Tsubasa is a French artist who has developed a following for her fanciful face-ups, body painting and tattoos on a variety of doll types and sizes.
Q: Can you tell the readers a little about yourself?
A: My name is Mélie Huguet and I live in the south of France. I’m 34 and mother of 2 beautiful boys of 4 and 10.
I’ve always loved art, especially drawing and painting, so I’ve learned in an art school and afterwards I’ve made exhibitions of my oil paintings.
Q: How did you become interested in painting dolls?
A: One day, in 2007 exactly, I ordered, as a Christmas gift for my cousin, a doll she wanted to transform into her favorite Jpop singer. At this very moment, I’ve discovered the incredibly huge and surprising world of dolls!
So, this first doll I bought was a “Pullip”, a vinyl doll, and this was also my first try at makeup on a doll, and I must say that it has been a true revelation for me, because I could devote myself to my passion, painting, by giving life to an object! that was really magical, and from that moment, I’ve never stopped…
The dolls have allowed me to explore a huge universe of transformation and imagination, but also the pleasure of photography.
Q: When did you become personally acquainted with BJDs?
A: In 2011, I made up my mind to buy my first BJD. That is a world I only knew from afar, because the price was less affordable than vinyl dolls.
My heart had pounded for a little elephant from Mushroom Peddler” company, and that’s when I decided to take the plunge into the resin. This company is really unique with all these creatures really realistic and also so cute.
Then my collection has grown, with the discovery of the FairyLand dolls, Lillicat Cerise Doll and then Nymphéas Doll…and many other dolls!
Q: How did you start your face-up business ?
A: With makeup and sculpture, I’ve started transforming dolls for all my friends and for myself. I had begun to publish my work on blogs and forums, and the requests for makeup were growing more and more numerous. So I understood that I could live of my passion, and I decided to open my small company “Tsubasa makeup dolls” in January 2017.
A few years ago, I never thought this was possible and today it does not happen a single day without my thanks to God for allowing me to do a job that I love, that fascinates me, and above all that allows me to be at home and take care of my children It is a real blessing for me.
Q: Can you tell me a little about working with Sophie (k6 of Nympheas Dolls) ?
A: A friend made me discover the creations of Nympheas Dolls. It was love at first sight for me. I’ve found her world both tender and magical! how not to love her creations?
When I started collecting her dolls and creating their makeup, Sophie immediately liked my work and the way I gave life to her creations. I had the joy of being able to meet her several times during conventions. She is an adorable person with an overflowing imagination. I think that our similar tastes and our child souls immediately allowed us to understand each other and to appreciate our common work. I am proud and happy to count her today among my friends.
This is the third time that I have collaborated with her on the release of her pre-order (for Mûshika Mouse) and it is a rewarding experience, because the world of dolls is also a universe constantly in progress, which requires innovation, new ideas – dreams actually – and Sophie and I, that’s what we’re trying to give.
Q: Have you worked with any other artists?
A: I also had the joy of working once with Nathalie of Mister Minou Doll. Nathalie has a style of creation that I have never seen elsewhere, so feline, wild and fantastic! She was adorable with me and really gave carte blanche to my imagination for the pre-order of her baby Nyx.
I admit having had several requests for collaboration from different artists, but it is difficult for me to combine both the release of my personal creations and the too numerous requests of makeup commissions…
Sometimes I would like to have extra hands or, why not, as in the tales, little elves coming to help me at night in my workshop !
A small number of photos of Mélie’s work are shown below. More may be seen in the Tsubasa Gallery Album
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