Authored By Sean Phipps
Did that doll just move? Did its painted eyes follow you across the room? What is that laughing? Pediophobia is the “unwarranted, irrational and persistent fear or worry of dolls,” and if you suffer from the fear a Cleveland-based artist has created your worst nightmare. Carie Varner, of Reel Fun Studios, has announced her latest project called “Colorful Tales of Dreadful Dolls.” The book will feature frightening dolls with unfortunate histories. The 20 original illustrations were the product of a gallery show based on the theme of “Art is Dangerous.” “My daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate,” she said. “People were enthralled by the hole in her face or they were made uncomfortable by it. These reactions fascinated me and inspired me to create the dolls for the gallery show.” 
Varner found and collected old porcelain dolls, breaking them and reassembling the pieces. The dolls became “slightly askew,” which added to the creep factor. “When the show was over, I was unsure what to do with the dolls,” Varner said. “A friend suggested letting them inspire a coloring book.” Varner created a Kickstarter to raise $1,000 for the project. She’s already raised surpassed the goal with $1,668 and almost 50 backers. In addition to the images, each doll will be accompanied by a short-form story detailing the featured doll’s “dreadful existence.” Those stories were written by Varner’s husband, Ryan Faricelli. “These dolls creep me out,” Faricelli said in a release. “Writing spooky stories about where they came from or what they are doing was fantastic. It allowed me to really stretch my storytelling skills, exploring the wonderful but chilling world of these dolls.” Backers who pledge $8 or more will receive a copy of the book to print and color. Other levels feature free artwork, signed copies and even remnants of the dolls that inspired the stories. Varner said additional funding will allow for more surprises, including stickers, more doll illustrations, video stories and guest artist drawings. The deadline for funding is Sept. 13.
