My name is Elvira Konysheva and I am a doll artist from Russia. I graduated from the State Art University, taught art culture and painting, and served as a Director of a local exhibition hall and art gallery.

In 2009, I participated in the Bear Opening Day exhibition in Moscow (winning prize in the textile category), a doll and bear exhibition at the Vahtangov Gallery in Moscow, the International Exhibition of Dolls and Teddy Bears in St. Petersburg, and have had two of my dolls purchased by the Kostroma Art Museum.

 

My husband and I currently reside and work in Washington State.

 

The first doll I ever created was 20 years ago. I am inspired most by fabric, buttons, and beads, as well as my relationships and conversations with family, friends and artists. I am extremely passionate and impressionable when it comes to art - if I see something I love, I feel compelled to create something wonderful with it right away.

 

I enjoy combining fabrics as well. I have an enormous collection and still get excited when I find something new and different. Some of my dolls are inspired by an idea or concept, but largely they are a product of careful and intentional fabric and color combination.

 

The passion behind this particular art form is to convey the best of what I see in human nature: beauty, tranquility, peace and a sense security. So I do not create dolls that might disturb, frighten, or elicit sad responses in others. My focus is to create dolls that capture youth and harmony, which I believe still exist.