about me
gillian runting - dollmaker & textile artistwelcome to reviva designs!
My practice is centred around the creation of original, textile art-dolls – meditative, emotive pieces, each telling a unique story.
I begin with a lively exploration of my thoughts, which I organise into a theme. I create moodboards using magazine images, then in handmade sketchbooks, I explore colour palettes.
I hand print my own papers and develop these into abstract collages. As my ideas take shape, I add mixed-media, textiles and clay, using them to make 3d forms, artist books and small dolls. I work intuitively, allowing my materials to tell my story.
As I explore, I develop favourite pieces into the supporting works that accompany my unique mixed-media textile art-dolls.
I use natural materials whenever possible and find delight in re-purposing found objects.
I don’t have formal art training, but I have expressed my creativity through textiles for as long as I can remember – dressmaking, crochet, weaving, knitting, spinning, embroidery, needlefelting, etc.
Then came the pandemic. An enforced re-evaluation. I found solace in the local woodland then retreated to my craft space. There, I allowed my hands to play and create – my inner world was drawn outwards into a tangible external form and my doll-making practice was born. My workspace is a small room, tucked away in the eaves of my home in Kent.
In Summer 2020, I showed two pieces of work at a local exhibition of “Lockdown Art”. Encouraged, I entered the 2021 Turner Contemporary Open Exhibition. I was so excited when they selected two of my dolls for display. Since then, I have continued to create, exhibit and sell my dolls and textile art.
I have created a number of dolls by commission. I invite you to join me in this deeply personal process. Revive your soul with artwork that reflects your inner world – I can capture a moment, a feeling, a season…for you.
Click on the button above to find out more about this strictly limited service.
exhibitions
gillian runting – dollmaker & textile artist
welcome to reviva designs!
My practice is centred around the creation of original, textile art-dolls – meditative, emotive pieces, each telling a unique story.
I begin with a lively exploration of my thoughts, which I organise into a theme. I create moodboards using magazine images, then in handmade sketchbooks, I explore colour palettes.
I hand print my own papers and develop these into abstract collages. As my ideas take shape, I add mixed-media, textiles and clay, using them to make 3d forms, artist books and small dolls. I work intuitively, allowing my materials to tell my story.
As I explore, I develop favourite pieces into the supporting works that accompany my unique mixed-media textile art-dolls.
I use natural materials whenever possible and find delight in re-purposing found objects
I don’t have formal art training, but I have expressed my creativity through textiles for as long as I can remember – dressmaking, crochet, weaving, knitting, spinning, embroidery, needlefelting, etc.
Then came the pandemic. An enforced re-evaluation. I found solace in the local woodland then retreated to my craft space. There, I allowed my hands to play and create – my inner world was drawn outwards into a tangible external form and my doll-making practice was born. My workspace is a small room, tucked away in the eaves of my home in Kent.
In Summer 2020, I showed two pieces of work at a local exhibition of “Lockdown Art”. Encouraged, I entered the 2021 Turner Contemporary Open Exhibition. I was so excited when they selected two of my dolls for display. Since then, I have continued to create, exhibit and sell my dolls and textile art.
I have created a number of dolls by commission. I invite you to join me in this deeply personal process. Revive your soul with artwork that reflects your inner world – I can capture a moment, a feeling, a season…for you.
Click on the button below to find out more about this strictly limited service.