Artist Statement
By profession, I am an educator, visual artist, and theatre and film make-up artist. I spent many years working in an orphanage with children and youth, including those with special needs and disabilities, which I think is reflected in my current work. As for working on films, although it was very interesting, I found it exhausting. My passion for dolls began after the birth of my daughter. I first started making them with her in mind, but soon found the whole creative process extremely fascinating. My first dollies were simple Waldorf dolls made out of sheep fleece, but with time I began trying to make them my own way. I wanted them to be expressive, but to still remain rag dolls. I experimented and struggled with different materials and improved my technique over the years.

A turning point in my life happened in 2013 when I took part in a doll exhibition in Prague. I will never forget the amazement and excitement I felt when I saw such a variety of dolls and such wonders in craftsmanship! I vividly remember the NIADA stand: when I saw it I realized what a lot of work was still ahead of me and what a great adventure it would be to pursue it! From then on I felt I was part of the big doll artists family, and it was wonderful not only to do what I loved but to have found like-minded people who were equally passionate about this specific field of art.

I always treat every single art doll as a completely autonomous and very personal creation. In my work, I focus mainly on emotions, as they are what define the doll’s persona later on. I don’t like glamour, I value simplicity and make sure that the costume does not overshadow the character of the doll, but rather accentuates it. I use natural materials, often handwoven antique linens and silks, including recycled ones. Every time I sit down to create a new doll I feel a certain excitement: a feeling of expectation that the very best one is still yet before me.