English Matryoshkas

English Rose Matryoshka

English Ivy Matryoshka

Hello! Sometimes when I'm drawing my Matryoshka I get attached to two different color combinations. This happened with my Vietnamese Matryoshka so I made one red and one blue (Fire and Water). While creating this English Matryoshka, I came up with an English Rose version and an English Ivy. I decided to offer both in my shop so you can choose your favorite or collect both to have a set!

While researching English fashion history I looked at many, many examples of late 1700's and all through the 1800's and fell in love with them all! I pinned a board of English dress from that time period here.

Peace,

Amy

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Métis Nation of Canada Matryoshka

Métis Nation of Canada Matryoshka

As promised, my Métis Nation of Canada Matryoshka is now complete and listed in my shop! There are so many wonderful cultures in Canada it was very difficult to choose the first one to draw. I decided to go with Métis after reading about their history. One source I found "Métis Nation of Ontario" has an explanation entitled, "Who are the Métis" and "Symbols and Traditions". Another source of Métis cultural history is "Our Legacy".

The Métis became known as the "Flower Beadwork People" because of the floral pattern beadwork the Métis women created. The website for the University of Oregon's Museum of Natural and Cultural History explains the history of their beadwork in a page entitled "Métis Textiles". Further explanation of the symbols used in the beadwork can be found here: "Metis Beadwork".

I have so enjoyed my research for my Métis Nation of Canada Matryoshka! I found so many wonderful images and videos around the web and pinned them to a board here.

Peace,

Amy

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Argentine Matryoshka

Argentine Matryoshka

Hello and a belated Happy New Year to you! A new year and a new Matryoshka illustration! This is my Argentine Matryoshka she is now available in my shop. During my researching for this drawing I pinned some Argentine images from around the web to a board here. I hope to bring you many new Matryoshka illustrations this year! Next will be a culture from Canada. There are so many the question is which to draw first??  I'll be posting again soon! :)

Peace,

Amy

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Taino of Boriken, Puerto Rico, Matryoshka

Taino of Boriken (Puerto Rico) Matryoshka

Hello, I have missed reaching out to you, drawing, showing you my work. There is no easy way to say this; after battling cancer for two years, my Dad passed away on May 22. I have been grieving and did not have it in me to draw until now. I loved (love) him very much. So, I hope you will understand my absence. I know my Dad is happy that I am drawing again. 

Above is my Taino of Boriken (Puerto Rico) Matryoshka, she is now available in my shop. Such a wonderful culture suggestion I received. Thank you for all your suggestions. While doing my research I pinned images I found on the web and created a Taino board here. 

Also new to my shop, I am now offering custom name labeled or culture / nationality labeled 8.5"x11" prints of all my Matryoshka. I have had many requests to add the name of the person for whom the print is being purchased  to the print. So I have created listings for each of my Matryoshka to accommodate this. At purchase, just leave me a note with the name you would like added to the print or the print will be labeled with the culture / nationality. 

The next two on my suggestions list are Argentinian and Canadian. I am having some difficulty in my research for these two so if you have knowledge of these cultures, their history and traditional dress please share it with me. :)

Peace,

Amy

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Austrian Girl Matryoshka

Austrian Girl Matryoshka

Hello! This is my latest Matryoshka an Austrian Girl. All her prints, etc. are now for sale in my shop. She wears the traditional dirndl. I have had many requests for her and I hope she lives up to the expectations. While doing research for this drawing I came across images on the web and pinned them to a board here.

My suggestions list is located in the right hand column of my blog. They are listed in the order which I received them. Whenever I receive a new request it goes on the bottom of the list. I have drawn 68 cultures/nationalities so far. I have enjoyed learning about all the cultures that I've drawn thus far. Thank you for sharing your heritage and interests with me and for your support.

Peace,
Amy
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The artist owns all rights to the content and artwork. Please do not reproduce without the artist's written permission. Thank you. © 2009-2013 Amy Perrotti

Taiwanese Bride Matryoshka

Taiwanese Bride Matryoshka

Hello and happy new year to you! I spent January doing paperwork and I am so glad to be back to drawing. February is off to a good start and I've completed my first illustration of 2013 a Taiwanese Bride Matryoshka. I was super excited to draw her because my daughter agreed to pose for me. She was so sweet and helpful. I have drawn her many times and she is my favorite model. She also posed for my Chinese Hanfu and Tibetan Matryoshkas.

pencil sketch for Taiwanese Matryoshka

In my research for this illustration I found many wonderful images of Taiwanese brides and made a board of them here.

I am in love with the color combinations of the sky blue and cherry red in the traditional Taiwanese bridal dress. Also, the detail of the fabulous headdress was quite fun to draw. I hope you like her! Please visit my shop to see all the items I have featuring this illustration.

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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Samoan Girl Matryoshka

Samoan Girl Matryoshka

This week I have worked on and completed my Samoan Girl Matryoshka. She is my sixty sixth culture/nationality and my second Polynesian. The first Polynesian I drew was my Maori. While doing research for this drawing I found many wonderful images on the web and pinned them to a board here, to share with you. I enjoyed drawing the wonderful textures of the traditional costume. All items for my Samoan Girl Matryoshka are now available in my shop. I hope you like her! :)

Next up on my list is a Jamaican Matryoshka, please stay tuned!

