Barb Kobe
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Artist Statement

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Picture
Four Crow Intervention
Something powerful and healing happens to me when I make a healing doll and discover its meaning in the process.  What I experience is transformative - a release of stress; a willingness to be open to possibilities; a change in disabling beliefs; an empowerment of my being. This would be my definition of healing.

My work as a healing doll artist was initially informed and inspired by the work of Brenna Busse, Elinor Peace Bailey in her book, Mother Plays With Dolls, and a sharing and nurturing friendship with polymer clay artist, Maureen Carlson.  My first doll started with a small strawberry root found in my garden.  I pulled it from the earth, washed off the soil, turned it upside down and visualized the root as the hair.  I wrapped her in a few small fibers, glued a small clay face on it and attached a bell for embellishment. For several years afterwards this was my process: harvesting roots each fall, forming dolls with and from them and allowing the roots’ shapes to inspire the design of the dolls.

My dolls are figurative sculptures and emotional metaphors that express feelings, beliefs, and connections to body, mind, and spirit.  Sometimes I begin with a feeling, a struggle, or a wish to visualize some internal and invisible energy.  I do this to visually speak to it and to develop a relationship with a hidden aspect of myself.  At other times I simply delight in playing with the materials, colors, and shapes, seeing what comes from immersing myself in the creative process.  All my dolls mirror some aspects of hidden personal beliefs and stories.

I especially like to use roots, sticks and materials from nature because they invite me to move out of routine and expected body forms.  My goal is always to make a doll that is complete, congruent in color and design, and an expression of an emotional experience, a healing story, or a spiritual connection.

I am and continue to be inspired by body-mind healing, women’s empowerment and development, archetypes, depth psychology as in the work of Jung, shamanism, creative process, and spirituality.

In 2014 was interviewed by Norma Smith Olson for Minnesota Women's Press Magazine. In the article, The Thread of Emotion, Norma says, Barb Kobe's healing dolls transfer feelings from the inside to the outside.
Ms. Olson wrote:

"She works with archetypes and concepts such as guardians, scapegoats, loving kindness, talisman, and inner healers. She uses a process called visual journaling--first creating flat images with watercolor or collage to depict an emotion or a story, and then creating a three-dimensional doll or figure."

What People say,

“Barb is a creative genius who goes out of her way to produce innovative, quality products. I cannot say enough for her skills and her work ethic! Her skills have helped countless people around the world.”   Kelly Guinan

“Barb is a fabulous teacher who loves to share her many years of experience making whimsical and soulful “dolls”. Her doll sculpting process is a form of creative expression that engages the psyche and brings healing and insight.”   Val Olson, Minneapolis

“She is not only unique, but compassionate, funny and knows exactly how to make learning about yourself a fun experience!”


Picture
Picture
  • Home
  • About
    • Artist Statement
    • Training
  • Dolls
    • Why Make Dolls
    • Galleries >
      • Gallery - Most Recent
      • Gallery before 2015
      • Visual Journaling
      • Paper Dolls
    • Finding Pomegranate
    • Feeling Dolls
  • CLASSES
    • Online Classes >
      • Class Description
      • What Students Say
    • In Person Classes
    • Schedule
    • Resources >
      • Supplies
      • Books & Magazines
      • Creative Healing Theories
      • Paper Doll Resources
      • Patterns
    • Healing Dolls 2016 online
    • 2017 Healing Dolls online
    • Healing Doll Way 2018
  • Blog
  • MY ART
  • Contact
  • MEDIA