Amy Perrotti

Grand Matryoshka Magnet

2012-02-07T11:02:00.001-05:00

Grand Matryoshka magnet surrounded by regular size Matryoshka magnets

So, it was sort of a light bulb moment for me. You know, I was going along, doing my normal thing, putting each new Matryoshka magnet I make in a row on my freezer door. When all of a sudden, out of nowhere, an idea hits me like a pie in the face and I stand there looking at myself with pie on my face thinking, "Why on Earth haven't I thought of this before???" I mean, it's a Matryoshka! They do open in the middle, duh. Anyway, I think it is a brilliant idea because it is simple and I believe in keeping it simple in design and in life. So I turned my refrigerator into a giant matryoshka. Now I just open my matryoshka whenever I want a snack. All my Matryoshka now have their own Grand Matryoshka magnet listed in my shop in case you would like to add some whimsy and culture to your refrigerator too! :)

Peace,

Amy Perrotti

© 2012 Amy Perrotti

Panamanian Matryoshka

2012-01-10T15:43:00.000-05:00

Panamanian Matryoshka

I've been itching to draw this Panamanian Matryoshka for about a year now! Most of the time I work exclusively from my suggestions list and you all give me really great suggestions too but this one I added to my suggestions list myself. I was so inspired by the Panamanian Pollera (dress) and the Folklore dancers, such a beautiful culture. :)

Last winter I was on a search for marketing knowledge and discovered Mayi Carles a wonderful Artist/marketing guru who is a wealth of knowledge and delivers it in a very entertaining way. Her Friday video posts on her website are a hoot and I look forward to watching them every week. Mayi is Panamanian and she is so delightful and intriguing that I just had to learn more about Panamanian culture. I signed up for one of her shop critiques and received so much great advice from her that going on a year later I'm still in the process of implementing it all! You can learn more about Mayi on her website heartmadeblog and "subscribe" to receive emailed updates from her.

Also, I am proud to say that just last week I was able to check off another one of the things on the list of great advice Mayi gave me— I added a "Follow by email" gadget to my blog (it is at the top of the right hand column) it is brand new to blogger! Just enter your email address to receive updates from me and keep up with all my latest Matryoshka illustrations! Please sign up and thank you for all your support.

Peace,
Amy Perrotti

Half the Sky Foundation » Blog Archive » Not my usual holiday tale…

2011-12-29T18:47:00.000-05:00

Half the Sky Foundation » Blog Archive » Not my usual holiday tale…

Please donate if you can and share this. Half the Sky's work is so vital to the orphans in China.

Venezuelan Dancer Matryoshka

2011-12-28T10:24:00.001-05:00

Venezuelan Dancer Matryoshka

While on holiday I did some research for my Venezuelan Matryoshka and came across the wonderful Joropo Dancers! I love all the Latin American cultures! Thank you for suggesting Venezuela Adriana (ClayCatShop). Next on my suggestions list is Panamanian! I wish you all love, joy and peace. :)

Balinese Dancer Matryoshka

2011-12-20T07:19:00.000-05:00

Balinese Dancer Matryoshka

This is my Balinese Dancer Matryoshka (now available in my shop), another wonderful suggestion! While doing research for this illustration I came across the Rejang Dewa traditional dance costumes. I was inspired by these beautiful costumes complete with tall woven hats adorned with flowers (very different from anything I've drawn before) and the beautiful and graceful girls that wear them and perform the dance. I hope I did this wonderful culture and people justice. I thank you for your continued support and terrific suggestions and for the beautiful cultures we celebrate together. Peace and joy to you and yours. :)

The Power of Women

2011-12-06T06:33:00.000-05:00

Black Friday the 25th - Cyber Monday the 28th!

2011-11-25T06:21:00.001-05:00

Enter coupon code: DOLLSALE15 and take 15% off your purchase in my shop, Black Friday the 25th — Cyber Monday the 28th. Happy shopping! :)

24 Matryoshka Print Proofs / Seconds

2011-11-15T12:13:00.001-05:00

24 Matryoshka Print Proofs / Seconds

I've just listed a pack of proofs / seconds in my shop! While drawing my illustrations I print out proofs to check the colors and then make necessary adjustments. Also, not every print comes out perfect. Sometimes there may be an imperfection in the paper or in the print quality. I save all my printed proofs and seconds but they are piling up and I need to clear them out of my studio. So you are in luck if you are wanting to buy a bunch of my prints and don't mind an occasional flaw or that some of them aren't the final illustration. The first photo shows the stack of 24 prints packaged together in a cello sleeve. The second, third and fourth photos show all the prints that are included in the pack. This great deal is now available in my shop! :)

UPDATE November 16, 2011: I've sold my first pack so I've listed another here! :)

UPDATE #2 December 27, 2011: I've sold my second pack so I've listed another here! :)

Nepalese Matryoshka Fundraising for the BlinkNow Foundation

2011-11-05T10:32:00.000-04:00

Nepalese Bride Matryoshka Close-Up, Fundraiser for the BlinkNow Foundation

Nepalese Bride Matryoshka, Fundraiser for the BlinkNow Foundation

Recently I learned about Maggie Doyne's Kopila Valley Children's Home and School, and the BlinkNow Foundation from my friend Nadine who has a friend, a nurse, who is going there to set up a health clinic. Nadine sent me a link to the BlinkNow.org website where I watched Maggie speak at "The Do Lectures" (below). Tears streamed down my face as I watched this courageous, compassionate, and committed woman, as I heard her story and learned about the work that she and her parents and family, and the local people of Nepal are doing to improve the lives of Children in the Surkhet region of Nepal. It made me hopeful for the future of the human race that people can be so committed to helping others. I share in Maggie's hope that one day all children will have the love that they need and their basic needs met. Watching and hearing her story made me believe that, in this sometimes too pessimistic world, it is really possible. I was inspired to divert my attention from my list of nationality/ethnicity drawing suggestions and create a Nepalese Bride Matryoshka illustration. I also contacted BlinkNow and received permission to promote and donate 50% of the sales price of each print to the BlinkNow Foundation. I hope you like my Nepalese Bride Matryoshka and enjoy Maggie's "The Do Lectures" inspiring video.

Maggie Doyne — Why the human family can do better from The Do Lectures on Vimeo.

Indian Matryoshka Party Favor / Gift Boxes PDF Printable

2011-10-21T09:47:00.000-04:00

Indian Matryoshka party favor / gift boxes (constructed)

Indian Matryoshka party favor / gift boxes (backs)

As I mentioned in my post yesterday I'm very excited to be incorporating some of my international Matryoshka illustrations into my party favor / gift box PDF printables. Yesterday I debuted my African Matryoshka boxes and today my Indian Matryoshka boxes. Perfect for holding candy, or small gifts. A decorative party favor, place at each table setting or arrange together as a centerpiece. Whether it's a holiday, dinner party, birthday party, bridal or baby shower, my boxes are appropriate for all. Enjoy! :)

Wondering how they are assembled? Here is a photo of one of my other boxes:

Simple to construct; print, cut one continuous piece, fold, and glue one tab and you have a charming Matryoshka favor box. And yes, this is my original design, box and all! :)

African Matryoshka Party Favor / Gift Boxes PDF Printable

2011-10-20T09:08:00.000-04:00

African Party Favor / Gift Boxes (constructed)

African Party Favor / Gift Boxes (backs)

I often get requests for PDFs made from my international Matryoshka illustrations. So, I'm coming up with PDFs incorporating some of my international Matryoshka faces. This first batch is my African Party Favor / Gift Boxes PDF printables. Don't they look festive? I placed one of the girl's face from my Matryoshka Tuareg Family illustration on my Matryoshka Party Favor Box and created these six colorful boxes. I hope you like them. :)

Tunisian Girl Matryoshka

2011-09-29T07:54:00.000-04:00

Tunisian Girl Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Tunisian Girl Matryoshka

I have just completed my Northern African Tunisian Girl Matryoshka! Another wonderful suggestion. I can't wait to print out ACEOs and magnets and all my prints of her. I really enjoy hearing from you all. I love your suggestions and the one-on-one contact I have through my Etsy shop. I am very grateful for all your support. Did you know, I include a hand written and signed thank you note on the back of a Matryoshka ACEO print (the small baseball size print I offer) with each order I fill? I want you to know how much I appreciate each order. I even keep track of which Matryoshka ACEO I send because I try to send a different one with each order a customer makes so you can collect ACEO thank you notes along with your purchases. Thank you all so much for your wonderful suggestions and continued support! :)

Below is my grouping suggestion for my Tunisian Girl.

