Fourth interview: Rhonda Baird shares about her dolls, other artistic endeavors, thoughts about fitness, and other intriguing stuff!
Rhonda Baird is a very talented mother, artist, doll designer, and runner. Rhonda earned her BA in Studio Art from The University of Texas at Austin in Painting and Drawing. She earned her MA in Studio Art from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX in Sculpture and Jewelry. Rhonda is not only a creative sensemaker, but also an inspiration in the areas of fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle. I had such a fun time visiting with Rhonda!
Misty: How long have you been designing dolls and how did you get interested?
Since about 1999. I was selling dolls on eBay and one of my buyers lived in Austin. She invited me to a doll meeting, to do the transaction, and at the meeting I met a person by the name of Rebecca Chulew. She was really big into custom dolls. She had created a website and a yahoo group, and then she hosted a custom doll convention in Austin. I went and that is when my interest in customizing dolls really took off. Also, at that time, doll artists were doing swaps. They were selling their dolls online, but since most of these artists couldn’t really afford to buy their friends dolls, they would do group swaps. This way they could have a doll from the artist they wanted, but without having to pay so much money for it. Misty: I really like the swap concept. As my sewing improves, I hope to do swaps with other crafters. There are just so many things other people share about making that you might like, but don’t have the time or know how to make. Time can be a real constraint as a crafter. You can’t make everything! Anyway, this is something I hope to really get into the more time I spend sewing and such. Right. I actually just recently finished a swap for a friend of mine. That was nice. It was supposed to be a summer themed swap, or even 4th of July, and I just don’t do 4th of July. I don’t know why. I don’t like the colors red, white, and blue together. I know her well enough, about her liking gothic dolls, so I did something completely gothic and mod and she loved it. “Sorry I’m late, sorry it’s not summer, but I think you will be happier that I didn’t do what I was supposed to.” So, I guess I took artistic license in that case.
Misty: Your dolls on stikki.com and darkstikki.com are unique, lovely and beautifully photographed. I have been wanting to ask you more about these creations since I first began seeing your posts about them on Facebook. Every time I see one I want to know more, so you were one of the first artists I thought about inviting when I had the idea for this blog. I am really excited to finally be talking with you about this. What/who inspires your ideas for creating these dolls?Well, it’s weird but I don’t think about it too much. I think it is something that just happens. Like, maybe I’m watching TV and I see something about Japan and begin to research Japan. Yes, it is kind of a research process, so if I get interested in something I research it and through that research the doll comes out. I’d say (laugh) it sounds bad, but TV and just pop culture inspire my work. I have always liked messing with stuff...fabric, crocheting, crafting. Doll design is a good outlet for crafting. And, with my degrees in art it allows me to paint and I have a background in painting. I think it just kind of bounces back and forth. People have asked me to do dolls, and I can do that...whatever their idea is... but I really prefer to do whatever catches my eye at the moment.
Misty: So, you also crochet?
Yes, I taught myself how to crochet about 4-5 years ago.
Misty: What was your process for teaching yourself?
I bought books. That did not work (both laugh). Or, didn’t work for me. It was two dimensional, and crocheting is obviously three dimensional. I think that was the hard part. I just couldn’t figure out where they were talking about inserting the needle and how to yarn over. So, I went to about.com and just watched the videos forward and backward and taught myself how to crochet. I could back them up and replay them over and over, and finally I just started doing it. I gave myself projects to practice. Misty: This is very interesting to me. I intend to learn to knit and crochet, and I’m currently teaching myself to sew. I have found some of the most helpful resources to be online...just...being able to watch tutorials or see tutorials with a lot of pictures demonstrating the instructions.
I think so too. I’m a visual person and so reading about it in a book just never made sense to me in the same way. Misty: As I mentioned to you before, I am interested in having a doll made for my daughter based on Neil Gaiman’s children’s book, Blueberry Girl. Gaiman is a favorite author of mine and my husband’s. I know we have to talk in more detail about whether that commission will work for you, but something I like about your work, which reminds me of Gaiman, is how you have a gift with dealing with dark subject matter in a classy, even lovely, way. Will you talk a little about this?
Well, in graduate school I focused on beautiful monsters. Concentrating on this in my work is kind of my way of taking something that is...maybe not a beautiful subject...and figuring out how to make it beautiful and share it so that the feelings are expressed but maybe not the grotesqueness of it. I think it is kind of a cop out to make something really ugly that is already ugly. I think that is easy. Also, I don’t think you reach as many people when you do that because most people are going to back off.
