Roland is a doll; a 60cm Abio Angel San with normal skin resin, default face-up, green glass eyes, and a custom cut honey blonde wig.

I found Roland at Otakon in 2007, after having sat for days in the Artist’s Alley next to the amazing dolls made by Bishonen House. Instantly my mind was full of images of micromaile; delicate miniature creations with teeny, tiny rings and a new challenge, to boot. They told me that someone was selling dolls in the Dealer’s Room, and I knew I had made enough money for a doll to be my “Con Splurge”.

I wanted a BJD (ball-jointed doll) so I could have a very poseable mannequin and open up a new market for myself. I wouldn’t become one of the “crazy doll people” that I saw gushing over the dolls next to me, gorgeous though they were. Nope, not me.

I bought the last boy they had, but I couldn’t show off my chainmaile on a naked, bald doll. The dolls are designed to be fully customizeable so they usually don’t come with hair or clothing. He came with eyes though, so I chose some green ones, then bought a wig and some clothes. Okay, so he went from a blank dress form to a well-clothed mannequin. Nothing wrong with that. I was convinced I wouldn’t become a rabid doll fangirl just becuse I put clothes on him.

But what to call him? I couldn’t refer to him as “the doll”; it made him seem kind of creepy. Brian suggested the name Roland, and it was perfect. Of course, when you find the perfect name for an inanimate object, you know you’ve slipped off the deep end without even realizing. ^_^

Even so, he is now as much a part of the company as we humans who make the maile. It is because of him that I’ve taken my work in directions I would never have thought possible. He was my “In” to a whole community of great people, through which I’ve made some wonderful friends and met dozens of interesting people. I’ve learned how to be a better photographer because of the special challenges BJDs present, and even how to network on-line!

That’s why to us Roland is an employee; a model with infinite patience and a reluctant but skilled salesman at events (people love taking pictures with him, too). He is also a sort of resin muse, as I am constantly making little sketches of things that would look cool on him and looking at jewelry findings and beads in brand new ways. He’s even inspired a comic book series!

Fun Facts:
Roland still has his original face-up.

He is responsible for 4 people, including a professional maker of porcelain dolls, getting addicted to BJDs.

He has his own fan club on MySpace, set up and frequented by human girls who fell in love with him at conventions.

Roland is terrified of goth girl and vampire dolls; his joints always give out as though he’s trying to run away when placed near them.

He owns more books (actual, readable miniature books) than some people.

Find Him On:
Flickr | deviantART