Jul 28, 2021
Meet Bernice, 1925
Bernice is another American Girl historical OC that came about because I wanted to draw a certain time period rather than a certain storyline, but she developed a clear personality as I worked on her. If I made a doll of her, she would have dark skin and the Addy mold, with textured black hair. Her meet dress is based on a photo from the time.
Bernice's story focuses on the history of Harlem's Black Jewish community in the 20s, on the backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance. She's an aspiring poet who sees beauty in the mundane details of New York City life. Her best friend is Lawrence, a quiet and studious boy who seems very self-sufficient to Bernice until she realizes he relies on her just as much as vice versa.