Oh hello! It feels like ages. Was January four months long? Yes, yes, I think so.
I hope you’re all well. Are you well? Please say yes.
I am really very well and extremely excited to be spending so much time in my workshop. I am looking forward to trying my hand at some new things this year (i’m expanding the wood-working part of my workshop from a corner of a tiny desk to a whole entire table and have some new chisels on the way) and I am also finally starting to a long-anticipated big project. More about that later this spring.
Right now, I’ve been once again busying my hands with some Anatomica!
About five years ago I spent some time in Budapest and was able to visit the Semmelweis Medical Museum, which is chock full of fascinating anatomical dolls and wax sculptures, which were used as teaching tools in olden times. I was transfixed. So. My brain keeps returning again and again and I am in constant wonder with the amazing way our bodies function.
All three ladies are a bit different from each other. As much as I love returning to anatomy, I also do like to give myself a challenge.
Ella, Anatomica
Ella has organs which can be removed, she’s kind of like a puzzle. She was very, very inspired by the beautiful small dolls that were made for study, and carved from wood and ivory. Because her organs aren’t fixed inside her, she and her coffin would be best laying flat or gently propped up. Her head, arms and legs are gently posable.
Isadore, Anatomica
All of Isadore’s organs and the rest of her bits were made to stay inside her. She is therefore, perfect for hanging on the wall, with no need to worry about parts of her falling to the floor. She has long black hair and linen skin.
Matra, Anatomica
Matra has a small baby growing inside of her. This tiny little being is attached to her mother via a small wire umbilical cord, and be gently pulled from the womb a few inches. It was fascinating studying photos and ultrasounds, learning how womens bodies change through this process- (where does everything go?) Seeing organs compress and get shoved around by these little creatures called babies. I once had two of them growing inside me at the same time- I think I may need to visit this in doll form sometime.
Ella, Isadore and Matra, Anatomica will be in the Morbid Anatomy shop tomorrow, February 9th and approximately 5 pm EST.
I have another tiny collection that I am working on, which will hopefully be ready for Valentines Day of non-anatomical beings. In the meantime-
stay well.
xo jana