Peace,
Amy

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Hungarian of Kalotaszeg, Transylvania Matryoshka

Hungarian of Kalotaszeg, Transylvania Matryoshka

This week I drew a Hungarian of Kalotaszeg, Transylvania Matryoshka! After I had a request to draw her on my blog, I received helpful advice on Facebook on what Hungarian words to use when researching the costume. Thank you for your suggestions and all your helpful tips! While researching I found many wonderful examples on the web and pinned them to a board to share with you here.

In the past I have received interest in seeing my original preliminary sketches so here she is:

You can see this and more of my sketches on my blog.

This is my second Hungarian Matryoshka illustration. You can see my first one in a blog post here, and I drew a Romanian Saxon Matryoshka you can see here.

Also this week, I've joined storylane.com/AmyPerrotti! It is a brand new site. I am posting these posts (my blog posts) over there too. Soon I am planning on posting some stories about what has inspired me to become an artist and to draw my international / cultural inspired Matryoshka.  So, please stay tuned! :)

I'll be researching and beginning my next illustration for Samoa in the next few days. If you have any tips regarding this culture please let me know. 

Peace,

Amy

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The artist owns all rights to the content and artwork. Please do not reproduce without the artist's written permission. Thank you, © 2009-2012 Amy Perrotti

Zulu, South African Matryoshka

Zulu, South African Matryoshka

Hello! I just completed my Zulu, South African Matryoshka. She is my third South African. My Zulu Matryoshka depicts a married woman or a bride (aspects of both). Married women wear a large red headdress and in addition to the headdress brides wear beads above their eyes. I found many images showing colorful bead necklaces and colorful design trimmed clothing. While doing research for her I pinned images I found on the web to a board here. 

All three South African Matryoshka are now available in my shop. Please come on over and have a look! :)

Zulu, Ndebele, and Xhosa, South African Matryohkas

Peace,

Amy
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Miao, Chinese Matryoshka

Miao, Chinese Matryoshka

Hello! This week I completed my Miao, Chinese Matryoshka! She is my 63rd Matryoshka! To give you an idea of how many culture/nationality suggestions I get, there are currently 38 suggestions on my suggestions list (you can see the list in the right hand column of my blog here) and I haven't updated it with new suggestions that I've received on my blog and from my customers in months! I must do that soon. I've just been working so hard on drawing that I've gotten behind on that sort of thing (it falls under paperwork. . . my vice).

While researching for this illustration I came across many beautiful images on the web and pinned a board here. The silver jewelry for this culture is awesome! There is so much of it, it is almost armor! And the detail of the jewelry and the clothing! Wow! I was speechless. So, needless to say I put a lot of time into this. I hope you like her. All of the items for my Miao, Chinese Matryoshka are now available in my shop, please have a look! :)

Next on the suggestions list is Zulu, South African! You'll be hearing from me again soon with the new illustration! Thank you for your wonderful suggestions! Please keep them coming. There are so many wonderful cultures in our world and I enjoy learning about and illustrating all of them.

Peace,
Amy
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Ndebele Matryoshka

Ndebele Matryoshka

Hello! This week I bring you my Ndebele Matryoshka, another beautiful South African culture. The Ndebele culture is a feast of color and geometric shapes. So many wonderful design elements and adornments! I really enjoyed my research, learning about and drawing her. I hope you like her too! You can see some of my inspirations I found on the web and compiled on a board here. All items for my Ndebele Matryoshka are now available in my shop.

Two weeks ago I introduced you to my Xhosa Matryoshka my first South African matryoshka. In about another two weeks I'll complete my Zulu South African Matryoshka.

Next on my suggestions list is Miao of China. My daughter is Chinese American so I am hoping to get her to pose for it. I love to draw her so I am super excited!

Peace,
Amy
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Welsh Matryoshka

Welsh Matryoshka

Hello! I have had a couple of requests for my latest illustration, a Welsh Matryoshka. One friendly customer sent me helpful links (Always appreciated!) and we both believe the Welsh costume may have inspired Mother Goose of nursery rhymes. Also, while researching, I composed a board of images I found on the web here. I love their use of plaids, stripes and polka dots! I had to get my flower design in there somewhere, so I used it on the background. All the items for this illustration including prints, magnets, and a coloring sheet PDF are now available in my shop.

Next up, another of the South African cultures, Ndebele!

Peace,
Amy
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Xhosa South African Matryoshka

Xhosa South African Matryoshka

Hello! This week I've been researching South African cultures and traditional dress. I decided to start out with a Xhosa Matryoshka. I found some wonderful photos on the web and made a board of them here.

I wish I could put into words how much I love and enjoy drawing and learning about these different cultures. I love people. I want my work to communicate that.

Welsh is next on my list but I plan on drawing another South African after that.

Thank you for your interest and continued support!

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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Ugandan Matryoshka

Ugandan Matryoshka

Hello! This is my Ugandan Matryoshka illustration now available in my shop in a variety of different size prints, magnets, and a coloring sheet PDF. My customer that suggested her said that Uganda is known as "The Pearl of Africa". Also, in my research for this illustration I learned that the traditional dress is called a Gomesi. You can see some of the inspirations that I found when doing my research on the board I created of pinned images here.

Here is a grouping Suggestion:

Southern Nigerian Matryoshka, Ugandan Matryoshka, Bahia Brazilian Matryoshka

Next on my suggestions list is Abigail Adams. I am searching for a good portrait of her in her youth to go by as a reference. I'm not happy with what little I've been able to find so far. I may skip on down my suggestions list until I am able to solve my Abigail Adams mystery.

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
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