Together, artists Jodi and Richard Creager have embarked on a journey of creativity and meaning through their work.

By Deb Weissler, Photos by Jodi & Richard Creager

Native Americans have long embarked on vision quests, journeys in search of personal growth and spiritual guidance that help form the fabric of their lives. Traditionally, seekers find a special place, one of solitude in which to seek meaning and direction.

For art doll makers Jodi and Richard Creager, that special place is within the walls of their traditional Plains Indian tepee where they gather each morning to plan the day’s work, discuss ideas, and draw inspiration from the peaceful surroundings. The evenings are spent around the fire pit reflecting on the day’s accomplishments.

Working in tandem in separate rooms, Richard forms the armatures and sculpts their dolls from the waist down: legs, feet, and occasionally the torso. His indoor studio is for his clean work—sculpting and assembly—and his outdoor shop is filled with tools, machines, paints, stains, and assorted tidbits. While working, he listens to audio books, music, or a cacophony of train sounds from his favorite CD. Any wonder they work alone?

Meanwhile, Jodi sculpts the face, arms, hands, and upper torso. Once the parts are joined, Jodi takes over painting, wigging, and costuming, handmade from her own designs. Once her work is done, Richard jumps back in to create the shoes and accessories that provide the final charming touch to each Creager creation.

Once complete, individual expressions speak volumes about what the artists were trying to convey at the moment of creation. It’s this ability to project human emotion into their dolls that is the hallmark of their artistry. “I think it helps that Richard and I are really in tune with one another,” says Jodi. “After all these years, we basically know what the other is thinking or feeling. We may have our own distinct ways of viewing things and even our own preferences. Many times we are creating the same thing but approaching it from opposite directions.” When juxtaposed, the result is always greater than its parts.

Their ethnic dolls and elves form the base of their popular art dolls, and their Halloween and Harry Potter-inspired characters are snatched up by eager shoppers battling over their online auctions. Over the years repeat customers have included notables like actresses Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, diet guru Richard Simmons, and Disney animators Eric and Susan Goldberg.

The Creagers are no strangers to the art and entertainment world. Jodi grew up in a show biz family filled with performers, writers, set designers, and lighting directors. Before she even started school, Jodi was drawing faces on anything she could pin down, was painting portraits by age 13, and by 16 was accepting portrait commissions, teaching painting, and entering art shows. Meanwhile Richard attended the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Calif., graduating with a degree in industrial photography. When the two met over a department store candy counter, it was love at first sight.

In addition to busy careers, the Creagers made soft sculpture dolls to sell at local craft shows, which quickly blossomed into a successful home-based business. Unaware there were shows tailored to just doll collectors, Jodi and Richard traveled throughout the western U.S. attending regional craft fairs. In 1984, they were displaying their dolls at the Big Art Fair in Berkeley, Calif., when a fellow craftsman suggested they explore doll shows. Amazed to find shows dedicated exclusively to their craft, the Creagers were thrilled to find a new venue for their art. 

In the late 1980s, they were invited to be part of 12 participating artists in the Sacramento History Museum’s exhibit “Fantasy, Folklore & Legends of the West.” “At the time, we lived in the historic California gold rush community of Grass Valley, so we decided to create a gold miner’s vignette complete with ore cart, tracks, rock walls, and timber. For a touch of fantasy we selected the ‘Tommy Knockers:’ small elf-like men (Cornish cousin to the Irish Leprechaun) reputed to live deep in the mines, helping the miners and playing tricks if they weren’t given a share of the miners’ lunch,” says Jodi.

Unable to capture the details in these tiny figures with soft sculpture, Jodi bought her first box of Super Sculpey and was instantly hooked. Here was a medium she could literally sink her hands into, and the opportunities it presented appeared endless. According to Jodi, “We slowly weaned ourselves off of soft sculpture, devoting more of our time to polymer.”

Their first polymer dolls were Christmas elves, complete with leather boots, hats, knickers, striped stockings, and beards. Each elf had a task, a name, and unique personality, and each was wildly popular with customers. Ethnic dolls followed fantasy, capturing the look of traditional costumes, culture, and history. “It’s a way to travel the world and even back into time, and go places we can only dream of, in settings that are part of the character and story we are telling,” says Jodi. Harry Potter books launched a series of Hogwarts characters and Jodi’s favorite, Halloween creatures.

In 1992, Jodi and Richard decided to share their doll-making skills with others, teaching classes and seminars through the National Institute of American Doll Artists at conventions. They launched a series of sculpting videos for those who could not attend their home studio classes. “It was one of the best decisions we’ve made,” says Jodi. “It brings us so much joy to know our videos have inspired and aided others. Teaching is one of the greatest experiences in life.” 

So sit awhile, admire their work, listen to the tales they tell, and let the spirits lead you where they may. Perhaps you’ll embark on a vision quest of your own—even without a tepee.

Buy This Issue: June/July 2008
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