Pat Moulton

Lifelike Babies and More

by Pam North

Professional doll artist, Pat Moulton, has been perfecting her craft for several decades, always looking for a new challenge. Her journey into doll-making began at an early age. “I so loved art,” she explained, “I always was creating, whether it was drawing, painting, or sewing something. What drew me to sculpting was a Better Homes and Garden craft book article that showed how to make dolls; I was hooked from the very start! The thought that I could buy clay that could be oven-hardened, and use it to sculpt a face, was the highlight of my life. I started with sculpting young children, then adult dolls, and then babies; soon it was BJD dolls. I am so pleased that I can go back and forth between the ages.”
Moulton still sculpts a variety of work, including exclusive OOAKs, and prides herself on her meticulous attention to detail. “My family sometimes laugh when they see me still working into the evenings, either in my studio or in the family room, but when you love what you do it’s not always easy to pull yourself away at the end of the day!” she laughed.
This year she is finding new inspiration and direction with her latest edition, Pod Babies. Each precious baby, created in resin and paired with soft flexible bodies, rests in a beautiful, unique fabric pod. There  are three available - two boys and one girl - each with its own unique personality. “This creation just jumped out at me. After seeing pods of various styles used for other purposes, my mind instantly envisioned it as a cozy spot for a baby to rest.”
Another creation, a 16”, one-of-a-kind, ball-jointed doll, Edith, with beautifully handmade clothing, was inspired by the BBC’s popular Downton Abby. “That series had such a special feel for its time period. I wanted Edith to look as though she could have been a character in Downton Abby, and hopefully I achieved that.” 
This fall she will be attending the Modern Doll Collectors Convention 2017, with her friend and fellow artist, Judy Porter. Together they will be hosting a Wizard of Oz theme event, and she will be presenting several characters that she hopes will capture everyone’s heart. “I love the iconic Wizard of Oz movie, and working on these dolls was very special and fun. Bonnie Larson created the adorable costuming for these dolls, which I think customers will like.” 
Although Moulton always sets goals for herself each year, she leaves room for spontaneous ideas for her sculpts. “As an artist, I don’t want too much structure; I need the flexibility to be able run with something that just popped into my mind. Over the years I have learned how to work on my sculptures in the most effective ways with time and quality, but I don’t feel the need to overplan. If I’m working on a project and a new one comes to mind, I easily can bounce back and forth between more than one or even several projects. I’d like to add that all my dolls are handmade here in the USA by myself and my husband, Garel, who makes all the molds and casts my dolls in resin. ”  
Moulton truly is an artist who immerses herself into her work, and prides herself on always looking for new challenges.
Contact Information:
Email: pat@patmoulton.net
Website: www.patmoultonsbabycollection.com