Enchanted Doll contest guess #1

Like I mentioned before, there were three contestants who've actually guessed my current projects. It felt weird; as if these people were peering into my soul. Here is guess number one, made by Noxy. This is her entry.

And this one is my current project: Domestic Abuse.

Although our concepts are a little bit different, the theme of captivity and abuse are shared. In my project this captivity is emotional and figurative, while in Noxy's proposal it is physical and literal, with a bit of a kinky slant.

Noxy, you get a little gift for guessing this doll!

I wasn't going to show her until much later when she is finished and costumed, but when I saw your proposal, I thought it was a sign from the universe to unveil and expedite this project.

Actually, once I had taken this photo, I became really disturbed by it, as it reminded me of the infamous murder and crime scene of  Black Dahlia. It was unintentional on my part.

My doll is not supposed to be dead; just battered by her abusive, controlling and jealous husband. It's still in progress. I'm deciding what kind of costuming would me most appropriate for a message of awareness. It's scary for me to think that there are many, many men in this world who objectify women as if they are only dolls to be possessed by them and shared with no one.

Well, on that note: Guessed project number 2 is coming up.

Cixi dress near completion

I almost can't believe it: After two years of work and with only a few more weeks of embroidery left to go, Empress Cixi's extravagant robe is almost complete! This is a bad snapshot, though. But I was too impatient to set up the proper light kit for an unfinished piece.

Over the last two years, it required a ridiculous number of hours to embroider this mammoth; so many, that i lost count somewhere after six hundred. This is my Titanic.

I haven't began making the shoes yet; a pair of pretty Manchu slippers on tall pedestals. However, I've been having second thoughts about them lately. This is supposed to be her 'wedding' night robe when she became Xian Feng Emperor's concubine, and I'm beginning to think that the shoes would be almost inappropriate in this composition. But I do love making shoes just for the sake of making shoes....so...it's a tough call for me. Perhaps it could be some sort of a variation of high pedestal bed chamber slippers, I donno.....What do you think: shoes or no shoes?

Twenty To Midnight-upcoming London show

Here are some preview shots of my new doll-Twenty To Midnight. She is going to a show in London at the end of this month.

Twenty To Midnight is a one of a kind tattooed doll, featuring a silver-plated, limited edition bronze casting of a hand carved Rococo wig sculpture. The wig is magnetic and removable, with one of a kind gemstone accents of 6 Pink Tourmalines and 2 Rubies.

Midnight's china face painting was loosely inspired by Audrey Kawasaki's beautiful girls.

Midnight's silver-plated, bronze slippers are accented with solitaire Rubies, glass beads and tiny bows.

The finished wig weighs only 119.1 grams, or 4.2 ounces and is relatively light compared to some of my other metal head ornaments, such a Sterling Snowflake crown or a Sterling Cathedral crown. I am immensely pleased with how it turned out, as I really didn't anticipate such a close fit to the contours of the head because of the shrinkage and inevitable warping of the model during molding and casting. The inside of the wig is lined with layers of soft leather to maximize the tightness of contact.

We are still working on the web gallery for Twenty To Midnight, but I'll post more photos and information for her on Monday or Tuesday.

Today I have to get her ready for shipment.

Ruby on ebay! Listing number 330500804771

Listing number 330500804771

Ruby by Enchanted Doll -a ball jointed, porcelain doll.

Listing number 330500804771

Starting Price: $4,050 USD

Ruby is a brand new, hand made, ball jointed, porcelain doll with a unique steel spring articulation and a permanent China painting and blushing on her features and body. Her removable, magnetic wig is hand made from soft, natural mohair and can be washed and styled with ease. Ruby can mimic a wide range of human movements and has a custom-made, flexible stand to support her without restricting her flexibility. She comes with a beautiful custom tin box for easy storage and transportation.

