The 2011 ED contest...

As I was saying last time, I am a fan of Marina Bychkova's work and I participated in her annual contest. I have been following Marina's progress for a few years now and have been inspired by her dolls. Indeed, the possibility of winning one of these precious creations has always been very exciting. For a while I had been thinking I should start drawing more and better. But I am kind of lazy (unfortunately!)....so... the extra incentive of the contest was exactly what I needed to spruce up my skills, practice and be more creative...

After last year's contest, won by the talented and wonderful Amarilli with her great piece Ermallina, I tried to come prepared for this year's challenge.

We were supposed to come up with an idea for a new doll, describe it in no more than 200 words and provide illustrations for our project. Each participant could submit up to 3 entries.

These are my 3 attempts:

I worked for weeks in planning and realizing the first one, "The love of Gods: Daphne". It was my husband's big favorite...

What is it like to be loved by the Gods? What if your prayers were listened and answered? One has to wonder if the mysterious ways of the Gods would conform to our desires and if their intervention would really bring the help we hope for.
This doll is inspired by the myth of the nymph Daphne. The Gods indeed loved her.
Apollo burned with passion for her. Cupid had seen to it in revenge for Apollo’s mockery of the power of love. When pursued by her divine suitor, Daphne realized that she could not escape his unwanted attentions. She prayed to the Gods for mercy. They listened. They intervened. She was transformed into a beautiful bay leaf tree. Apollo, finally reaching her, wept on her breast as it turned into wood and swore that she would become his symbol: the symbol of triumph for generations to come.
Was she gifted with eternal beauty and glory for her virtue? Or was she forever deprived of her freedom and form? Was this the only way she could be saved?
This doll comes with bay leaf branches bracelets and headdress, root-shaped boot, and a bark-like tattoo on half of her body.

For the second piece called "The love of Kings: Anne Boleyn" things came a bit more easily, although I got stuck on deciding the color of the gown for at least a week! This is the one I had my best hopes on....



What is it li to be loved by a king? Anne had caught the eye of Henry VIII. She was strong, willful, indomitable, like the king himself…and beautiful. The king could not help but want her. She did not give in, at first. But you could not deny the king for long. He courted her tenderly and passionately. He overturned the laws of England, defied the temporal and spiritual powers of the age to make their union legal. He asked of her just one thing: an heir to the throne. A male heir. She gave him a girl…a terrible disappointment. Her exquisite features could not keep him enthralled after that, nor could her spirit and fierce intelligence feed his love. In the end, she was discarded, her reputation maimed, his love turned to hatred. He had her head cut off. And all because she gave him a girl. Just a girl…but what a fine girl, her triumphant, her glorious golden Elisabeth!
This doll was inspired by Anne Boleyn, mother of Queen Elisabeth I. She comes with a fur lined brocade vest, regal jewelry and tattoo representing her daughter, the sovereign that brought to England its golden age.



The third piece was one I really worked on at the last minute but I am pretty happy with. It's title is "The love of the sea: Nautilus"....

Nautilus was an immortal nymph of the waves. Nemo was a young sailor and explorer. Their love was true and passionate, but it could not last. Too strong was for her the pull of the sea and for him the need to live among his people. Nautilus left him a daughter, a precious and delicate mortal, who could not follow her in the depths of the ocean. But Nemo desperately longed for Nautilus. He built a wondrous vessel named after her and with their daughter he traveled the vast aquatic expanses of the world seeking her. He taught the girl the secrets of the sea and the mystery of her birth.
Growing up, the child swore to find her lost mother. In her diving suit, she ventured among the anemones and the morays in the hope of a chance meeting with the elusive creature. And often, as she braved the cold dark waters and walked among schools of fish, she perceived a loving presence, a sweet sound of lullaby in the sloshing of the waves. She had hope.

As it turned out, Marina liked Anne Boleyn too...it made it all the was to the top three, which to me it's a great accomplishment given the high participation and tough competition. I am still incredulous but very happy...thank you very much for everything, Marina! ;)

The winner of the 2011 competition was Amal with her beautiful entry Doppelganger The other top 3 was Karolin Felix with her charming Valentine. Amal won a stunning Lily mold doll...hope to see her pics soon!

What will happen next year? Who knows...the rules of the contest will likely change, but the desire to compete and win will stay the same for the Enchanted Doll fans all over the world.