The Philadelphia Paper Doll Party Recap!

So, I thought it might be fun to type up my notes from the Philadelphia Paper Doll Party and add a few photos. I’ve never been to a paper doll event before, so I was more than a little excited, but also nervous to go. I also failed to take photos of a lot of things in the rush of it all, so forgive me. Still if anyone is thinking of attending one of these events, maybe this will be a little inspiration.

The Philadelphia Paper Doll party was organized by Valerie Keller and Linda Ocasio. Having been on academic conference planning committees, I can imagine the complexity of organizing such an event. So much more work than it looks. They did a stellar job. Joining the Facebook group for the event was super helpful, as it helped me plan and gave me a sense of what might happen.

Since I missed the 2022 annual convention, I told myself I would go to the Philadelphia Party even though it meant flying from Alaska. Because of other obligations, I couldn’t take much time off, but I managed to carve a few days to head across country.

Tuesday & Wednesday – Packing & Travel!

Because I live in, well, Alaska, it takes all day to fly to Philadelphia (you lose 4 hours crossing the continent). I left at 1am Wednesday morning (most annoying thing about where I live is the airlines seem to love a red-eye). On the upside, the sun doesn’t set until nearly midnight. On the downside, in summer there is no fun surprise aurora viewing.

I was selling prints for the first time ever, so I packed up my prints, some business cards, some black and white giveaway prints from the blog, a few display items I scrounged from friends who do craft shows and myself. Plus, a few changes of clothing. Costumes for the evening reception were optional, but I couldn’t imagine dressing up and meeting people I barely knew.

Travel was uneventful until the very end, when I found out the hotel shuttle wasn’t running until 5am. Since I had no desire to wait at the airport until 5am, I called Julie who kindly came and rescued me. We stayed up way too late catching up. It felt a little like a childhood slumber party. 

I slept like a rock when I finally did. Staying up too late would be the theme of the event.

Thursday- Hanging out in Philly

We walked around, grabbed a quick sandwich in the cafe and then returned to the hotel for an impromptu Procreate lesson. She showed me how to do a few things I didn’t know how to do and we talked shop. I loved getting to see her procreate files in the flesh. We discussed how to make taps more effectively (vector shapes!) and talked about working from physical to digital and back again (photos).

We both agreed that digital tools could be helpful, but that you still have to learn to draw and practice drawing. She encouraged me to be more willing to use some of the Procreate tools to help make my work easier like texture brushes for drawing lace.

I was swept up by the very friendly paper doll early arrivals that afternoon and we all went to dinner. I promptly forgot everyone’s name and was too embarrassed to ask over and over again.

Friday & Saturday- The Paper Doll Party

The next morning at breakfast Julie introduced me to many very nice people. It was so nice to put real people to various email addresses like Jenny Taliadoros, Melissa Pepe, and Valerie Keller. I’m sure I’m forgetting a bunch of names.

In the afternoon, I got my badge (with a very cute alien) and brought out Vivian for the Show and Share. I wasn’t sure I wanted to get up and talk about Vivian, but I got called out for keeping my mouth-shut. So, I stood up and explained how she was my childhood paper doll with the most clothing, I had made an index of her outfits, etc. One of the really amazing pieces on display was from Bruce Patrick Jones, a family history work all done in blue tones. It was beautiful. I didn’t remember to take a photo (opps) and so I can’t share. But if you’ve never seen Bruce Patrick Jones‘ paper dolls, go look at this Josephine Baker one. His work is great.

After that, there was a presentation about collage paper dolls and a really moving story about David Wolfe from Sharry O’Hare, along with an amazing custom made coat. I never knew David, but it was clear, he will be very missed. After that, I grabbed some dinner and went to the opening reception where, fortunately, I was not the only person not in costume.

The next day, there was a sales room from 9am until 4pm, with a lunch break. I set up at 8am, settled in with my change and my paper doll prints, plus my book. People were so kind. Several told me about how they already had my book (yay!). I wasn’t sure what would sell, so this was mostly an experiment in seeing what interested people.
In person sales are very different from online sales, I rapidly learned. Emi Lotto kindly gave me one of her original paper dolls. I also ended up with a lovely set by Peggy Jo Rosamond (one of my favorite artists) and two Alaska themed things to add to my growing Alaskan themed paper doll collection.

There was a Dress-A-Doll with voting for the best dress (Julie Matthews’ dress won) and raffles. I won the souvenirs from the 2016 convention in the raffle. There was also a silent auction, but I didn’t really know what I would have done with any of the beautiful original art. I didn’t send anything in for the Dress-a-Doll, since I wasn’t 100% sure how the process even worked. However, seeing it in the flesh, I think I understand it better now. Maybe next time!

Even though the day “ended” at 4pm, I stayed up way too late chatting with folks. I got a few drawing book recommendations, rambled about my love of fashion plates, and learned about different artist’s processes. It was really fun. Everyone was just amazingly friendly and welcoming. I feel like I keep saying that, but it was true.

Sunday May 25, 2023- Homeward Bound

On my last day, I had a leisurely breakfast and headed to the airport.

I rode the shuttle with Renaldo Barnette. We chatted about drawing with ballpoint pens, working with University students, a shared apathy towards Marcel Proust, and stories about gouache paint.

It was a long flight home and I drafted most of this post while sitting in the Seattle Airport, so at least I got something done.

Landed in Alaska at nearly midnight, a friend picked me up and took me home, then I fell asleep almost instantly.

The best parts of the event were meeting people whose art and work I’ve admired for a long time and getting to spend time with people who share my love of paper dolls. Brenda Sneathen Mattox’s paper dolls were super influential on me as a child. Bruce Patrick Jones, Eileen Rudisill Miller, Kwei-Lin Lum, and Renaldo Barnette are all so talented. Living in Alaska meant I never thought I would get to be in the same room as these amazing artists or be able to ask them questions. So, needless to say, it was well worth the long trip.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten or left out people, because it really was a blur. I am so happy I went and I would happily go again.