About the Artist - James Carrington

James Carrington, IGMA Fellow

James Carrington

One of the questions I am asked most frequently is "How long does it take to make a figure?" My answer is "Fifty-eight years." Each doll I create is based on a lifetime of experience.

My original goal was to be a dancer; this brings a sense of dynamic movement to the figures.

Next I attended Nottingham College of Art which introduced me to three-dimensional studies, hence the ability to sculpt.

Eventually I went into fashion design in the London of the "swinging sixties" working for boutiques in the famous Carnaby Street, but I quickly moved on to theatrical costume design and worked on everything from striptease to Grand Opera. Guess which of the two was harder? This taught me all I know about cutting and design.

These three skills were eventually to come together in the world of 1/12th-scale figures.

Eighteen years ago I met doll maker Jill Bennett and we put our ideas together and came up with J Designs, creating our first range of doll's house dolls. My greatest desire was to make realistic, warts-and-all people, but in those days customers preferred more doll-like creations, so Jill and I parted company and I went back to fashion, the theatre, and interior design, though in the back of my mind was still this passion for figure making.

What I needed was a material other than porcelain to work with, but could I find it? No. That is until one day when visiting a customer I slipped on a wet floor and broke my ankle. I was under doctor's orders to stay off my feet for three months, and bored out of my brains, I suddenly remembered a block of polymer clay that I'd bought years before and stored in the basement as something that might be useful one day. I sent a friend down to find it, and my life changed from that moment.

When I started to show my work again, I met Carole and Steve Hilbert of Chapel Road fame, and they asked me if I could make real character figures for their settings. What a chance. The first figures were shown at Birmingham Miniatura, and collectors responded to them immediately. The market had changed, and there was a demand for the kind of work I had always wanted to do.

Now my days are spent in a small studio in my basement, trying to make the best figures I can. Some days the gods are with me, and I catch glimpses of what I'm aiming for. Other days are growing days. The greatest thing is waking up every morning and wondering which sort of day it is going to be.

Showcase

Archive 1

Archive 2

Archive 3

Archive 4

Archive 5

Book & Videos

Shows & Workshops

About the Artist

News & Credits

Contacts

Home

	One of the questions I am asked most frequently is "How long does it take to make a figure?" My answer is "Fifty-eight years." Each doll I create is based on a lifetime of experience. My original goal was to be a dancer; this brings a sense of dynamic movement to the figures. Next I attended Nottingham College of Art which introduced me to three-dimensional studies, hence the ability to sculpt. Eventually I went into fashion design in the London of the "swinging sixties" working for boutiques in the famous Carnaby Street, but I quickly moved on to theatrical costume design and worked on everything from striptease to Grand Opera. Guess which of the two was harder? This taught me all I know about cutting and design. These three skills were eventually to come together in the world of 1/12th-scale figures.
Eighteen years ago I met doll maker Jill Bennett and we put our ideas together and came up with J Designs, creating our first range of doll's house dolls. My greatest desire was to make realistic, warts-and-all people, but in those days customers preferred more doll-like creations, so Jill and I parted company and I went back to fashion, the theatre, and interior design, though in the back of my mind was still this passion for figure making. What I needed was a material other than porcelain to work with, but could I find it? No. That is until one day when visiting a customer I slipped on a wet floor and broke my ankle. I was under doctor's orders to stay off my feet for three months, and bored out of my brains, I suddenly remembered a block of polymer clay that I'd bought years before and stored in the basement as something that might be useful one day. I sent a friend down to find it, and my life changed from that moment. When I started to show my work again, I met Carole and Steve Hilbert of Chapel Road fame, and they asked me if I could make real character figures for their settings. What a chance. The first figures were shown at Birmingham Miniatura, and collectors responded to them immediately. The market had changed, and there was a demand for the kind of work I had always wanted to do. Now my days are spent in a small studio in my basement, trying to make the best figures I can. Some days the gods are with me, and I catch glimpses of what I'm aiming for. Other days are growing days. The greatest thing is waking up every morning and wondering which sort of day it is going to be.

Showcase	Archive 1	Archive 2	Archive 3	Archive 4	Archive 5
Book & Videos	Shows & Workshops	About the Artist	News & Credits	Contacts	Home