Doll of the Month: Sumiko & Satomi

I am starting a new "column" here on the site called "Doll of the Month."  I received an e-mail from a reader that said

Christina, I enjoy your blog but I wish you posted more about your inspiration and your dolls.  These are my favorite items and I want to learn more about them.  Thanks!

I tend to shy away from posting my dolls because I don't want to come across as some kind of plug-whore.  But it is indeed rare to get such valuable feedback (and if you know something you would like to see here, please let me know!)  so I am taking her advice and introducing you to some new members of the UmeOrigami family, Sumiko and Satomi.  These are two new dolls of mine that I have been procrastinating about photographing.

I see these two as a "big sister" and "little sister."  There are certain things that unite them: the sakura with green ribbon in their hair, the green and rust colors in their kimono layers, and of course the black patterned paper.  I totally dig this paper and it really caught my eye when I was shopping.  For some reason the combination of the yellows, reds, pinks, and greens remind me of some kind of island paradise.  Plus, it is rare to find black paper that doesn't come across as manly!!  Satori also has a paper ribbon obi which is something new I have been experimenting with as seen in the Tomodachi family I posted a while ago.  I like it because it has a wrinkled texture and gives them a little more three-dimensionality.

Sumiko was created first and her name comes from the Japanese for 澄 (sumi) "clear" and 子 (ko) "child."  I had a really clear vision when I made her and I knew almost exactly what she was going to look like even before I started physically creating her.  Satomi came afterwards and I have picked the characters for 聡 (sato) "wise" combined with 美 (mi) "beautiful."  I thought it would be a nice pairing since the older sister should be a little bit wiser!  

Every so often I create a doll (or in this case, two) that really stand out to me!  These definitely do the trick.  I am hoping to create a little more regularly so hopefully I can introduce you to a new "member" next month.  Thanks for tuning in! 

Comments

[Kat Lantz]

Hey Christina!
Thanks for sharing these 2 adorable origami creations! I love that you have a meaning behind every name you choose - that I didn't know! And I love it!! I agree, definitely plug your origami babies whenever you have a chance - they deserve the recognition, so I'm totally excited about the "Doll of the Week"!! :)
I love that black paper too - and they really do look like sisters! :)
Awesome job as usual!
Kat