Misty: I know your MA is in sculpture and jewelry, and I just found out about your new jewelry design business, Blue Lizard Designs. Will you tell me more about this? That is very recent, probably about two months into it. I guess in looking for other outlets, like everyone, to make money I thought “why don’t I take something I have studied, and that I know how to do, and be creative with it.” It kind of started with watches, taking them apart...because that was actually fun, opening them up and taking them apart. What I am doing now, in particular, is filling them back up with what I call “memories.” Watches are about keeping time so my idea is to kind of create a memory with a watch that has nothing to do with time. I’m also doing other kinds of abstract designs. I enjoy that. Misty: So, will you be selling them online? Maybe. My first thought is to try and get a collection together and take them around to some places in Austin. Online you have to deal with photography and shipping, and I think it is easier for people to touch and hold things like jewelry before they buy. Jewelry is personal. It just depends. It is possible... I might sell them online. Misty: So, I know you take commissions but are selective about commissions for dolls. What about commissioning for the jewelry? Is that something you are interested in doing? I haven’t thought about that, but if somebody wanted to I would consider it.
Misty: I understand you to be a serious runner and fitness enthusiast. The other day I saw one of your Facebook status updates,which read: “My greatest ideas stem from running.” I tend to view fitness endeavors as frequently creative. Will you tell me more about this?
I ran track in school, but short distances. I was a sprinter. I didn’t really start running again until about two and a half years ago and it was during a time when I was under a ton of stress. It was just a way to get exercise and open my mind. Then it just evolved from there.
My first race was when we moved back to Austin, in the month of July. It was fun. I wasn’t fast, but it was fun being around a bunch of other people and running. I can remember being inspired because I finished maybe 30 minutes, or a little under, in a 5K and after I finished I was getting my water and...well, it was a small enough race where they were announcing numbers and people...the oldest person in the race was an 84-year old man and I thought...well, at that point it became clear... this is something I'm going to do for the rest of my life. I just enjoy it. I'm not going to stay that every morning when I wake up, at 6AM, that I'm like “yes!” But by the time my shoes are on and I’m out the door... my mind is already changed.
Misty: Do you read about running and fitness?
I do. I subscribe to Runner's World. Anyone who is interested in running, or taking it up, I would suggest doing this. It is a small magazine and the articles are straight to the point. There is not a bunch of extra information. Everything that is there is for a purpose. When the magazine comes in, I usually read it from cover to cover over about a day to two days.I also like activetrainer.com because it allows you to log all of your workouts, and it allows you to log every kind of exercise you do. You can take notes, you can track the miles on your shoes, you can see how fast you have run. For me that is important. I know a lot of people don’t track. I have to track. I have to know what progress I’ve made. That is me personally. I would suggest that, definitely. Misty: What to you, is better about running outside than just being on a treadmill?
I can’t stand treadmills. (both laugh)
Misty: But, what do you like about outside? What is good about outside running?
I think it is freedom. You can change directions anytime you want. If you want to go up the hill, you can go. If you want to do the hill twice, you can do the hill twice. I think running every day allows me to notice how everything changes. If the crack in the sidewalk got bigger, if the flower that was about to bloom has bloomed, if the same bird is in the same tree squawking at me as a run by. I don’t run with gear or with an iPod... or anything like that... because I like to hear everything. I like to hear my breathing. I like to hear my footsteps. I like to hear if somebody is close to me (both laugh). It is a safety issue as well. I do use an iPod if I am in the gym though, because I don’t like to hear other people’s conversations.
Misty: Recently I have been feeling proud of myself for maintaining consistent running and work out routines. I just need to keep it up. Being consistent...keeping momentum...has been very challenging for me. I think this is true for many people. What words of encouragement or advice would you offer?
I see with most people working out, or starting a program, if they can make it past the first month they usually only last another four or five months. The weather changes and I think it is really easy to let that be the reason why you stop. It is too hot, it is too cold. It is too rainy. That is the point where you have to be kind of creative. You have to out think yourself and figure out what other things you can do.
One thing that helps keep running up is to enter a race. It helps once you start seeing your progress. It doesn’t matter if you win. Chances are people who are starting to run now aren’t going to win. It is not about winning, but is about setting personal records and personal goals. If you ran 9 minute miles and then 2-3 months from now you ran an 8:50, that helps you stay inspired and motivated.
