ABOUT ME

As a youngster, Gladys Drew used to draw and color on flattened grocery sacks. She learned how to do crafts such as weaving on cardboard looms in the Girl Scouts. In junior high, she earned two Scholastic Achievement awards in art. In high school, she prepared her own art assignments as Independent Studies. The resulting work was displayed in the Denver Art Museum. After graduating high school, it was recommended that she attend art college. Although she studied for almost a  year at the Rocky Mountain School of Art, she is mostly self-taught. Her favorite genres are outsider and folk art.  Inspired by these, she creates one-of-a-kind art dolls.

Dolls can be a great catalyst for change,  transformation, and emotional healing. They draw you out in "play" or "dialogue" so that you can get in touch with your inner feelings and thoughts. I repurpose fabrics, buttons, vintage jewelry, charms,  and beads for their costumes and embellishments. Wool, alpaca, or cotton socks are used to make their bodies.  Dyed wool locks, stuffed hairstyles, and caps or hats are used to finish their heads with panache!  I offer my creations as single purchases as well as custom commissions.  My dolls are for adult collectors and are not toys for children​. Sold in Canada & U.S. only.

September 1985 - present

ARTIST DOLLMAKER

Experience includes sewing, embroidery, doll costume design, mixed media & textile sculpture, embellished collage as paper doll, handmade vegetable stamps, acrylic painting, drawing, photography, doll commissions, and art collaborations with other artists.

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Taught dollmaking for Denver Artreach at various agencies for the disadvantaged, grant projects teaching dollmaking at Boulder Public Schools, private dollmaking sessions, and curating art doll exhibitions at Boulder Art Gallery and Panache Fine Crafts Gallery in Denver.  

For more information about my professional experience, please get in touch.
Sold in Canada & U.S. only.

JOB EXPERIENCES