museum entrance, mitaka (favourite things #155)

Museum Entrance, Mitaka (Favourite Things #155)

Artist's notes on style, materials and inspiration:

On my first trip to Japan, I stumbled across a Ghibli exhibition going on in a building in Hiroshima, and at the exit bought a book about an exhibition on the film Spirited Away - taking place in 'THE GHIBLI MUSEUM' - something that I didn't even know existed until that day. I eventually worked out that I could buy tickets from a Lawson convenience store machine - and enlisted the help of a cashier there to get myself a ticket for when I arrived back in Tokyo. When the day came, I got the little bus from Mitaka station and arrived at the museum with the same level of excitement as a seven year old (I was 31). There is a special ticket office that you can see from the street - where a giant Totoro waits to greet you, with susuwatari soot balls jostling each other in a round window under the large ticket window. A small sign in the window tells you that the 'real' ticket office is around the side of the building. I have returned many times since, including with my young son and it remains a magical place to visit.

The museum has been in many different stages of repair and plant growth over the years - I've added one of the other vibrant exterior wall colours to the back of the wood girl, along with a museum window and one of the lovely cast metal sign posts you find between Mitaka station and the museum (about a 1.5km walk). The acorn on the head reflects Totoro's love of acorns (donguri in Japanese) and special fast growing seeds. Her hair is painted in a vine like pattern as the building has a vine growing up it that sometimes takes over! You aren't allowed to take photos inside the museum because Miyazaki wants it to be experienced first hand, so this wood girl keeps the secret of what's within...

My 'favourite things' wood girl series share the places and things I love, a favourite motif, object or theme, or are inspired by a microseason. Turned from yellow poplar by a production wood turner in the UK to my designs, then added to and painted by me, a British artist. They are finished in a clear matt acrylic protective top coat.

Favourite Things girls are numbered on the base, this one is #155.

This girl is approximately 23cm in height.

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 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.