Whimsical Handmade Tattooed Dolls Pay Homage to Famous Classical Painters by Valentina Felce
Freelance illustrator and doll maker Valentina Felce is responsible for constructing sophisticated and unique toys, which pay homage to art and pop culture.
Her whimsical designs feature the reconstruction of famous painters in the form of plush dolls, which include quirky manifestations of Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso. Each figure is delightfully decorated with tattoos composed from a sharpie, which are representation of each painter’s signature style. On Vincent van Gogh, we see traces of Starry Night, and his most famous subject, his sunflowers; whereas Frida Kahlo is dressed in a lace skirt, which echoes traditional Mexican womenswear.
Previously featured in Stuffed Magazine, Felce’s toys are made with highly durable and safe acrylic paint, muslin, polyfill, and a sharpie. The artist prides herself in creating a delicate piece of art, such as children’s toys in a fur and smoke-free environment. The small sculptures reflect her quirky and stylish sensibility, which originated from childhood. As a kid, she often found herself altering each toy into an edgier version. She often gave her Barbies stylish bobs and covered them with sharpie tattoos. Felce has successfully transformed a life-long passion into work. You can find her designs in her Etsy shop.
