Artist Profile: Janis Berard
Date: 09/20/98
Little Janis never cared too much about playing with dolls. Teenage Janis almost flunked sewing class in high school. Adult Janis is mom to 4 kids, grandmother to 7, and serves a home cooked meal to hubby John most nights. Can this be the same Janis who has created such a plethora of marvelously beautiful dolls for Home Shopping Network and garnered a DOTY nomination for costume?
Sure is, though it seems unlikely. I think many of us tend to imagine an artist as somewhat removed from the mundane hassles in which we spend our lives. Surely that innate talent must waft them away into a world of lovely images and rarified air. How then do we equate this image with teenage woes, chasing toddlers, and washing dishes?
The talent is backed up by a lot of hard work done around, between, and in spite of, all the day to day chores. From inspiration, through sculpt, to mold making, and into costume creation, her garage and home double as artist aerie, shop, and design studio. The artisan becomes the lady of the house, then takes a stint as seamstress -- and 'round again. Her private face merges with her public persona, her art with her homemaking. And she makes it work. A warm, funny lady who just happens to have a tremendous talent.
Beyond the creation and housekeeping, Janis has had more than a hand in the manufacturing process also, having spent nearly a year in interior China teaching the production staff all the fine points of creating the wonderful dolls she and other Kais Company artists create. And she doesn't leave the selling strictly to others, either, taking long flights to spend long days on HSN doll shows, introducing her beautiful little ladies to all of her fans.
Her full-body porcelain dolls are close to Janis' heart. Though they take many more hours of intense work than do soft body dolls, they bring her a greater satisfaction as works of art. Kais has given her the opportunity to create many such meticulously crafted dolls, supplying the technical necessities of production. Janis, and all her fans, have been rewarded with her unique and distinctive line of all porcelain dolls.
If full-body porcelains are your real love, too, you will want to start filling your penny banks now for Doll Fest on HSN in October. Janis will be introducing three new all porcelain girls -- Courtney, Summer and Carrie -- in limited editions of only 300! Exercise those dialing fingers -- these are going to go fast! I will post dates for Doll Fest and, if I can, the day (these dolls aren't going to last for more than one airing!) for Janis' dolls. This should prove interesting . . .
And, just to keep us happy till October, Janis and HSN will present a few other doll. Mark your calendar for the debut of Andrea on Sept. 22 (Tues. afternoon), whose ornate black and white costume obviously deserved the DOTY nomination it received. Caley, a beautiful blond little girl, is still in stock and being aired. And there are two new endearing baby dolls to watch for real soon, too.
Are you a collector of Janis' little ladies? Which are your favorites? Let me know and/or send pictures, and I'll do a follow-up with your comments. Happy collecting!
