Monica Spicer

Monica Spicer is an Australian artist whose work has evolved over the years from collectible artist bears to beautifully detailed art dolls.

Born in Argentina and raised largely in Australia, Monica began making miniature bears in 1992 after creating a tiny teddy for a dollhouse nursery. What began as a small creative project soon grew into a much larger artistic pursuit and eventually became known to collectors through Monica’s Attic Treasures.

Monica’s early bear work included the wonderfully expressive, slightly mischievous bears she affectionately called her “cheeky bears.” Their distinctive faces and strong personalities became an important part of her work and helped establish the individual style collectors came to recognize.

She later introduced her elegant and elaborately dressed Elegant Lady Bears. For a period, Monica created both styles, moving easily between the playful personality of her cheeky bears and the beautifully costumed refinement of the Elegant Lady Bears.

Her bears were individually created with great attention to expression, proportion, fabrics, trims, and finishing details. Whether whimsical or elegantly dressed, each one had a personality of its own and reflected Monica’s strong sense of character and design.

Arts&Souls has featured Monica’s work since 2001, and I have always enjoyed the individuality and imagination she brings to her creations. Several of her collectible bears remain available in the gallery today.

In more recent years, Monica’s artistic direction has shifted away from bears. She no longer creates them and now concentrates on art dolls, bringing the same eye for character, costuming, detail, and personality to an entirely different form.

Her current dolls are beautifully realized works of art and a natural continuation of the creativity that has always defined Monica Spicer’s work.