Statement from Matt McMullen Regarding New Doll & Compan
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Statement from Matt McMullen Regarding New Doll & Compan
I realize that there may be some confusion among you regarding the fact
that I have formed a new company, and that I have developed a new doll
separately from Abyss. I have tried to explain this as concisely as
possible on the boytoy website, but I would like to elaborate; About 12
years ago, I was in my garage, creating what would become RealDoll. It was
just me and an assistant, and a bunch of buckets of materials that I was
learning how to use. Over the years, my garage operation turned into a full
scale production facility, and obviously my company grew as popularity of
my dolls increased. Before I knew it, I had a full staff of people learning
how to perform the various tasks involved in fabricating quantities of
RealDolls that would be impossible for me to do alone. Gradually, I spent
less time doing what I love, which was CREATING, and more time operating a
very active company. I was managing production, working on marketing, doing
interviews, answering email, monitoring the forums, hiring and firing
employees and handling inter-employee relations. My day to day life was
chaotic at best, and downright overwhelming at worst. Over time, I was able
to delegate some of these tasks to others, so that I could get back to the
task of focusing on the design of the dolls themselves, which is what I
wanted to do, and what I always felt I was best at. Even still, I reached a
point that I felt RD was fairly stable in it's design, and I was creatively
tapped. To be honest, I withdrew in many ways from active participation in
day to day operations. Abyss had become a self sufficient machine, and I
turned my attention to music for awhile, which is my other passion. I
didn't really even think about dolls or my art for a couple of years. It
was a much needed break, and I have no regrets. I MUST point out that Abyss
is staffed by VERY capable people, many of whom I consider family to
me...otherwise I would not have even had the option to take this time! In
any case, this last year I found myself thinking about my dolls again, and
wondering what improvements could be made. This is what prompted me to
start working on the new doll. As stated, I used new materials, and had to
create a private studio to work with them in the first place. Perhaps even
more importantly, I like to work alone, in a peaceful, isolated
environment. I suppose I was drawn to the process I had started 12 years
ago, just me and my buckets in my garage. I am making these dolls privately
because I am an artist, and I want to be involved in the ART itself. That's
why the quantities are limited, and that's why the new company has been
created. I want to keep this SIMPLE! Anyone who knows the history of the
industry knows what I can do, and I can only hope that these dolls will be
appreciated for the pieces of art that I see them as.
As for RealDoll, I have also found renewed interest in actively
participating in the ongoing improvement of their design. I am back at
Abyss a few days a week, and am addressing several design changes both
internal and external. In short, there are some innovations on the horizon,
but these will take time. Please be patient, and I'll keep you posted!
Thank you all for your continued interest in my work.
-Matt McMullen
Thank you for the personal insight.
As an admirer from afar, I will say that your candor about the evolution of your art (and yourself as an artist) is impressive and intriguing. If you ever decide to elaborate on this further I'm sure there will be an audience.
Though not an artist myself (perhaps one in the closet, the basement or just my own Walter Mitty Mind), I do appreciate reading about artists who actualize their creativity and how they do it; two current favorite reads that I refer to are "Art & Fear" and "Creating A Life Worth Living". While sounding eerily like self-help books for those treading the thin line, they actually contain several accounts of successful 'working' artists.
Again, thank you for the elaboration from someone who appreciates hearing about the nuts and bolts of how an artist evolves.
Cheers,
JackT
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Re: Statement from Matt McMullen Regarding New Doll & Co
Matt, I can really relate to your story. I, like yourself, am in music production, and have had my music published worldwide. You might hear my music kicking around the RealDoll offices on occasion... I am a creator, not really a marketeer, and doing both can really cause conflict of interest! I eventually just got creatively burnt out in a major way. I'm still recuperating. In my case, I'm taking a break from my music and returning to my illustration roots - kind've the inverse of you, eh...?I was creatively tapped. To be honest, I withdrew in many ways from active participation in day to day operations. Abyss had become a self sufficient machine, and I turned my attention to music for awhile, which is my other passion. I didn't really even think about dolls or my art for a couple of years. It was a much needed break, and I have no regrets.
Jayde, my new RealDoll, and your "baby", is helping me rekindle the creative spark through photography and art. Many, many thanks for your creation - a Work of Art!
And congratulations on your new album and getting an end credit in the new Lars movie for your song! I'm looking forward to your new creations...! Thank you for your candor. Much appreciated!
There is a spirit to everything we create.
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I can certainly identify with your story. As a writer, I have burned out creatively many times. That's what happens when one pours his "soul" into his work. When it happens, it's time for a "vacation". I trust my mind and body to "know" when it's time to return to the writing. I'd rather produce a handful of awesome books than be a hack writer and opt for quantity over quality.
I'm glad you're back into the creative artistry phase of your business which is obvious from the new doll faces coming out.
technoguy