Turk Bride Matryoshka, Tunisian Girl Matryoshka, Greek Matryoshka

Matryoshka Coloring Sheet PDFs

2011-09-27T09:23:00.000-04:00

Armenian Girl Matryoshka Coloring Sheet PDF

Queen Elizabeth I - English Matryoshka Coloring Sheet PDF

German Bavarian Matryoshka Coloring Sheet PDF

Italian Girl Matryoshka Coloring Sheet PDF

Scotswoman Matryoshka Coloring Sheet PDF

Hello friends. While nursing a cold and feeling sluggish I have found it difficult to pursue the normal long hours drawing at my computer. Since laying on the couch has been more my speed, I decided to work on something that turned out to be quite therapeutic while convalescing. I took my lap size light box, my original Matyoshka pencil sketch drawings and some good ink pens and set to work creating these Matryoshka coloring sheets! I am offering them in my "DIY PDF Printable Crafts" shop section. I hope they are as enjoyable to color as they were to draw. Thank you for all your kind support of my pencil sketches without which these never would have come to be. :)

Mexican Matryoshka Sisters

2011-09-08T07:23:00.001-04:00

My Mexican Matryoshka Girls: Yucatan, Jalisico Dancer, and Tehuana

As I mentioned in my last post when I was doing research for the much suggested Mexican Matryoshka, I was so inspired by the many regions that feature such beautiful, traditional dress that I decided to illustrate three! So here are my Mexican sister Matryoshka! Pictured above, the middle one is my Jalisico Mexican Dancer that I introduced you to in my last post. The girl on the left is from the Yucatan where the dresses are white with beautifully embroidered flowers. The girl on the right is wearing a black Tehuana dress from Oaxaca, again with embroidered flowers. The Mexican culture is so rich, I hope you like these Matryoshka, they are all now available in my shop. :)

Mexican Dancer Matryoshka

2011-09-04T08:09:00.000-04:00

Mexican Dancer Matryoshka

My newest Matryoshka illustration is inspired by the Mexican Ballet Folklorico, the Jalisico dress traditionally associated with Mariachi dancers, adorned with brightly colored ribbons. While doing research for my Mexican Matryoshka illustration I found three different regional dresses I was very inspired by and I plan on drawing the other two as well. The other two regions are the Yucatan and Juchitan (in Oaxaca). Often when researching a culture I find many different groups and styles of dress. It can be quite hard to choose which one to draw. I usually try to draw the one most often associated with a particular country, as is this Mexican Ballet Folklorica. But this time I thought why draw only one? So if ever I draw a Matryoshka and you are interested in a different region please just let me know. The more the merrier! :)

my Mexican Dancer Matryoshka rough sketch

Ethiopian Girl Matryoshka

2011-08-25T13:17:00.001-04:00

Ethiopian Girl Matryoshka

Hello blog friends! I hope you like my newest illustration, an Ethiopian Girl Matryoshka. I have had many requests for her, some of which came from the international adoption community.

Here are a couple of grouping suggestions for her. The first is a blue-green grouping.

Armenian Girl Matryoshka, Ethiopian Girl Matryoshka, and Irish Dancer Matryoshka

The second grouping is of my African Matryoshka.

Southern Nigerian Matryoshka, Ethiopian Girl Matryoshka, and Violet Tuareg Matryoshka

I love all of your suggestions so please keep them coming! Next on my suggestions list I see a Mexican Girl Matryoshka! I've really been looking forward to her too! Thank you! :)

Swedish Girl Matryoshka

2011-07-27T14:30:00.000-04:00

Swedish Girl Matryoshka

This is my latest illustration, my Swedish Girl Matryoshka. I hope you like her. :) She wears a purse as part of her traditional dress and I also included a wreath of flowers in her hair. She is not the first matryoshka I've drawn that includes a purse as part of the traditional dress. Below is a grouping suggestion showing these similar cultures.

Norwegian Girl Matryoshka, Swedish Girl Matryoshka, Finnish Girl Matryoshka

Assyrian Girl Matryoshka

2011-07-26T10:21:00.000-04:00

Assyrian Girl Matryoshka

My latest Matyoshka is Assyrian and adorned in silver and feathers. I had such fun researching her culture. I found wonderful videos of traditional dress and dance. I hope my illustrations inspire you to do research into your own heritage and also to explore other beautiful cultures of our world. Thank you for the suggestions, and please keep them coming! :)

Chinese Pink HanFu Girl Matryoshka 5"x7" print

Right now on elephantislove blog there is a give away going on of my Chinese Pink HanFu Girl Matryoshka 5x7 print. Please check it out! :)

UPDATE 10/21/2011

Assyrian Girl Matryoshka

I have updated this illustration to show more of the feathers. It has been suggested to me that the feathers are a very important part of the traditional dress and they needed to show more. I hope you are happy with the results. :)

Armenian Matryoshka

2011-07-03T11:43:00.000-04:00

Armenian Matryoshka

Armenian Matryoshka sketch

Hi, and Happy Independence Day (long holiday weekend) to those of you in the US. I just completed my Armenian Matryoshka. She wears a sheer veil, silver coin necklace and long ringlet curls. I fell in love with her and her culture as I drew her. I hope you like her too! Please keep the suggestions coming! :)

German Bavarian Matryoshka

2011-06-28T14:41:00.000-04:00

German Bavarian Matryoshka

German Bavarian Matryoshka pencil sketch

This is my latest illustration, my German Bavarian Matryoshka. I have had several requests for a German and specifically a Bavarian Matryoshka. She is wearing a formal style of dress (dirndl) versus a folk/everyday look. I enjoy finding similarities between cultures and this is another silver coin, choker necklace, and apron wearing Matryoshka. I've also included my pencil sketch. I hope she lives up to everyone's expectations and you like her. :)

Roman Goddess Juno Matryoshka

2011-06-23T17:19:00.001-04:00

Roman Goddess Juno Matryoshka

As you probably know by now, I welcome suggestions of nationality/ethnicity/culture to draw as Matryoshka. Ancient Roman was suggested, and as I researched I came across beautiful sculptures and paintings depicting the Roman Goddess Juno. As I read about her I knew she was the perfect choice to draw as my Roman Matryoshka! She is described as being associated with femininity, childbearing and marriage. Also, she is often depicted with a peacock, that is why I included the peacock feathers. I hope you like her! :)

Framing

2011-06-05T09:32:00.000-04:00

Portuguese Girl Matryoshka 5"x7" print

Chinese Pink Hanfu Girl Matryoshka 5"x7" print

Japanese Geisha Matryoshka 5"x7" print

Hello, I have begun framing and photographing my Matryoshka prints to show examples of what the pieces look like framed and displayed in a home. The Portuguese Girl Matryoshka is lying on a Portuguese Apron my Grandmother bought in Portugal in the 1960's. The Chinese Pink Hanfu Girl Matryoshka is hanging on a mural I painted on my dining room wall of plum tree branches in bloom. The Japanese Geisha Matryoshka is sitting on a bamboo shelf with a wooden doll my grandmother got in Japan in the 1950's. Next, I'm going to photograph my larger prints in different frames and settings. Please note I am only selling prints in my shop, not framed pieces. I purchased these frames at a local store for a $1 each. Because the illustrations have a white boarder outside of the Matryoshka, I think they look great without matting. So if you are thinking about starting a collection of my Matryoshka you don't have to go to the poor house over framing and matting. :)

Scotswoman Matryoshka

2011-05-28T18:38:00.025-04:00

Scotswoman Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Scotswoman Matryoshka

Scotswoman Matryoshka Rough Pencil Sketch

Hello friends! I have just completed my Scotswoman Matryoshka. Another redhead! I am a redhead by choice and Scot on my father's side (my maiden name is Stuart). With this Scotswoman Matryoshka I departed from my normal symmetrical style, as I've only done a couple of other times with my Italian Girl and Queen Elizabeth I. Sometimes I like to experiment with a more natural pose. I hope you like her! :)

Here are the two redheads I've drawn so far.

Scotswoman Matryoshka & Queen Elizabeth I Matryoshka

And because I forgot to show you this in my last post, here is my preliminary pencil sketch for my Swiss Girl Matryoshka.

Swiss Girl Matryoshka Rough Pencil Sketch

And another grouping suggestion, my Swiss and Finnish Matryoshkas.

Swiss Girl Matryoshka & Finnish Girl Matryoshka

Swiss Girl Matryoshka

2011-05-26T07:32:00.000-04:00

Swiss Girl Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Swiss Girl Matryoshka

Hello, this is my Swiss Girl Matryoshka! She was inspired by the women of Nidwalden Switzerland. Their white shirts have pleated (starched I would think) sleeves with black bands and lace cuffs. Black lace covers the lower part of the arms. I really enjoyed drawing all the lace!! Silver adornments include a hair stick and chains on the bodice of the dress. I hope you like her!

