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Since she was little, Vladlena loved and knew how to draw very well, so she always knew that she would be an artist when she grew up. However, she was initially not interested in molding. Later, after a long time, and more precisely, in 2007, Vladlena fell into the hands of a broken puppet-puppet. Working with her and restoring her was so engaging that the artist later wanted to create a doll herself.
How are these dolls born? Vladlena says that everything starts with the visual in mind, and inspiration comes when you see a piece of material or some spare part of the mechanism, and the ideas arise according to your mood or trip.
Puppeteer Vladlena. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
“I took the first clay I had on hand, started with it and achieved what I thought was a very good result at the time. And it was this that led to the continual search for dolls. It was very interesting, “said Vladlena.
According to her, the craft of a master puppeteer requires attention, patience, and a variety of skills in applied arts. It also includes modeling, face painting, haircuts, shoe and costume making, and the creation and construction of unique accessories.
Vladlena had to understand all kinds of crafts, and such challenges only made her dolls even more fascinating: after a year of work, the first fairy-tale heroes settled in the kingdom, happy and sad, energetic and distracted, happy, proud, dreamer. Here you will now find a wide variety of fairy tales, movies, cartoon characters and their life stories.
Puppet Museum. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
How long does it take to create a doll? According to Vladlena, it depends on its size, so it lasts from 3 to 4 days to 2 weeks.
“Most of the dolls in the gallery are made of heated polymer clay. It is a flexible material, so working with it is quick and easy. Meanwhile, creating a doll with self-hardening clay would take a long time, ”explained Vladlena.
Puppet Museum. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
The artist likes more to paint the faces of her dolls, thus creating a sense of vitality and certainty in them. And the hardest part is the hands. “I don’t like gluing them, but unfortunately I can’t do without them. I make a wrist vest out of wire. I am the size a doll will have to be. Then I wrap a special material and wrap it in a bandage. And one of the more processes interesting is the sewing. I sew the costume directly on the wrist, because they do not undress, “smiled Vladlena.
According to her, when sewing a suit, one can immerse oneself in the details and subtleties that fascinate Vladlene the most and devote more time and attention to it.
The dolls created by Vladlen are displayed in the gallery, where they await the attention and appreciation of the visitors.
The artist’s authorial style is felt in all her works, but each doll is unique and individual.
Puppet Museum. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
The gallery is constantly inhabited by about 170 puppets, and their ranks are added each time. In total, Vladlena has created about 1,040 dolls, but most of them have already moved to other houses.
Most of Vladlena’s dolls are bought by various collectors around the world or simply by visitors who are fascinated by these works. Other dolls are made to special order.
Puppet Museum. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
Some dolls live in houses of famous people. In 2009, Vladlena received an order from the former President of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers, to make two dolls in Latvian national costumes as a gift for King Juan Carlos I of Spain.
In 2016, two dolls were installed in the collection of the soloist of the group A-HA Morten Harket. Vladlena’s works can also be found in the homes of film director Jānis Streitis and other famous people.
The dolls from the gallery’s collection are going to be featured in international exhibitions and competitions, where they have repeatedly won top prizes. Vladlena is a member of several international artists’ societies and associations. In 2015, Vladlena received the title of Honorary Citizen of the Preili Region.
Puppet Museum. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
The Puppet Museum in Preili (Daugavpils str. 21) is open every day and the visit costs 3 euros per person. By the way, Vladlena dolls are for sale: a doll, depending on the size, costs 1000-2000 euros. And the most expensive project cost up to 10 thousand. euros.
There is also the opportunity to take pictures dressed with various dolls and heroes from fairy tales, to take pictures next to the collection of miniature castles: it costs 5 euros.
In the museum you will also find a doll that is closely related to Lithuania, and it is very impressive. How is she? Be sure to visit the world of fairy tales created by Vladlen and you will be amazed.
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