New Costumed Resin Doll Available

Where does the time go? One minute you're excitedly digging out your bathing suit and sun-dresses, and the next moment summer is almost over! I'm sorry I haven't been blogging more, too much time spent outside, and then when I am inside I'm furiously working on whatever has currently captured my attention. I hope everyone is enjoying the warm months and getting plenty of chances to explore the great outdoors.

On to dolls. I present, another little Echo sister in French Resin as a part of a promotion for the Chinese Enchanted Doll book, release by my publishers TXRiver! This Oriental beauty is another variation in my ongoing limited edition 'Echo' series, featuring a brand new hair ornament - a set of five tiny silver hair combs! I've been dreaming about making a lovely comb set for my future Enchanted dolls every since I read 'The Gift of the Magi' in my junior-high literature class. And now this Echo Sister is the first doll to be wearing them in her luscious hair. Woo! Another dream realized!

How do you buy this doll you ask?

The doll will be sold through my Chinese publishers TXRiver, and they are having a draw. Only those that order a book directly from them (http://world.taobao.com/item/43715713846.htm?fromSite=main)  can enter the draw,  and the randomly selected participant will have the opportunity to buy. The doll is being sold for $5700 USD. The draw will occur when this edition of the book has been sold out, which I'm being told is almost upon us! (Still some left, but going fast!).

Take a look! You can order the book here: http://world.taobao.com/item/43715713846.htm?fromSite=main

Birthday Contest Prize Resin Doll

On Friday this doll was shipped out to the winner of the 2015 annual Enchanted Doll Birthday Contest Kristen V, for her tattoo idea inspired by gender equality issues! The contest took place back in March, at the time of my birthday, but it took me a little bit longer to finish the grand prize. Kristen, I hope you like your doll. I really enjoyed making her for you, and I look forward to making one for next year's Birthday Contest!

Porcelain masters for resin dolls

These are my porcelain prototypes for the master molds of the resin dolls.

I made these a while back. Every now and then I pull up my spinning chair up to the tallest shelf in my studio and while wobbling precariously, I bring this case down to look at them for a few minutes. It's become almost like a strange ritual of meditation.

I sit down at my desk, switch on the light and run my hands slowly, deliberately along the perimeter of the box until it feels right to open it. My thumbs find the two clasps on the front, I feel a moment of pressure and then two clicks, and the lid comes up while I behold the contents as they glow softly in the white light of my lamp. I observe that once bright violet, the foam fades and turns more and more yellow each time I open it. At first, I touch the parts lightly with my index finger, but then, having satisfied myself that they are truly there, I run the open palm of my hand over them all, feeling the topography of the body curves brushing against my skin. I slowly pull out a part and caress it lovingly with my fingers, turning it over this way and that, enjoying the pearly sensation of cool smoothness on my finger tips. Sometimes I smile to myself, feeling vaguely satisfied with my work. Other times, I notice mistakes and make mental notes on how to improve my technique.

I don't worship my dolls. It's not a ritual of self-congratulation and back-patting. The reason I take them out from time to time and sit over them quietly for a few minutes, is because incredibly, they hold memories of myself and my thoughts at the time of their creation. They are the like tree rings of my life. Tiny fragments of my past self documented in porcelain, captured inside its texture, and touching it allows me to access those long-gone moments. And it feels good to be able to revisit myself as I was then, and say: "Hey you, yeah you. You can do better than this. Now get back to work".

On that note, I'm finally going to be making a new, Christmas batch of resin dolls next month, and those of you who are coming up next on the wait list will be notified within two weeks!

Stay tuned for more photos of ebay doll Daphne are in the next post.

Making resin dolls

All. Day. Long.

Hiking in Hong Kong!

After a brief stint at home upon our return from Europe three weeks ago, Chad and I are on the road again. This time in South East Asia. I've hardly been home since September and I'm really starting to miss staying put for more than a few days at a time.

I'm looking forward to working on the resin line in the studio next month. Notices for the first batch of pre-orders from the wait list will be sent out just before Christmas along with a news letter and an opening announcement for the 2013 Annual Birthday contest!

