Gallery Artist Anne Canfield Embarks on New Creative Venture

Gallery artist, Anne Canfield, has been delving into a new creative medium, while maintaining her painting practice. Based in Lansdowne, PA, Canfield creates painterly wooden dolls, inspired by Waldorf and Montessori toys. Her motivation for these dolls stemmed from her young daughter, Aya. “I had been in search of toys for my girl that were simpler, kinder and softer than the busy, plastic playthings that are on the main stage of today's toy offerings. I love being able to come up with simple handmade toys for her with just a few quality materials.”

Canfield begins with wooden pegs on top of which she applies washes of watercolor in playful hues. She then hand-stitches accessories for the dolls—such as pointed gnome hats, woodland creature costumes, or bunny ears—using wool felt. 

To view Anne Canfield’s wooden dolls, please click here.