I have just added my suggestions list to the right hand column of my blog, so you can see what is coming up next and make sure I have added any nationality/ethnicity suggestions you have made. I work on my suggestions list from the top down (in the order that they were suggested). I haven't researched all of these yet and I can only draw them if I find sufficient examples in my research. If you make a suggestion, photos or links to examples are most helpful! Please leave me a link in a comment or convo me on Etsy with a photo. Thank you for your suggestions, and please keep them coming!! :)

Matryoshka Party Kit Printable PDF

2011-05-20T08:55:00.000-04:00

My Matryoshka Party Kit Printable PDF includes all this!

I have been working for the last month on bringing you a Matryoshka theme party kit! Last week I completed the design and over the weekend I staged my own Matryoshka party!

The Matryoshka Party Kit includes:

Streamers

Food Label Signs (blank for handwriting)

Cupcake Toppers

Straw Decorations

Paper Dolls that stand and nest

Coloring Sheets

Finger Dancer Dolls

Doll Face Stickers

Party Favor Box

Cookie Doll Decoration Card

Invitation

Thank You Card

Close-Up of the table items

Another Close-up

My Matryoshka Favor Box

These are my original designs and I worked really hard to make each item easy to assemble. I'm very pleased with the way the Matryoshka Favor Box came out. It's one continuous piece with only one tab to glue!

My Matryoshka Invitations

I wanted the invitation to have some aspect of how a nesting doll works but I wanted to minimize construction work. I decided to come up with a design that did not require cutting, only folding (the cards do come 2 to a sheet so the only cutting is cutting the 2 cards apart on a dotted line). I think I achieved the effect I was going for with minimal effort for the assembler. The card is designed to open in the middle (like a nesting doll). Open the doll to reveal the hidden invitation!

My Matryoshka Thank You Cards

The Thank You Cards are just a simple fold over card with a blank inside.

Matryoshka Party Activities
(3 Paper Dolls that stand and nest, 2 Coloring Sheets, 4 Finger Dancer Dolls)

I've tried to anticipate your needs by offering an entire Party kit and also offering two smaller kits: an Activities Kit, and a Decorations Kit. The Favor Box, Invitations, Thank You Cards and Coloring sheets are also sold separately. If there is any other configuration or item you are wanting to purchase individually, please let me know and I will make additional listings.

I think these Matryoshka party kits are perfect for birthday parties, bridal showers, or baby showers! I hope you like them! Happy parties! :)

Queen Elizabeth I - English Matryoshka

2011-05-08T11:30:00.000-04:00

Queen Elizabeth I - English Matryoshka

Hello and Happy Mother's Day! I have been busy working on my latest Matryoshka drawing from my list of suggestions and just completed her this morning (and listed her in my shop). She is my first redhead! The suggestion was "English" and after conducting a poll on facebook I chose Queen Elizabeth I to represent England. Because she is royalty, I tried to infuse the illustration with ethereal qualities. I've learned a few new techniques drawing the lace and feathers that I am very excited about. I may have to draw other ethereal female images. Let me know if you think of any you would like to see! :)

This is my original rough sketch for the illustration:

Queen Elizabeth I - pencil sketch

Please keep in mind this is a rough sketch, drawn one morning before the sun rose, in a dimly lit room, with a lead and eraser challenged pencil. I really need to stock up on new pencils and erasers. ;)

Matryoshka Coloring Sheets PDF

2011-05-02T10:03:00.003-04:00

Matryoshka Russian Nesting Doll Coloring Sheets PDF

I have been busy working on a Matryoshka party kit chock-full of fun and helpful printable PDFs. I can't wait for you to see them! I wanted to give you a taste while I complete the design of the other elements. These coloring sheets come as a two page PDF file. Page 1 shows a single black and white version of my Classic Matryoshka Russian Doll, and page 2 shows three nesting dolls. Fun for a bored rainy day activity, and fun and economical for party or classroom activities. Once purchased you can print as many as you like as often as you want! I hope you like them and are inspired by this and my future party kit to have your own Matryoshka themed party! Happy May my friends! :)

Colored Shells and Matryoshka Party Kit

2011-04-25T12:40:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! I hope you had a nice weekend. I want to share with you a fun, creative idea we came up with that you might want to do too. This year when we colored our one dozen eggs (with a typical store bought Easter egg dying kit, that comes with dye tablets that you add vinegar and water to) it went too fast (as fun things often do) and before we knew it, all our eggs were colored! My daughter said (in her imaginative kid way), "What else can we color?" I looked at her and said, "Good question." We thunk and we thunk, and she said, "How about that plaster Christmas decoration I have left over. That was a great idea! So now the pressure was on, I needed to come up with something too! Then it came to me, "Seashells!" They have a surface similar to eggs and I thought surely the vinegar and dye would etch and adhere much like it does to the surface of an egg. And you know what? It did! Not as vibrantly, but still they turned out pretty pastels. My daughter had a ball (as did I) and we ended up with more dyed shells than eggs!

The basket in the photo is my Easter basket from when I was a little girl. It is a wicker basket striped with green and pink dyed wicker. It has faded over the years. I sat there dying those shells and thought, "Hey I bet this would work on my wicker basket!" By the time I thought of it we had already poured out the pink dye but I used a paint brush and painted over the outside green stripes of the basket. The wicker drank it right up. I'll have to remember to brush on the pink dye next year. So I leave you with my daughter's question, "What else can we color?" :)

Oh, and another question - I am in the process of designing a Matryoshka Birthday Party Kit as a PDF printable. What types of items would you like for me to include? Thanks in advance for your input! :)

Thai Dancer Matryoshka

2011-04-17T09:27:00.001-04:00

Thai Dancer Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Thai Dancer Matryoshka

As promised in my last post, my newest illustration- Thai Dancer Matryoshka! I drew a dancer because I was inspired by the hand positioning and all the gold adornments of the traditional dance costumes. Also, I couldn't resist adding another "Gold" girl to my collection. I think she would look splendid displayed along with my Cambodian Girl Matryoshka, don't you?

Thai Dancer Matryoshka and Cambodian Girl Matryoshka (she is a fan dancer),

I'm realizing that many of my Matryoshka illustrations are inspired by traditional dance costumes but I haven't always labeled them as "Dancer", this was unintentional though. I may go back and rename some of them at some point.

Have you noticed my new blog layout? I rearranged it to include a new Etsy mini (top left) of my Etsy favorites! My Etsy favorites will include Matryoshka, girls room and nursery decor, and cultural items you may be interested in. I am browsing Etsy for fun items to share with you everyday so please check back often! :)

Akha Girl Matryoshka

2011-03-31T13:04:00.001-04:00

Akha Girl of Thailand Close-Up Portrait

Akha Girl of Thailand

I have just completed my Akha Girl Matryoshka illustration! While working from my suggestions list I came to Thai and in my research came across this beautiful and interesting people. The Akha people live in various regions of Asia but in my research for this illustration I focused on the Akha people living in Thailand where they are referred to as hill tribe people. So this is the first of my Thai Matryoshka illustrations, she is all silver adornments (and colorful beads) and my next traditional Thai Matryoshka will be all gold adornments. Please keep the great suggestions coming! :)

Below is my grouping suggestion for this illustration.

Hmong Girl Matryoshka, Akha Girl Matryoshka, Tibetan Girl Matryoshka

Turk Bride Matryoshka Illustration

2011-03-25T11:40:00.003-04:00

Turk Bride Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Turk Bride Matryoshka

Happy Friday! I completed my Turk Bride Matryoshka this morning and listed all items of her in my shop. She is the first of my Matryoshkas that I have titled "Bride" but not the first that incorporates in their traditions gold coin jewelry and adornments. You may remember my Greek and my Afghan Matryoshkas. Below are three that would make a nice grouping of blues, golds, reds and rusts. I hope you like my newest Matryoshka and please remember your cultural suggestions are most welcome! :)

Cambodian Girl Matryoshka, Turk Bride Matryoshka, and Greek Matryoshka

Hungarian Girl Matryoshka Illustration

2011-03-20T11:20:00.000-04:00

Hungarian Girl Matryoshka

Happy spring! I just completed a Hungarian Matryoshka illustration. She wears my version of traditional Hungarian, Kalocsa dress, complete with floral embroidery. Thank you for your continued support and suggestions.

