Moldovan and Romanian Matryoshkas

Moldovan Matryoshka

Romanian Matryoshka

Hello! Today I bring you my two latest folk dress drawings from the cultures of Moldova and Romania. Prints and coloring sheets are now available at my dot com and as always in my Etsy shop. Merchandise featuring both are available in my Zazzle shop.

Speaking of which, I was so excited to see that guitar cases are now available on Zazzle!! Matryoshka and guitars do share a shape! And these remarkable guitar case/bags have interchangeable "faces". So the entire front face can be removed and another applied. You can purchase one case with one of my cultural matryoshkas, and then other cultures to swap out. Bags are available in acoustic and electric versions. I'm in the process of offering these for all my cultures. I have drawn over one hundred cultures so it will take me some time. If you are waiting for a particular culture to be available please contact me and let me know so I can go ahead and make it available.

Moldovan Guitar Case
by AmyPerrotti

Romanian Guitar Case
by AmyPerrotti

Here is a link to a video showing how to swap out the faces (jump ahead to 2:15):

My husband is a guitarist, so no wonder this has me so excited! :)

Peace,
Amy

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Jamaican Matryoshka

Jamaican Matryoshka

Introducing my Jamaican Matryoshka, my latest illustration! She and all her prints, magnet prints, and coloring sheet PDF are now available in my shop! One of my kind customers, Sonia, who requested her, sent me some images that were very helpful with my research. I also found some other images and pinned them to a board to share with you here. Sonia also told me that the folk dress she is wearing is called a Quadrille dress. Thank you Sonia for the suggestion and all your help! It was fun coming up with the plaid pattern for this illustration and challenging depicting so much white fabric with the usual white surrounding the matryoshka, but I am happy with the results and I hope you all like her too! :)

Peace,

Amy

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Sorb/Wend/Lusatian Matryoshka

Sorb/Wend/Lusatian Matryoshka

Hello! I've really been on a role here lately drawing a Matryoshka illustration a week. I hope to keep this up because my suggestions list is quite long. One of my customers contacted me and said that her heritage was Sorb/Wend/Lusatian. Wow! What a mouthful! After drawing 50 plus illustrations of different cultures it is always exciting to discover that there are so many more out there. And once again I am amazed by the uniqueness of the elaborate decorations used in their traditional dress. While researching for this illustration I came across some wonderful images that inspired me. I have pinned a board of these Sorb/Wend/Lusatian photos. . . check out all the scarves, embroidery and lace! All items for my Sorb/Wend/Lusatian Matryoshka are now listed in my shop.

Peace,
Amy
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Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova, Empress consort of Russia, Matryoshka

Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova Matryoshka

Hello! This is my Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova, Empress consort of Russia, Matryoshka, another wonderful suggestion from one of my collectors. An Empress of Russia seems a logical pick for a Matryoshka and if there are any other Russians you would like to see please let me know. I really enjoyed researching Alexandra and found lots of wonderful images on the web and pinned them in a board here. All size prints, magnets and a coloring sheet PDF for my Alexandra Matryoshka are now available in my shop.

The theme of my work is celebrating and honoring the different cultures/peoples of the world. Next on my suggestions list is Uganda! You can expect another pinned board of inspirations coming soon followed by a new illustration! Thank you for your suggestions and please keep them coming. :)

Peace,
Amy
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Moroccan Bride Matryoshka

Moroccan Bride Matryoshka

Hello! My newest illustration is entitled Moroccan Bride Matryoshka. The different size prints, magnets, and DIY PDF coloring sheet, are all now listed in my shop! I found some beautiful Moroccan images around the web and pinned them on a Pinterest board. Please follow my pins pinterest.com/amyperrotti. Right now I am doing research for my next drawing, an Ancient Egyptian Matryoshka and I am sure that will include a board of pinned inspirations too.

As a gift to you and all those following my blog here is a 10% discount coupon code to use in my shop: BLOGFRIEND10

Other news in my shop:

At a customers request I added a red box to my Matryoshka party favor box PDF. So it is now a seven page PDF in the colors above.

Jack in the Box Pop Up DIY PDF toy crafts

And, back by popular demand my Jack in the Box Pop Up DIY PDF toy crafts! My shop has evolved over the years into specializing in internationally inspired Matryoshka. But I still get requests for this sweet duo so I'm giving in and giving them residence in my shop once more. 

Also, please don't forget, for each purchase of my Nepalese Bride Matryoshka prints I will donate 50% of the purchase price to the BlinkNow Foundation. To learn more about BlinkNow, Kopila Valley Children's Home and School, and the care and education of children in the Surkhet region of Nepal please visit: BlinkNow.org 
You can see all the Nepalese Bride Matryoshka prints here:http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmyPerrotti/search?search_query=Nepalese&search_submit=&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5485470&shopname=AmyPerrotti

Peace,

Amy
AmyPerrotti.etsy.com
AmyPerrotti.blogspot.com
twitter.com/AmyPerrotti
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Maori Dancer Matryoshka

Maori Dancer Matryoshka

My latest Matryoshka illustration is from New Zealand a Maori Dancer! I came across many interesting and fabulous videos, and photos while doing the research for this illustration. I've posted a couple of videos I found to my Facebook and Twitter pages, and I pinned some photos from around the web on my Pinterest. I love watching the Maori Dancers Poi dance it is entertaining to watch and looks like a great form of exercise. Who wants to Poi with me? I hope my drawing inspires you to learn more about the Maori culture and New Zealand. Please visit my shop and see all my Maori Dancer Matryoshka items! :)

Peace,

Amy Perrotti

P.S. 

I have updated my Suggestions List in the right hand column of my blog. If you have given me a suggestion and don't see it on the list please let me know so I can add it. Thanks!

Panamanian Matryoshka

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

Venezuelan Dancer Matryoshka

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

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. :)

24 Matryoshka Print Proofs / Seconds

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

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

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

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

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

Mexican Matryoshka Sisters

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

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

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

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

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

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! :)