index.php?mforum=dollworld&sid=bed70ce7e630fc7734bb0452c1c0b0cc We are a hodge podge of all kinds of artists...OOAK, reborners, monkey artists, clothing artists. We are a helpful, open group (and sometimes nutty! LOL) so feel free to stop by if you'd like. I'm hosting a sculpting party over there next week where we are all going to grab our clay and have some fun. Feel free to join in! Sandra

I am new here too.To tell you the truth, I have had more of a welcome on here than I ever had in my own country. I have found that the Doll artists over here are very clicky.I do not get any advise or help but I am always happy to help others. Oh well, worse things happen at sea.lol.I will just plod on. Exchanging ideas is the key.I have been told that sometimes it can be professional jealousy.I dont know why as we all had to start at some stage as a novice.It can be very upsetting and discouraging at times and its sites like this that gives us the courage to go on.Me??? I am like the 'Ever ready Battery' I'll just keep going & going & going...Dee

Thank you Annie, you are very kind, and ,you can also join up with the http://www.artdollguild.net/ or the http://ooakguild.com/index.php, if you are not already a member of these groups. They are a great source of advice and encouragement. Chris

Awe, shucks, Annie, so sweet of you to say! Thank you very much. :-D I sent you a friend add at thefairysociety. :-D

And thankyou also Lori, I was just looking at your dolls, you're work is wonderful too! If anyone is interested in seeing my art, here is my page address:http://thefairysociety.ning.com/profile/artisticallyannie

Chris, thanks so much for the words of wisdom and advice. BTW, I love your work.

Lori is right Annie, I did'nt mean to leave out all the great doll artisit on these doll forums. I have not ran into one person on these forums that was not eagar to help other doll artist. They are a wonderful source of support and encouragement. Chris

Hi Annie, Aside from Jack and Pat and all the helpful people that are here, you might also try some other doll artist forums too. You might wish to try joining www.ooakguild.com and www.ooakdollart.com. These 2 have many doll artist that belong to the forums. The artist there range from beginner to extremely advanced. They are always willing to help, and if they can not, they will try to direct to an area that might. They have tutorials and tips and tricks that they have tried along the way and are always willing to share. Feel free to check them out as I think you will enjoy the friendly people, their encouraging words, and their knowledge. Take care, Lori

Hi Annie, I have good luck getting advice from three artist, Jack Johnson, Pat Moulton, and Marita Winters is also very nice. Pat Moulton was even kind enough to call me on the phone and talk to me once when I was very discouraged. And , of course, Jack is very accessible when any one needs help. I did have one artist that I wont name who ignored my email when I ask if she would trade web site links with me. So, I think it is probably like any other business in life , you have good and you have the not so good. Or , should I say the helpful and not so helpful. Anyway, as for me, when someone writes to me, I help them if I can and If I dont know the answer, I try to direct them to someone who does.

Has anyone here ever tried talking to another doll artist for help or advice? I always hear how other doll artist are so helpful, and willing to give advice to aspiring artists to advance the world of art dolls, but that has not been my experience. I wrote to an artist couple in my area just asking if they new of any fine art venues for dolls, no response, I also e-mailed another prominent artist even closer to me, asking if she could use help in her shop, she did answer, no-downsizing, I then got a little bold and asked if I could work for free, an apprentice, just to learn how to make my dolls in vinyl, not only did she ignore me, but I heard she also changed her e-mail acct. and phone no., I have written to several well known artist who have doll companies about my work, no replies. The only really helpful person I have encountered is Jack Johnson, he is a doll himself and actually does all he can to promote the industry. I really appreciate Jack and I love prosculpt! Anyone else have good or not so good experiences?