Here are more of my matryoshkas wearing aprons:

Portuguese Girl Matryoshka

Polish Girl Matryoshka

Czech Girl Matryoshka

Chilean Girl Matryoshka

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T08:48:00.000-04:00

Irish Dancer Matryoshka

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Norwegian Girl Matryoshka and Norwegian Purse

2011-03-10T10:34:00.000-05:00

Norwegian Girl Matryoshka and Norwegian Traditional Purse illustrations

Hi everybody! Thank you to everyone who has participated in my BOGO sale celebrating my shop's 2 year anniversay! It is still going on as I write this post. Fittingly, my latest Martyoshka illustration has a companion illustration, a Norwegian Traditional Purse. Knowing I just created this pair of illustrations, I couldn't take down my BOGO sale yet could I??? It just wouldn't be fair! :)

The Norwegian culture was kindly suggested by a customer. In my research for this drawing I enjoyed learning about Norwegian bunads, traditional costumes worn by men and women alike. I especially fell in love with the purses. When I was finished drawing, and realized how small the purse would be in the final print, I decided this just would not do! So, I created a companion print to the Matryoshka of just the purse. I hope you like them both! :)

BOGO SALE!

2011-02-28T08:03:00.004-05:00

Thank you for all your support in my shop's first two years! In honor of my shop turning 2 I'm having a BOGO SALE, Buy One Get One Free! Please hop on over to my shop and check it out! :)

Pastel - Nesting Dolls, Message Hearts, Eat Me Macarons, and Ukrainian Eggs

2011-02-24T09:35:00.001-05:00

Pastel Four Print Set

My latest set of illustrations is for the love of babies, little girls and Mommies everywhere; Matryoshka, Message Hearts, Eat Me Macarons, and Ukrainian Eggs in pastel colors. Perfect for displaying together on a nursery or girl's room wall. I hope you like this set! :)

Matryoshka Magnets

2011-02-23T10:59:00.003-05:00

Classic Matryoshka Magnet Set

Did you know I offer magnets as well as prints of my Matryoshka? I do. In fact a customer contacted me with a great magnet suggestion this week. She asked if I could create a magnet set of my Russian Doll Classic Matryoshka Family illustration. I'm so excited about how it turned out (above image)! When I packaged them up together in a cello sleeve, stacked with the largest one in the back and the smallest in the front, they looked so pretty, such a garden of colors! I need to photo the next batch I package, and post it to show you.

International Matryoshka Magnets

I can't believe how many international Matryoshka illustrations I have drawn in a little over a year. I have 31 now and I'm working on my next, a Norwegian Matryoshka. I never could have drawn so many without all your helpful suggestions. Thank you!! The image above shows them all, and a link to all the magnets. If you are looking for a specific nationality or ethnicity that is not currently available in my shop please contact me and I will add it to my list of suggestions. You can leave a comment here or send me a conversation on my shop. Thanks again! :)

Southern Nigerian Matryoshka

2011-02-20T10:52:00.005-05:00

Southern Nigerian Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Southern Nigerian Matryoshka

Introducing my Southern Nigerian Matryoshka, another wonderful culture suggested to me. While doing my research I marveled at all the beautiful Gele head wraps I found. I hope I did the Gele justice. Also, I continue to be amazed by how many cultures in our world wear red beads of some kind. I can't help but group my Matryoshkas (in my head) into categories based on similarities. I have the red bead girls (Polish, Brazilian, Dutch, Croatian, Italian, Ukrainian, and now Southern Nigerian), the gold girls (Cambodian, Pakistani, Russian, Greek, Afghan), the jasmine flower girls (Cambodian, Pakistani, Japanese), the list goes on and on. It is such fun.

In the months ahead I am going to be posting suggested groupings of Matryoshkas based on color, region, and season. I hope you find these posts helpful. My first grouping suggestion is my fiery red and light aqua blue color combination Matryoshkas. Happy decorating! :)

Southern Nigerian, Aqua Indian, Chilean, and Vietnamese Fire Matryoshka

Ukrainian Girl Matryoshka

2011-02-16T15:03:00.007-05:00

Ukrainian Girl Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Ukrainian Girl Matryoshka

Say hello to my Ukrainian Girl Matryoshka! I hope you like her! She is making me yearn for spring, with her colorful flowers and maypole like ribbons! I have been drawing her on and off for a couple of weeks now. She took me a little longer than usual because I have been so busy revamping my shop and educating myself on running my business, that I have had little time to draw. Etsy had a really terrific Etsy Success Symposium day last week, with some wonderful speakers. I learned a lot and am implementing. There are videos posted of some of the Symposium in case you missed it and are an interested Etsy shop owner. My favorite part of it was April Bowles- "Achieving Your Creative Goals"(the second video at the link, the first one isn't working). April's website is Blacksburg Belle.

My Ukrainian Girl Matryoshka was suggested by someone who contacted me through my Etsy shop. I am working exclusively from my list of suggestions now. Please keep the suggestions coming! :)

Czech Girl Matryoshka

2011-01-25T17:58:00.000-05:00

Czech Girl Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Czech Girl Matryoshka

My Czech Girl Matryoshka was inspired by the folk dress of the people of Skoronice in the Czech Republic. One of my wonderful customers requested I draw a Czech girl and suggested folk dress from this area that was Moravia. In my research I found lots of lace, puffy sleeves, and black aprons embroidered with colorful flowers.

This matryoshka also has a personal connection because I live in Winston-Salem, NC. The "Salem" comes from a settlement founded by Moravians who settled in North Carolina in the 1700s. It is now the historical Old Salem with restored buildings, museums, shops and gardens. My husband and I were also married in a Moravian church in neighboring Kernersville, NC.

Next on my list of requests is a Ukrainian Girl with blue eyes and brown hair. She should be fun to draw too because the girls traditionally wore wreaths of flowers as a headdress. Please keep the suggestions coming! :)

Italian Girl Matryoshka

2011-01-16T08:17:00.001-05:00

Italian Girl Matryoshka

Ciao! Well, it is about time I drew an Italian Girl Matryoshka isn't it? I mean, my last name is Italian, my husband is Italian, even my Grandfather was Italian. Also, I have had requests for her. What can I say, I am only one artist and there are so many people to draw! :)

I have departed from my usual very symmetrical style of drawing matryoshka and stayed truer to my original sketch with this one. There is a lot to live up to when drawing an Italian! Leonardo, Michelangelo, I mean the pressure! LOL Anyway, I hope you like her.

Also, I want to share with you links to two recent blog posts about my work. The first one is a lovely lady and her family, who's little girl just turned 5. She had a matryoshka themed birthday party and contacted me to ask if I could make an Afghan Matryoshka for her daughter Ava, which I did (I love it when people give me suggestions). The party was a huge success and she has posted about the party and included photos on her blog The Art of Family.

The second blog post is on my friend Carrie's blog The Vintage Wren (also the name of her wonderful Etsy vintage store). Carrie and I went to school together and were inseparable. We had such fun studying Graphic Design and Art together and are still good friends. Carrie wrote a very kind post about my work, you can read it here. In addition to Carrie's vintage shop she also has an art shop- The Artful Apple and a knitting shop- Lily & Lulu filled with beautifully knitted garments and creative and inspiring renderings. Here are a couple of my favorites:

FORK

Tuesday (cowl)

I don't know how Carrie does it all; three shops, three children, a beautiful blog with incredible photography and she is beautiful as well, in every way. :)

Irish Dancer Matryoshka

2011-01-12T08:36:00.000-05:00

Irish Dancer Matryoshka

Irish Dancer Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Happy New Year to you all! Thank you for all your past support and I wish you a very happy, healthy and successful new year! I have a new Matryoshka illustration to show you, my Irish Dancer Matryoshka! She was suggested to me by a wonderful customer who is collecting my work. I created my very own Celtic knots for this piece. I have always wanted to experiment with drawing Celtic knots. It was such fun, I imagine it is something I will want to do again in the future. It is tempting to make a line of these dancers all standing side by side. That would be an excuse to draw more Celtic knots! You all have such great suggestions, please keep them coming!

