Bonnie's Big Night Out

Bonnie just had an hour before Robert was coming to pick her up for the party. She had to pick out just  the right outfit, because Margaret had spent the week bragging about her new dress AND her new boyfriend. Just wait until Margaret got a look at Bonnie in this purple number as Robert swung her around the dance floor. This would be a night to remember.

ShareThis

Aloha!

11"x 14"

Watercolor on paper

$100

ShareThis

Poised and Elegant

11"x 14"

Watercolor on paper

$100

I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.
Marilyn Monroe


ShareThis

Talkin' bout a revolution

11" x 14"

Watercolor on paper

$100

Back when I was in middle school, I remember reading a book set during the American revolution. It had a teenage heroine and all seemed very glamorous and exciting. I am sure this time period was not nearly as fun as I imagined it to be as a 13-year-old, but just look at the fun dresses they got to wear!

ShareThis

Inspiration Monday: Tom Tierney

If you own any books of paper dolls, chances are that at least one of them is by Tom Tierney. Considered by many to be the "King of Paper Dolls," Tierney helped revive the lagging paper doll industry in the mid 1970's. Trained in fashion illustration, Tierney published his first paper doll book, "Thirty from the Thirties" in 1974. Since then, he has published almost 350 books of paper dolls. His dolls range in subject from movie stars, to the fashions of each decade, to his tribute to Rosie the Riveter.

I currently have three of his books, "Great Fashion Designs of the Twenties", "Great Fashion Designs of the Thirties", and his book of Marilyn Monroe paper dolls. Believe me when I say I look at them often as a source of inspiration!
ShareThis

Same Size Sale! What?!?

Hey, bonus Friday post! I'm feeling talkative today, I guess.

Alright, you people who have merely been browsing the paper dolls, but not buying, here is your chance. Now until September 1 I am having a Same Size Sale. If you buy two or more paper doll pieces of the same size, you will get 15% off your total purchase. 

This includes all the new 11"x 14" watercolors, the smaller watercolor paper dolls and oils, heck, I will even discount the really big paper dolls in the studio. This includes purchases through the blog (just message me the titles of the pieces you want and I will send you payment information), in the Etsy shop (use coupon code SAMESIZE), and in the studio.

And, the sale will still be going on for all you folks planning to stop by for White Linen Night Greenville. Put together your own paper doll set now!

ShareThis

Meet Bonnie!

Hello friends!

Today I would like to introduce you to Bonnie Paper Doll. 

Say "hi" to everyone, Bonnie.

Like most paper dolls, Bonnie has a very busy life and loves to have fun. She works (sometimes at many jobs at once), she plays, and spends time with her paper doll friends. 

I will be posting many of Bonnie's paper doll adventures here on the blog on Fridays. If you have a suggestion for one or more of Bonnie's outfits, you can email them to me. If I use your suggestion, I will give you props in the post (fame and fortune to follow, I am sure.)

I hope you all are as intrigued by this venture as I am. I know Bonnie is ready.

ShareThis

Can you dig it?

11"x 14"

Watercolor on paper

$100

I don't think I would wear it, but I kind of love this outfit. The 70's were so delightfully tacky. After the "New Look" in the 50's and the mod trend in the 60's, who decided, "you know what would look good? Velvet jumpsuit."

ShareThis

A Woman of Wonder

11"x 14"

Watercolor on paper

$100

Yes, I know that I have done three or four paper doll versions of Wonder Woman. Besides the fact that I love her and always wanted to be her (think about it; bullet proof bracelets, lasso of truth, that cool spinning thing she did to become Wonder Woman), she is one of the reasons behind why I make paper dolls.

I love the idea that, with a simple change of clothes, a woman goes from normal to spectacular. You would notice this woman walking down the street for no other reason that her outfit. Granted, you might think she was crazy, but that is besides the point. Put the same woman in sweats and you might not look twice at her. 

Keep that in mind when you are getting dressed tomorrow. Do you want to be normal, or something a little more Wonder-ful?

ShareThis

A Bit Mod

11"x 14"

Watercolor on paper

$100

So, I was going for a 1960's Mod Squad kind of feel here, but my major inspiration for this one was that 60's dress Kate Winslet wears in Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind (one of my favorites!) You know the scene I am talking about?

Joel is trying to hide Clementine in his childhood memories, and they go back to the 60's to try to escape from the mind erasers. (If you haven't seen the movie, I just lost you. Go watch it, then come back. We'll wait...) Clementine has the most amazing dress in that scene, not to mention her bright red hair.

I guess my paper doll girl also looks a bit like Joan from Mad Men. So many sources of inspiration.

ShareThis

Inspiration Monday: Erte

No one epitomizes the decadent 1920's art deco style like Erte. I spend a lot of time researching historical fashion trends for my paper dolls, and his prints are a huge source of inspiration, both because of the beautiful clothing in his pieces, and because of his amazing style.

Source

Born Romaine de Tirtoff in 1892, Erte became an influential graphic designer and costume designer during the 20's. His designs graced more that 200 covers of Harpers Bazaar, and were seen on stars of the stage and film.

Source

I am simply in love with his work; the opulent designs, the graphic quality, and the bright flat colors.

Source

What do you think?

ShareThis

Paper Dolls can be Saucy, Too

I have been trying to play around with my paper doll poses, making some of them a little more unusual. This drawing is a sketch for a new painting that I started on yesterday. She has a bit of that pin-up girl saucy-ness, and it should be a challenge to paint the back views of her clothes.

ShareThis

Bring out the Gipsy in Me

11"x 14"

Watercolor on Paper

$100

Love is a wild bird that no one can tame. It's useless to chase it If it won't play the game - From the Opera Carmen

ShareThis