A Winter's Project

What to do when the weather turns cold and the evenings get dark early? How about a Gorey-themed art project? A visit to the Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis last fall was the inspiration for these Edward Gorey Nesting Dolls. The museum had an exhibition of nesting dolls that included a video of the people hand painting the figures/dolls. After viewing the exhibit and purchasing a set of blank wooden dolls, I was looking for inspiration for the subject of my set. Naturally, Edward Gorey provided not only the inspiration, but also the subject matter.

I wanted to use iconic Gorey characters that were size appropriate for the five dolls. Beginning with the largest doll (4.25" tall), I chose Edward Gorey himself in one of his classic fur coats. A "Gorey Cat" lounges behind him in the grass. Appropriately, the Gorey Doll opens to reveal more characters.

The second doll shows The Doubtful Guest with his billowing scarf. The back of this doll has a small frog resting pensively. The Doubtful Guest opens to reveal a Gorey Cat with a Twisby on the reverse.

For the final two dolls, Figbash has wrapped itself around the next. Figbash opens to reveal the tiny (1" tall) Black Doll. It was interesting to cross hatch on a three dimensional surface, and most difficult to remember where I could touch the pieces so I would not smudge the paint and ink. The final set is a one of a kind homage to Mr. Gorey.