UP CLOSE: Penelope O'Gara, Evercreech dollmaker and illustrator

Shepton Mallet Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We will be profiling some of these businesses and organisations regularly in a feature called 'Up Close in Shepton Mallet'.

We caught up with Penelope O'Gara, a dollmaker and illustrator from Evercreech. In this feature, she talks about the inspiration for her work, and what she loves about living in the area.

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Have you always lived in the Shepton Mallet area and, if not, what were the key considerations about moving here?

We moved to Evercreech just over three years ago, all the way from Burrington on the other side of the Mendips.

I love that Evercreech has enough facilities to mean you don't have to drive every day, while being just 10 minutes from Shepton with its larger shops, and the same from Castle Cary station which makes travel to London so much easier.

Tell is a bit about your personal business background Penelope, and who inspired you artistically?

I studied Costume Design in the US, so spent a few years working on film projects in Los Angeles, then returned to the UK to work in theatre design - firstly in Bristol, but for the last 15 years it's all been in London. Most recently I designed costumes for Wonderville at the Palace Theatre in the West End, and I'm currently developing costumes and puppets for a play about Christopher Marlowe.

A few years ago I started dabbling in doll-making as a way to create my own characters instead of always dressing other folks' creations.

There are some amazing artists working with textiles and dolls to tell stories and build their own worlds - Mister Finch and Pantovola spring to mind, and especially The Pale Rook with whom I have been lucky enough to study. More locally (in Glastonbury) we have Jan Horrox, too.

Following their lead, I make art dolls to share stories. I began by creating a dark circus (who still make regular appearances) but since moving to Evercreech have also become very interested in digging into the history and lore of the Somerset Levels, blending English fae and folktales with a slightly Southern Gothic sensibility and a heap of vintage textiles.

What do you like about the Shepton Mallet area? How are you involved in the local community?

One thing I really appreciate about the Shepton area is its history, elements of which I can weave into my work.

Did you know they actually burnt a witch in Shepton? That's a topic I shall be exploring pre-Halloween...

And living in a house that dates back to at least the 17th century is massively inspiring too. Not only the history, but the fabric of the place - old stonework, faded barn doors, rusting iron.

There are so many other places in the area, too, that have amazing textures and colours that I often have to stop and photograph.

The other fabulous thing about Evercreech is our creative community. We have the Old Store Studios holding some really interesting classes and hosting several creative groups, plus I am lucky enough to have a circus next door - the excellent Mr Bullzini - which has directly led me to develop a puppet show, with help from another neighbour who just happens to have built puppets for several West End shows.

The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on many businesses and organisations - what are your plans?

Obviously the pandemic put an immediate stop to my theatre work - I designed three shows last year and just two this, as against eight or 10 annually in the years before Covid.

In the aftermath, travelling to London is a lot less attractive a prospect, plus everyone in the theatre industry is worried about potential closures over the winter. Luckily I have my artwork to concentrate on instead.

What businesses do you like and use in the Shepton Mallet area?

Part of my business ethic is to reuse and recycle as much as possible, which is made easier by my stash of fabrics saved from years of costuming.

Fortunately there are shops in Shepton for the supplies which I do need to top up from time to time - particularly The Hive for haberdashery, and Dredge & Male for hardware (you'd be surprised how much in the way of wire, washers and the like go into doll making!).

When I do have chance to pick up my paintbrushes, the folks at Great Ostry Picture Framers are fabulous - never fazed when faced with mixed media canvases dripping with ribbons and beads.

The lockdown was very difficult for many people - how do you think that the Shepton Mallet area coped?

Lockdown really made me appreciate living in a Somerset village where we had access to the countryside, and people were fairly assiduous in social distancing and mask-wearing. My city-dwelling friends were immensely envious.

If there was one thing in the area you would change, what would it be?

The one drawback to the area would be the lack of good public transport and safe cycle paths - I should love to be able to leave my car at home more often.

Shepton Mallet and the area around it is beautiful - what is your favourite place and why?

Living on the very edge of Evercreech, I am spoilt for rural views without leaving home. But it is always good to get out for a walk in the countryside - King Alfred's Tower is a favourite destination, or the Levels around Coxley.

Plus Glastonbury Tor, of course. They are all good for taking time out to really look at where we live, appreciate the landscape and connect with its spirit.

If you could choose an actor to play you in a movie about your life, who would it be and why?

As for who would play me in a movie... I took advice on this one! The consensus was Helena Bonham Carter, which I shan't argue with.

People often pick up on a Tim Burton vibe in my work, so we have that in common, plus a lot of hair and a wardrobe full of black dresses.