Conversations with the Inspiring Charolette Maxine and Lisabeth Blanche

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charolette Maxine and Lisabeth Blanche.

Charolette and Lisabeth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Lisabeth: We started Maxine Rabbits Dollhouse as a collaborative art project so the two of us could focus our art in one area to learn, and create together. I loved gifting dolls to Charolette when she was little, so naturally, dolls and miniatures emerged as the perfect area of collaboration between us.

I’ve struggled with autoimmune illnesses for the last decade, and art has proved to be a therapeutic outlet for me. Collaboration with my niece has been absolutely amazing, and I have rediscovered my love of all things tiny.

Charolette: I was lucky to be born into a very artistic family; unfortunately, there was always this understanding that art was a hobby, not a career. My aunt and I have talked about collaborating on our art efforts over the years. It wasn’t until last year, when I painted a portrait of my Father and Grandmother for my Grandmother’s funeral, that we began to bounce ideas back and forth. When dolls came up, we were both so excited.

It quickly escalated from something we were both interested in, to something we loved. We have both developed a passion for creating these pieces, and we’ve received such fantastic feedback so far. I had a lot of fear in the beginning with the idea of starting a business and trying to make a career with art, but I love our work!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The short answer, no. We both face unique struggles in our personal lives that make pursuing a career in art both perfect for us and difficult for us at the same time. Still, there have been so many reinforcements that this is just where we need to be. In addition to my own autoimmune illnesses, my wife has been very ill for the past three years as well. During one particular trip to the hospital, I knew that I would need to pass the time, so I brought my minimum requirements to begin a doll. And in the hospital, while my wife tried to heal, I sculpted what would later be our first sale.

Charolette is a single mother to two rambunctious boys, her first child was born when she was seventeen. She faces a lot of criticism and pressure for how her life should look by now, to be a successful young mother. How bold and courageous for her to take a risk and start her own business, particularly one so niche as miniatures and art dolls. Especially considering the feast or famine reputation that a career in the arts has.

We think it’s essential for creative persons looking to venture into business with their artistic skillsets to dedicate time to their work. We would also encourage learning to appreciate and accept any rejection or discouragement that comes their way. For us, the best approach for acknowledging rejection and accepting the downswings has been by finding our own definition of success. We live in a society that often finds success only in the title of your job or the company you work for. Artists can be perceived as not having a real career, and we think that we can change that notion.

Art is not an indulgence reserved for the wealthy alone. Art surrounds us in everyday life, from the advertisements we see, the games we play, the things we watch and listen to, and the buildings we live in. We want to change the perception that art is merely an indulgence. Human beings generally gravitate toward things that resonate with something within. Art inspires and heals, and it uniquely speaks to us each. It’s essential for artists, of different mediums and skill sets, to embrace the value of their creative abilities and share with the world around them. Art is for everyone to appreciate and to create. Art makes our lives more meaningful.

What should we know about Maxine Rabbits Dollhouse? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We create one of a kind art dolls and miniature artworks. We both were more traditional artists prior to beginning Maxine Rabbits, working with charcoal, alcohol inks, acrylic paint, watercolors, and digital media.

We have similar taste and style, but different art styles and thought processes. So we are able to bounce thoughts back and forth and contribute to each piece, and I feel like our art has really benefited from that.

There is a large community of doll enthusiasts, and not a small portion of them customize dolls in some way or another. For us, we strive to create dolls and miniatures that are not only for doll collectors but are standalone works of art as well. Our artwork, dolls, and miniatures tend to drift toward the fantasy, surreal, and macabre and are sculpted into place. We expand past the original character concept of dolls and create one of a kind sculptures with depth and meaning.

In addition to our custom work, we are continually learning new techniques and currently focusing on learning the intricate process of sculpting and casting our own line of ball-jointed dolls. We are so excited to expand into this endeavor, and we are hoping to have a roll-out by the end of 2020.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Set your own definition of success, make an agreement with yourself to get there, and always be willing to learn! The way you define your work doesn’t have to be the same as everyone else’s, it has to be what fits you, and your life. There may be bumps in the road, and there may be setbacks, but if you can be resilient and continue pushing toward what success looks like for you, you’ll get there. The things you learn along the way might change what it looks like a little bit, but as long as the definition is yours, you’ll be okay.

Pricing:

• Art Dolls & Customs: $50-$250
• Rooms & Houses $120-$500
• Miniature Pieces $30-$200

Contact Info:

• Website: Etsy.com/shop/MaxineRabbits
• Email: maxinerabbits@gmail.com
• Instagram: Maxine.Rabbits.Dollhouse
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maxinerabbits/

Image Credit:
Lisabeth Blanche

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