Willowyn (Margeaux Davis)
Willowynn's textile dolls are fairytale characters in three dimensions.
She creates soft doll sculptures, complete with clothing and boots using second-hand fabrics in order to imbue more history, character and story to her dolls. I think that this is evident in that the dolls do not look pristine and new, they look slightly antiqued and worn, as if a treasured toy of years gone by. This definitely adds to the value of Willowynn's craft because she demonstrates handmade imperfections, the raw nature of a craftswoman.
The dolls are delicate, elegant and majestic.
I feel aligned to this artist because I also make handcrafted characters, only in a different medium. I would like to learn more about sewing and garment construction in order to fabricate intricate costumes like she does. I will need to do research into the era in which L.M.Montgomery lived in order to make sure that my Emily of New Moon is appropriately dressed to be historically accurate.
Inspiration: Prior to being a dollmaker, Willowynn was a park ranger. This interest and knowledge of nature informed her creative practice, drawing from nature as she began Willowynn by crafting animal sculptures.
Willowynn's characters are inspired by fairy tales and folk-lore, but exist as dolls/sculptures as products on Etsy. They are made for the purpose of selling as ornamental/decorative products.
I'd love to see these in the context of children's books, where the ideas were inspired and born. Her dolls are inspired by words and literature, so could Willowynn combine these two elements? Use text/typography to integrate with the photos?
Does she ever exhibit her dolls in galleries? They are so competently made and look very professional, they should be displayed as works of art too.
Audience: These dolls are aimed at Etsy consumers, craft lovers, girls. Maybe bought as gifts.
She hosts workshops and teaches classes on sewing/doll making so her audience is also amateur or beginner doll makers who want to learn from her.
I think that Willowynn's photographs could be improved through the introduction of props and scenery. Most of her photos are shot against a blank off-white background (again linking back to her rustic, weathered, craft aesthetic by using an off-white/cream and a wooden tabletop rather than crisp white) which does make them look professional as products for Etsy, but I think they could look even more magical and enchanting if they were photographed as though they were in another realm, or as if they are interacting with the environment instead of stood in a studio. Willowynn has a passion for nature and beach-combing so these would prove excellent backdrops for photos using her dolls.
Promotion: Willowynn promotes her work through her website, blog, social media. She is often featured in art magazines and on Instagram collectives like @ dollmakers.
She also has a newsletter subscription.
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