Bethany, a 12-inch toddler child doll, was the first newly-sculpted doll made for the LadyKish line, which was established in 2000. Bethany was an all-vinyl doll with joints at shoulders and hips.
Butterscotch Bethany was repainted (painted) by artist Nancy Lee Moran in 2008 as a commission, since her original paint had become slightly damaged. Nancy Lee painted her to look like a real child.
LEFT SIDE is Bitty Bethany with factory paint . . . . . . . . . . RIGHT SIDE is repainted Bethany
Factory Artisan Paint
My client loaned me two pair of glass doll eyes to show me the coloring she liked.
Painted by Nancy, like a portrait
About this doll . . .
Bethany, a 12-inch toddler child doll, was the first newly-sculpted doll made for the LadyKish line, which was established in 2000. Bethany was an all-vinyl doll with joints at shoulders and hips.
Butterscotch Bethany, part of the Confections Collection, has the following MARKS: (both thighs: Kish & Co. 1997) (Under wig: 28-99-1) (Back of skull: 12 CT 2000 Helen Kish) Back in ink: Butterscotch 37/300 Helen Kish (signature)
Why are you repainting the Kish doll?
In this case, the factory paint had been slightly damaged. The artisan painting created a lovely doll to the specifications of Helen Kish. In my painting, I aim only for less doll-like and more life-like appearance, to see how much illusion of life I can achieve.
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.
Nancy Lee Moran's POLICY TO SHOW RESPECT FOR HELEN KISH & other doll creators is as follows:
The dolls I use were factory painted. I would never repaint a doll that the artist (Helen Kish) had painted herself, such as some of those in the Kish Signature Line. I would not paint one in a limited edition of fewer than 300 (preferably 500 or more). I consult the beautiful book I own:
Helen Kish: The Artist and Her Dolls by Louise Fecher (hardcover published in 2006). I am NOT affiliated with any doll company, creator or manufacturer.