I'll "see" you guys soon.

More Enchanted Resin dolls

I painted some more dolls. Experimenting with different tones and styles of painting. Finding my own style.

We're in Rome for a few more hours and then we're heading to the coast with these beauties. I'll see you there.

Enchanted Doll in Italy and Estonia

Hey guys! Remember this doll when it was still unfinished? She is coming as a part of my traveling porcelain collection to my upcoming shows in Italy and Estonia this fall. Oh, and by the way, I have a show in Tallinn, Estonia one week after Italy. Surprise! Totally forgot to tell you, but it's going to be awesome. It's called Shocking Art of Dolls, and it will take place at Estonian Doll Art house, in the oldest building in Tallinn! I'll post more info about it soon.

If I have any resin dolls left over from Italy, then they will be made available to buy at the Shocking Art of Dolls in Tallinn. Also, I've been putting the resin wait list together going back to 2010. Those of you who are on it, will be getting an email within 24 hours to inquire if you wish to remain or get taken off. This wait list will go in effect in December and production will begin in January 2013.My production capacity is very small, only about 10-20 resin dolls a month max. I want to avoid mass-production and keep the quality and rarity of these dolls. At this point I have plans to produce resin for 1 year, and then either stop or keep going for another year or two, or many, depending on how I feel. I will evaluate the situation every 6 months.

Unfortunately, the rainy season in Vancouver had started this week and prevented me from completing as many resin dolls as I originally wanted to bring to the Pieceno Fashion doll convention. It's new and strange for me to have to rely on external factors, such as good weather, to be able to make dolls. There is no such a thing with the porcelain doll-making process. Vancouver is a pretty rainy city, so, I don't know how many more resin dolls I'll be able to make this winter. I'll have to paint then and put them away until sunny breaks, or something. I'm sure I will figure something out.

Stay tuned for pictures of the new resin dolls.

Enchanted Doll in Moscow, Russia.

Hey guys! Just a little update from Russia, while I have a spare minute during breakfast.

I'm in Moscow right now, promoting my book and the new resin line of dolls, with Chad and my dad helping me at the show.

So, for the last three days I've been doing a lot of book signing, taking pictures with doll fans and chatting to them about my new resin line, giving TV and paper interviews and networking with other artists and event organizers. I finally met the Popovy sisters, and even bought my first artist teddy (who is actually an elephant)! With so much going on, I hardly had any time to breathe.

It's been really busy and exciting, and I want to thank the organizer Svetlana Pchelnikova for putting on this event, and of course everyone who came to the show. And a big, huge thanks for all the flowers, you guys! It means more to me than you know.

Resin Enchanted Dolls-Launch!

I am so happy to finally be able to present to you, the long-awaited line of Resin Enchanted Doll! The official launch is in Moscow, Russia on Oct 4-7th at the 8th annual Doll Salon exhibition, along with the launch of the Russian language edition of Enchanted Doll book! This is so exciting!

Also, a big Thanks for all your naming suggestions! So many pretty names. I chose Serafina. I couldn't pick just one though, so I made a short list of my favorites and gave them to the 15 of the first resin dolls going to Russia tomorrow.

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Being new at painting resin dolls, I was learning a lot. To experiment with different painting techniques and features, I painted each doll face a little bit differently; tweaking eyebrows, changing eye shapes and playing with boundaries of lips to find the essence of Enchanted Dolls in resin. These dolls are all prototypes from which I will be painting in the future.

After the shows in Russia and Italy, Resin line wait list will go in effect, and those of you who've been on it, will be given priority to order a resin doll.

So, what do you guys think? Any favorites?

Help me name this resin doll

I'm running a bit late with the photo shoot of the first resin dolls, but it should wrap up tomorrow.In the meantime, help me name this pretty doll. I'd love to hear your suggestions on what she should be called.

Enchanted resin dolls have glass eyes

And tiny eyelashes!