Her china-painted, porcelain complexion renders her permanently resistant to UV radiation and non-absorbent of any kind of dirt, such as finger oil, solvent and many other chemicals. The doll can be safely wiped down with water and/or cleaning agents to easily remove any dirt or dust without ever removing her china paint. However, the doll must not be immersed in water to prevent corrosion of the metal springs inside her. Like all Enchanted Dolls, Ruby is very well balanced, but she must always be supported by stand when in standing position for maximum safety.

Items included in this auction are: 1) A nude Enchanted Doll Ruby, 2) a flexible metal stand 3) a removable, magnetic wig and 4) a custom tin box. The outfits and accessories shown in photographs are NOT a part of this auction. All of the above mentioned items are made entirely by hand and I, Marina Bychkova, am their maker.

A full payment must me made within 7 days of the auction’s end to receive Ruby by Christmas. However, a 30-day layaway plan is available upon request. In case of layaway, a 50% NON- REFUNDABLE deposit must be paid within 7 days of auction’s end in order to hold the doll for the duration of layaway. Payment accepted through paypal. International shipping is available.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

The Auction runs until Dec 02, 201022:31:56 EST

Also, what is your favorite picture of Ruby?

Enchanted Doll nude going on ebay soon

Dear Enchanted Doll Fans:

My Christmas gift to you this year is not only the launch of that elusive resin line, but also an ebay auction of a Porcelain nude doll!

It's been almost a year since my last ebay auction, and I thought that perhaps it's time to hold another one for my poster girl Ruby. It's been a long time since I had made a Ruby, but she is one of my most beloved dolls and I really look forward to working on her again. I'm casting the parts today and plan to work around the clock in order to hold the auction around November 25th. That way she can arrive to her new owner just in time for Christmas. Gift wrapped and everything.

I'll be posting shots of Ruby at every stage of the process as she progresses towards completion, so that you can get acquainted with her as she is born.

Bronze clad girls

I have a special fondness for bronze cast pieces. These are the dolls from my own collection, wearing their bronze crowns. I'm going to add my favorite crow helmet to it soon. I like to keep a prototype of everything I make (when possible)in my own collection, so as to assemble a decent Enchanted Doll traveling exhibition sometime down the road. One of a a kind costumed pieces are impossible to reproduce of course, as replicating something that takes months to create would drive me insane, but that's what makes them so special after all.

I think that the snow flake crown looks better when combined with this Sulamith Wulfing-inspired, printed 'peasant' dress. It makes it look even more Russian. Yeah, I think I'll keep her just like this.

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.

Beauty and the Beast, or the Stockholm syndrome in fairy tales.

Beauty and the Beast, or the Stockholm syndrome in fairy tales.2010The Stockholm syndrome is a human defense mechanism in life-threatening situations. Medical dictionaries define Stockholm syndrome as an extraordinary phenomenon in which a hostage begins to identify with and grow sympathetic to their captor, essentially mistaking a lack of abuse as an act of kindness.

In my opinion, the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast is a romanticized hostage situation, where the Beast is a narcissistic sociopath, while the Beauty is his vulnerable hostage who is losing touch with reality and falling in love with her captor to survive a deeply traumatizing ordeal.

Moreover, the very act of romanticizing a fundamentally disturbing account of a woman’s abduction, subjugation and unlawful imprisonment into a pretty fairy tale to teach girls compassion and kindness towards monsters, seems to be a manifestation of a Stockhom syndrome in itself, perhaps to facilitate survivial in a world of systematic abuse and violence against women.

Materials and Construction:

Ball jointed, porcelain doll, unique steel spring articulation, permanent China paint finish, hand cast limited edition Sterling Silver helmet with one of a kind accents of Bali silver, detachable French bridal veil with Swarowsky and Cubic Zirconium crystals, hand cast Sterling Silver stilettos, Grey Moonstone cabochon pendant, Bali silver accessories, floral motif engraving on arms and abdomen inspired by William Morris print, removable magnetic wig of ultra-fine natural Mohair, genuine leather lining in the joints and a custom welded steel stand.

Available for sale at the SHOWstudio gallery in London.

New doll-Beauty and the Beast.

