Small Scenes: Anna May Wong

October/Anna May Wong

I had hoped when I started this shiny new corner of the net that I would bring you a little something each month. Blog posts, short and sweet, but heavy on the visuals felt like a lovely way to connect outside of Instagram. Alas, as time races forward I seem to have abandoned something that started off so joyous and promising.

Today feels like as good a day as any to pick up this lovely space again. I’ll start by sharing a small series of drawings I made of Anna May Wong back in May and June.

When I make dolls, it always leads me to create drawings alongside. I find it impossible to do one without the other. I did share a few of these on my Instagram stories at the time but it feels neater and sweeter to see them here all together.

All these drawings are inspired by old snapshots featuring Anna May Wong during the 1930's

They are all pencil, ink and gouache on mixed media paper.

Back in March we had the exciting publication of Not Your China Doll by Katie Gee Salisbury At last such a beautifully written biography that gives you a proper sense of Anna May Wong’s personality and drive. Anna was the first major Chinese American movie star. She faced racism and stereotyping throughout her whole career, yet despite the constant discrimination her work spanned decades.

There are so many gorgeous photos and articles of Anna May Wong all over the net - you can really go to town on your research.  But better still, buy and read this beautiful book. It's far lovelier to have this thoroughly researched gem on your shelf than fragments of information from the internet.

Anna Having her hair done in the early 1930's. I loved her hair with bangs most of all.

Anna with her dachshund taking a trip to the florist. This is an imagined scene but she did have a smooth red haired dachshund and I'm pretty sure she loved flowers.

Anna in her garden - which she christened 'Moongate' Santa Monica 1938. 

photo credit on left comes from notyourchinadoll.com

I think these illustrations may well work as a sweet postcard set. Perhaps this is a way to share some of my small rough art and sketchbook drawings.

This was my favorite one to draw. (Manicurist very inspired by Olga in The Women 1939, if you know you know) 

Anna May Wong getting a manicure.

In 1936 Anna visited Shanghai. If you go to YouTube you can find the footage. At the beginning of the short film she’s wearing a very stylish hat and a wide sleeved fur coat. Every inch the movie star!

   Anna May Wong with Marlene Dietrich in a publicity photo for Shanghai Express in 1932

I’ve enjoyed putting this post together, and I’ll be sure to write again soon. It may not be on a regular monthly basis but rather I’ll be spontaneous with my musings. I won’t plan, I’ll just share things randomly. It may be lengthy or short but it’ll always be sweet.

Wishing you a very lovely October. The weather is getting chilly here and the leaves are beginning to fall. Wool socks and hot soup on the horizon.

Pip.

Just one last real life pic of Anna. This has always been one of my favourites. So relaxed, so glamorous. Taken in her dressing room at the Tivoli Theatre in Scotland 1933.