What's in the Works - My Version of Barbie?

First art doll underway

©SRKirshenbaum

This is my first venture into doll making. Here's a photo of my almost finished doll, from my original artwork titled "Woman on the Bay Bridge". I've always wanted to make dolls. As a kid, I had some very unique art dolls, made by fantastic fiber artists. Spoiled! Using my leftover fabric from my first Lycra dress prototype, this qualifies as a rag doll. My work starts out as a figure drawing, painting, or collage. If I make it into fabric then I scale it and create a repeat pattern. In this case, I've extracted the original art work from the repeat pattern of the fabric to make a single doll. She's about 6" wide (foot to foot) and 9" tall. And she feels great to hold and squish!

Making my art into paper and textiles

This is one of my first editions of art based wrapping paper. 

©2016srkirshenbaum 

Now I'm applying my digital painting and drawing to creating patterns for textiles and gift wrap. Here's an example of my gift wrap (right). It's heavy-duty paper with a soft sheen.

Here are several of the fabrics I've designed and have begun making product prototypes. So far I have made dresses, pillows, tea towels, and the table runner I showed you all recently. My sewing coach and teacher, Connie Walker-Shaw at SEW helped me create this first series of textile products. (see http://www.walkershaw.com).

The thumbnails below do not show the full image of the scarf, but if you want to order one (yes, I am starting slowly...there will soon be an online shop), so for now, each can be made into a 36" square scarf or a 20" x 60" rectangular (long) scarf. They are made-to-order in lovely Silk Crepe de Chine. 

Title: Wrapped

This is a thumbnail of Cherry Pits original fabric for a made-to-order silk scarf. ©2016srkirshenbaum

Title: Protected

This is a thumbnail of Cherry Pits original fabric for a made-to-order silk scarf. ©2016srkirshenbaum

Title: In the Garden (SF - Lyon Street Steps) 

This is a thumbnail of Cherry Pits original fabric for a made-to-order silk scarf. ©2016srkirshenbaum

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Title: Stretch

This is a thumbnail of Cherry Pits original fabric for a made-to-order silk scarf. ©2016srkirshenbaum

Title: Extended

This is a thumbnail of Cherry Pits original fabric for a made-to-order silk scarf. ©2016srkirshenbaum

First Table Runner

I use a lot of table runners and am always looking for something unique. I decided to try making one myself, as part of learning to design and sew my own products, and as a way to transform my art into textiles for the home. 

Here is my first table runner! I just produced it. It's a prototype...and will soon be offered on this site as well as at various Trunk  Shows. I made this piece from my painting (see portfolio section). Then I made the art into a repeat pattern for a textile. In this instance I used a heavy cotton twill, which would also be a great fabric for upholstery (I visualize a boudoir lounge chair). Then I sewed the fabric into a 2-sided table runner (17" wide x 58" long). 

This image shows both sides - it's reversible!

© 2016 Susan R. Kirshenbaum

Custom orders available soon! Stay posted.

Susan Kirshenbaum's Process Videos

Here's another high-speed video of making one of my drawings. You can see more here too:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoryJTZ3GBJ1S2HEnmZt8Xz427yh4y5OC

Video of art making process

Here's a high-speed video showing my art making process.

Dress Prototype

Here's a shot of my first dress, a shift style which I made as a prototype, taken at a friend's home in Girona, Spain.