Croatian Girl Matryoshka

2010-12-30T18:34:00.000-05:00

Croatian Girl Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Croatian Girl Matryoshka

Happy New Year to you all! I hope you have a fun and safe New Year's Eve and Day. Speaking of "New" I have a new drawing to show you! My Croatian Girl Matryoshka. I've had two kind requests for a Croatian Matryoshka and one was even so kind as to send me a link to what she had in mind— a Croatian Folk Dancer! This was really allot of fun. Something about red and white I just love, maybe it is the valentine connection. I hope she surpasses their expectations and I hope you love her too! :)

Afghan Girl Matryoshka

2010-12-26T13:22:00.005-05:00

Afghan Girl Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Afghan Girl Matryoshka

Happy Holidays to you all! We are enjoying (a very unusual for the southern US) white Christmas weekend here. I hope wherever you are, you are cozy. I have a new illustration to show you, my Afghan Girl Matryoshka! Someone was nice enough to suggest her. For the clothing she suggested bold colors and tiny circle mirrors. I also added gold coin fringe which I saw in some of my research. I hope you like her! :)

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-12T06:43:00.001-05:00

Holiday items in my shop! :)

Hello everyone! I hope you and your loved ones are well and enjoying this holiday season! Above is a compilation of a few of my snowy, holiday, gift ideas from various sections of my shop:

Accessories
Books & Zines
Magnets
Prints

I am hoping to have a chance to draw this week. You all have given me several suggestions for matryoshka- Afghan, Croatian, and Irish. If I have forgotten one that you would like me to draw please remind me. I am sticking with traditional cultural themes but also have an American Women series that I will be adding American women from different eras. If you have any suggestions for any of those I would love to hear them. Thank you for your support and I wish you and your families and friends a wonderful holiday season! :)

Finnish Girl Matryoshka

2010-11-19T16:01:00.003-05:00

I've had a couple of people request a Finnish Girl Matryoshka. After much research I was having a difficult time deciding which ethnicity to portray first, until Jill of Barrel of Monkeys was kind enough to point me in a direction. She suggested Kansallispuku style! So this is my version of a Finnish Girl, Kansallispuku style Matryoshka! How do you like the wind in her hair and hair ribbons? I'm really enjoying it! Can you tell? Thank you for the suggestion Jill! Everyone please keep the suggestions coming and if you know of examples of traditional dress that really helps! :)

I think my Polish, Finnish, and Dutch Matryoshkas would look splendid displayed together.

Dutch Girl Matryoshka!

2010-11-16T11:14:00.003-05:00

This is my latest illustration, my Dutch Girl Matryoshka! I think she and my Polish Girl Matryoshka would make a nice set displayed together. My mother visited Holland as a child and has always talked about how beautiful it was. Recently Risa of restlessrisa suggested I draw a Dutch doll. Thank you for the suggestion Risa! Please keep the suggestions coming! :)

Greek Matryoshka!

2010-11-11T20:48:00.001-05:00

My Greek Matryoshka is now available in my shop. I had someone ask me if I could draw a Greek Matryoshka, and she was kind enough to send me some links with examples of traditional dress. Sometimes I get a request but I have difficulty pinpointing what the traditional dress is, so links to examples are a big help. Thank you to everyone who is making suggestions. It really helps inspire me and I really want to know what you would like to see. I wonder what wonderful ideas you will come up with next? :)

If you like my Greek Matryoshka you may also like my other "Gold Sisters" (adorned with gold jewelry and embellishments) Cambodian Girl and Pakistani Girl.

New- Polish Girl Matryoshka

2010-10-31T11:06:00.001-04:00

Introducing my latest drawing, a Polish Girl Matryoshka! I had a request for a Polish girl matryoshka last week. I was so delighted when I saw how interesting and intricate Polish traditional clothing is and happily discovered the origins of something that I have wondered about for the longest time. For many years there was a house I would often pass by that had beautiful white lace curtains with a zigzag edge. I would always look at the curtains and wonder where they came from. I knew they had to be Old World, they were so beautiful. I was delighted when I saw that the Polish aprons appear to be the same lace fabric! Finally, my white curtain mystery is solved! Please keep the great suggestions coming! :)

New- Russian Girl Matryoshka!

2010-10-27T13:29:00.002-04:00

Russian Girl Matryoshka

I just completed my latest matryoshka illustration, "Russian Girl Matryoshka". It is about time I drew a traditional Russian matryoshka isn't it? I came up with a couple different versions of this and I've had a request for some gift tags of my matryoshka so I'm thinking about making a set of Russian Doll gift tags for the holiday season.

I hope you like her! :)

New- Matryoshka Paper Goods

2010-10-21T20:50:00.000-04:00

Matryoshka Family Lists PDF Printable

I have had several requests for paper goods featuring my Matryoshka illustrations. This is my first, "Matryoshka Family Lists PDF printable" (I remove the logo that stretches across the lists when I fill an order). What is great about PDFs is you can print as many as you want as often as you want. I'm going to print out a bunch of these for my shopping and to-do lists. I'm also going to print out stacks of them, wrap with colored tissue paper and a pretty ribbon and give as gifts this coming holiday season. Happy list making! :)

New- Chilean Girl Matryoshka

2010-10-18T13:00:00.000-04:00

Chilean Girl Matryoshka Close-Up Portrait

Chilean Girl Matryoshka

With the Chilean miners ordeal and successful rescue last week the Chilean people have been in my thoughts. I'm so happy for the families who have been reunited with there loved ones and especially happy for the children of the miners. This matryoshka is inspired by these very inspiring, beautiful Chilean people. I hope you like her. :)

New- Native American Woman Matryoshka Print

2010-10-15T13:36:00.000-04:00

Native American Woman Matryoshka Close-Up Print

Native American Woman Matryoshka Print

My latest matryoshka illustration fits into both my usual traditional dress matryoshka series of dolls, and my new American women matryoshka series. I really enjoyed researching Native American traditional dress and coming up with this, my version. Anybody know why I chose a turtle as a design element?

I also came across another subject I would like to illustrate. It is not matryoshka but related. That is all the hint I will give for now. You will have to wait and I will surprise you. I promise not to make you wait too long. :)

Also, an update- Holly did a very nice post on her blog about the matryoshka portrait I did of her (she was my first American Woman Matryoshka- Holly 21st Century). She included the photos of herself that were my inspiration. Thank you Holly! :)

Have a great weekend everybody!

New- "Holly 21st Century" American Woman Series Matryoshka

2010-10-08T12:55:00.000-04:00

"Holly 21st Century" is the first in my new series of American Women Matryoshka! Holly is a beautiful, bright, American woman who embodies the handmade movement of today. I was inspired by the real Holly Embry of HollyRocks (also HollyRocksJewelry.blogspot.com). We have become friends though Etsy and our blogs. She has a generous and kind spirit that resonates through everything she does and all her interactions. With a degree in education, she shares her entrepreneurial knowledge with others by teaching a class about how to start an Etsy shop at a local community college. Holly was kind enough to allow me to draw her portrait as my 21st Century American Woman. Thank you Holly and bravo! (The link to the close up portait is here.)

New- Latvian Girl Matryoshka!

2010-10-04T19:22:00.000-04:00

My friend Karen's father is from Latvia and she recently suggested I make a Latvian Matryoshka. I'm so glad she did! She told me Latvian traditional clothing has beautiful colors and patterns. After doing some research I can't agree more. Beautiful! I found lots of examples of striped skirts, vests, collared shirts fastened with a brooch, and a large variety of headdress. I hope she, her family and you like my Latvian Matryoshka! :)

New- Korean Girl and Japanese Geisha Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits!

2010-10-02T07:48:00.000-04:00

Korean Girl and Japanese Geisha Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits

Happy Saturday and happy October! The fair is in town here and we look forward to going every year, so we are excited. Our first fall activity! Next weekend I think it will be a visit to the pumpkin patch. I love this time of year!!

Just listed these two close-up matryoshka portraits- Korean Girl and Japanese Geisha! I've been listing and posting about these close-up portraits in pairs. This pair I chose to post together because they each have three main colors and I drew them in succession. So I always think of them as being closely related in my international matryoshka series. Did you think it was because they are both Asian? :)

New- Hmong and Pink Hanfu Chinese Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits!

2010-09-29T19:07:00.009-04:00

Hmong and Pink Hanfu Chinese Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits

Hi! I hope you are having a good week. I've been in major nesting mode this week. Clearing things out and sprucing up. I think because I'm gearing up for the holiday season both personally in my home and professionally with my shop.

I just listed two close-up portraits, Hmong Girl and Pink Hanfu Chinese Girl. I'm really enjoying these close-up portrait versions of my matryoshka. I adore their sweet faces. I can't help it, they are like my children. I hope you like! :)

New- Brazilian and Guatemalan Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits!

2010-09-28T10:27:00.006-04:00

Brazilian and Guatemalan Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits

I enjoy learning about different cultures when I'm doing research for my matryoshka drawings. Because we have adopted a child internationally we know children from lots of different cultures which makes it even more interesting to me. Such is the case with the Guatemalan Girl Matryoshka. I have had several requests for a Brazilian Matryoshka. I've never been to Brazil but my husband Eric is a musician and we love Bossa Nova music. While researching I enjoyed seeing all the examples of traditional Bahian dress with its long full skirts. Both are such beautiful cultures.

