DOLK STATION

■DOLK staff (hereinafter D): When did you start working as an artist (dealer)? Also, what was the background or motivation for starting your career as an artist?


■camellia: I don't remember exactly, but I think it was probably around 2008.
I originally worked as a hairdresser, but before going to beauty school I wanted to be a pattern maker.
I studied makeup at beauty school, and I was more interested in hair and makeup.
I chose salon work for my career, but I think I enjoyed recreating the hair and makeup work I had always dreamed of doing with dolls.
I was never very good at sewing so I was reluctant to start.

■D: Is there any origin to the name "camellia"?


■camellia: It's like when a girl picks flowers and makes a crown, or puts a thin layer of color on her cheeks and lips...
I wanted to create a scene where a girl transforms into someone cute, so I chose the name after a flower that I've always loved.

■D: Can you tell us what made you interested in dolls?


■camellia: When I was in elementary school, I loved dress-up dolls.
I lost all interest in toys when I became a junior high school student, but then suddenly when I became an adult, collecting toys became my thing.
My interest was rekindled when I happened to see a Blythe doll at my favorite toy store and bought one.

■D: Do you have a favorite doll artist? Do you have any other artists (famous people outside the doll industry, etc.) who have influenced you?


■camellia: If I start giving examples, there'll be no end to it, but I like looking at the works of artists who have different sensibilities from my own.

D: What tools do you usually use to apply makeup to dolls?


■camellia: I often use airbrush as a base, as well as pastels and acrylic paints.

■D: Please tell us if there is anything you focused on in particular in this one-off production.


■camellia: This time's spirit doll is a very realistic looking doll, so I paid particular attention to the texture and color overlapping when making it, rather than relying on materials I normally use for cute motifs.

■D: Were there any parts that you struggled with in this one-off production (parts that didn't go as planned)?


■camellia: To put it very simply, it's so big that it was difficult to try it on and take a prototype when making the clothes.
The sculpture is so amazing that I had no problems creating the makeup or clothes.

■D: Is there anything you usually pay particular attention to when creating your works?


■camellia: When it comes to clothes, I think about the choice of materials. I also always think about how to make Doll look as cute as possible. It sounds like a simple thing to say, so it's a bit presumptuous to say I'm particular about it...

■D: If you have any favorite doll Maker, please let us know! (You can choose as many as you like.)
Also, what do you like about your favorite doll Maker?


■camellia: iMdadoll, K-Doll, Doll chateau, Spirit doll, and many more.
No matter which Maker it is, making makeup and clothes is fun when you think about what the maker had in mind when creating a certain skeleton and adding flesh on top of it.
I think that Maker I like tend to be on the same wavelength as my tastes.
It seems like it would be easy to throw off the balance with a unique design, but I really like Maker that create designs that are not only cute but also unique and beautiful.

■D: Are there any challenges or goals you would like to try in the future that involve dolls?


■camellia: Right now, I just want to try making my own dolls.

■D: Thank you for answering so many questions!
I look forward to seeing more makeup and dresses that will give us a glimpse into the unique world of "camellia"!