From little acorns, mighty Oaks do grow, and from a few cotton dolls, the quite spectacular Stripeypants Doodle Doll project has thrived.
It was a small idea from the marvellously creative mind of talented artist Shelly Wyn-de-Bank.
She produced a few cotton blank dolls, distributed them to her immediate family and then settled back and watched as they turned the blank canvases into little people.
So absorbed in doodling were the doll recipients that Shelly began thinking bigger.
“I thought that sharing this level of calm with others might be a good idea!” she said.
A Facebook page launched and Shelly gave 10 friends a doll each.
“The rules were there were no rules and whatever marks and materials they chose to use, would be perfect as there were no rights or wrongs. The idea was just to have as much fun as possible.
The results were posted to the page and this encouraged others to want to take part!”
The more people that got to dolly-doodling, the more Shelly heard that the practice had helped people to relax.
Social media did its job and word spread – Shelly soon began calling in the dolls from far and wide: Trips to the post office with packages of dollies destined for far away shores became the norm.
Brazil, Portugal, Australia and America all took in dolly deliveries.
“It seemed to tap into the human child-like psyche of drawing and doodling and the phenomenon of colouring in,” Shelly realises.
“For adults and children alike to have a space to express and be allowed to play. This simple little white doll was non-threatening and fun, a blank platform to let the imagination run wild.
“And some are really wild, with the youngest doodle artist aged 1 year old and the oldest 83 years!”
“I have been astounded by the level of engagement and enthusiasm for this project. Each one of these little dolls represents an individuals identity and taste, and all carry a resonance of a personal story.
“I hope that this spells the beginning of something much bigger as its my intention to develop this project in the future!”
And those who got creative as a result of Shelly's idea have been charmed and inspired in equal measure.
Christine Gallagher is one such participant: “When I heard about the Doodledoll project, I knew I just had to get involved as, although the mainstay of my art practice is painting, I felt instantly inspired by the idea of decorating a blank doll as a way to hone my creative skills in a different way.
"I found it to be hugely rewarding on a personal level and even picked up the new skill of making convincing looking dolls hair via felting! I can't wait now to see the full exhibition and feel proud to he part of something so inspired and far reaching."
And there isn't long to wait until the Doodle Doll extravaganza – the show reveals itself on Monday, (Oct 19) at Stantonbury Gallery.
The private view – also featuring a Monkey Music Night and a bar – is on October 23, and the show runs through to November 1.
Entry is free, and visitors are guaranteed to be met by many a smiling face!
“The immense diversity is just astounding and I am proud of each and every one of them, artist and Doodle doll alike,” Shelly said.
