Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Toy Army Tuesday - Kathie Olivas

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This is my first Kathie Olivas "piece" from 2008, a Mac computer decal of her work.

Hi all. This is the first actual posting for Toy Army Tuesday - Wahoo! For todays toy talk I chose Kathie Olivas. She is an incredible multi media artist whose work I have been admiring for a few years now. The following is an excerpt of her bio from her website MiseryChildren.com explaining her current work,

"My current body of work, entitled the "Misery Children" series focuses on the constant social desire to assign 'cuteness.' This often serves as a means to make something innocent and more appealing, therefore, non-threatening. Perhaps this allows us to comfort ourselves. My questions are based on the discomfort of "what if"-- what if these sweet creatures had other ideas? What if they knew something we were afraid to open our eyes to? Would they protect themselves; would they be able to adapt to a war torn environment and develop their own defense mechanisms? The characters are meant to evoke a nostalgic reaction that reflects isolation, fear, and an uncertainty; yet, at the same time they serve as empowered alter egos. This series is presented as a satirical look at how fear affects our sense of reality. The characters perform as narrators in lonely worlds that each explores individually, creating his or her own perspective, and thus, own reality. As our hosts, the ensemble provides a sense of comfort, the reminiscent style is soothing, yet the mood is dark. As children, they evoke a sense of temporality; childhood serves as a starting ground, a place where things begin.

Inspired by early American portraiture that often depicted children as small adults in an idealized new land, the characters parallel this vision within their own sense of post-apocalyptic conformity, uniquely documenting their own stories in a mysterious brave new world."
- Kathie Olivas, MiseryChildren.com.

This brings me to a couple of her toys I want to talk about. The two toys I currently own by her (I wish there were more to show *sigh) are MINDstyle's Two-Faced Hazel (9") sold on January, 6, 2009 and Daisy (3") from The Scavengers Mini Series 2.

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I adore my Hazel. I received her as a christmas present from my mom this year and she is a new favorite of mine. She is based off of the chase figure from Olivas's The Scavengers series 1. Only 500 were made. She is different than the original chase pictured below



As you can see the 9" sports a crown and is eating her lollipop instead of holding it and wearing a dunce cap. Hazel also comes in a beautiful magnetic box which highlights more of Hazel and Olivas's work.

For more info about the variations click HERE. This is also where the image came from.


There are also 5 variations of her. For example the grey scale Hazel came out at the San Diego Comic Con in 2009 and only 200 were made.

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Let's move on to Daisey. She is my most special piece. Daisey comes from Olivas's last series of scavengers, The Scavengers series 2. All of Olivas's scavengers are blind boxed meaning that you never know what you are going to get. Also, some are more rare than others. If you look at the box above it lists their rarity. Daisey is a common one but I love her all the same and because of how she was acquired. My mom being the awesome mom that she is was looking at Olivas's work because she knew I wanted the 9" Hazel for christmas. Being the chatty kathy that she is she emailed Olivas to tell her that I was a fan. Guess what came in the mail a week before christmas? A package from Olivas herself!! WOW. I about had a heart attack and I hadn't opened it yet. I waited anxiously for christmas morning to open it. Inside was Daisey, signed!!

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I was just excited that Olivas responded to my mom, and this was over the top. It was by far the coolest/sweetest present I received. Now I have to complete my collection - eventually. Since both series have been out for a few years the prices have jumped making it harder to collect, but more fun.

I could ramble about how awesome her toys are all day. I haven't even covered her paintings, prints, and sculptures! Please check out her website MiseryChildren.com today. You won't be disappointed. Have a great Tuesday everyone!!

23 comments:

  1. Wow, that's so cool! I've never seen thee before. Cool hobby!

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  2. This was a very interesting read, especially that wonderful bio introducing the whole idea and life of the toys themselves. I've never seen these or heard of them, so this is a first for me and I'm really smitten. They are too cute! Especially your Hazel, whom like your red headed Blythe doll, reminds me of you! Do you think about that too when you see these adorable dolls? I wonder if you lean more towards the ones that resemble you subconsciously. I know I do that in certain situations (none that I can give an example of now - that would happen). Or maybe you just like them because you like them and I just find the similarities between you and your cute toys. :) Anywho, I really like the Olivias picture at the top. It reminds me of the work this guy in Vegas would do. He'd primarily draw up kid zombies in the almost the same kinda color schemes this woman does. I'm really attracted to evil/dark-bubbly looking images like that.
    I also really love your stories behind the dolls. Especially the last one. You seriously have quite the luck!
    OH, have you seen those stuffed animals that are like sewn up and dead? I think they're called Scare Bears? They're definitely not as cool as these but my ex bf bought me one and I really like her. I think her name is Mangey Girl or something, LOL. Either way, she's pink and purple, sewn up, missing and eye and holding a vintage-y looking vanity mirror. I love that thing. :)
    Eee, sorry I talk too much in the comments section...and in the blog post section...and just all around. :/

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    1. I am glad you found her bio interesting I did to. As for the toys resembling me I may do it subconsciously/semi-consciously - I love red heads and I think that is why I dyed my hair back to a red shade. Growing up Arielle was my favorite of course so I really think it may all stem from that. My blythe eerily does look like me though haha. I really like the evil/dark/cute/bubbly combo as well. It makes pieces more interesting when there is an ulterior motive. I love collecting vinyl toys because there is usually a unique story attached to acquiring each one and the last one is by far my favorite :]

      I haven't seen those! I just checked them out and they are pretty neat. Thank you for sharing. They remind me of Gloomy Bears - you should check them out. They are kind of similar. Cute bears with bloody claws :]

      And that is completely fine. I like long comments! Thanks lady.

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  3. I have seen these dolls around but didnt really know anything about them. So thanks for educating me, I especially like Hazel.

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  4. These are really cool! I love the grey scale Hazel, I think the fact that so few of her were made, makes her even more awesome!!

    http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/

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  5. Thanks for the introduction to Kathie Olivas and her work. I've seen her dolls before but never knew the artist behind them. They have a great aesthetic. Your Hazel and Daisey are fabulous and you have a most awesome mom :)

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  6. These dolls are AWESOME. I like how she referenced early portraiture in her bio. I always thought it was really interesting how in the way olden days (Renaissance period, maybe?) how everyone was chiseled and buff. Like even the baby angels. Weird.

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    1. Haha, agreed. I really like her explanation of her work as well.

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  7. These little dolls are fantastic! I can just picture how awesome they'd look on display!

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    1. I need a better case for them but they do look pretty cool...or I think so.

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  8. I absolutely love these, I tend to steer towards things that are cute with a dark edge and these totally fit the bill. I had never heard of these before!

    <3Honeysuckelle

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    1. I am the same way. I am glad I could share them with you :]

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  9. I'm in love with these, I'm going to have to get a set!

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    1. I am glad I could get someone else on the bandwagon

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  10. Wow, she is very talented! I love them all!

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  11. how cute! i love them all!

    drop by allister bee soon!

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  12. These are darling :) How awesome that it's signed!

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