The Otherworld Girls - Glimpse of Inspiration

The girls are ready. They are quite anxious to get out into the world and into the homes they have been destined for since their creation. But first, a bit of background if you're curious about the inspiration behind the collection.

I began creating the Otherworld Girls series within the last 6 months. She was a character that was born at a reception dinner where the theme was centered around creativity and art so there were art supplies on the table. My friends and I made sculptures out of clay and painted, then as I was doodling while listening to a speaker, she emerged.

She would be the first Otherworld Girl, although I wouldn't choose a name for the series for several more months. She was a character with bounds and bounds of flowing hair (yarn?) balls piled on top of her head. She'd have a small body with almost all the emphasis on her head and face.

The girls didn't have names at first, not until there were a few of them. Then, it seemed like the natural next step - names and little stories - to capture their personalities. There are 12 girls total and may be more. Each one is no one and all of us. Each one speaks to us and the strengths and weaknesses we all share.

The paintings are not planned but rather unfold with time although the process for each of them follows a similar path. Their personalities are as much a surprise to me as anyone else and may be why I create them - I'm so excited to see how they turn out. To meet them, to get to know them, to see myself and others in them. The names are chosen last and have symbolic meaning wrapped up in their unique personalities.

In another blog post, I'll share the process or journey each Otherworld Girl takes to get here.

If any of the girls speak to you, feel free to reach out with questions or inquires or they may be purchased on my website www.heatherklug.com.

Oh, one last thing. The name of the series, The Otherworld Girls, was inspired by an audiobook title I was listening to this summer called Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl. Gotta love how all the pieces come together. So random but so lovely.

Sent with a smile,

Heather