Superrealistyczne lalki zacierają granicę między fikcją a rzeczywistością

A Florida mum who crafts hyper-realistic dolls is moved to tears daily by families who say her work gives them the closure of holding a baby they never could. Colombian-born artist Coly Trigg makes silicone babies, capturing the intricate details of newborns, such as tiny fingernails, wispy hair, and the subtle blush of their skin. 36-year-old Coly's passion for creating realistic baby dolls started in her childhood in Cartagena. "I've been collecting dolls for as long as I can remember," shared Coly. "My mum taught me to sculpt with clay at a young age. I first experimented with paper, fabric, and clay dolls until discovering silicone - a material that mimics the feel of a real baby." After moving to the United States with her family in 2003, Coly's hobby blossomed into a full-fledged career. She and her husband, a Mississippi-born concept artist and sculptor, juggle their bustling family life, homeschooling their two children- a son and daughter aged eight and seven - and running their doll-making business, DreamShyre. "My formal training in reborn dolls began in 2013 through YouTube tutorials, initially painting vinyl dolls. It wasn't until 2020, when my reborn dolls gained viral attention during the pandemic, that I started sculpting and selling my own creations," she added. Coly described the detailed journey of turning simple materials into remarkably lifelike dolls. "I work with two distinct methods. The first involves crafting original dolls from scratch. It starts with a simple lump of clay and a baby photo to spark inspiration. This part of the process, where I shape what I see into clay, is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Once the sculpture is finalised, I create a silicone mould and cast a softer silicone replica. After the doll is 'born', I paint it using silicone paints and a mottling sponge, building up intricate layers to mimic real skin. The finishing touch is a 'baby soft' finish, achieved with silicone paint mixed with silica powder. After a thorough inspection and any necessary touch-ups, I micro-root hair and lashes for added realism and gloss the lips and other areas as needed." The second method involves enhancing pre-made dolls. Instead of sculpting and moulding from scratch, Coly purchases blank silicone sculptures or pre-painted dolls from other artists and manufacturers. She then 'reborns' the dolls, layering paint and adding the final soft finishes. "Creating each doll is a time-consuming process that requires a great deal of patience," Coly admitted. "Sculpting alone can take several weeks, with an additional few weeks needed for moulding. Painting and hair application typically take a week each. However, if I'm only painting and adding final touches, it generally takes two to three weeks. Only silicone sticks to silicone, which makes the painting challenging. I use various techniques to achieve the perfect skin tones, including mottling, veining, and strategic layering. Due to high demand, the turnaround time for custom orders can extend from six to eight weeks, sometimes even longer." Coly captures the essence of her dolls with her photography, bringing their stories vividly to life. "I photograph all my creations, and through my lens, these dolls resonate deeply. They're so lifelike that they stir genuine emotions - joy, awe, and even a sense of wonder," she noted. DreamShyre dolls are sold exclusively through Coly's website, allowing her to maintain a direct relationship with her customers. This direct sales model also keeps the dolls as affordable as possible, a commitment Coly takes seriously. While some reborn artists sell their dolls for £20 000 ($24,800) upwards, the most expensive doll Coly has ever sold was an original sculpture by artist Ina Volprich. The doll, a baby boy named Calimero and produced by Baltic Baby, was custom-made to order, with Caucasian skin, a bald head and hand-rooted lashes. Despite the work involved and the many hours spent making him, Coly sold him for £1 300 ($1 600). "The most unique doll I've made was for a wonderful little girl with a limb difference. Her mother had difficulty finding a doll resembling her, so I sculpted an arm like hers. Seeing her reaction made me realise that this business goes beyond just selling dolls - it brings immense comfort," Coly reflected. "I also crafted a doll for a birth photographer who captures authentic, raw images of home births. It was crucial to make the doll extremely realistic, and it was exciting to even sculpt a silicone umbilical cord and placenta for it! I've had requests for zombie or horror dolls, but that's not really my style. My dolls are very dear to me; I aim to spread positivity and joy through my art rather than darkness." Looking to the future, Coly is eager to explore new techniques and materials. "Innovation is key in doll making," she asserted. "I'm constantly experimenting to enhance the realism and emotional depth of my dolls." Her advice to aspiring doll makers is encouraging: "Firstly, start by loving the art. Let your passion guide you, and don't be afraid to dream big. Secondly, before you can start creating realistic dolls, you must first be passionate enough to collect them. Collect the dolls that bring you joy without worrying about impressing others. Ignore anyone who dismisses doll collecting as peculiar - everyone has unique hobbies. Whether it's collecting shoes, stamps, or makeup, what matters is the happiness it brings you. Embrace your nurturing spirit; it's a gift to be proud of, not ashamed." Featuring: Coly Trigg When: 08 May 2024 Credit: @colytrigg/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**