Charlot Byj facts for kids
Charlot Byj (pronounced "bye") was a talented American artist who lived from 1920 to 1983. She became well-known for her fun and lively designs used on greeting cards, posters, and in advertisements during the mid-1940s. Charlot Byj is most famous for her artwork being turned into a popular series of collectible figurines by a German company called Goebel.
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Charlot Byj's Artistic Journey
Early Career in Art
After finishing art school, Charlot Byj moved to New York City. One day, during a rainstorm, she stepped into a greeting card store to get out of the rain. While inside, she really liked the greeting cards she saw. She found out the name of the company that published them and decided to call them for an interview. The company hired her, and Charlot began creating illustrations for their greeting cards.
Her artwork often featured playful, red-haired children. These characters quickly became her special trademark. Some of her most famous characters were a mischievous boy named Shabby O'Hair, his sister Raggy Muffin, and their kind, plump mother, M'Lady O'Hair.
Bringing Art to Life: Goebel Figurines
Franz Goebel, who owned the W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik company in Germany, was very impressed by Charlot Byj's artwork. He invited her to visit his factory where they made porcelain items. Working together with a skilled sculptor named Arthur Moeller, they designed the very first figurine based on Charlot's art. This first figurine, called "Strike," was created in 1957.
The Famous Redhead Figurines
Between 1957 and 1988, a large collection of over 100 different figurines was created based on Charlot Byj's designs. The collection included both red-haired and blonde children. The red-haired figurines were known for their playful and sometimes mischievous personalities, just like the characters in her original greeting cards.
The Serene Blonde Figurines
In contrast, the blonde figurines in the collection often showed more calm and peaceful characteristics. This gave the series a nice variety, appealing to many different collectors.
Charlot Byj's Legacy
Charlot Byj became ill in 1980 and started to design less. She passed away on August 7, 1983, in New York City. Her unique and charming artwork continues to be loved by collectors of her greeting cards and the famous Goebel figurines.
