I am Woman - Tove Jansson

I decided against having her swimming in water because it was too tricky! Does that make this a failure? No, it's just seeing what works and compromising when an initial idea doesn't go as planned.

Instead, I had her in the wild, in the nature that she talked about in all of her books.

It looks almost like a book cover for 'The Summer Book'.

Left: https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT2WMJAs05R2Ky7bCnpKYGsjrj-wb-dDUj6fKNZN7p0Vr7m0V_f

Right: My Tove Doll

In response to the challenge 'I am Woman', I created a doll of my all-time hero Tove Jansson.

Jansson is cherished for creating the world-renowned Moomins: hippo-like creatures who live in the magical land of Moomin Valley. The Moomins began as satirical comic strips in the political publication 'Garm' but since then have evolved into the round, white troll characters we've seen in books, television and cinema. 

Tove was also an avid painter, a budding author and a pioneer of her time.

I am constantly in awe of Tove Jansson, not only because of her creativity and her classic works of fiction, but because of her values and approach to life. Tove pined for a quiet life away from the bustle of the city, so set up her home on a desolate island off the gulf of Finland. Tove built her own home there on the island where she could be in peace.

Although people at the time were disapproving of her choices, Tove lived and worked with her same-sex partner and lover Tuulikki.

Many of Tove's stories contain themes of friendship, nature, love, acceptance, war, politics, fear and even death. Whilst other authors for children may avoid such sensitive subjects, Tove discussed the fragility of human emotion and condition through the Moomins.

Jansson is a truly powerful woman who has made a lasting impression.

My Tove Jansson doll is completely posable and stands at 7 inches tall. I made this doll using a wire armature body, a polystyrene ball head (25mm) and papier mache flesh covering her frame. Her hair is wool roving, her dress is cotton and her flower garland is made of paper-cut flowers.