One-of-a-kind Obama dolls by Shana Barry
Friday, January 30th, 2009On a stormy night on a small island in Maine in early December, I was
sitting by the wood stove, listening to music and putting the finishing
touches on a new doll I had just sewn. Giving the face a final coat of
paint, I realized I recognized the doll. It looked a lot like President
Obama. And it was completely by accident. He’s been on my mind a lot
lately, so it made sense. His election was really inspiring.
The next day, I intentionally created an Obama doll out of scraps of
cloth and canvas I had laying around my studio. Less than a week later,
a 20-inch tall “President Obama, Leader of the Free World” doll was
finished, complete with red power tie, handmade leather oxfords and
wearing a sleek tailored, black suit.
A week later, the doll was sold to a woman in Illinois. I had so much
fun creating the first doll, I decided to make more.
Next, I created “Team Captain, ” wearing a red, white and blue
basketball uniform decorated with the Obama campaign logo and white
stars.
The third Obama doll “Superhero,” wears a skintight blue suit, red
crime fighting boots and a flowing crimson cape.
I just finished a Michelle Obama doll wearing a special gown of my own
design for the Inauguration. And her date, Barack, wears a tuxedo.
I’m currently creating an Obama doll wearing a Hawaiian shirt, shorts,
flip-flops and a flower lei, in honor of the President’s Hawaiian
roots.
I’m also a singer-songwriter and in February I’m releasing “A Pink
Whale and a Very Tall Tree,” an album of children’s music, then I’m
going on tour this summer, so I only plan to make these one-of-a-kind
Obama dolls for the next few months.
Visit www.theshaggallery.com for more photos and information.


