Artist Info - Diane Troutman
I cannot recall a time in
my life when I was not creating something. Throughout my childhood
education I always looked forward to art classes and projects. My
formal education in graphic design furthered my creative spirit and I
worked in that field for many years. I have experimented in a variety
of mediums including tole painting, silk screening fabric, jewelry
making, lampworking beads and nearly everything in between. I have
designed, created and sold my finished pieces to the public for more
than twenty years. I have always felt a special connection with those
purchasing my art and I am inspired and encouraged by their comments.
My first exposure to doll making came at a workshop in 1996, where I
first sculpted with polymer clay. Having fond personal memories of
Christmas, my first sculpture was a Santa, and Troutman Originals was
born. Immediately, my intrigue for the art form grew and I began my
never-ending quest for knowledge and experience in both sculpting and
doll making. I joined and became an active member in a local fabric
doll club experimenting with creating dolls in fabric and other
mediums. I prefer polymer clay as my medium because I find it best
suited for bringing my ideas to life.
Creating three dimensional life-like sculptures of Christmas
characters brings me great joy and provides a way for me to share my
Christmas memories. Through numerous workshops, I have learned
specific techniques in sculpting, proportion, posing, skeletal
structure, durability, and other areas. These techniques are
incorporated into every figure I create. I have dedicated myself to
developing my own style of Santas, each with a unique character and
theme. I create each figure with the intent that it will become a
collectible heirloom proudly displayed and admired for many years to
come.
I believe Santa speaks a magical language to all people. Some of my
fondest childhood memories are of Christmas and my family's annual
outing to visit Santa. Sculpting is the key to my secret world and as
the expressions seem to emerge from the clay, those fond childhood
memories live on. The sculpting, costuming and posing each combine to
create my gentle Santas and other Christmas figures. Time seems to
stand still during the creation of my dolls to the point that when I
look at the finished doll, I can barely remember performing each step.
In April 2004, I became a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of
Craftsmen and in August 2004, I was accepted to become an Artist
Member of the Original Doll Artists Council of America (ODACA), an
organization dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in original doll
making. In December 2005, I was featured on the Home and Garden
Television (HGTV) show "That's Clever" creating one
of my Santas. My Santas have been featured in numerous national
magazines and are sold through shops and galleries throughout the
country.
In 2008, I began teaching various workshops to individuals and groups.
Through these workshops I have enjoyed sharing my love of sculpting
with others and watching their excitement as their piece comes to life.
