Traditions 2-cloth

The tradition of cloth dolls is the bases for so many new Art doll artist.  The easiest of play dolls to create, their variations are endless.

Raggedy Ann dolls are a staple in every childhood since 1915.

Raggedy Ann is a character created by American writer Johnny Gruelle (1880–1938) in a series of books he wrote and illustrated for young children. Raggedy Ann is a rag doll with red yarn for hair and has a triangle nose. Johnny Gruelle received US Patent D47789 for his Raggedy Ann doll on September 7, 1915. The character was created in 1915 as a doll, and was introduced to the public in the 1918 book Raggedy Ann Stories. When a doll was marketed with the book, the concept had great success. A sequel, Raggedy Andy Stories (1920), introduced the character of her brother, Raggedy Andy.    source.wikipedia.org, 

The modern idea of cloth rag dolls changed for ever.

 The dolls is Cloth and stuffed with painted features and yarn hair. 

During the depression  Portia Howe Sperry started a cottage industry in rural Indiana giving $3000 to the local women that help make the dolls.

 This is how Modern Art doll artist, use the tradition of Cloth dolls.

Shelley Thornton

Stephen Rausch

http://www.artdollsbyrausch.com/

Arley Berryhill

http://www.arleyberryhill.com/