By Samantha Danson
Today we talk with Kedra Barrett, who has an eye for beauty in the macabre. From gorgeous portrait dolls to zombies and vampires... she likes to twist her reality.
How did you come to join TRS for your first project?
I came to join this show by invitation.
How long does a regular project take for you and will this be much different?
A regular project can take about 2 weeks if all goes well. This
project will probably take a month and a half considering there will
be sculpting involved as well as finding trinkets for her hair, staff,
and costume.
What's the hardest/best thing about participating?
The hardest is the fear of failure. I'm in amazing company with so
many talented artists and you want your work to look like it belongs.
The best is being in the company of so many exceptional artists. The
sharing of advice, information, resources, and so on is so helpful.
Everyone is pulling for each other and wants each doll to be a hit.
It's really beautiful when everyone works for everyone else's success.
What's your favorite personal achievement?
I did a zombie doll named Stitchez in 2012 and she by far is a doll
that I'm super proud of.
What's the most expensive element you've incorporated?
A Tonner Mei Li doll. She was expensive but I wanted a shot at doing that face.
What excites you most about this show?
Reinventing the classic characters and really seeing what myself and
the other artists come up with. The ideas are already swirling between
us all even before any dolls have been done. It's really inspiring and
exciting.
Why did you pick your character?
I had a vision in my mind the moment I saw her name.
How did you decide your concept?
Tiana is from New Orleans so it is already a place and culture that excites me.
What will be your greatest challenge in creating her?
Taking something so sweet and translating it to something so
wicked...yet keeping it as Tiana.
We know you'll do a great job making her cool! Thanks, Kedra!
