Sandra Vanderpool
Her
studio in Colorado may be a long way from Hollywood, but Sandra's
paper dolls subjects are often movie stars. And of course, she’s
working in the 21st century, yet she is an expert on the past
as evidenced by the authentic details on her many historic paper
doll sets. She is one of the leading paper doll artists of today,
and her very painterly technique makes her a favorite with collectors
everywhere. Sandra jokes that the fact that she often forgets
to change the water in an old Mason jar she uses may be the
“mystique behind the look of my work.” Her many fans
view her expertise much more reverently.
Sandra
collected paper dolls as a child, an interest she shared with
her doting grandmother. After receiving a BFA at the Art Center
College of Design in Los Angeles, she freelanced as a fashion
illustrator for various clothing manufacturers and for Women’s
Wear Daily. When her first marriage ended, Sandy moved to Beverly
Hills and managed a clothing store where she met many movie
stars. She also worked at a production company before moving
back to Denver where she began teaching art. One of her students
was attending classes on the GI Bill and they courted, wed and
are living happily ever after, two artists sharing their life’s
work. Sandy says, “John understands my work schedule and
doesn’t get upset if the dishes don’t get done that
night or housework goes begging when I need to meet my deadlines.”
Her husband specializes in Western, Indian and Victorian subjects
while Sandra is focused on fashion.
Researching
vintage Hollywood and historic costume is Sandy’s great
passion, and the results have become an extensive catalogue
of paper dolls, mostly self published. Her studio houses an
extensive library of materials for research. She also creates
miniature doll houses, meticulously furnished. Those two interests
often mesh when Sandy creates paper dolls with very detailed
settings for displaying them. Paper dolls by Sandra Vanderpool
are truly works of art.
Upcoming
Titles by Sandra Vanderpool for Paper Studio Press
Fairy Paper Dolls
Signs of the Zodiac
Hollywood Goes to Egypt
