Lemonade at the Temple (Favourite Things #112)

Artist's notes on style, materials and inspiration:

Anyone who has followed my work for a while (and sees my company name) knows about my love for vending machines, especially the Japanese variety. They are to be found everywhere, particularly the drinks kind, making sure that everyone has access to a beverage (and sometimes many other things) in all kinds of places.

They are often found in temple grounds, so this wood girl features a grey tiled temple roof, complete with an onigawara (a large demon shaped end tile that keeps away illness and misfortune) as her hair. The vending machine is dispensing lemonade for a hot summers day of temple visiting. Around the back of her dress are some things you might also find in the local neighbourhood - a leaning bicycle, a yellow beer crate and a window to who knows where. The temple roof also has two neon signboards pointing the way to the lemonade!

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 American Tulipwood, a sustainable and interestingly grained timber, the pieces are turned 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 #112.

This girl is approximately 21cm 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: 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.