For my full view Matryoshka prints: Bahia Brazilian Matryoshka print and Guatemalan Girl Matryoshka Print.

Brazilian Floral Fabrics Now Available!

2010-09-26T09:37:00.001-04:00

Red and White floral stripe design inspired by my Bahia Brazilian Matryoshka illustration.

Gray blue floral design inspired by my Bahia Brazilian Matryoshka illustration.

Happy Sunday everybody! These two fabric designs are inspired by my Bahia Brazilian Matryoshka illustration and are now available on Spoonflower. As you have probably noticed by now, my international Matryoshka illustrations have design elements in common- flowers, leaves, and swirls. I did this to unify the group as a series and to illustrate that as people, regardless of where we come from, we all have things in common. Click on the pictures above to go directly to the fabrics on Spoonflower. If you would like to read my earlier posts on my fabric click here. :)

New- Pakistani and Cambodian Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits!

2010-09-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

Pakistani and Cambodian Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits

I drew these two Matryoshka in succession (first the Cambodian and then the Pakistani). I enjoyed drawing all the gold adornments so much that I wanted to draw another culture that wore allot of gold. This is why I always think of these two Matryoshka girls as going together, my Gold Sisters! Also, the Jasmine flowers in their hair. That is why I'm posting these two close-up portraits at the same time (Cambodian and Pakistani). I hope you like them! :)

Cambodian Floral Fabrics Now Available!

2010-09-24T11:58:00.002-04:00

Cambodian Dark Blue and Gold Flower fabric inspired by my Cambodian Matryoshka

Cambodian Red Flower fabric inspired by my Cambodian Matryoshka

Happy Friday! Here is another set of fabric designs now available on Spoonflower- My Cambodian Dark Blue and Gold Flower and Cambodian Red Flower fabrics inspired by my Cambodian Matryoshka! This makes ten fabrics so far. You can read my earlier fabric posts here. I'm not done yet, I'll be listing more fabric tomorrow!

New- Peruvian and Portuguese Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits!

2010-09-24T08:55:00.007-04:00

I always think of these two girls (Peruvian and Portuguese) as friends, neighbors, even though their countries of origin are far away. I drew them together with my Tibetan Matryoshka because I was intrigued by how similar the use of colors, embroidery, layering of clothing, is in all three cultures. The Tibetan girl rounds out the 3 musketeers. I just didn't include her here because I posted her Close-up Portrait last night. :)

New Close-Up Matryoshka Portraits

2010-09-23T20:17:00.001-04:00

Aqua Indian Girl Matryoshka Portrait

Tibetan Girl Matryoshka Portrait

I was experimenting with different layouts today when I got the idea to do some close-up versions of my Matryoshka. So far I've posted these two in my shop; Aqua Indian Girl Matryoshka Portrait, and Tibetan Girl Matryoshka Portrait. I hope you like them! :)

Guatemalan Floral Fabrics Now Available!

2010-09-23T10:48:00.001-04:00

Guatemalan Flower fabric design inspired by my Guatemalan Matryoshka

Guatemalan Floral Stripe fabric design inspired by my Guatemalan Matryoshka

Hi everybody! I hope you are having a good week. Time for more fabric designs!! Inspired by my Guatemalan Matryoshka these 2 fabric designs are now available at Spoonflower along with the 6 fabrics I listed earlier this week. If you missed my earlier posts about the fabric you can find them here. I'll be listing more fabrics on Spoonflower over the next few days. :)

Hello Autumn!

2010-09-22T08:10:00.002-04:00

Today is the first day of autumn here (I live in North Carolina in the US). I love autumn. The summer was so hot and humid. I love the cooler weather, and the long shadows while playing outside on a late September afternoon. Our autumn leaves don't peak until mid to late October but the anticipation of their magnificent colors, and picking out pumpkins to decorate our front porch and carve as jack-o'-lanterns, is exciting! I am wishing you a beautiful September, where you are, what ever the season. OvO

Above are some of my creations to help celebrate the coming of autumn.

Korean Floral Fabrics Now Available!

2010-09-21T16:30:00.001-04:00

Korean Floral Stripe- fabric design inspired by my Korean Matryoshka

Korean Flower- fabric design inspired by my Korean Matryoshka

I'm so excited about my new fabrics I'm posting twice in one day!! :)

Inspired by my Korean Matryoshka illustration, these two fabric designs are now available on Spoonflower.com (along with the four I uploaded earlier). Read more about my fabric designs and Spoonflower on my earlier post.

My First 4 Fabrics Available Now!

2010-09-21T08:42:00.000-04:00

Tibetan Clouds- Clouds inspired by my Tibetan Matryoshka illustration.

Peruvian Stripes- Floral stripe inspired by my Peruvian Matryoshka illustration.

Aqua Indian Swirl- Swirl design inspired by my Aqua Indian Girl Matryoshka illustration.

Pink Hanfu Flower- Floral design inspired by my Pink HanFu Chinese Girl Matryoshka illustration.

Now available on Spoonflower.com my first 4 fabric designs! Inspired by my Matryoshka illustrations, these fabrics are designed to accompany my artwork. Whether you collect my illustration prints to decorate your child's nursery or bedroom, or you display my Matryoshka magnets on your kitchen refrigerator, Spoonflower offers a variety of fabric weights to fit a variety of applications. Perfect for crib sets, bedding, drapery, aprons, whatever your fabric needs.

Spoonflower suggests (and I do too) you order a test swatch first to check that the colors are what you are expecting. Colors appear different from computer screen to computer screen and also print differently on different printers. So the fabric may not match what you see on your screen or my art prints exactly. By ordering a test swatch first, you can test and see if all the planned colors for your decor are in sync and meet your expectations (good idea when planning an entire room down to the paint for the walls). I don't get a percentage from test swatch orders, I just want happy customers. Happy decorating! :)

More fabric designs to come in the next few days!

Vietnamese Matryoshka Sisters- Fire and Water

2010-09-14T19:24:00.003-04:00

Vietnamese Fire Matryoshka

Vietnamese Water Matryoshka

Hi everybody, I hope you are having a good week. Thank you for all your comments. I'm eagerly waiting for my fabric swatches to arrive. I was feeling a bit under the weather this past weekend but I'm feeling better and back in a productive mode. I'm proud of myself because I wanted to complete a new Matryoshka this week and it is only Tuesday and I've completed a set of sisters, my Vietnamese Fire and Water Matryoshka Sisters! TA-DA! I hope you like them. Now, who to draw next? ;)

Final Fabric Sneak Peeks!

2010-09-10T07:41:00.000-04:00

Cambodian Girl Matryoshka Fabric Designs Sneak Peek

Pakistani Girl Matryoshka Fabric Designs Sneak Peek

Hi everybody! Happy Friday to you. Well, these are the last two sneak peeks I have planned before I receive my fabric swatches, approve them (hopefully) and begin offering the fabric. I can't wait for the swatches to arrive! Thus far I've designed fabric for twelve of my fourteen Matryoshkas. The two I haven't designed for yet (Violet Tuareg Girl and Hmong Girl) will come later along with future Matryoshka illustrations and their fabrics. Check out my earlier posts to see the rest of the collection of fabrics. Have a great weekend! :)

More Fabric Sneak Peeks!

2010-09-08T10:07:00.004-04:00

Korean Girl Matryoshka Fabric Designs

Romanian Saxon Girl Matryoshka Fabric Design

These are sneak peeks of fabric I have designed to go with my Korean Girl Matryoshka and Romanian Saxon Girl Matryoshka. You can read more about my new fabric designs in recent posts here. I'll post more sneak peeks in the upcoming days. Thank you for looking and reading. :)

More Fabric Sneak Peeks!

2010-09-06T20:37:00.001-04:00

Tibetan Girl Matryoshka Cloud Fabric Design

Portuguese Girl Matryoshka Fabric Designs

Peruvian Girl Matryoshka Fabric Design

Here are more sneak peeks at fabric I have designed to go with my Matryoshka prints. These three Matryoshka illustrations were designed as a series and share the same color palate. You can read more about my new fabric designs in my posts last week here. I'll post more sneak peeks in the upcoming days. Have a great week! :)

More Fabric Sneak Peeks!

