Autumn Moon Viewing

Artist's notes on style, materials and inspiration:

My favourite full moon to view each year is the autumn harvest moon, the full moon that falls closest to the autumn equinox. I walk down to a farmers field (almost always it has been recently ploughed ready for the next phase in the farming year) and wait for the moon to rise over the horizon. This particular full moon seems to be especially observed all over the world, and all over East Asia there are mid-autumn festivals and thanksgivings during this time; moon viewing parties were enjoyed in Japan from the Heian period (794 - 1185), where special viewing platforms were set up to admire the moon's beauty and to compose and recite poetry.

As part of the Japanese observance, offerings can be made of tsukimi dango (balls made from rice flour), set out on a sanpo (a small wooden stand used to make offerings in the Shinto religion), on a piece of white paper. Japanese pampas grass is used for decoration, and the motif of moon, dango and grass is commonly found on everything from packaging to clothing.

Rabbit motifs are common in moon related decorations and foods in East Asia, because in that part of the world it is believed that a rabbit can be seen in the moon markings.

Turned from American Tulipwood, my pieces are turned on a lathe by a production wood turner in the UK to my designs, then added to and painted by me, a British artist. She has been hand painted and finished in a matt acrylic protective top coat.

This girl is approximately 19cm in height. Painted on the base with a blue bear head.

My pieces are painted in a naïve and simple style, with visible brush strokes and differing paint consistencies. It is important to note that these dolls are made from real wood which will have naturally occurring markings and grain, and sometimes there will be small amount of bleeding along the grain, or knots, which is to be expected when using untreated wood - please make sure you consult the pictures carefully before purchasing.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A TOY and should be kept out of the reach of children. Wood girls should be kept away from water which can damage the wood and painted surface, and also away from direct heat/ sunlight which also can affect the surface colour and the timber itself.