The Process

Working in soft sculpturing, papier maché and low-firing clay, Liz Ciesluk creates each piece individually. Absolutely no moulds are ever used in the process. Her dolls are inspired by some treasured memoir ... Of a rare antique, paintings of the old Masters, descriptions in classic literature... Each creation begins with the sculpting of a face... Hand-blown eyes imported from Germany lend an extraordinarily life-like quality... Colouring is achieved by a combination of methods, from acrylic paint to make-up. The next step is the design and construction of the body. Once the wire armature is formed, the body covering is stitched together out of raw silk and other fabrics. The costume is created using antique and vintage fabrics, often hand-dyed, so that each finished piece is truly one-of -a kind. Once the face, body and costume are in place, the final touches can begin. With the addition of hair or fur, moss or leaves, flowers, exotic feathers or antique toys, each piece ceases to be a mere "doll" and enters the realm of "art". From its original design to construction, costuming and finally the finishing touches, each unique sculpture requires a minimum of 100 hours to complete. The result is worth the wait : a work of art - a treasure waiting for the collector who truly appreciates rare beauty. Back To Renaissance Dolls