By Janet Cruz

When one drives up Rustler Drive, it may seem like any other neighborhood in Lake Havasu City, however inside local Deborah Rivas-Robidou’s garage, there is a space filled with metal and ceramic art along with lots of inspirational creativity at work there.

Particular pieces that stand out are her metal life-size dolls which resemble classic paper dolls that many grew up with, but just in metal form.  The dolls also are made with recycled metal, from old cars and other objects. They also have wardrobe changes.

“All the pieces sometimes take about forty minutes to smooth and cut. This includes the face and hair which my husband helps me do,” Robidou said. “It is the outfits that take a bit longer to make.”

Metal Dolls made of recycled metal. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

The outfits are changeable to match the seasons, but before they can be ready, they require smoothing, painting and work to get the details just right.

“The shoes are also removeable. I find clients are now requesting new shoes for me to make as well,” Robidou said.

She says she got inspired by art when she was a math teacher in Sitka, Alaska. Robidou was approached and told she needed to start teaching art because she was always coming up with creative ideas in her math class. So she later got certified  and soon also began teaching the subject and also taking a course in welding her self.

” I used to have this reoccurring dream that I was welding. It just seemed so real, so I just decided I needed to learn it,” Robidou said.

The inspiration behind her dolls soon came after she  was looking at a mini sculpture she welded.

She noticed the sculpture looked flat and it reminded her of a paper doll. From there, her  larger metal dolls came to be.

Robidou and her family moved to Arizona in 2016, when she bought a little shop. Not only are her metal dolls keeping her busy in her space, she also works on her other characters which are called “sprites.” They are made in many different colors with a red heart displayed on their chest. A lot of her sprites are made from ceramic material. The character is in many of her illustrations with also contain motivational messages.

“Sprites” on display.    Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“They are fun and bring joy to others. It’s a reminder that we are all special and that we all have a little sprite in all of us .”

Robidou’s pieces were recently on display at the past Havasu Art Trail.  She has some more plans for her sprites but for now, people can follow her sprite characters on Facebook or visit www.myspritelife.com.

Her metal paper dolls can be found at Our Place Boutique on McCulloch Boulevard.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Art created by Robidou. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene