Today we introduce you to one-of-a-kind, realistic characters by British artist Annie Montgomery

Annie was born and lives in Dorset, England.

She studied stone carving, design and jewellery art. During her studies she developed a passion for creating characters from vintage finds and antique materials. The artist is particularly fascinated by children's drawings, which give birth to incredible characters. And her love of animals and music helps her to combine these hobbies into vivid images of her characters.

Annie likes to work with textiles in the papier-mâché technique. She uses gauze soaked with glue (like PVA) to make the moulds, and glues the finishing fabric on top. She uses glass puppet eyes in her work.

Says the artist:

• None of my pieces are exactly the same. Because I use materials that I give a second life to, each piece is unique.
• I source most of my fabrics from the town where I live, in Dorset. I use materials such as muslin, wool felt, velvet, leather, cotton and old quilts for wall tapestries and figures.
• I love to decorate my work with curious little things I find at flea markets, vintage buttons, pendants and jewellery.
• I make my characters unusual on the outside in order to show their inner content. Everyone will see in them what they need, what they are ready to understand.

The author's characters are very unusual and evoke a range of emotions. At first glance, it's hard to guess whether you're looking at cute animalistic characters or realistic fairy tale creatures.

Each doll has its own character and personality.

Annie's work combines animal and human features. While the author's skill is undeniable, while the characters are cute and touching, especially if she is as animalistic as possible, others, with human-like hands, often elicit mixed reactions from viewers.

"Welcome to my world of fabulous creatures, inhabited by unusual creatures", the artist invites us.

"Please love them and don't be afraid. I took the ideas of vintage paper beast dolls that could be dressed up in different clothes and decided to translate them into volume."

Annie Montgomery's art is unique. It is mesmerising, thought-provoking and certainly worthy of the closest attention of lovers of collectible dolls.

Photos are taken from open sources on the Internet.

With love and respect, Tatiana Kalinina 

Instagram @tatakalinyshka