Clowning Around
In 1999 I was inspired to create my first clown teddy bear, a big, bendy legged, red 'n white fellow called PaZaZZ. At 28" in height, decked out with checkered collar, boots and gloves, he made quite an impact! I entered PaZaZZ into 'The British Bear Artist Awards' in 2000 and was thrilled to have my bold design win Second Place in his category. He was ultimately purchased by The Hong Kong Teddy Bear Museum for display, a huge honour.
I have since designed several clown bears who went on to win prestigious awards, each of them unique in their own way. I think my favourite of all was 23" 'Billy Buttons, a beautiful blue and gold teddy bear, created with a handsome centre seam head and hand painted sparkling blue eyes. He was my first entry into the international 'TOBY Awards', held in the USA in 2008, an overwhelming moment for me personally and a huge accolade in my career as a teddy bear designer.
Other clown teddy bears also made a competitive mark: Tiddler, blue and orange April Fool, won an 'Excellence in Bear Artistry Award' in 2012, Buttons, a vintage style clown, won his 'Teddy Bear and Friends' Award in 2012, Raffles, a big teddy clown in pale blue, white and soft beige, was a proud URSA Awards Finalist in 2008, Kefalonia, a beautiful ivory and honey coloured bear inspired by a lovely holiday, won an Honourable Mention in the URSA Awards in 2011, Handsome Beau, a fabulous purple, blue and gold clown bear, won his 'Excellence in Teddy Bear Artistry Award in 2014 and patiotic Jubilee won his Teddy Bear and Friends Award in 2013.
My clown bears weren't all about competitive design'; to be honest, I simply fell in love with the endless range of possibility they presented for working with colour. That said, one of my all-time favourite designs has to be 21" 'Jack Bellamy', who was actually a black and white clown bear, created as a very special commission for a collector in honour of her Great Grandfather's days as a member of a travelling Pierrot troupe. You can read the full story here ... https://allbear.blogspot.com/search?q=jack+bellamy
Which leads me neatly in Summer, always such a wonderful season for creating teddy bear clowns!
Over the past twenty six years I have created many clowns, some in my white head style in tribute to the wonderfully enigmatic white-faced clowns, others with rounded centre seam heads, other with classic style teddy heads. The designs have varied in style, shape and size, but always retain my signature look.
The size of my clowns has ranged from 8.5" Tiddlers, right through to big 28" statement bears. They have celebrated all four seasons and special events such as The Queen's Platinum Jubilee ... but always, and most importantly, they have always celebrated the joy of life, love, fun and a world bursting with colour.
I hope you enjoy my newest clown 'Pansy', a beautiful girl who contrasts a gentle face with bold colour. She is now available to bring colour and joy to her new owner.
Happy Summer Everyone!
