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Post by allurose on Jan 31, 2015 14:44:48 GMT -8
Enchanted Doll by Marina Bychkova
"More than mere playthings, Enchanted Dolls are a brand of elegantly sculpted and articulated works of art. Adorned with elaborate costumes and graced with precious gemstones, metals, and rare found objects, each ball-jointed porcelain doll intricately conveys an aspect of our humanity." (source) " Marina Bychkova is a Russian-Canadian figurative artist and a founder of Enchanted Doll™- a luxury toy label of exquisite, porcelain dolls. More than mere playthings, Enchanted Dolls are elegantly sculpted and articulated works of art. Strikingly nude, engraved or adorned in opulent sculptural costumes of precious metals, gemstones, and rare found objects, each doll intricately conveys an aspect of our humanity. Unique and delicate, their forms evoke a strong emotional response, haunting us with their vulnerability. All at once innocent and sexual, Enchanted Dolls depict highly stylized images of femininity, while at the same time reflecting on life’s playful naiveté. “ The reason I love making dolls is because it’s such a multidisciplinary art form. I’m not content working in just one medium such as painting or sculpture, and dolls offer me a very diverse and satisfying tactile experience. To create a doll I get to do it all: sculpture, industrial design, painting, engraving, mold-making, drawing, metalwork, fashion and jewelry design. I want it all, or nothing!” - Marina Bychkova " ( source) For many years, people have been falling in love with Enchanted Dolls at first sight. As the first artist of our era to successfully build a career making artistic porcelain ball jointed dolls, Marina Bychkova set the stage and the style for many other artists. As Marina's career has taken off in the last few years, she has been able to free herself from the monotony of custom porcelain nudes and follows her muse, creating beautiful one of a kind dolls for sale in galleries, at an annual ebay auction, and to the very rare private buyer. For wider audiences, there is an art book displaying the dolls, paper dolls, and various jewelry items. Marina's husband, Chad, brings the dolls to life with evocative photography, so even the art books are considered great treasures by fans all over the world. The popularity of Enchanted Dolls sparked the creation of the forum dedicated to them, which is a wonderful resource for information and the most populous place to chat about these dolls. Enchanted Dolls are marvels of engineering, beauty, and artistic statement. Marina's skill at china painting these dolls has risen to an unbelievable level. The precise tuning of the steel springs inside each doll allows for effortless and graceful posing. All Enchanted Dolls come with at least one wig handmade by Marina, a stand, and a lovely secure packing tin. Many dolls are completed with elaborate beaded costumes, precious metal shoes, headdresses, or other accessories. Marina is constantly exploring with new methods of jointing and sculpting her dolls. To the lucky few who own an Enchanted Doll, they provide endless joy.
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Post by orchidsdesigns on Jan 31, 2015 14:58:21 GMT -8
I had not realised we did not have an official "Artist Discussion" for Marina here already... thought she would have been the first ;-) I am one of the very lucky owners of a porcelain ED, and two resin ED's, Marina was the first BJD artist I ever discovered.. I had seen Asian resin BJD photo's before but never stopped to even take a closer look, then discovered her work on DeviantArt and became obsessed. I saw the potential for an ED to be a tiny muse, her range of poses the perfect mannequin for an artist... she still is my most precious muse, but not in the way I had envisioned her... I do not pose her then draw from her, instead she is always around, beautiful in her perfection and what she resembles - the first artwork I saved up for when everyone I knew laughed at me for spending so much on a doll, and my ability to acquire something from the first artist whose work I had truly madly fallen in love with. My most recent photo of Fern
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Post by allurose on Jan 31, 2015 15:04:08 GMT -8
Orchid, I love your sweet story! Fern is such a beauty, even though she is an earlier doll, she really shines!! I think there was no thread because in the beginning everyone was a little too intimidated to start one! I sure was, even choosing just a few photos was nearly impossible, and writing that description was SO HIGH PRESSURE! Haha, I guess I am a perfectionist, especially when it comes to perfect dolls. <3 Plus we have the ED forum which is where most people talk, naturally. But I thought it was a little weird not to have a thread here, so I finally got up the guts to make one. I have always wanted an ED so very much, and will probably never stop wanting. But I'm glad there are so many people that share their joy through photos. <3
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Post by bibarina on Feb 1, 2015 3:23:10 GMT -8
Thank you for sharing Orchid! Enchanted Dolls were the first porcelain dolls I ever came across, and they completely took my breath away. I would have never considered buying any kind of doll before that moment!!! To own one is my hearts desire, but unfortunately my bank balance does not match my exquisite taste lol!!! My favourite to date is Phryne- but all Marina's dolls are utterly beautiful. I look forward to being able enjoy some shared pictures here of those who are lucky enough to own one! So here is a heartfelt plea to all those who do.... PLEASE SHARE....SPAM.....SHARE.....and SPAM some more lol!!!!!!
