Trudie Dolls

History

 Corn shuck dolls originated in the Appalachians and were used for play by the children of early settlers.

As I have worked with the dolls for over 25 years, their style has become uniquely mine. They are much more sophisticated than the original dolls of more than a century ago.

The dolls are made entirely of corn shucks, their hair of flax. Beginning with a core of shaped somewhat like a cigar, I then add a petticoat and stuff the skirt with corn shucks. Lastly I dress her, draw her face, attach her hair and add accessories. I dye the shucks used for dressing the dolls myself.

Since so many people collect my dolls, I sign and date them on the side. The first hundred of a style are numbered as a limited edition.

Awards

• Given by the Georgia Department of Tourism in Japan in an effort to increase Japanese tourism to the States and specifically to Georgia.
• Purchased as gifts to encourage hosting of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
• Given to the wives of the imperial governors of the provinces of Japan in 1974.
• Given at the White House during the National Conference on the Status of Women.
• Chosen as gifts to the 150 delegates of the United Nations including President Gerald Ford of the U.S. and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
• Included in the Standard Oil Collection in Chicago, IL.
• Rhett and Scarlett Vignette from Gone with the Wind given by Georgia Governor Joe Frank Harris in 1988 to the 19 Southern Governors Conference.
• Part of the Gone with the Wind exhibit at Georgia's Stone Mountain.
• The creator was chosen for two years in succession as a United States National Endowment for the Arts, Artist in Residence, served at Webb Preparatory School in Knoxville, TN.
• Jane Austen doll featured on "The Today Show."

Biography

I am a native of Georgia and have an art degree from Vanderbilt University / Peabody College. I learned to make my corn shucks when I was a field specialist with the Tennessee Arts Commission.
I am married and have one daughter.

As I make the dolls, I try to recreate the character of a bygone era. It is to Jesus Christ that I owe the credit for any talent or charm exhibited in my dolls.

Trudie went to be with our Lord on Thanksgiving Night, November 22, 2007

See: bartkus-battle.blogspot.com

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Copyright © 2017 Patrick Bartkus
Subject to Change Without Notice