This is what I've been up to lately: working on this new doll for the group show in London at the Show Studio gallery. The exhibition "In Wolf's Clothing" will open on September 9th and will run throughout the London fashion week and until the end of October.The gargoyle in the shot for composition purpose only. It doesn't come with the doll and I didn't make it. It's a bookend by Windstone, that I grabbed off my bookshelf as I roamed my place in search of fresh photo props. It worked out perfectly. I don't know why I never noticed it before. It's like it was waiting for this specific doll to be made to suddenly come to my attention.I'll post more pictures of her within a day or two. Too tired now. Must sleep. So much exciting stuff is happening this month.....You'll see.

More pictures of Silk Road

New tattoed doll-The Silk Road

The Silk Road. 2010$15,000 USDA one of a kind, ball jointed, Porcelain doll with intricate engravings of the henna motif on her limbs. Her one of a kind Sterling Silver headdress weighing 36.5 grams is assembled from multiple, prefabricated components and set with 17 Fresh Water Pearls.  The detachable Natural Mohair wig is magnetic and a decorative Glass dome display is included with the doll.The Silk Road will become available for sale on August 7th, at the Artful Henna exhibition in the Art Not Terminal Gallery, Seattle, USA. You can contact the director of Artful Henna exhibition Kree Arvanitas for purchasing inquiries at artfulhenna.comI'll be posting some more close ups and portraits of Silk in two other wigs (not included) on August 7th, on the opening night.I'll be away until then and will not be available to answer any questions in regards to this doll or the show until I return to the studio. For once, I'm unable to bring my laptop with me. You can certainly write me while I'm away and I will address any inquiries as soon as I'm back. Enjoy the pictures. Ta Ta.

Artful Henna exhibition in Seattle!

Today I'm finishing a new, one of a kind tattooed doll for the Artful Henna group exhibition at the "Art Not Terminal" gallery in Seattle, USA. The Opening night gala is on Saturday, August 7th. The show is centered around the theme of henna motif and I'm very excited to be a part of it, amongst the many talented and renowned artists who work in this highly decorative genre.Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the opening night due to a scheduling conflict and will have to go to Seattle at a later time to see the exhibition.This is an up close shot of a work in progress henna tattoo on the left hand. This is the most intricate tattooing I've done up to date and I'm very pleased with how much detail I was able to fit into the tiny hands and feet of the doll. It wasn't easy and my own fingers ached from the tremendous strain of engraving on such a small scale. I'm very anxious to see it completed, as it's been a year since I've done my last henna tattooed doll. I simply love the aesthetic and the diversity of henna and wish I could make many more dolls with it, but the complexity of engraving it takes a lot out of me. That's why I have to space out my henna projects quite a bit.I'll be posting another shot of henna close up tomorrow and pictures of a completed doll, along with the purchasing information on Sunday.

Fortunatar and Olga Artist Statements

Fortunatar 2010

This porcelain doll is wearing a one of a kind, sterling silver crown and an East Indian wedding saree over her thick, silky and exceptionally long hair. Her face is a new limited edition design inspired by the ancient Kama Sutra paintings. The crown style is influenced by both Russian and Turkish headdresses and although very tall and intricate, it is very light.

Fortu-n-atar is my fictional deity of the trading caravan routes who protects and helps navigate the caravans to safety in the harsh and dangerous environment of the world’s deserts. Although she is very rarely seen, the sound of singing dunes can signal her divine presence and protection.

Sometimes the eerie sound of singing dunes can be accompanied by a distant, shimmering mirage of a beautiful, young woman with copper-colored skin a bright veil standing in the hot sands, which is considered to be a sign of great luck and fortune. Such rare sightings are revered as an extraordinary blessing; however, one must never try to approach the mirage, as this act can bring ill fortune, financial ruin and even death to the traders and travelers who experience it.

Olga Larina. 2010

Porcelain doll in a Limited Edition Sterling silver Bonnet and one of a kind, remodeled Sterling Silver shoes. Wig is magnetic. Bonnet is removable and attaches with a pin and a bow.

