Hi everyone! It’s been a busy year, but I am excited to make a few important announcements, and talk about a few life updates I am excited about.
Artwork display
Upcoming Markets
I have been present at a lot of markets over the last year. It has been a quiet build, and a great learning experience. I’ve gone from selling exclusively fine art pieces from my studio drawers, to creating hand-bound books, leather work, stickers, wearables and framed illustrations.
Handmade leather sketchbook, filled with thick drawing paper.
A synchronicity I did not expect, since my first days selling at markets, was the joy I would have creating handmade objects from natural materials. I have been hand-stitching a number of books, made from a Spanish leather hide I acquired from FABSCRAP, a nonprofit that recycles commercial textile waste. The leather is supple and luxurious, and is perfect for making books.
An entirely handmade object contains a special power that is very inspiring to me. It is a gift bringing those kinds of objects into the world.
I appreciate everyone who has accompanied me on this creative journey, in addition to all the makers I have been able to meet this year, who have informed aspects of my work. I will be doing a lot of holiday markets, this year in the NY-area (view this year’s market release schedule here).
Doll-making, Tarot and ‘Animal Carnival’
Last fall, I began taking my illustrative craft in a new direction, and began working on a series of pieces comprising Animal Carnival. This was inspired by a few art threads, I’ve found myself coming back to again and again over the years: decorative art, folk animals, fairy tales, and whimsical children’s entertainment from the 19th/ early-20th century.
“The Magician” Tarot card design actualized as a sticker.
A major project within Animal Carnival is a tarot deck. I have been using the famous 1909 Rider-Waite tarot as a focal point, re-imagining the illustrations within a whimsical animal world.
The tarot contains 78 color images, and has been providing me with many artistic challenges. I set the date of the pre-release to Summer/2026 (link here). I am trying to hold back my rampant perfectionism to fine-tune every image, with the necessity to make my deadline. I think the end-result will be worth it, and truly cherished.
I’m drawn to the deceptive simplicity and rich use of color in the Rider-Waite deck. There are so many theatrical and nostalgic aspects that work together flawlessly. The research into each cards, and other decks, has also been very enjoyable to me in this process.
The second great undertaking of Animal Carnival has been doll-making. I began my first prototype, a monkey named ‘Felix’, who I intended to be the basis of a much larger series.
Felix, the monkey.
I created Felix’s head out of polymer clay, which I then sanded, primed and painted. His body, I made out of muslin, and packed with cotton. I never made a doll with a cloth body before, so there was a lot of drafting, re-drafting, and trial-and-error.
I do a lot of antiquing, and I was inspired to make a doll that reminded me of some of the ‘oddities’ I have seen on the shelves of thrift stores. I imagined Felix as a monkey-assistant to a mad magician (among other similar kitschy themes).
It took me a while to find the right material for his clothes, but I eventually settled on a thick repurposed chartreuse linen, as well as a repurposed vintage tie for the vest. Repurposed ties are perfect for making doll formal-wear, because they often have tiny intricate patterns, that translate better to scale. I also made him a small leather satchel to hold papers and small notes.
The animal monoprints I made, earlier this year, were early inspiration for ‘Animal Carnival’
What I learned from this experience, are the many complex components that go into making an ‘art doll’, and I had to resolve many drafting errors in his clothing. The next doll head I create, I intend to cast, with the intention of creating multiple editions. I’m looking forward to having three-dimensional pieces to showcase alongside my printed work.
The intention of Animal Carnival is to create a series of art pieces that relates externally, in contrast to the internal dialogue of my paintings. I often think about how, until very recently (as in the last 100-200 years of human history), every toy, puppet or costume was made by hand. The creations, by consequence, are rich with intention and history, with each mark/ stitch. I would like the things I create to have that effect.
Final Thoughts
I will create a second update, with the progress of some of my fine art pieces, and some more recent images and concepts that have been inspiring my work.
Looking forward to seeing many of you before the holidays. Cheers~
All the best,
Robyn