2010-09-04T08:54:00.001-04:00

Aqua Indian Matryoshka Swirl Fabric Design

Pink HanFu Chinese Matryoshka Flower Fabric Design

These are sneak peeks at fabric I have designed to go with my Matryoshka prints. You can read all about it on my Fabric Sneak Peek post, Thursday, September 2nd. I'll post more sneak peeks in the upcoming days. Have a Great weekend! :)

Fabric Sneak Peek!

2010-09-02T11:10:00.000-04:00

Bahia Brazilian Matryoshka fabric designs Sneak Peek.

Japanese Geisha Matryoshka fabric designs Sneak Peek.

Guatemalan Girl Matryoshka fabric designs Sneak Peek.

You may have seen my tweets and posts about designing fabric to go with my Matryoshka prints. This is a sneak peek of what I've been up to! :) The fabric company I'm using for this project offers a variety of different fabric types and weights appropriate for home decor and clothing. I've ordered swatches and they should be here in a couple of weeks and I'm bursting with anticipation!! I'm offering these fabrics so that my collectors can have a way to decorate a room, create clothing, etc. based on the designs in my illustrations.

Some suggested uses:
Accent Pillows

Aprons

Bed Coverings
Clothing and Costumes
Crib Sets
Curtains
Shower Curtains
Table Cloths and Cloth Napkins

I have designed one or two fabrics each to go with twelve of my Matryoshka illustrations thus far. Over the next little while, while I wait for the swatches to come, I will post more sneak peeks of the fabric designs. Also, the background color behind each of these Sneak Peeks is a color that exists in the Matryoshka illustration, and I'm showing it here as a possible wall color suggestion.

I've got my eye on the Bahia Brazilian Matryoshka red and white fabric design. I'm thinking it would look lovely as curtains in my kitchen, but the Guatemalan Girl Matryoshka fabric design would be fun too. I have a collection of Blue Ridge Dinnerware hanging around my kitchen that either would work well with.

Based on the results of the swatches I may need to tweak the designs some to perfect them. I just wanted to let you in on what I'm working on and what new things are on their way. I wish you joy! :)

Hmong Girl Matryoshka

2010-08-20T10:53:00.004-04:00

Introducing my latest illustration "Hmong Girl Matryoshka". This illustration is inspired by Hmong traditional New Year's celebration clothing. There was so much to be inspired by this beautiful people and their culture. I just adore their beaded hats and pleated skirts, and silver coin decorations! I hope you like her. :)

Guatemalan Girl Matryoshka

2010-08-13T15:30:00.001-04:00

Introducing my newest illustration, Guatemalan Girl Matryoshka. I really enjoyed drawing her. She is full of joy! My colorful little cherub. I think she and my Peruvian Girl Matryoshka are going to get along famously! They will look so cute paired together, hanging on the wall! I'm so excited! Can you tell? Her festive colors are putting me in the mood for a party! I hope you adore her too! Shameless I know. Sorry, I can't help myself, I love sweet little children. :)

Romanian Saxon Girl Matryoshka

2010-08-03T16:53:00.004-04:00

This is my latest illustration a Romanian Saxon Girl Matryoshka. Lorena (lorenabr) requested this matryoshka and requested she wear traditional black and white Saxon style clothing. It was fun doing a mostly black and white illustration. Very different from what I usually do. I did take the liberty to make designs on the black fabric. I don't know if the traditional fabric would be velvety or not but I made the designs to suggest either detail cut into velvet or embroidered black on black. My matryoshkas are inspired by different cultures, not exact copies of the different costumes, so I take allot of creative liberties with them.

I haven't drawn very many blonds. It was a challenge creating enough contrast with fair hair and fair skin. I gave her dark blue eyes because I wanted to make blueberry eyes. I have dark blue eyes and fair skin, so their is a little bit of me in her.

Thank you Lorena for the suggestion! I have had a suggestion for a Belgian matryoshka but I am having a hard time finding any reference material showing traditional clothing. I haven't forgotten the ballerina request! I'm thinking Sugar Plum Fairy! :)

Matryoshka Magnets

2010-07-27T06:22:00.000-04:00

A) HanFu Chinese Matryosha Magnet

B) Aqua Indian Girl Matryosha Magnet

C) Violet Tuareg Matryosha Magnet

D) Peruvian Girl Matryosha Magnet

E) Tibetan Girl Matryosha Magnet

F) Portuguese Girl Matryosha Magnet

G) Bahia Brazilian Matryosha Magnet

H) Cambodian Girl Matryosha Magnet

I) Pakistani Girl Matryosha Magnet

J) Japanese Geisha Matryosha Magnet

K) Korean Girl Matryosha Magnet

These are all my Matryoshka magnets thus far! I can't believe I'm up to K! Now I'm working on a Saxon Romanian Matryoshka. The next couple of weeks are really busy so I probably won't get to work on it as much as I would like to. I'll unveil it here as soon as things calm down and I get things done. :)

Free Color Proof

2010-07-23T12:53:00.014-04:00

Japanese Geisha Matryoshka Color Proofs B, C

Pakistani Matryoshka Color Proofs A, C, D

As I mentioned in an earlier post, when working on my illustrations I print out color proofs (same quality as all my prints just not the final illustration). Because I don't want to waste paper and ink, I try to keep my printing down to a minimum and I save my proofs in hopes of coming up with something useful to do with them. These proofs are beginning to pile up, so it is time to come up with a solution! I am offering one free color proof (from photos above) with any purchase in my shop totaling $12 or more. These are one of a kind, so they will go to the first person who asks for each proof. Just leave me a message at check out which color proof you would like. I think "Free" is FUN! That is why I offer free shipping in my shop too. :)

Matryoshka Sketches

2010-07-22T09:32:00.013-04:00

These are preliminary sketches I did for my recent Bahia Brazilian (top color image), Korean (middle left), Pakistani (middle right), and Japanese Geisha (bottom two) Matryoshka. I never intended to share these really, they are just sketches I do before I go to the computer. I don't usually scan them into the computer (and I didn't in these instances until today). The sketches just help me work out the design and then I look at them for reference when I begin my computer illustration. I always enjoy seeing other artist's sketches so I hope you enjoy seeing my process. :)

Japanese Geisha Matryoshka

2010-07-19T17:06:00.006-04:00

Hi! Today I've been working on my Japanese Geisha Matryoshka! I can't wait to show her to my Mom. My Mom and her family lived in Japan when she was a little girl (my Grandpa was in the military and they lived in many different countries). From their house they had a beautiful view of Mount Fuji. My Mother has very fond memories of living in Japan. She tells me and my daughter stories about her very kind neighbors and her girl friend Miyako.

Polly, I hope you like her too! :)

Korean Girl Matryoshka

2010-07-16T22:17:00.005-04:00

I hope you like my latest drawing, a Korean Girl Matryoshka! My last two drawings, the Cambodian and Pakistani drawings, were so detailed with all the gold that I was really looking forward to doing this one with it's simple lines. I think there is a calm serenity in the traditional hanbok dress, and they are so pretty. I hope I did it justice.

My head is swirling with matryoshka ideas these days but next, the plan is to draw a Japanese matryoshka, and then a ballerina. Please keep the suggestions coming! :)

Set of 4 Pakistani Matryoshka Proof prints

2010-07-08T15:10:00.002-04:00

When working on an illustration I have gotten much better at not wasting paper and ink by usually only printing 1 or 2 proofs (to proof color) near the end of my creative process. The differences between color on the screen versus printed color, being what they are. The Pakistani Matryoshka was an exception to this rule. I experimented with different skin tones, dress color etc. before coming up with the final piece. I don't want these prints to go to waste though so I am offering them as a set of 4 one of a kind prints at a discounted price! I hope someone would want to frame them and group them together or give them to friends as gifts. If this is a success I will offer more of my proofing prints in my shop in the future. :)

More Matryoshka Magnets!

