Jutta Kissling was born in 1942 in Olching near Munchen. In 1985 she displayed her dolls at the Nurnberg Toy fair in Europe. I enjoyed reading about the artist and her dolls in a book I have: The Doll by Contemporary Artists by Wendy Lavitt & Krystyna Poray Goddu, 1995
According to another fine book in my studio, Contemporary Artist Dolls from Germany by Ann Bahar (copyright 1995, pages 54-59) Kissling was self-taught in doll-sculpting during the 1980s. Kissling's goal has usually been to "to reveal the essence of childhood at a critical turning point" ages six to ten, to simplify and yet reveal modern children. She "strives to depict the basic truths of childhood, subtracting nonessential details." (The quotations are from the book at Ann Bahar.) According to the 2000 Waltershauser catalog, "the subdued expressions (of her dolls) let observers form their own interpretations.”
About the doll material of Biggidur
Biggidur is a quality material that gives WPM dolls "velvety-soft expression reminiscent of particularly delicate skin," according to the 2000 WALTERSHAUSER catalog. WPM dolls are made in Germany.
EYES: Suzanne's eyes are green, a fleckled mix of transparent layers. She has many fine eyelashes (upper & lower) and feathered eyebrows using varied colors.
MARKS on the sculpt by Jutta Kissling:
on back of head, impressed marks: jk50/2 WPM 1995
handwritten on upper torso back: 239/100
impressed mark on each upper arm and leg, torso: ki50/1
COLOR & PAINTING: Some computer screens may modify the color of the art. Some may make the image lighter or darker than it is. The doll has finer detail and more subtle coloring than a computer-jpeg-photo can show.
After removing all factory paint, I am using artist-grade alkyd-oil paints (in thin translucent glazes) with the addition of alkyd resin to make the paint surface become as flexible as the doll’s vinyl skin and to make it adhere well. I finely sand (Q-tip and finest pumice) the surface before painting it for better adhesion.
