The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen Paper Doll Collection

Title

Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen Paper Doll Collection

Subject

Paper dolls.
Toys.
Women artists - Kentucky.

Description

This unique collection of hand drawn and painted paper dolls was created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen. Ewen was born in Flemingsburg, Kentucky on March 31, 1894 to Charles Lee Dudley and Lula Kenner Dudley. Her artistic abilities surfaced at a young age, as she spent much of her time drawing and crafting paper dolls. She was encouraged in these pursuits by her mother who was an avid painter, and whose works are also part of the Filson’s museum collection. Ewen left Kentucky to study at the Art Institute of Chicago, and lived in New York, Chicago, Italy, and California before returning to Kentucky in 1963. Ewen was a pioneer for women artists in the commercial world, and worked under the name “Doug Ewen” for much of her career. Niece Lu Ann Weinstein reflects on Ewen, saying, “Aunt Doug [was] making money long before women were supposed to be so uppity.”

Ewen is known for her commercial work illustrating children’s books and cookbooks, as well as her work designing holiday cards for Henri Fayette, NuArt, and Chrysons card companies. However, her artistic flourish was not relegated to her business. In her spare time, she created a number of oil paintings of family members and friends, and experimented in a variety of media. One of her most interesting pursuits is the creation of these paper dolls. It is believed that she had no intention of profiting from these works, but rather gave them out to children in her family for birthdays and holidays. Her dolls were cherished by all who received them. After reading a publication on her aunt, Weinstein wrote to the Filson, asking “Did you see the marvelous paper dolls that Doug created? They are as playful and cute as my aunt was. If you run across the one in color with an entire wardrobe, that is me! She sent it to me when I was ill to cheer me up and to let me know she was thinking of me.” These dolls indeed display the spirit of the artist. Many of the figures had notes on their backs with the doll’s names and ages.

Creator

Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen (1894-1985)

Source

The Filson Historical Society Museum Collection

Rights

This image is issued by The Filson Historical Society. Property rights in the collection belong to The Filson Historical Society. The user is responsible for copyright issues. Permission for use of this image for ANY reason should be obtained by contacting Filson's Curator of Collections via research@filsonhistorical.org.

Format

Still Image

Language

paper dolls

Type

Still Image

Identifier

1985.10.2-6

Collection Items

  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll040.jpg

    Six hand-drawn outfits for "Lu Ann Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll039-e1591365071473.jpg

    Hand-drawn paper doll and one outfit.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll014-e1591365298313.jpg

    Four hand-drawn outfits for "Sylvia Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll016-e1591365892993.jpg

    Four hand-drawn outfits for "Sylvia Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll019-e1591365920552.jpg

    Hand-drawn paper doll and one outfit.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll022-e1591365945444.jpg

    Two hand-drawn outfits for "Sterling Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll021-e1591365937308.jpg

    Hand-drawn paper doll and one outfit.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll031-e1591364892899.jpg

    Four hand-drawn outfits for "Percy Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll029-e1591366008483.jpg

    Hand-drawn paper doll and two outfits.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll017-e1591365901977.jpg

    Hand-drawn paper doll and one outfit.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll020-e1591365928277.jpg

    Three hand-drawn outfits for "Opal Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll018-e1591365911650.jpg

    Four hand-drawn outfits for "Opal Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll038-e1591365062394.jpg

    Hand-drawn paper doll and three outfits.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll041-e1591365157519.jpg

    Five hand-drawn hats for "Mrs. Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll007-e1591365210535.jpg

    Hand-drawn paper doll and one outfit.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll006-e1591365199570.jpg

    Two hand-drawn outfits for "Mrs. Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll009-e1591365233834.jpg

    Two hand-drawn outfits for "Mrs. Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll032-e1591364997363.jpg

    Four hand-drawn outfits for "Lucy Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll034-e1591365020773.jpg

    Four hand-drawn outfits for "Lucy Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/PaperDoll035-e1591365032564.jpg

    Four hand-drawn outfits for "Lucy Melverton" paper doll.

    These dolls were created by Kentucky artist Carrie Douglas Dudley Ewen and were often given as gifts to the children in her family. Many of the dolls have notes on their backs recording their names and ages.
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