Each week I like to feature an OOAK (one of a kind) artist of the week as a way of allowing doll collectors a peak into the world of highly sought after exclusively limited edition dolls.
This week I am featuring the multi-talented artist Shannon Craven. Shannon is a newbie in the world of doll art, but is certainly not new to the art world.
In 1999, Shannon started her love of art by creating handpainted genie bottles from old Jim Beam bottles. Then one day while looking on Deviant Art, she stumbled across a picture of a doll created by Noel Cruz and fell in love with OOAK dolls. "I remember always being so critical of dolls growing up. I never quite like the lipstick they were wearing or how their eyes looked. The idea that I would make a doll look just the way I wanted and use my artistic talents to do it [were] a joy! I had spent over ten years painting 'I Dream of Jeannie' bottle replicas and had enjoyed a wonderful "career" creating [them], but I had really grown artistically beyond what I could create there and was truly longing for another artistic outlet. Repainting and resculpting dolls was something I really thought I could do well and enjoy. It is so much fun for me and I find it really satisfying artistically. I am so happy to have found this art form!"
Shannon's first OOAK doll was a Megan Fox inspired doll (pictured below) which became just the first in many excellent celebrity inspired dolls. "I even replicated her tattoos (all seven of them). This was my first doll auction, and I was very happy when it did well. I felt it meant that I would be able to pursue this artistic avenue even further." Her thoughts were correct, because she has become a very popular and sought after artist in the doll community.
Shannon may be new to one of a kind doll art but one cannot deny her amazing abilities. You can see Shannon's past dolls as well as her current dolls available for purchase on her website.
If you appreciate this article be sure to subscribe (link above, below my picture) so that you get instant updates. Your e-mail address will not be shared, not even with me.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter for instant updates!
Comments
Good to see a doll examiner. I've collected dolls for over 25 years, and I'm ready to start letting them go! You should consider an article on Wendy Lawton, Helen Kish and Annette Himstedt. I think they have some of the most beautiful dolls. I've seen some repaints with Helen Kish. I've already sold my Himstedt dolls, and the Kish dolls are likely to follow. Wendy's dolls are suffering due to the economy, but the antique collectors buy her dolls, believing they will be the sought after antiques one day. I am partial to her wood body dolls and will probably keep those. Plus she is back to making her dolls only in the USA. Happy collecting!!!
What a beautiful repaint! Thanks for sharing. I was not familar with her work.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!