If you love the mystical and fantasy side of miniatures, then Lisa Tabbanor’s hand sculptured character figures will leave you enchanted. Working in 1/24 scale, she creates everything from Steampunk fairies to witches taking a nap; and from exotic ladies in reclining poses to whimsical woodland creatures.
Lisa brings so many skills together in these figures. She hand sculpts all the parts. Designs and sews all their clothing. Crimps their hairstyles and gives them their expressive faces. But apart from all that, it’s also the way she poses each character, creating the mood as if capturing a moment in time.
Lisa told Miniatura that she often makes up stories for her character figures as she sculpts them. “I sometimes find myself imagining elaborate stories for some of my ideas. But I do consider them to be private and sometimes a little crazy. When my daughter was small, I used to make up stories to tell her and I do sometimes use these ideas.”
Living in a small village in Norfolk, surrounded by countryside, also helps her imagination to run free. “It’s a farming area. I can see trees and fields from my workroom window. I think that has an impact on the ideas I use.”
Ideas morph and change as she works
When it comes to new ideas, Lisa doesn’t usually start with a fully formed idea. “I start with a single idea then add to it as I go. And ideas can change many times over the process. I usually have several dolls on my workbench all at different stages of completion. I have often started out to make a young lady and she has morphed into an old man before I am finished. This does seem like a chaotic way to work but it works for me. I don’t like to be tied down too much and I don’t like to do commissions unless the idea sparks something. A lot of projects have more to do with the weather and how I’m feeling that day.”
Lisa began making figures in 2003, initially making 1/12 scale while working as a nurse. But since being introduced to the smaller, 1/24 scale she has become hooked and now works on her miniatures full time. “I worked as a nurse up until last year,” Lisa explained. “I was already working part time and had thought about working on my miniatures full time. It was a hard decision to make giving up my work as I did enjoy being a nurse. But it has turned out to be a good move for me, although I am missing the shows.
“My figures are sculptured from scratch in Polymer Clay. Most figures have wired upper arms and legs so that their positions can be adjusted. I am a bit eclectic with my choice of styling with my favourite being the mystical and fantasy where I can let my imagination run wild. But I’ll have a go at most things and love a new idea.”
Making doll’s clothing since childhood
Lisa has had no formal training but has always been good with her hands. She loves having a go at different crafts. “I have always been a crafty person, and have used a sewing machine since I was a child, making dolls clothes for my sister and I.
“Clothing, like the dolls, comes from many different sources including my imagination, books, films, art and resources I have at the time. I make my own wigging, crimping the hair myself and rearranging it until I’m happy with the look. I trained as a hairdresser when I left school, but I don’t really think that has helped me much.
“I am always on the look-out for materials. Although I have quite a lot of resources, I never seem to have exactly what I need. I often dye my own fabrics, trim down lace, or use paint and glitter to embellish. I prefer to use natural fabrics silks and cotton as I find that the seams lay better and the fabric drapes more realistically.”
Among her most recent figures are Alice tumbling upside down through time. With white rabbit’s fob watch, playing cards and teapot accessories, she has created an amazing Alice in Wonderland fantasy scene. Another new character is a cloven hoofed, horned faun. Then there’s Whinny and Wayne, taking a rest from casting witchy spells as they doze on the sofa.
“My ideas come from many places. I am always on the look-out for something interesting. Sometimes it’s just a colour or feeling that I’m after and at other times I have a very elaborate idea that never comes together. Sometimes I get an idea from someone else. I can sit around for days at a time trying to come up with a good idea and nothing will come. Then I’ll start something really mundane and something magical will happen and pop into my head.
Clearly, whatever method Lisa has for creating her beautiful character figures, it achieves the desired results.
You can see more of Lisa’s work on Facebook, Etsy and Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/LisaTabbanorMiniatures/
www.etsy.com/shop/LisaTabbanor
https://www.instagram.com/lisatabbanor/
Email: tabbanor@aol.com