… who carries dignity and strength on her back.

Two years ago I attempted to make a Santos Doll in a very traditional way on the cage / stand. I really loved her and although I learnt so much, some aspects of her were problematic. The wire I used to make moveable hands and arms were not the correct. The concept was great but the wire was not. It was an important lesson. I reworked her and I still wasn’t happy with her so she sat in my studio for two years. She eventually crossed the oceans and travelled to Portugal by ship and sadly or fortuitously, she got damaged on her voyage.

I cut away her cage / stand and reworked her hands and one arm. I re-sculptured aspects of her that I wasn’t happy with and kept all the elements that I adored about her and then repainted her.

I am utterly smitten with her unique and special presence.

I love that I finished her story here, in Portugal because Santos Dolls originate from Portugal and Spain as far back as the middle ages. They were originally created from wood, clay or ivory and were made and placed on home alters especially for families who didn’t have access to church. Santos meaning Saint, represented the Saints, Mary or Christ and became spiritual companions to people and households. They are sacred dolls. They were traditionally created with quiet, slightly elongated and neutral faces so that they could represent the saint you needed them to be.

I knew I wanted her to represent a quiet peace and strength, I wanted her color to be light and I also knew I wanted to include a magnolia on her back both the color and flower representing purity and sacredness. The Magnolia evolved up onto her head. Magnolia’s represent noble feminine strength and this combined with her crown seem so perfect. Her crown is a piece from an antique tea strainer I had available from a previous project.

Thank you for the messages of love coming in for her.

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