MADISON, Wis. — A Madison man has spent his retirement as Wisconsin’s premier puppet maker.
Ken Vogel first learned how to make puppets as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison). A friend taught him the basics.
Their plan was to sell the puppets for extra cash.
“I just enjoyed it so much,” Vogel said. “I had never thought of myself as an artistic person. I had never done anything like what I do.”
He molds, paper-mâchés and paints. He does each part of the process himself. He estimated that he’s made about 10,000 puppets in his career.
Customers come to him with all kinds of requests. He’s made everything from Vincent van Gogh to Freddie Mercury, to one specific man as a retirement gift from his coworkers.
When Vogel began making puppets 50 years ago, he never expected that it would be how he spent his retirement. Puppets cost $20-30, but can be more than that based on customizations.
He’s made many of the same characters, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Frida Kahlo and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Vogel has even met people who kept puppets he made 40 years earlier. He’ll often take them home and fix what needs to be replaced. Over time, strings can get brittle, clothing can fade, and sometimes mice can even bite at the noses.
“I’m testing the life cycle [of the puppets] as I do this longer and longer,” he said.
He said he’s grateful his body has cooperated. To do such detailed work, he needs good vision and a steady hand.
“I feel so lucky that I can continue to do this work late in my life,” Vogel said. “The more you do, the better you get.”