My biggest pet peeve is when I go into the gym and people are on a machine and are reading. If you are reading, how can you track your progress? How can you know what your heart rate is? Part of it is getting in there and giving that time to yourself and only yourself. We multi-task everything. I think you owe yourself 30 minutes that you can look at your progress, see how many miles you’ve gone, how long it took you, how many steps you’ve put in...
Misty: What do you think that offers you, not switch tasking?
Well, reading and doing other things distracts you. I don’t think you work as hard and I think when you are not working as hard you don’t see the progress .That leads to not being motivated. You’re like, “well, I’ve been in the gym every day for 30 minutes, you know. Why haven’t I made progress?" Because when you are reading a magazine you are not focused on trying to get better, you are trying to get through the magazine. I think this distracts from your goal. I also don’t like when people talk on the phone. (both laugh)
Misty: or, check Facebook? (both laugh)
Yes, that drives me crazy! Not to mention, I’m like “get off the machine, you’re just talking! I need to do my thing.” (both laugh)
No, I just think you owe yourself that. Everything we do, other than when we are sleeping, usually involves four or five things.
Misty: I think that is really good advice. So, what are some thoughts you would offer families about nurturing healthy homes and encouraging children to be active?
Kids do what their parents do, so if they see you running they want to run. Isabelle (Rhonda’s daughter), she wants to run. She doesn’t like to run necessarily, but she wants to run. She is in ballet. I taught ballet and she has been in it all of her life. I danced. I think that inspires them when they see their parents doing it. When they see their parents sitting on the couch all the time, playing games, that is what they tend to do. That is their example. So, I think it is lead by example.
Misty: So, I didn’t know you were also a dancer. Will you tell me a little about that?
Well, I danced basically my whole childhood. I was a cheerleader and danced with that. Then in college, I majored in dance for awhile. I probably have enough hours for a minor in dance. But, unfortunately for me at that time... no one was making a living dancing. Not that you have to make a living, but it is tough and I was married. You travel a lot just to be able to perform, and it just wasn’t a life style I was ready to go into. However, I kept dancing and I taught for a year. It was a lot of fun. I taught three year olds and four year olds. If I get the opportunity, I would take another class. I love ballet. I would take a class at Ballet Austin.
Misty: As an artist yourself, I imagine you to be interested in fostering creativity in your home and family. Will you share about this?
Sure, I think people get confused sometimes about art and think you have to be creating something that is an emotional context, in which you need to share. I don’t think that is always the case. I think creativity comes in the ways that you arrange your books, the ways you organize your personal belongings... there are creative ways to do everything, so I think it is not necessarily making something to share. Sometimes it is about personal creativity and just taking the time to organize things in a creative way that makes you happy to look at and happy to use.
Misty: I really like that you shared this. I absolutely agree. I think creating spaces, or working on spaces, is kind of a constant thing than can be in a flow for families. Paying a lot of attention to that, to me, feels really creative.
I have some friends who say things like “ah, I’m just not creative,” and I’m like “but you are! Some of the things that you do, I could never do. My brain doesn’t work that way...to think that way.” There is creative financing, creative cooking. There are a lot of things people do that they might not see as creative, but that I see as extremely creative.
Misty: So, graveyards? On the dark stikki website I read that you are fascinated by graveyards and...well...my grandmother used to take us to graveyards both at night and in the day.
Really?
Misty: (laugh) Yes, I think at night she was mostly trying to scare us, because she likes that sort of thing.However, a lot of times in the day it was about reverence for loved ones. So, I just wanted to hear your thoughts on the topic.
I have always loved the shapes of tomb stones, I know that sounds weird, but there is design in them. Even more, it is an artistic expression to celebrate someone’s death. It is kind of like... sometimes people never get honored when they are alive, but when they die they get this beautiful thing with their name on it. So, that just interests me on an intellectual level, as far as why we have to wait until people are dead. It is kind of like the question, "Why do you wait until somebody dies to bring flowers?" I think, also, the history. People who have been human, and whatever their beliefs were and wherever they came from, they lived and they died... and you will too. I remember going to Salem, MA and... well, that was just incredible because of all the history there. But, going to the graveyards there was really incredible. I had never seen graveyards from the 1400’s. To think about someone being in the ground that long!