At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to give my resin dolls glass eyes, but once I found the right kind of eyes, I was won over. This in turn, allowed me to give these dolls real eyelashes, something I've always wanted to do, but was unable to due to the shallow surface area of porcelain eyelids. The eyes are tacked on with a sticky gum inside, which means they can be changed fairly easily. The head cap is magnetic and the head is removable from the rest of the body. The doll is strung up with elastic and it articulates and holds poses very well. I am very happy with the quality of resin and the soft, satin glow of the skin.

Tomorrow I'll shoot all my newly painted resin dolls and show you all of it!

Painting Resin Enchanted Dolls

My set up is a lot different than what I would use for painting porcelain dolls; instead of china paint, I've got acrylic paints and pencils. It's weird. I am able to replicated a similar, airbrushed effect though. Still getting into my groove.

Painted resin doll hands

They are blushed with water color pencil, while french manicure is done with acrylic paint and glossy varnish. More pics coming.

Resin Doll Hands-unpainted

I made two different sets of hands for my resin dolls and decided to mix them up randomly, making 4 combinations. Even unpainted they look lovely.

Resin Dolls

Agh! My desk is full of tiny mummies! Oh, no wait. False alarm.It's just the long waited resin line of Enchanted Dolls.:)

Autumn 2012 Events Announcement

Dear Friends, autumn is always a busy time for me. Art shows, fashion shows and doll shows tend to take place around this time and that's when I usually take Enchanted Doll on the road too. Right now I'm preparing for three events in three countries and have some really exciting news for you! Here is the scoop in a nutshell.

Speaking at the Emily Carry University of Art and Design, Vancouver BC, September 28th 2012

Using a compact and dynamic presentation format called Pecha-Kucha (chit-chat), I'll be giving a short (5 min) talk accompanied by 10 slides, along with 9 other Emily Carr alumni about my life and times as an artist since graduation. Anyone can attend this lecture, but you have to register here to reserve a spot. There will be some mingling and drinking afterwards. Come and see me and 9 others of my kind talk about ourselves!

International Doll Salon in Moscow, Russia, October 4-7th 2012

I've got two awesome things prepared for this event. First, I will be there in person to launch the first Russian-language edition of the Enchanted Doll art book! Awesome. Second, I will also be premiering a limited and experimental line of Resin Enchanted Dolls! Awesome, awesome. Only 20 resin dolls will be available at this convention. Also for the first time along with the dolls, I'll be bringing my collection of Enchanted Doll jewelery, such as lanterns, hand and face pendants etc, with me as well. Come and see me and my new projects! More info coming soon.

Pieceno Fashion Doll Convention in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy, October 26-28th 2012

I feel very honored to have been invited as special guest to show my traveling porcelain collection at the new Pieceno fashion doll convention in Italy! And as a special treat to my Italian collectors, I will be premiering twenty Resin dolls there too! Alongside with Enchanted Doll jewelery and souvenirs. Come and see me and my dolls there!

Although it's going to be a jam-packed autumn, I am very excited about being a part of these events, as they represent a fulfillment of long time goals, dreams and projects.

Stand by for more info.

Some ED resin dolls up close

The face of Vega

Vega is a very bright star located in the constellation of Lyra only 25 light years from Earth. Fourteen thousand years ago it used to be our North Pole star and will be so again in another eleven thousand years. Meanwhile it's still one of the most brilliant stars in our night sky, captivating our imagination and inspiring a magical sense of wonder at the mysteries of the universe.

The face Andromeda

Andromeda is a captivatingly beautiful and mysterious, spiral galaxy approximately two and a half million light years from Earth. It was named after princess Andromeda from Greek mythology, who was also breathtakingly beautiful. The Andromeda Galaxy is approaching the Milky Way Galaxy at around 140 km per second and is expected to collide with us in approximately 4.5 billion years, perhaps creating a new, elliptical galaxy. Maybe then we will discover some of the secrets it hides within its luminous haze.

The face of CassiopeiaIn

Greek Mythology Queen Cassiopeia was Andromeda's mother. She was a vain and proud woman who boasted of her striking beauty, earning herself the wrath of the gods. Today, Cassiopeia is a constellation of the northern sky, whose distinct W shape dominates the skies with her presence and like a beautiful queen, commands the admiration of all who gaze at her.

More new resin dolls coming in December.