Tom Tierney (artist)

Tom Tierney (October 8, 1928-July 12, 2014) was a noted American paper doll artist. He is credited with reviving what has been described by The New York Times as the "lost art" of paper doll making during his career which stretched from the 1970s to his death in 2014.[1] Over the course of his career, he sold over 4 million paper dolls and 400 paper doll books to readers all over the world, including one to Pope John Paul II.[2]

Early life and education

Tierney was born on October 8, 1928 in Beaumont, Texas. He began his art education at an early age, studying life drawing, landscapes, and still-life painting. He attended Lamar Junior College in 1945 and completed his education at the University of Texas, graduating in 1949 with a B.F.A. in painting and sculpture. During his time at the University of Texas, he also spent time studying frescoes at the University of Colorado.[3]

Awards and honours

  • The Nancy Beeman Strong Art Scholarship Award (1945)[3]
  • The Veesy Rainwater Painting Scholarship Award (1945)[3]
  • Texas Fellowship Painting Award (1948)[3]

Death

Tierney died on July 12, 2014 at the age of 85 of lung cancer in Smithville, Texas. He had a Paper Doll Shop for many years on Main Street in downtown Smithville after leaving New York. His shop was downstairs while Mr. Tierney, known around town as "Tom", lived in his upstairs apartment. He autographed all of his many Paper Doll Books which he sold until his death. His relatives kept the store open in memory of him until his supply of vintage-style paper ornaments and books sold out.

See also

  • Margaret G. Hays - Another prominent paper doll artist
  • Grace Drayton - Another prominent paper doll artist, who cooperated extensively with her sister Margaret (shown above, in the See Also section)

References

  1. ↑ "Tom Tierney, Who Made Paper Dolls an Art Form, Dies at 85". The New York Times. July 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ Bender, Kelli (2014-07-22). "Tom Tierney Paper Doll Creator Dies at 85". People.com. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Tom Tierney Paper Dolls - Biography". Tomtierney.com. 1928-10-08. Archived from the original on 2014-07-17. Retrieved 2014-08-16.


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