Deep sea diver helmet rough sketch.I noticed that a lot of my projects seem to be born from my own fears and apprehensions. For example: I am quite frightened by the idea of deep water diving and I experience a strong discomfort while swimming in the open water, lakes, rivers or ponds, or any natural body of water for that matter. In fact, I only enjoy swimming and diving in the safe, blue swimming pools with a pleasant, tiled bottom. It's not so much the water itself that bothers me, as it is the depth, the darkness and the unknowns of its mysterious vastness.I can't even be on a blow up toy or a mattress, because I can't relax and it seems to me that I'm floating high in the sky, but instead of air beneath me, there is only dark water that hides all the visible and exposed things from sight. Swallows them. I can't dangle my feet in the water if I can't see the bottom near and clear. And even then I'd rather not. It's like a reverse fear of heights, in a way. I can't see what's under me, and it frightens me. Oh, and the sea weed. That stuff's just plain terrifying.
So, I tend to avoid even getting in the water when it's not encased in concrete and tiles. This phobia definitely interferes with my enjoyment of summer at times. But oh, well. I've got other things going.
This is the Diver's helmet modeled in wax. It took me two weeks of full time work to construct this thing. It was so difficult, I almost lost my mind in the process.I find water is both beautiful and dangerous and tried to convey this through the Deep Sea Diver project. Somebody cleverly suggested that it was Captain Nemo's daughter. That is a very good idea. Like I said, my inspiration for this particular head dress was very instinctive and emotional in nature, stemming from my water anxiety, and thus I did not give much thought to the character wearing this helmet. And so now, she shall be Captain Nemo's daughter. I think it fits the theme of the project very well. Thank you for the suggestion.
ENCHANTED DOLL Marina Bychkova