The Wind Up Bird Chronicle

Artist's notes on style, materials and inspiration:

Inspired by my favourite book, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, this girl carries a bird with a clockwork key on her head. On her body is the cat, named Noboru Wataya, who goes missing at the start of the story and sets into play a journey into a bizarre and dangerous reality. On the reverse, you will find the well that the protagonist finds in a neighbouring garden and uses to move in and out of an alternate reality. The key is not fixed so can be taken in and out, it has a snug fit so that it makes a nice squeaky sound when turned.

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

This wood girl is approximately 28cm 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.