why is the grass green?

If you can look at Annie Montgomeries pieces for the first time and not feel a tug on your heartstrings.

Then sadly you have no heart.

A mixed media artist, she is based in Dorset in the heart of England and creates curious creatures that look like much loved companions from bygone days.

Cats, Dogs, Sheep, Elephants, Lions all of them unique and all of them dressed in clothes made by Annnie.

She uses muslin, 100% wool felt, ‘up-cycled’ wool garments, velvet, leather, cotton, moleskin and blankets for wall hangings and figures. Then she stitches on curious little things she finds including vintage buttons, charms and jewellery. Her figures often carry tiny versions of themselves—cats hold miniature stuffed kittens; a dog clings to a well-worn primitive doll in the shape of himself

“I want my work to evoke memories of childhood, and all the emotions one has as a child—feeling awkward or inadequate, disappointed, or upset, but also cheeky, hopeful, and happy. Childhood is a magical place with magnified emotions, and I try to capture this in my work,” she explains.

The era from the 30s to the 70s is her favourite time. “I love looking at old school photos, a class of slightly glum looking children maybe wearing an itchy jumper or a moth-holed skirt’ Each animal has its own special personality, name and backstory.

The lovely cow above and below is Eedy

Here is Eedy. A pensive young girl with a lot on her mind like... why is grass green and why does it go yellow when the wet drops don’t come out the sky?? Grass is her favourite thing ever and she collects clumps of it to put in her flower press (either to chew on or make pictures with). Eedy stands approx 23 inches tall. She wears a bright yellow woven dress and mohair fair isle cardy. Around her neck is a vintage plastic cow that’s been squashed under hoof.

When she is ready to let them go, she shares them on instagram and then sells them on etsy, where they are snapped up in minutes.

You need to be fast if you want one of these wonderful creatures in your life.

As you can imagine it was hard to pick a favourite but I have gone with Ned Drabcloth above who is a keen darts player. Look at his wee untied laces. Bless his little elephant heart.

Queen Marie