Art has always been a big part of my life and who I am. From the time I could use a crayon - I colored, created books and comic strips and illustrated short stories; any form of expression an eight-by-ten sketch pad could afford me.

Art in school developed into art as a living. I attended Paier College of Art, as well as Albertus Magnus College, both in New Haven, Connecticut and graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and minored in illustration. Inking backgrounds in comic book pages was my first foray into the professional world of art/illustration during summers while attending college. Since then, I've worked with publishers, with commercial art studios in NYC, and with toy design firms doing story boards and visual concept boards.

After 17 years and my fill of the fast-paced graphics field where everything went electronic and much of the creative process (for me) was lost, I decided that teaching others my love of art was what I wanted. So, back to college and the life a grad-student this time around!

After two more years of college and a semester of student teaching, I have come full circle, but instead of the student, I am the teacher, and enjoying every minute.

During a work hiatus during the summer of 2004, my career took another turn. This time, into the world of fashion dolls and their tiny 3-dimensional canvases. Though, not a huge collector/hobbyist of dolls at the time - I took a commission to repaint the face of a Gene doll. Having never tried this type of art work previously, (in a professional arena) I was a bit nervous but had the blessing and complete trust of the collector/doll shop owner.

With the doll completed and the customer pleased; I breathed a huge sigh of relief! I had crossed over to a career I had never dreamed existed and have not put the brush down since!

This world of fashion doll repainting has afforded me opportunities never imagined. Meeting people from all over the world from Japan to Australia or from Miami to Italy - they have all been wonderful! I have made life-long friends whom I enjoy chatting with nearly every week and the few times we get together in person is as exciting as the first day we ever spoke.

In retrospect; this hobby has expanded my love of collecting into my art career - and my art into the doll collections of others!

Vincent Anthony

(September 2007)