This doll is based on a literary character from Eugin Onegin novel by Alexander Pushkin. Eugin Onegin is a brilliant novel in verse, set in the 18^th century Russia and Olga is the younger sister of the main protagonist of the story Tatiana Larina, and the more traditional symbol of feminine beauty of the two women.

Unlike her unconventional, dark-haired and slightly Emo sister, Olga is a perfect Romantic heroine, and her perfection makes her almost uninteresting in the eyes of the author to develop her character in great depth. It is after all Tatiana’s story, not Olga’s, but both of the sisters suffer from tragic love and loss in different ways. This is how Pushkin describes Olga. I tried to capture his words in my own language of porcelain.

Of Olga…..

Всегда скромна, всегда послушна, Всегда как утро весела, Как жизнь поэта простодушна, Как поцелуй любви мила; Глаза, как небо, голубые, Улыбка, локоны льняные, Движенья, голос, легкий стан, Все в Ольге... но любой роман Возьмите и найдете верно Ее портрет: он очень мил, Я прежде сам его любил, Но надоел он мне безмерно.

Of Olga. Loose translation.

Always modest, always obedient,Always cheerful as the morning,Simple as a poet's life,And sweet as a kiss of love;Eyes blue like the sky,Smile, hair as linen,Movement, voice, and easy grace,All in Olga ... But take any romanceand find her portrait to beVery lovely indeed,I used to be infatuated with it,But it has bored me immensely.

Anna Karenina and The Bloody Lady Elizabeth Bathory

I will be posting the artist's statements I wrote for each doll that were hung next to them in the gallery. I was wanting to do it earlier, but didn't get around to it with all the preparations for the opening.

Anna Karenina Survives The Train. 2010

This one-of-a-kind engraved, porcelain doll, features a complex, full-body, color tattoo of an orthopedic corset and a prosthetic leg device. Face is one of a kind. Magnetic wig is removable, and permanently styled into intricate braiding adorned with a Victorian copper comb.This doll is based on the main protagonist from the majestic and tragic novel Anna Karenina written by Leo Tolstoy. I tried to re-imagine Anna’s heartbreaking love story with a different ending where she survives her horrific suicide attempt at jumping under a slow-moving train, but sustains severe, disfiguring injuries, losing her left leg, mangling her left arm and breaking her back instead.I took the metaphor of straight-laced, yet decadent attitudes of Victorian Russian society that governed and ultimately decided Anna’s fate, and interpreted it in a literal, visual way as her medical bondage braces and prosthetic devices, which now literally hold her shattered body together. She is protected, yet restrained by the inhumanity of social conventions. I wonder if surviving her suicide would make any difference in her destiny despite her transgression of the status quo.Amongst a myriad of deeply philosophical issues, the biggest question that the novel Anna Karenina leaves one with is perhaps whether love can really conquer all.A part of me wants to believe that Anna’s near death experience would serve as a powerful epiphany for her and her lover count Alexey Vronsky, and transform their deteriorating relationship back into a loving union it once was, but a realist in me questions this idealistic approach, rationalizing that her difficult situation in life brought on by breaking the social rules and conventions of the day, and can not have a long-term, happy resolution unless all the stigma of her illicit relationship is removed and her public image reinstated.The incident may cause a profound spiritual awakening for her and Alex, but they will continue to face the same external problems of gender inequity, which have undone their powerful love before.Sadly, their first near death experience is a testament that perhaps love does not conquer all: When Anna nearly dies during childbirth and Alexey shoots himself in despair of losing her, both survive and are overcome with gratitude and love for each other, but their happiness is fleeting as it provides only a temporary, idealized escape from their difficult situation, followed by an eventual boredom, loneliness, frustration and inevitable return to a grim reality.Will this, second near death experience with an added problem of Anna’s disability be any more profound and lasting than the first? Perhaps, but I’m skeptical.And yet, a romantic in me believes in Anna’s life, while John Milton’s quote from Paradise Lost encourages me to believe that perhaps there could have been a happy ending for Anna Karenina after all:“The mind is its own place, and in itself, Can make a heav’n of hell, a hell of heav’n.”Perhaps Anna and Alex could have made their own heaven in the hell that they found themselves?I re-imagined the climax scene where Alexey finds Anna broken, but alive instead of dead and mutilated on the table at the train station where they had carried her body, and the despair and grief of her ugly death turns instead into relief and a renewal of their love for each other. Just like in Disney movies, they embrace, kiss, and ride off into the sunset, leaving their superficial selves, the superficial society that bred them and all its false idols behind to live happily ever after. The End.

