Inspired: Anthropomorphic Fruit
I thought I might struggle with blog posts ideas for spring and summer since I can talk all day about Halloween and Christmas (my two favourite holidays), but get stuck when it comes to the rest of the year. Fortunately, inspiration hit hard recently and I thought I'd blog about it!
Anthropomorphic fruit is where inspiration has led me (aka fruit people, if you're like me..who didn't learn this term until a few years ago). Anthropomorphic (such a fun word to type over and over and over..haha) means the attribution of human characteristics to animals or other non-human things (including objects, plants, etc).
I obviously incorporate that in a lot of my work, and have for years when I was needle felting animals. But I see myself getting braver when it comes to working with spun cotton. I gave mushrooms a go last year, then attempted fruit. My first try with cherries just didn't work, so I set my eyes on transforming a plain spun cotton pear I'd made previously.
![spun cotton anthropomorphic pear](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0292/3226/7348/files/Untitled_design_-_2021-04-23T154811.815_480x480.png?v=1619189681)
I gave her a retro paper face and a butterfly friend. Cute! But I put any further attempts to the side for then.
Recently, I couldn't stop thinking about Victorian anthropomorphic fruit and veg illustrations I'd come across during my usual research for vintage inspiration. I'm usually most inspired by mid-century kitsch, but when it comes to fruit and vegetables my eye is drawn to the Victorian images. I love that they look like humans (limbs and all)...who just happen to be half fruit/veg.
Here's my take on an orange and peach - with more of a retro twist!
![spun cotton anthropomorphic orange and peach ornaments](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0292/3226/7348/files/Untitled_design_-_2021-04-23T154451.781_480x480.png?v=1619189651)
These aren't the illustrations that inspired these two ornaments, but you get the idea. You can find these digital downloads at RecklessRosey .
With my orange, I couldn't help but be inspired by vintage Florida orange crate labels in their pretty shades of blues and orange.
![spun cotton anthropomorphic orange ornament](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0292/3226/7348/files/Untitled_design_-_2021-04-23T153143.035_514cab4e-7f5c-4726-a91b-a4e5194c6d22_480x480.png?v=1619443701)
And my peach girl was begging for pretty rosy pink cheeks and an extra feminine touch. She's indeed, pretty as a peach!
![Spun cotton anthropomorphic peach ornament](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0292/3226/7348/files/Untitled_design_-_2021-04-23T152832.052_90fb10ab-4121-4ef4-9f29-b1b1e4e5368b_480x480.png?v=1619443948)
Hopefully they're well received as I'd love to work on a dapper carrot man at some point (and I just might revisit those cherries!)
They're now available for adoption.
Take care, friends!