Piceno fashion doll convention

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Wow... what a show! The Piceno fashion doll convention had wrapped last night, and I can honestly say that I've never  been to an event like this before - I thought it was a bit atypical for a doll convention, as it was jam packed full of entertainment, dinners, performances and celebrations every night. We even had a private audience with the mayor of the city, who welcomed us in the ancient town hall, and fireworks at the end of the show. It was simply fantastic to see people from different parts of the world and life, all united by Dolls.

And Italians seem like such warm and jolly people! At one point during lunch at a large table, full of laughing, talking and gesturing people, who passed plates full of food to one another, I had a very surreal feeling that I was in a movie. It was lovely and I shall never forget it. Italy, you were so good to me!

 

A big, huge thanks to all the organizers of this event, especially to Rosalie, Nikis, Pamela and Martina.

Finished Doll

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I'm having a really fantastic time at the Pieceno Fashion doll convention and will post some pictures when I have more time. In he meantime here is a picture of the most recent completed doll. You might recognize her face. I made the nude for a Vogue photo shoot this August, but I have just finished the head dress I've been working on for a while. It's another incarnation of my Light series. This one is cast in bronze and plated with Rose gold. I'll tell you more about her later. Now I've got to go.

Enchanted Doll in Italy and Estonia

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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.

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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.

Gold doll shoes

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Wow, you guys. Thanks for all the awesome name suggestions. I'm making a short list of my favorites. Here's a picture of some 14k gold-plated shoes I'm making for the Doll Salon expo in Moscow next week.

I'm getting on the plane in 48 hours, and there is still so much to do....

 
 
 

Enchanted resin dolls have glass eyes

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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!

Autumn 2012 Events Announcement

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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.

Photoshoot Day 4 - Video from NYC

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Day four has come and gone, and so the shoot has concluded. It was a very fun and challenging four days, as well as very inspirational as I learned a lot about what goes into a professional photoshoot. I had a great time working with the photographer Lacey.

The talented film-maker Benjamin Taft is in NYC with us, as he is working on a longterm project of filming a documentary about Enchanted Dolls (!!!!!). The NYC photoshoot will be a part of the film, and as a special treat he has already put together a short teaser video showing a bit of what went down in the studio. Click here to view it on Vimeo.

Photoshoot Day 3

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This is how our week has gone, spend the day in the studio, spend the night sightseeing in New York City. It has been such a blur at times, the overwhelming photography sessions followed by wandering around the overwhelming cityscape of NY. Both aspects have been so exciting and inspiring.

 

Photoshoot Day 1

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Day one of the photoshoot in New York for Vogue. I'm so jealous of all the studio photography equipment, so many different lights and stands and backdrops and the space, oh so much space. This is going to be so much fun!I'll try to post more behind the scenes photos as we go.

 

Enchanted Doll For Sale

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Salome is up for sale on eBay starting RIGHT NOW! The auction will last for 7 days. Click here for the auction page.

Here's the description from the listing:

Salome is a doll â„–2 in my Rubenesque body type series. I, Marina Bychkova, am the creator of this doll.

1.Sculpted with 18 points of articulation

2.Cast in fine porcelain

3.Painted and blushed with permanent, ceramic china paint

4.Strung up with 11 steel springs

5.Stands 14.5” (37.5cm) tall

6.Enchanted Doll™ Salome is sold with a floral tiara of sterling silver and mother of pearls, 2 magnetic mohair wigs (red and blonde) and a flexible custom stand.  Any other accessories seen in the pictures are for composition only and are not included in the auction.

Like all Enchanted Dollsâ„¢, Salome is built for playing. Leather lines her joints for smooth and even rotation while the unique jointing mechanism allows for a wide range of natural and sensual movements and poses. Her silky porcelain complexion and intricate china-painted features are completely resistant to UV radiation, scratches, cleaning chemicals, moisture, or dirt from extensive handling.

About your Enchanted Dollâ„¢

Due to the remarkable nature of fine porcelain, all Enchanted Dolls share strength and resiliency and require very little maintenance.  However, a reasonable degree of care must be taken in handling any and all porcelain objects gently to prevent impact with hard surfaces, which may result in a fracture. Always use the doll stand for safety and support when standing this doll. Due to the aesthetically small feet in relation to the rest of the body, Enchanted Dolls don’t balance well.

The surface of the doll can be safely washed repeatedly, but it should never be submerged in water so that the spring mechanism stays dry. If the water does get inside the doll don’t let it sit, blow-dry its joints as soon as possible.

Should the doll suffer a fracture in the fingers or extremities through an unfortunate accident, I offer a free repair policy for up to five separate parts (head not included), where the owner is only responsible for the shipping charges. As long as you handle your doll with reasonable gentleness, you are likely to never need my repair services. This doll will be your companion for many years to come.

Please feel free to ask me any questions about this doll or this auction. Thanks for looking and Happy Bidding!

Click here for Salome's auction page

Salome

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This composition was put together exclusively for a photograph. These accessories belong to me and will not be included in the auction. The idea came to me spontaneously while shooting the lovely nude Salome. When I momentarily looked away from the camera to stretch my back, my eyesight slid distractedly across some loose doll heads on my desk and then instantly shot back to them, this time focused and alert, as a light bulb went off in my head. I thought: "Ah, but of course. So obvious!

"The lantern crown is the third installment in my ongoing Light Series. I made it as an experiment 2 months ago but didn't have time to make a doll to wear it, so it sat in the drawer as if it was waiting for Salome. I think it works really well aesthetically and contextually, because for all we know, real Salome could have actually performed the traditional Middle Eastern Candelabra dance for King Herod.

It is a very heavy piece, borderline hazardous to the doll unless its center of gravity is perfectly balanced and that's why it's staying in my collection. Having said this, if somebody were just dying to have this piece for their doll to wear on display, I might be able to replicate it again.

Salome's tears were made for the photograph with quick drying jewelery glue. I dripped it on her face and then flaked it off after the shoot. It doesn't bond permanently to porcelain. I'm not sure why I made her cry. Felt right. So did putting electrical wires into the severed (originally John the Baptist's ) head. Make of it whatever you will.

Perhaps my Salome is a specter of the past and the future both, as the history always repeats itself.

Well, there you go folks. The auction starts tomorrow afternoon. See ya there.