Charlie Patricolo

I began making dolls from patterns on and off from my teen years. Then after taking a class at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, I began to create my own designs.  I have been fortunate enough to teach offer dolls through galleries as well as my own website.   I was accepted into the Southern Highland Craft Guild in 2002 and that opened many doors for me. This has helped me push myself towards more ‘one of a kind’ dolls.

I have loved this journey. I am inspired by lines from songs, pieces of fabrics, stages of my life as well as those around me.   I just never know when or where the idea will come from for the next series.     Being open to the possibilities is first, then I live with the idea in my head for days, weeks and sometimes even months before all the parts come together and I have the opportunity to get into the studio with several days in a row to work on something new.

And then there is the exciting challenge that comes from teaching.   I aim to help students create what their hearts and hands can do and love watching them realize their possibilities.   It is a wonderful thing to have a student at the beginning of the class say that they are not sure they can actually MAKE a doll, and then get to the end of the class and realize that they have MADE the doll.   Best feeling for all of us!

The most recent work is heavy on fantasy and I think that is in response to our need to ‘escape’ some of the tougher things that are going on in the real world.  My goal has always been and remains to bring joy to anyone who encounters the dolls.