Artist Jaymie Mathena
When an overture began and the curtain arose on an opera or a Broadway show,
Jaymie Mathena became immersed…even as a teenager…in a love affair with
musical theatre.
(“I had an Italian piano teacher who took me to my first opera!”)
Following a college major in piano,
she was fortunate to become involved with the early Dallas Civic Opera.
Upon returning home she began musical direction for some of the finest
shows ever produced by Theatre Tulsa, Tulsa Alliance for Classical Theatre and
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She became a sought-after accompanist for performances from Fulbright
Scholars to Miss Americas, from fully-staged productions in her own church to
regional mass choral presentations. Along
with her music, she became a florist and opened her own shop in a smaller town;
in addition she became fascinated with the art of dollmaking.
Patrick Hobbs, former Chairman of the Board of Theatre Tulsa, tells it
best from there:
“One Christmas I visited Jaymie’s shop to see her holiday display…a
fantasy of carousel horses, moving lights and her first collection of porcelain
dolls. Her casual remark that
evening regarding movie musicals evolved into a spectacular addition to our
yearly gala. |
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As
chairman of Theatre
Her
love of theatre and love of doll artistry has combined to become a unique line
called SOMEWHERE IN TIME. Elegantly
gowned and exquisitely detailed, the collections are cleverly drawn from
literature and history as well as Broadway and film.
As
a performer myself – and as a collector of fine art – I can appreciate the
research on costuming that is expressed in each character.
Each lady presents her own personality as she enters downstage at the
footlights.
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“These lovely ladies deserve a standing ovation.” Ovations came in the form of requests from Shoji Tabuchi’s gift shop in Branson to market the dolls, they have also been sold in Las Vegas as well as by private order ever since. Later on, work with an out-of-state opera company brought her back to the operatic dolls. Then a chance meeting with a fine-arts-coordinator brought her into the Arts and Humanities Council Artists’ Program in Tulsa….and she began sharing her costumed creations with school children, recreating the operas for youngsters in easily understood versions, and |
using groups of historical characters to enhance
special studies: Queens Who Made a
Difference, Fascinating Frenchwomen, Civil War Lady Spies.”
(“It’s great fun! Children
love a three dimensional character to relate to, rather than a picture in a
history book!”)
She was also commissioned by
various charitable organizations to create special dolls for auction, for
fundraising events. The magnificent
Turandot was auctioned by the Opera Guild, followed by Musetta and Mimi; fairy
tale characters from
She still does special order creations although most of her time is
involved with the Oklahoma Women in History project.
Most are done on commission as one of a kind; she cherishes most the
creative process that brings a new idea to life. (“When
I hear a piece of music, I’ll start dreaming…, then I find a piece of fabric
and I’m hooked. Before long (and
sometimes, just like rehearsing for performances, it’s over and over until
it’s right), another “lady” emerges. Can
you think of a neater way to live…surrounded by music, glittering
costumes…and simply….beauty???”)
To view Jaymie's other works, click here.
Oklahoma Women in History (Home) Now Showing
The Tour Meet the Ladies A Showcase for the Future
Article from Tulsa World More from Tulsa World
