ABOUT MY WORK

Sharon Snoeyink

3811 Kingsway Court SE

         Grand Rapids, MI

Phone: 616-245-2646

e-mail: sbsnoeyink@comcast.net

I believe that all people are created with individual and unique talents.  God's gift to me is the ability to creatively combine colors and textures.  This flair for design, color and texture became apparent when as a child I began to design clothes for my dolls.

Now, my designs include making the doll as well as all the clothing and accessories.  The doll making process begins by first needle-sculpting the head out of fabric, covering it with an air-drying clay, detailing the clay with dental tools and jewelry files.  The clay is painted with  acrylic paint and finished with colored pencils.  Next, I choose fabrics from my collection of unique fabrics stacked on the shelves in my studio, carefully combining the colors and textures until I feel excited by the combination.  Beads, charms and unique trim add personality to the figure.  Shoes are designed and constructed.  Hair is styled from dyed natural silk and wool, yarns, fur or beads.  All that remains is the choosing of an appropriate name for the completed figure.

Being surrounded in my studio by my fabric, beads, trim and fur, my work becomes intuitive, naturally evolving, rather than being planned in advance.

I create a variety of one-of-a-kind work which is shown at juried art shows and exhibits around the country.  There I meet a wonderful blend of artists, collectors and interested people from whom I obtain a myriad of blessings.

My dolls do not represent a country or time period.  I make my dolls simply for the joy of creating something beautiful to pass on, to give others a moment of peace and joy in the midst of the busyness of life.  It is then that my purpose has been fulfilled.

SHARON SNOEYINK

figurative sculpture and cloth dolls

Photo credits: Larry Sanders and Sharon Snoeyink.

All artwork and images in this website are protected and copyrighted to Sharon Snoeyink.

All Rights reserved.  2007 - 2012

Click here to add text.

Click here to add text.'I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts -

to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,

to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.'

Exodus 31:3-5

ABOUT ME

• Born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
  

• Attended college in Grand Rapids, MI where I met my husband
  

• Lived in Wisconsin again for 20 years where we raised our 4 daughters
  

• 16 years later we now have 3 sons-in-law and 11 grandchildren
  

• My career included being a church organist and music director,
  

          teaching and sales.

A neighbor taught me sewing skills when I was very young.  Designing and

sewing clothes for my dolls gave me the basis upon which to not only design

and sew clothes for my children, but also accessories for my home.  A dream

of mine became a reality when I was able to design and sew a wedding dress

for each of our four daughters.

After becoming an empty nester, the need for filling empty space became apparent.  The new found interest of dollmaking filled that space with a mosaic of fabric, color and texture.

Three of our four daughters chose art-related careers.  Now it's my turn!ext.

Soli Deo Gloria!