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annina
Senior Member
Posts: 100
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Post by annina on Feb 1, 2015 9:36:31 GMT -8
Allurose, the thread is so well put together, and I love the photos you chose! Monika, I love these recent photos of Fern, and Fern is just such a pretty Enchanted Doll, I think she is so special! I too am the lucky owner of one porcelain Enchanted Doll, she is the Bianca sculpt and has permanent hair and she was made in 2007. I was lucky to be able to adopt her from her previous owner in 2009. Everything happened a little like magic, I had just been able to sell another doll which helped and the timing was just right as if she chose me, and every day I feel lucky to have her. It is as Allurose says above, she provides me endless joy and inspiration. And since spamming was requested I will show you my favourite photos of her over the years, more photos can be found in her flickr album. Here is Iðunn and her many different sides: On the day I received her, July 17th 2009: Some outside photos: Then I was able to order her a Banshee crown in bronze from Marina, my dream: Hooded and clothed for winter: With infinity cowl I knitted for her: Dressed like a lady: In the middle of the night: Helping me opening mail: A close-up of her amazing face painting: Catching the last sun rays: ♥
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Post by Snegurochka on Feb 1, 2015 9:51:34 GMT -8
A beautiful thread, and so many wonderful photos! Thank you for sharing them Annina, I love that closeup shot, it's gorgeous! She has such pretty eyes.
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Post by domstudio on Feb 1, 2015 10:13:31 GMT -8
Beautiful photos!Thank you for sharing your ED beauties. I didn't know,Marina make/made resin dolls too.
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Post by allurose on Feb 1, 2015 11:54:54 GMT -8
Beautiful photos!Thank you for sharing your ED beauties. I didn't know,Marina make/made resin dolls too. She does, although they are almost as rare as a porcelain and can be more expensive than porcelains from other artists! But they are truly lovely, it is my dream to own one some day. Iduun is perfect as always! Thank you for all the photos!
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Post by eiko82 on Feb 2, 2015 9:46:45 GMT -8
One of my friends, Annika introduced me to Enchanted Dolls in 2009. She had just ordered two custom nudes. At first, I thought they were lovely but wasn't interested in buying one. It wasn't 'til I saw the videos of Marina posing her dolls that I fell in love with their amazing posability. After much debating and wondering if I should really spend so much on a doll, I finally decided to contact Marina to purchase Artificial Intelligence. I was able to bring her home in January 2010. Looking back, I realize just how incredibly lucky I was lucky to get her when I did. You ask for spam, I give lots of spam of the 5 years that I've had Arya. One of my first photos of Arya. It had snowed on her arrival day. Little diva. She looks so comfy in her pink sweater. Beautiful golden hair. Love this wig by Grevling/Amarilli. Feeling witchy Luring you into the woods. Something isn't right here.... Inspired by Marina's Vogue photos. Pretty in pink. All three of my girls : Gwen, Moira and Arya Here are some photos of Arya with Wren and Kestrel, my friend's two custom nude EDs. Wren is a Camilla sculpt and Kestrel is a black Lucius sculpt. Yes, Arya's helmet fits other EDs. Telling secrets. Hope you enjoyed the spam
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Post by bibarina on Feb 2, 2015 9:54:55 GMT -8
Oh thank you annina and eiko82 for sharing your beautiful dolls! I only hope I can own a resin one day, I am on the waiting list- but it seems like it will take forever!! My utter dream would be a porcelain, but unless I win the lottery....!
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Post by domstudio on Feb 2, 2015 10:06:58 GMT -8
Wow!Very nice photoshootings!And Of course really beautiful dolls!
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Post by allurose on Feb 2, 2015 19:04:10 GMT -8
eiko, I love Arya in the wig you describe a beautiful and golden (straight with a center part). So charming! But your girl charms me no matter how she is presented. <3
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Post by kapiszonka on Feb 2, 2015 21:01:57 GMT -8
eiko, thanks for your photos !!!
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annina
Senior Member
Posts: 100
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Post by annina on Feb 3, 2015 4:13:26 GMT -8
Els, I love the photos of Arya you shared, she is so versatile and looks good in anything!
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Post by kamia on Feb 3, 2015 9:48:53 GMT -8
They are all so beautiful!
Today I received her book and I have spent ages already staring at the beauties in the pages. I love the effort she puts into writing about them, and telling her story of inspiration for each character.
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