"I'm an artist. I see it that way. "

The art doll deservedly attracts the attention of the audience. Interest in doll inserts is growing every year. Due to its anthropomorphic nature, the doll is close to people like nothing else. It is interesting to a person from early childhood to the end of life, as his play or ritual image.

Before talking about the doll, as a work of art, it is necessary to remember who the artist is and what the term “artwork” itself means.

Usually a strange bearded man is called an artist in front of an easel with a canvas, surrounded by plaster casts, tubes of paints, cans of brushes and, for some reason, always in a beret or, at least, in a long striped scarf.

Caricature by Vladimir Melnikov "The process of creating a masterpiece is in itself an exciting sight."

 Yes, this comrade may be an artist, but an artist is a broader concept.

An artist is a poet, a musician, a writer, a sculptor, an actor, and, of course, a master of puppetry. But, only if he is “a creatively thinking person, a person who creates unique artistic images in which universal laws of universal human significance are reflected in his personal, individual perception” *.

The artist passes any phenomenon of the surrounding world through the prism of his personality. Therefore, a work of art is always unique, individual, subjective, unique, reflecting a personal attitude and perception of the world.

The favorite phrase of artists of all times and peoples is appropriate here: “I am an artist. I see it that way. "

In other words, no matter how many artists work on the same topic, the result will be different, since each artist has his own view of the world and his own arsenal of visual means.

Painting by contemporary Spanish artist David Bela, "Dali and Picasso Painting an Egg".

I perceive the artist as a conventionally dumb person.

He can communicate with the world only through his works. Whether he is a poet, painter or puppeteer, he must find such expressive means and images that are able to express his thoughts, ideas and experiences in his work. This creative pursuit is far from a craft in which skillful work is more important. Matter is more important to the artisan than thought.

For an artist, thought is primary.

The artist can only find for himself, in all the variety of pictorial means, those that are closest to him. At this stage, one cannot do without mastery of the mastery of matter. The lack of skill in the doll is especially noticeable.

High feelings in a doll will look comical if the artist does not own proportions.

There is such a concept as “artistic craft is one of the components of the artist's creative process, work, performed by him manually directly in the material **.

In my opinion, an art doll is more related to an art craft. The artist skillfully creates a doll, sometimes astonishing the audience with a high degree of mastery of material processing. Through artistic images, he puts his deep meaning into it.

So, an art doll is a work of art masterfully created by an artist, which, through the created image, reflected his personal perception of the surrounding world.

When does a work of art become art?

When can an art doll be called a work of art? The answer is both complex and simple at the same time. Just as not everything that is painted in oil on canvas is a work of art, so not every art doll belongs to art. Even if there is a masterfully painted picture in front of you, if the proportions are perfect, the composition corresponds to the golden ratio, the color scheme cannot be more harmonious, one more, very important component is needed.

Art begins then when an artist, creating his work, using a certain range of feelings, experiences and emotions, finds such images and expressive means that the viewer can become infected with the same feelings, experience the same emotions.

It is possible to influence a person in such a way that his life will no longer be the same.

Remember the lines of A.S. Pushkin in the poem "The Prophet"?

                                                      “And, bypassing the seas and lands,

                                                      Burn people's hearts with the verb "

And now the hardest part for me.

Thinking about the art doll, I did not supplement the article with a single doll photograph. But what if my internal censor does not allow me to use the work of colleagues to illustrate this article?

Artists express their feelings, everything that is most personal, deep, and therefore they are very sensitive to any criticism.

Advice - it's best to never criticize an artist, even with the best of intentions.

Using your work is the best decision.

Only, I, in no way, do not consider them to be works of art, at best - an artistic craft. And, in general, I do not think much about my activities. Art is craftsmanship or something else? Personally, it doesn't bother me much I am simply fulfilling my basic need for self-expression. But, if we argue on the basis that the soldier is bad who does not dream of becoming a general, then we will consider some of my works.

I propose a little game. First you look at the photo, and then I reveal my idea. Don't focus on whether you like or dislike the doll. You should not argue whether or not you would buy one for yourself. Listen to your feelings. What thoughts and emotions appear when looking at a particular doll? If you feel something similar to my plan, then I have coped with my task.

1. Consider the first composition. What thoughts does it lead you to? What emotions are you experiencing?

And now I will reveal my plan. The composition is called Green Tosca. It is dedicated to a deep sense of longing. It is so deep and hopeless that it draws in like a sticky swamp. It is impossible to get out without outside help, and there is no one nearby. All movements are shackled by a quagmire and, judging by the cobweb, for a long time. Only the irises of the eyes can move. With eyes, longing watches the light flight of a bright butterfly. Most likely melancholy is sure that she is not given to fly. But, perhaps, right now, a dream is being born that inspires, inspires, gives strength and makes the impossible possible? And we are not talking about a devil or a kikimor. This doll is dedicated to human experiences. The swamp is just an image.

2. Now let's turn to the next work - "Yellow Dwarf"

How do you feel? The yellow dwarf is a star named the Sun. Usually the sun is portrayed as affectionate, kind, bright. My sun is a pretty bad guy. He is rich and bright, dressed like a Venetian doge. How could it be otherwise? He is the center of our solar system, life on our planet depends on him. But, at the same time, his activity and outbreaks give people a lot of problems. Sunburn alone is worth something. In short, an important, necessary, but unpleasant type.

3. The people's favorite is Baba Yaga. The composition is called “Truth in Wine”.

My Baba Yaga is a spiritual companion. She will treat and listen, and raise a glass to health.

But, you should not relax. After all, there are no vineyards in the dark forest. This means that wine made from improvised products - from fly agarics. And the sparkle in her eyes is alarming.

4. Whatever you think, that only what is outwardly not beautiful is artistic, I will show you one more work.

It's a firefly. One of the many little toilers who crumble into bright lights in the dark. Their work looks magical. We do not see fireflies, and sometimes we do not even know what they look like, but their light adorns the world.

If you understood my images, I am happy.

This means that I was able to find such artistic images that conveyed my thoughts to the viewer. If not, I will study, work and develop further.

Master a craft, improve your skills, become an artist and, perhaps, very soon, art critics will study your works.

Olga Timofeeva with her work.

With respect to the artists and all doll lovers, sincerely yours, Olga Timofeeva

The article used materials:

* V.G. Vlasov, Illustrated Art Dictionary, page 239

** V.G. Vlasov Illustrated Art Dictionary p. 238