The Bloody Lady Elizabeth Bathory. 2010

One of a kind, porcelain, ball-jointed, costumed doll. A very complex costume is assembled from 23 separate, original Sterling Silver pieces with 24k gold plating and an Indian wedding saree skirt. All clothes and accessories are removable. Face is one of a kind. Removable wig is magnetic.This doll is based on a real historical figure of Transilvanian countess Elizabeth Bathory (17 August 1560 – 21 August 1614), from the renowned Báthory family.Allegedly, Elizabeth was a sadistic serial killer who tortured and murdered as many as six hundred girls in a span of 20 years. Despite going down in history as the most prolific female serial killer with a kill rate of mythological proportions, there is very little historical evidence against her. In fact, when considered in a larger historical and political context, it appears that Elizabeth was a victim of an aristocratic conspiracy with a resulting mass hysteria, and that her original accusers were politically, financially and possibly, ideologically motivated.Regardless of evidence, history appears to be infatuated with the image of this woman as a ruthless murderer, even if this image is nothing but a myth. Her presence in history is as mysterious and secretive as her enigmatic smile, which could hide either a twisted sociopath, or an innocent victim of slander.Although we will never know the truth behind the Bloody Lady Elizabeth Bathory, we must consider these following historical facts before condemning her:There is the lack of the most basic proof: the victim’s names. There aren’t any official names on record of Bathory’s alleged victims, or bodies for that matter. It was said that she had killed daughters of peasantry as well as lesser nobility. But who are these missing women exactly?The logistics of murder don’t make sense either. Elizabeth was accused of killing around 600 girls in 20 years. That means she killed 30 people a year. That’s 1 murder every 12 days. How could such a visible public figure get away with such an astronomical kill rate for 20 years, in a region with a population of much less than three hundred thousand people? Where was she getting all these women and why was virtually nobody noticing this, except for one single minister Istvan Magyari? One would think that if daughters were going missing left and right every month in villages, there would be some sort of a public concern and even a panic. Instead, the “rumors” of murders had began to spread only after the official investigation had already started.Another interesting detail is the fact that when King Matthias of Hungary ordered the investigation into the rumors of murders, he was heavily indebted to the wealthy and influential Elizabeth Bathory. Based on flimsy, hearsay witness testimony, King Matthis had her imprisoned without any formal trial, conviction or further punishment and avoided having to repay her the large sum of money for which he lacked sufficient funds.Elizabeth Bathory’s case happened at a time of religious upheaval and hostility in Hungary. As a Transilvanian Protestant aristocrat, she was a political opposition to King Matthis, who was an Austrian Roman Catholic.My final argument in favor of Elizabeth Bathory’s innocence is that her case shows evidence not only of political conspiracy, but also of the mass hysteria phenomenon, where a runaway public fear clouds all rational judgment, leading to escalating panic and severe miscarriages of justice. Such cases and trials are often characterized by absurd accusations, unfounded witness testimony, extremely biased public opinion, coercive interrogations and incompetent investigative techniques.I see a distinct parallel between Elizabeth Bathory’s murder investigation and the of mass hysteria of the famous Salem witch trials of 1692, the Kern County Satanic ritual child abuse hysteria of 1983 and the West Memphis Three murders of 1993, where all accusations began with one person and grew out of thin air into frenzied fear and everyone conveniently forgot that a person is innocent until proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt.

Olga Larina

Only one day left until the show!  Still a bit more work to do for the setup.