Friday 28 February 2014

Beginnings - My First Doll

I've been doing some sorting out and I found this  painting of the very first doll I ever made, about 20 years ago. Not an art doll, this was years before I heard of that concept; she was a Victorian rag doll. I even made all her tiny clothes which could be removed. After I lost my mum  I had a strange feeling I needed to make a doll, and this little girl had popped up as a pattern in mum's 'Woman's Weekly' magazine in the mid 1990s.

I remember the designer also made tiny doll quilts, and did beautiful detailed illustrations.  She worked in a beautiful blue painted summer house in her garden. Doesn't that sound wonderful! At that time I never dreamed about designing my own patterns. So I made Katie Beth (named after my two nieces) from hers. Katie Beth sat with my bears for a long time before I gave her to a charity shop. She was very sweet, so  I hope she found a good home. Before she left, I did this painting of her sitting with her best friend 'Buttons'.

I'd love to know more about the lady who designed the doll pattern,  her work was really exquisite. I can't remember her name,  but I believe she lived in the south of England. If anyone knows anything about her - please get in touch. Unbeknown to me then, she put me on the path to finding out about art dolls.

13 comments:

  1. I remember this pattern! :) If you contact the magazine publishers (IPC Media, I think), they could possibly let you know how to get a back copy, as all publications need to be registered and submitted to the Legal Deposit Office for record keeping. Good luck! I hope you find the information and I love your painting. :)

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  2. She's a lovely little doll, Jules; and you were so clever to paint a picture of her before she left. Your story reminds me so much of when I first heard of Tasha Tudor living in her 18th century home, living an 18th century life and making her living with her watercolor illustrations and stories. I read about her in Victoria magazine - also in the mid 1990's! and I have never forgotten that inspiration. It still inspires me today!

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  3. Lucky find in the charity shop whomever got to rehome her :) Lovely painting too.

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  4. The style looks familiar, but unfortunately not familiar enough for me to come up with a name. I do hope Katie Beth went to a good home..

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  5. how could you give her away she is adorable and the painting is so beutiful

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  6. I remember this pattern too! I probably still have a copy somewhere as I used to keep all of the toy patterns from this magazine. I believe the designer was(is) Jean Greenhowe. All of her toy patterns are so attractive...

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  7. Katie Beth is very sweet and sitting with her best friend Buttons I can imagine they had lots of fun times. How lovely you painted this remembrance. How joyful for her to set you on a path of art dolls and all things creative. I hope you find your pattern lady information. Blissful Creating...

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  8. It is lovely to look back at your beginnings and then you know how far you have come. She is adorable

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  9. What a wonderful gal. Only you would paint a picture of her before she left. You rock!

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  10. What a beautiful doll. That sounds like it was quite a project and I am so glad you have that beautiful painting. I would love to hear if you find out the name of the designer!

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  11. You have inspired me to have a go at doll making. Finally, after raising two sons, I have a grand-daughter.

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  12. Hermosa muñeca, es el estilo que me gusta.
    Saludos desde Chile
    Maru

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