Blog
Hello and welcome to my website! My name is Val and I’m excited to share my artistic passions with you. I hope to find an online community of likeminded creatives, and carve out my own space in the art world. I don’t want to limit the scope of this page going forward, so there will likely be an eclectic variety of special interests and projects posted.
Blog 1 (07/10/2025) : My Background In Art
Art has always been central to my life. I started drawing as a toddler and never really stopped. During middle school and high school I was very focused on flute and ballet, which took up a large portion of my time. After quitting ballet at 16 due to an injury, I rediscovered my love of visual art and specifically took to painting and drawing. After high school and during university I began intentionally filling sketchbooks and making art as a part of my regular practice, and it has been an important and joyful part of my routine ever since.
Self-understanding and self-expression are at the root of almost everything I do. Art has been so therapeutic and healing for me; it’s a way to interpret and express my feelings without words (verbal communication can sometimes be a struggle for me). After a decade as an art hobbyist, I am finally making a concerted effort to put my art out there for others to see. I’m not sure where this journey will take me, but I’m excited to be taking the first steps and I’m glad you’re along for the ride!
Dolls have always held a special fascination for me; they have been a lifelong pastime, form of social play, and endless source of inspiration and enjoyment. Baby dolls and plushies were my initial comfort items, and of course a typical play outlet as with many young children. In elementary school I loved fashion dolls such as Barbie, Myscene, and Bratz dolls, as well as American Girl Dolls.
Blog 2 (07/22/2025) : My Background In Dolls
My aunt Tanzy introduced me to Silkstone Barbies early on, and that’s when my view on dolls changed from just playthings to collector’s items. Tanzy worked at the Border’s book store when it was still in business, and they used to carry a magazine publication called Haute Doll Magazine. This was how I was first introduced to ball jointed dolls, and it changed my life!
The doll hobby allows me to blend so many of my special interests into one cohesive form. BJDs provide and endlessly and uniquely customizable character for painting, crafting, sewing, photography, story writing, and more. I dream of creating my own custom, one of a kind dolls one day, and am intrigued by all the creative doors this hobby could open in the future!