Under the Eaves Vending (Favourite Things #113)

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.

This girl features a patchwork of roofs - the kind of view you often get in an older Tokyo neighbourhood - a wooden roof atop her head shades a large tree which forms her hair, whilst the top part of her body is in the style of a red tiled ceramic roof. The vending machine is under its own little wooden roof with a large signboard. Around her body is the everyday scene of a Tokyo alleyway - pipes, an aircon unit, a broom and dustpan, some plants and a bottle of water and a fence with a red mailbox.

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 #113.

This girl is approximately 25cm in height (excluding the blue bird which can be removed).

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.