Name: Rivkah Rosenfeld
Nickname: Rebeka
Location/Business: Doll Makers Muse/ Israel
Website: http://rivkahrosenfeld.googlepages.com, http://dollmakersmuse.blogspot.com
Patterns Type/Style Available:
“Orianna (beginners) Ruth (intermediate, advanced) Niamh (advanced) All patterns are online classes / patterns. More patterns are in the works and /or are not released yet.
Books Published: I’ve not written any books but my work appears in various publications. Art Doll Quarterly, Dolls United, Patti Medaris Culea’s second book, a new book by Rockport to be released in 2007 (secret)
Please tell a little about yourself.
I’m 36 years of age, married with three daughters age 9, 11 and 13.
I moved to Israel 3 1/2 years ago from Seattle, WA. I have no formal training in art but have always been a talented seamstress. In college I was very gifted in literature but did not major in English. I loved Irish literature and plays, Shakespeare, etc. I appreciated it while I was “being graded,” since it came naturally to me, but never realized what a profound impact it would have on me until years. Looking back, I realize that this small exposure had a major impact on my artistic inspiration, which has only begun to develop in recent years.
How long have you loved dolls and have been making dolls?
4 years
What started you making dolls?
I was a project manager for an upscale commercial lighting design firm at the prestigious Seattle Design Center. I did not receive any formal art training, but learned to appreciate fine art while working at the Design Center. My profession was mainly business oriented, and I was mostly around lighting and furniture designers, architects and interior decorators. However, something about working in that luxurious atmosphere, and spending so much time there, sparked my desire to create art.
I have always been involved in sewing, having begun to sew at the early age of 12. I used to make elaborate dresses for myself and my children. About a year before relocating, I was given a marvelous sewing machine which was complicated, and rendered me to take lessons from the dealer on how to use it.
At the dealer, I became mesmerized with different classes going on, and the high level of enthusiasm that went along with them. On one occasion, I saw a group of women sitting around a table passing dolls around. I had never witnessed such a thing in my entire life. It was so against the grain of society, you know, so funny to see, but yet it felt so refreshing and so brilliant. I joined the group immediately and was completely hooked on dolls.
It wasn’t long before I relocated. Once I got to Israel I discovered that I was not going to find a prestigious job like I had in the states. In fact, it was hard for me to find any job. I decided to engross myself in the art of dolls, and it has changed my life profoundly. I would never have been able to do this had I stayed in Seattle. I never knew what I was missing.
What is your favorite doll?
David by Michelangelo, if you can call that a doll.
What is your favorite type/style of doll to design/make?
I love fairies and other fantasy creatures. They represent the "impossible." By creating such a composition, and bringing it into “existence,” I feel that nothing is truly impossible.
What medium do you like to work with?
I love to MIX media. I love cloth, clay, paint, glue, beads…..together. I feel that I’m creating something novel and exciting that way. It satisfies my compulsive need to PLAY!
Do you have a background in art?
I studied art and literature in College, but only to meet my elective requirements. It happens to be that I studied Irish Literature and took an art course on Medeival Art, which was of course Irish. I was never taught art “hands on”- I never learned painting, sculpture, etc. That is completely self-taught information.
Do you teach classes/workshops or do Trunk Shows? Where?
Yes, I teach classes and workshops in Israel. I have been thinking about teaching a conference in the States and might accept an invitation if afforded one. I’ll probably send a proposal to teach in the near future. I’m just slightly dreading the long plane ride!
I sell exotic textiles through my website.
Who is your favorite doll designer?
Edna Dali, a friend and advisor, who has been in the doll business for 26 years. She works in Porcelain, though, and is not involved in cloth pattern making. Her dolls are contemporary but inspired by culture of old.
Do you have a favorite doll pattern?
No.
What artists/people/places inspire you or where do you get your
inspiration?
Artists/ people: I am inspired by Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Shakespeare, Rubin, and of course, a variety of contemporary and old world fantasy and fairy art masters.
Places: I begin the design process in my mind. I always have an idea of who this doll is, some basic theme behind it, and I get that inspiration from something musical, conceptual or visual. I browse pictures of paintings that take my breath away. Then I push the “image” into my own theme. Here is an example:
I’ve got a doll pattern called Niamh. She is a faery who lives at the Dead Sea. Have you ever heard of such a thing? That is completely from my imagination. However I was inspired by the painter Rubin, whose rolly-polly “rubinesque” angelic-looking subjects enchanted my mind until I created a doll with that character and body composition. The personality of the doll is completely different, but you can see that Rubin truly inspired me.
What was the first doll you ever sold?
She was called “Miri.” The doll was modeling a religious Jewish costume and was purchased by a collector who was interested in cultures.
Do you name your dolls? If yes, how do you come up with
your dolls' names?
Yes, I do. I never name the doll until it is complete, even though many names pop in and out of my head as the doll progresses. I give my dolls actual names, not things like “girl with white dress” or some such thing.
The names are sometimes words from Hebrew which have something to do with the character. Sometimes they are odd names that I made up, and just like the sound of it. Sometimes the name eludes me and I search the internet for ideas.
Do you have a favorite doll-making tool and/or product?
Translucent Liquid Sculpey, Pigment Powder, Genesis paint
What is your most favorite part of the doll to make?
If the doll has wings, that is my favorite part. If not, I love to embellish (beading, trimmings, Angelina fibers, etc). I try to create the embellishments by hand as much as possible, to be as creative as I can.
What is your least favorite part of the doll to make?
Garments. Somehow I don’t like sewing clothing separately and then putting it on the doll. I feel it covers the sculpture! I overcome this by draping fabric on the doll and sewing the “clothing” right on the body. This creates the illusion that the doll is “dressed” and it gives me much more pleasure. In this way,it feels more like “embellishing.”
What's your secret for overcoming a creative block?
If your block is because you can’t seem to ‘get started,’ then look at an art book or magazine or go to the bookstore. You’d be amazed how inspired you can become. If possible, select one picture of a painting or a doll or something that touches your soul. Look at it and study it, and pretend you were in the picture. It helps.
A word from the wise: shut off the computer and go OUT for your inspiration. If you have already done the above, then just take out your clay, patterns, fabric or whatever, shut off your phone and sit there for a minimum of a half hour until something comes. If nothing works, tell another creative friend about it.
What is your best doll-making tip?
Never pose the doll’s head dead center. Always tilt the head and turn it to the side at least a little bit. This makes the doll look more animated. If the doll’s pose requires the face to be absolutely centered, then have the eyes glace toward the side.
What advice would you give a beginning doll maker?
A successful composition is one that makes the viewer think. That viewer can be yourself. Even if the viewer thinks you have a lot to learn, then you have created a masterpiece.
Hi Rivkah, nice reading your information. Love the part about how to get inspired. I come to a stone wall pretty often. Was in Israel last march, wish I had known you then.
Went to Mira's gallery and loved the jewish gals pieces there. Wanted to buy one but were too much for me. Will try to get into your class. the 20. I have never done skinning before except with felting and that is pretty easy.I downloaded the information on your site, but I think a class would be helpful. Amazing, I am going out to seattle the end of the month. We still have a house in Washington, a small one but we need to check on it.
I love Israel and hope you are keeping safe these days. Hugs, Sandra
Hello Rivka,
I enjoyed reading your blog and have visited your websites. Great work.
I am an art doll artist too. I commend you on starting your business in Isreal.
I never draw out my designs as they always seem to appear full blown in my mind before I ever begin the projece. I love doing the costuming, and sew for them as if I were making the costume for myself unless they are really small then I do a lot of glueing, whatever it takes.