Shaiel is a multi-faceted artist. In addition to doll face-ups and blushing. she creates wigs and outfits and takes breathtakingly beautiful photos.
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Q: Hi! Would you like to give me a little background on yourself?
A: My name is Katarzyna ‘Shaiel’ Grzywacz. Till four months ago I lived in Warsaw, Poland. I was working in a small commercial photography corporation, sitting behind the desk. Now with my husband, our dog Shiba inu ‘Hotaru’ and cat ‘Luna’, we moved to the countryside by the lake near Stargard. We are in the middle of creating our dream home and then, bring more animals, goats, alpacas, horses. We always loved animals, it will be great!
My professions are artistic photographer and blacksmith. Also for seven years I attended a dance theater. Recently I finished trade school and now I’m also a professional farmer.
Q: When and how did you discover BJDs? Have you collected many?
A: I discovered BJDs about 12 years ago. First time I saw them it was on one of my friend’s Deviantart accounts. It was a Narae doll. She looked so ethereal and fragile. I fell in love instantly! Some time later, when I saved enough, I bought one for myself. I still remember the torture of waiting her to arrive … I still have it with every doll …
In total I had maaany dolls, remember each one of them. But a very big collection never worked for me.
I have my constant collection of dolls and they are with me always. Sometimes that collection increases for a while. Always the same story. I like the doll on company photos. I get the doll. I paint her and then she might ‘talk’ to me and she stays or I’m letting her go. Only My first doll had company makeup. My constant collection is 7 dolls. Sometimes I’m letting go of one doll and a year later or so, I regret it so badly that I get her again. This happened with my first doll Narae, and soon to arrive Saintbloom Charlie. I love to stylize, make them wigs, outfits and take photographs of them. I hate to have even one of them neglected.
I have my constant dolls that I will never let go – Volks Tohya, Narae, Souldoll Star and Popovy Little Owl, the rest tend to change owners.
Q: When did you start taking commissions for face-ups?
A: I started painting BJDs instantly when I got my second doll in 2009. I really liked that I can make her look different every time. That this blank face may have any emotions you want her to have. It’s amazing! My first makeups weren’t so great, but with time, hard work, not giving up, learning from my own mistakes , I decided to share my passion with others with bringing every doll to their unique life. It was 1,5 years later when I took my first makeup commision.
Q: Do you paint any sizes of dolls? Do you do only faces? Do you ever blush hands or bodies?
A: I paint any size dolls. The smallest faces I painted are barely a fingernail long. Whole doll is 19cm! I’m the official makeup artist for Rosengarden dolls. Big sized heads too – I never had a chance to paint those Trinity Dollmore dolls tho. That would be a feast for details! Maybe in the near future…
I’m painting whole dolls plus hands and feet, giving them pedicures, manicures. When I lived in the big city I had issues with blushing big bodies because of a small flat, but right now it’s not a problem. Most I enjoy manicures, even on 19cm dolls.
Q: What have been some of the biggest painting challenges you have undertaken?
A: Closer to the beginning of my makeup commissions, I was asked to blush plus add veins and blood vessels on a whole SD doll body. It was a lot of hard work but I made it! So far I haven’t had problems with any commision I couldn’t handle in 100%. I love challenges!
Q: What materials do you use?
A: Generally i use Pastels Koh-i-Noor, Faber-Castell, Volks and Faber-Castell water pencils. Acrylic paint by Amsterdam, I use only when I have to. Everything I paint is via pastels, even eyebrows and eyelashes- I add a little water – that my style. I use Mr. Super Clear without UV cut (Uv cut tend to yellow in time and I hate it), Tamiya x-22 Gloss, and my favorite: Pearl Ex Powder Pigments.
Q: Do you paint Tattoos?
A: Unfortunately no, they never look exactly as I want them and I’m always trying to be perfect. Small tattoos are okay, but bigger, like whole back ones, no.
Q: I like the face-ups that have metallic flakes on their cheeks. It is unusual and very pretty! How did you come up with that? How are they attached?
A: Thank you! I love them too! As an artistic photographer I always loved how light and bokeh are playing in my photos. I love to play with light and especially love how light brings and illuminates details on a doll face. I mix Pearl Ex powders with transparent acrylic paint to make this effect.
Q: How many commissions do you do in a month (or in a year)?
A: It really depend on the month. Usually in summer season I have less commissions and in autumn/winter a lot more. The minimum per month is six dolls. I’m happy like this because I have always some time to make alpaca wigs and dresses for dolls.
Q: Do you also sell wigs and dresses too, or do you just make them for your own dolls?
A: Till now I was sewing and making wigs only for my dolls. People was asking about outfits I made before – if I was making more for sale. When I was living in the big city I never had much time for making wigs and dresses and on top of that makeup commissions. Painting dolls is always my priority. Now I have more time. I practiced enough to be sure that my works can be handed on to a new owner. I’m planning on making one-off dresses, not mass production. Each one will be unique and made with love. The same goes with wigs. The first dress is ready, next is in production. For now they are MSD size. I hope the community will like them.
Links:
Shaiel commision site: http://shaiel.pl/
flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/
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Gallery: Click on a photo to activate