Misty: In keeping with the recent holiday theme on my blog, will you share about how you are celebrating Halloween, Fall, or both?
Halloween is my favorite holiday, more than Christmas. I guess just... as a kid... getting to dress up, pick a costume, and be something different for an entire night... than who you are... is fun. It speaks to where you are in your life, as far as what you want to be and why. Also, just traveling around and going and getting candy is fun. I never was a big candy eater, but it was more about going and getting the candy and spending time with my friends than about the candy itself. Hyde Park, by the way, if you get the opportunity is huge on Halloween. Everyone here decorates and gives out candy.
I also like Thanksgiving, that is probably my second favorite holiday because you get to make and share food and it is creative. I think it was my mom’s favorite holiday. It is a really simple holiday. Christmas, to me, is a little too elaborate and I don’t really know what Christmas is about anymore. As a child it was getting gifts, but as you get to be older it seems to be about giving your children gifts. It just seems too complex. Misty: Do you have any holiday stories you want to share? Sure, Thanksgiving when I was in grad school. When you are in grad school you don’t really go home for Thanksgiving any more because you’re an adult and it is a short holiday by the time you are out of school... anyway, really just a short weekend... So, all of our friends (who were also in grad school and about the same age) decided to get together and celebrate together. We got pretty elaborate. I don’t even remember the food being all that great. I think it was just about planning and doing it and spending time with our friends. We actually worked really hard. In Nacadoches, at the grocery store, every time you made a purchase they were giving you turkey dollars. So we were all gathering turkey dollars, so we could get the biggest turkey without having to buy it, but through using the turkey dollars. That was just part of the fun too. The whole preparation, two weeks of planning, to eat a meal that wasn’t that memorable. (both laugh)Misty: It was the planning that was memorable! Yes. It was the planning and all of us getting together and just doing it. That’s funny.
Misty: Is there anything you want to share about your businesses?
Yes, just... maybe it would help somebody else...I think the hardest part for creative people is to make a living because selling yourself is hard. You have already invested emotionally into the stuff, and... I don’t worry that much about people not liking it...but, I think connecting financial responsibility to creativity is tough. I think it makes you start to devalue your own work, because maybe you need to sell it. That is really tough and something I struggle with a lot.
It is a little easier for me with dolls because I kind of know the market, and I base the pricing off of what other people are doing, so I don’t have to think about pricing as much. Dolls are a little easier than like a painting would be. I see myself probably struggling with pricing with the jewelry as well. But, I think that is a really hard thing. Doing the business part of creative endeavors is tough.
Misty: Are you involved with the doll designing community at this point?
No, I am not. I was involved with a doll club before and what I find is... when there is no real purpose for a club, there tends to be a lot of drama created and I just don’t have for that.
Misty: Sometimes, well, community is not always good (both laugh).
Right!
Misty: Good community is good.
Right, I think when you have a purpose... a real strong collective purpose, it can be good. Collecting dolls, I do it but I don’t want to join others and do it together. People get competitive. It is very strange. I’ve done that and I don’t do it anymore. I do have online friends that I talk with about creativity and dolls and it is strange because there are people I haven’t even met that I feel like I have a pretty strong relationship with surrounding that. I do doll conventions every year, the Kelly Convention. This is our 6th or 7th year doing that. This year it will be in California. So, I guess I get together with people for a long weekend, and that is really nice and invigorating, and then we leave and that’s nice too (both laugh).
Misty: Where else, other than the doll convention, can people see your dolls?
On my website, and every once in a while I get asked to do charity pieces for like the Barbie Convention or other conventions, and so I do those.
At the convention, I take about 20-30 dolls... depending on how much work I can get done. That convention is in May, so not that far away.
Misty: I would be interested in checking back in with you around that time, to hear more about your plans. Rhonda, thank you so much for your willingness to spend time with me and answer my questions. I have really enjoyed our visit and look forward to talking more with you about the possibility of a commission to have a doll designed.
Personally I am so excited about Rhonda's beautiful dolls!
5 things I have been enjoying
1) Pumpkins of course!
2) Our continuously growing fall nature display!
3) More outside time with the children
4) Okay, I'll admit it, the new boots!
5) Starting some new sewing projects, mostly with to be upcycled materials. Not yet finished...more details later! Any guesses?
Hope you are enjoying your fall season!
