My Story part 1

Allow me to introduce myself: I am Aldegonde Ceelen, doll maker, mother of two grown-ups and dedicated housewife (whenever there is time left).

Fairytale illustrations

First of all I would like to share some illustrations I made of fairytales whilst studying at the art school. That is what I was supposed to become: an illustrator. Preferably of story and picture books for children. Faith decided otherwise. Actually, this is the first time my drawings are published.

Thumbelina

This illustration I made with Fairytales by Dutch autor Godfrid Bomans

Drawing for dolls after school

As a child – and this I have learned is not uncommon with devoted doll lovers - I was rather solitary and withdrawn. My ideal social environment existed in my collection of dolls that I knew was waiting in my room for me to come back from school. There my real life began: The big, confusing world outside didn’t exist anymore. I could tell them my stories, my wishes and desires, my fears and my secrets and I got their consolation. They needed my care and attention and I drew for them. Drawing was my other big passion.

Image from a picture book of Dutch autor/illustrator Rie Cramer I grew up with. It must have been inspiring to set an example for good motherhood.

The switch from designing to illustration at Art school

Fashion designers often tell, they played with dolls in their childhood. Making outfits for their Barbies. With me that was not the case. I detested knitting and needlework back then. Maybe it was an early demonstration of protest against what was expected of a girl attending a nun’s school. (Of girls in general, at that time. I speak of the 1960’s. Obviously picture books, as shown above, had had their days by then.)

Nevertheless I went to art school after my graduation, to ‘do fashion’. Initially. I loved the designing part. The practice of pattern making and manufacturing was not quite my cup of tee!

So I quickly decided to switch to illustration (mind you: In the late sixties, the time of leftish student revolts, fashion was suspect, being considered an expression of capitalism) and I developed a passion for picture books.

Shepard was one of my favorites than and still is

I also never have been much of a doll collector either but,I always loved the Japanese ichimatsu dolls.

These DDR (communist Germany) dolls mid 20th century with celluloid heads resemble my very first dolls.

Graduating, becoming a mum and the start of making dolls

It always stayed in the back of my mind to the extent that I chose dolls as the subject for my art history essay I had to write in art school. It would be appropriate to claim that to be the motive to go on studying art history. My interest in art and design went further than that.

Probably people as withdrawn in their own world as I was, and not outgoing, lack the ability to go and conquer the world, as you are supposed to do to get a career in the creative domain.

So I went to Amsterdam to study art history. However a curious thing happened. As time passed I more frequently handled knitting needles than study books and I more often sat at the sewing table than at my desk. Sewing and knitting I used to hate!

I graduated in pop-art furniture (mind you:”pop” is the Dutch word for doll!) from the sixties and after that, when my biological clock indicated it was time, I became a mother. Thé opportunity to take up my search for picture books.

At that time I was finally well-trained and ready to start making my – self-designed – baby clothes and children sweaters. And dolls.

About the maker

Aldegonde Ceelen is an Amsterdam based doll maker and designer of miniature clothes. Her dolls are one of a kind and free-standing - like statuettes. They are made entirely of natural materials. (Aldegonde graduated in book illustration at the art academy of Maastricht and has an MSc degree in art history from the University of Amsterdam.)

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