About the Artist

I am a compulsive collector of old things with character. My barn/studio is filled to the rafters with an unbelievable assortment of vintage treasures, including case after case of old dolls, toys, and stuffed animals, children’s books from the 1880’s to 1950’s, antique games and puzzles, dollhouses from the 1950’s, and doll furniture, clothing, cars, etc.

My 1700’s tavern home is filled from the attic to the cellar with more stuff: the attic is stuffed with cartons of fabric, tablecloths, curtains, pennants, and linens from the 1940’s; the living space is crammed with bookcases full of antique books and prints and hundreds of pieces of vintage pottery and figurines; and the cellar stores moldy prints and paintings.

Where do I get all this stuff? Flea markets galore! In good weather, every Saturday and Sunday morning finds me scouring the flea markets at 7 a.m., hunting for just the right special object.

What do I do with all this stuff? Make art! For years I have used this growing pile of stuff to serve as props for the miniature worlds that I stage and photograph, paint, construct in boxed dioramas, or build large-scale in major museum installations covering several thousand square feet.

In these works some of my special characters become the actors in a variety of stories. Lucky me - I get to act as casting director, stage manager, set designer, and wardrobe manager all in one! I try to present each scene with a little mystery,a sense of style, and a bit of humor. I hope they bring a smile to your face and add some cheer to your day.

Additional Information (links):
- email joan (jbwdoll@yahoo.com)
- Resumé