2010-07-07T18:03:00.003-04:00

I have updated my shop to include the 3 most recent matryoshka drawings as magnets. So now my Bahia Brazilian, Cambodian and Pakistani illustrations are magnets too! :)

Also today, I created new header banners for the blog and my shop. I've gone totally matryoshka! In the banners that is. I figure since I'm becoming, "the artist who draws those matryoshkas" I might as well embrace it. :)

Pakistani Girl Matryoshka

2010-07-06T10:41:00.004-04:00

This is my latest drawing, a Pakistani Girl Matryoshka! I was so pleased with the Cambodian Matryoshka and all its gold detail that it inspired me to draw from another culture that has beautiful jewelry. Also inspirational was my cousin who wore a gold bridal ensemble that was quite beautiful and I've been getting allot of requests for pink or purple. So, I went somewhere in the middle with a magenta/fuchsia color and lots of gold. I also continued with the white jasmine flowers in her hair to further tie it together with the Cambodian Matryoshka drawing. I hope you like her! :)

Cambodian Girl Matryoshka

2010-06-30T08:34:00.002-04:00

This is my latest illustration, a Cambodian Girl Matryoshka! Cambodian women's clothing and gold adornments are so ornate and beautiful. This was a super fun one to draw! My process these days goes pretty much like this— Eureka, good idea! Research, pencil sketch, wait a couple days (noodle time). More research, draw on computer, hopefully sleep on it. Make some adjustments, print out a proof, make any additional adjustments. Then, reveal to you! I hope you like her! :)

Bahia Brazilian Matryoshka print

2010-06-26T11:41:00.006-04:00

This is my latest drawing a Bahia, Brazilian Matryoshka. I have had requests for a Brazilian Matryoshka. I found the Bahia traditional dress very inspiring. I may do more Brazilian matryoshkas. If you have any particular culture or style of traditional dress you would like me to draw please let me know. Your suggestions are very welcome. :)

Skunk with Flower Illustration

2010-06-17T21:54:00.007-04:00

"Skunk with Flower" is the second in my new black and white animal series. The first is a "Panda with Bamboo" that I wrote about in my last post. This series of drawings is inspired by infants and their liking high contrast black and white. I hope these animals will grace the walls of some newborns and make them very happy. Not that I'm being picky. I hope people enjoy them regardless of their age. :)

Panda Bamboo Illustration

2010-06-16T10:13:00.003-04:00

I was thinking about infants and how they see things and decided a black and white animal series would be fun. My Mother has always told me that she had a wall art piece that was white seashells in the shape of flowers on a black background when I was a baby. She said I loved to stare at it as she rocked me. I hope some little babies will enjoy looking at this panda and its high contrast. Love to the babies and all the panda lovers. :)

Orca Girl!

2010-06-04T17:33:00.006-04:00

As I said in my last post, I'm taking part in a collective Etsy shop named "HelpTheGulfCoast". I am donating my Orca Girl 4"x6" print to the shop (along with the Owl Jack in the box I posted about earlier). Also, Kate of FlapperDoodle has a Fab illustration entitled Eloise loves pelicans - 4"x6" art print

Please visit the shop. Also, if you would like to donate an item to be sold in the shop you can contact Kate here.

Help The Gulf Coast

2010-06-04T15:28:00.004-04:00

I'm taking part in a collective Etsy shop named "HelpTheGulfCoast". I am donating my Owl in the Box Pop Up DIY PDF toy to the shop. Kate of FlapperDoodle opened the shop and you can read about how the BP oil spill in the Gulf inspired her ( her blog ) to want to help out. I was eager to contribute to the shop when I read Kate's blog post . We believe in conservation and my daughter LOVES animals so much I knew if nothing else I should do it for her.

Please visit the shop. Also, if you would like to donate an item to be sold in the shop you can contact Kate here.

Working on Inventory for the Holiday Season

2010-06-03T17:13:00.004-04:00

For the past couple of weeks I've been working, making up lots of items to have in inventory for the 2010 holiday season. This is a picture of all the items I've been stocking up on. I've printed and assembled Russian Doll and Snowman Coloring/Activity Books. Printed, cut out, and packaged Matryoshka Magnets. Also, printed and cut out free promo beehive/cat eyeglasses magnets. And lastly, printed and cutout hearts and pinned my Wolves in Love Pinback Buttons to them. I'll take a break for a week or so (give my hands a rest from scissor cutting) and make up more every couple of weeks throughout the summer. That is the plan anyway. :)

Next I've started sketches on a new series of animal drawings I will preview here as I complete each one.

Thank you for your support of my work. I really appreciate it! :)

Gnomette

2010-05-29T09:15:00.004-04:00

How do you like my Gnomette? Okay, so I couldn't resist drawing a female version of a gnome. She was really fun to draw! :) I kept with the same color scheme as the male gnome so they can be paired together. If you are familiar with my work you may also notice I gave her a Portuguese inspired embroidered apron. Again, I just couldn't resist! So this isn't true to any particular culture but a mix of some favorite elements from different ones.

Happy weekend to you all and happy long weekend to those of us in the US.

Why Gnot Gnomes?

2010-05-25T13:03:00.006-04:00

If you are familiar with my work you have probably noticed that it is somewhat devoid of male images. I don't know why women are so beautiful and the muses of artists throughout history. I'm not the first to be guilty. But occasionally I think, "Well, maybe I should draw a male."

So where to go for inspiration is the next question. I don't know about you, but I feel like I have been several different people at this point of my life. A much younger me was more into fantasy than I am now. One of my favorites were gnomes, and I have to admit still is. And yes, I've loved lots of classic kitsch: mushrooms, ladybugs, frogs (ladybugs and frogs are kitschy too right??). But gnomes. . . Hey! those are male!

So, if you were wondering, "Why gnomes?" I say, "Why gnot gnomes?!" ;)

Exciting Textiles Announcement!

2010-05-24T15:54:00.005-04:00

I am very excited to announce that I've joined the Globalweave Textiles open design community! The first design they will be offering is my Aqua Indian Girl Matryoshka. I hope it is a successful design and they ask me for more designs in the future. Learn about Global Weave Textiles, their personalized textiles, and rugs, at global-weave.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr.

Sweet!

2010-05-21T14:51:00.008-04:00

I've been dying to see this sign hanging at Etsy Headquarters in Brooklyn but have not had the opportunity to visit there myself. Danielle (super duper sweet, Etsy Seller Education Coordinator) was so kind to take some photos and send to me. Etsy has named their conference rooms after musician's names mixed with foods. They liked my "Sweet Escape" illustration and asked me to make one based on it but instead of saying, "Sweet Escape" they wanted, "Depeche a la Mode". I thought it was too cute and clever, and an honor, so this is what I came up with.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T06:55:00.005-04:00

Let's celebrate women today! Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Grandmothers, Aunts, Cousins, Wives, Lovers, Friends, All the beautiful women of our lives.

Jack in the Box Tutorial!

2010-05-06T13:06:00.002-04:00

Liz of Pirate Bob Sells Your Stuff is at it again! This time promoting my Jack in the Box PDF Craft! You can purchase the Jack in the Box PDF in my store here and watch Liz do her step by step tutorial above. These are fun and convenient toy crafts! You can print as many as you want, as often as you want! Happy crafting!

Pirate Bob Sells My Stuff

2010-05-02T09:28:00.007-04:00

Photo courtesy of Liz at gopiratebob.blogspot.com

Yesterday my Babushka Tent Card Dolls spent an exciting day with Pirate Bob and Liz at Pirate Bob Sells Your Stuff, gopiratebob.blogspot.com. Liz is a promo genius and I believe she found her genie when she found Pirate Bob! I like to think I know a good thing when I see it so I was so excited to sign on for some great Pirate Bob promo.

Pirate Bob made many promo tweets and posts for my shop on Twitter and facebook. My favorite part of the promo is a photo shoot of their dating adventures (I can't believe I allowed the Babushkas to go on a date with a pirate!) captured and displayed on Pirate Bob's blog. They even made a super fun video with Liz really getting into the babushka theme with a scarf on her head. It was a fun day for all and I look forward to doing it again soon. Be sure to check out all the fun on Pirate Bob Sells Your Stuff!

Mother's Day, Showers, Festive Parties

2010-04-29T12:15:00.007-04:00

Hello, I want to share a fun idea with you that one of my customers recently shared with me! She is having a party and is going to use my Babushka tent card dolls as place cards on her table and my Russian doll magnets as party favors. Since I too love a theme it inspired me to take this photo and include my Sunny Russian doll gift set. They are all so colorful and make a festive party theme don't you think? Pass the salsa!

Matryoshkas (Russian Nesting Dolls) as a theme are a wonderful way to celebrate women and femininity for Mother's Day, a bridal shower or a baby shower. Here are some more items that could be grouped together to make a pretty Matryoshka theme celebration: Spring Breeze Russian Doll pinback buttons, Spring Petals Russian Doll pocket mirrors, and A, B, and C of my Russian Doll Magnets.

Happy party giving! :) Amy

Lots of New Goodies!

2010-04-27T12:36:00.003-04:00

Introducing my latest greatest shop items (drum roll please): Sheri the Diner Waitress pinback button, Owl pinback button (back by popular demand), and Spring Breeze pinback button (taken from the drawings for my spring blog and shop banners). Do you think maybe I've turned a corner in photography? These and my last post with the Spring pocket mirrors seem to be turning out better than my older product photos. Whew! I sure hope so. ;)