The name of the gifted artist Darya Zhauneryk is well-known among Blythe doll enthusiasts worldwide. A true professional, she crafts unique doll transformations by hand-painting their faces, creating original hairstyles, and sewing bespoke outfits. Each Blythe doll becomes a genuine work of art.
In 2024, Darya Zhauneryk received widespread acclaim, earning several prestigious awards for her outstanding contributions to fine and applied arts. Recognized by leading national and international institutions in the fields of culture, arts, and education, she secured the Grand Prix at three major competitions.
Among her achievements was a victory in the “Applied Arts” category at the inaugural International Creative Competition in Decorative and Fine Arts, “National Heritage,” for her exquisite creation: the art doll “Anna. The jury also recognized Darya Zhauneryk’s exceptional artistry, awarding her the top prize at the Fifth International Creative Competition, “The Wonder of Christmas.” Competing among professionals in the arts, culture, and education sectors, she triumphed in the “Art Doll” category with her remarkable creation: the Blythe art doll “Marika.” At the Third All-Russian Decorative and Applied Arts Competition, “Autumn Moments,” Darya Zhauneryk was honored in the “Decorative and Applied Arts” category for her exceptional creation: the Blythe art doll “Mary.”
The artist was also named a First-Degree Laureate at the Second International Exhibition-Competition of Author Dolls and Toys, “Doll Dreams.” The artist’s works consistently receive high praise for their professionalism, creative approach, and ingenuity, which transform factory-made dolls into true works of art.
With a recognized authority in the community of decorative and applied arts, Darya Zhauneryk was invited to serve as a juror for the 29th Cycle of Competitive and Exhibition Events organized by the International Center for Creative Development “Art-Bird.”
A creative maker of art dolls, she also regularly participates in prestigious doll exhibitions in the United States and is a member of several esteemed associations, including the International Association of Art/USA, the College Art Association, Americans for the Arts, and the Eurasian Art Union. According to Darya, a doll that makes it to an exhibition must convey an important message, such as reflecting trends in fashion or pop culture. Decades later, such a doll could serve as a way to study the history and sentiments of an era.
“Each exhibition is an exciting event, full of creativity and interaction. I am proud to make a significant contribution to culture by presenting my works at the world’s largest events, where the best masters of doll art gather,” says Darya Zhauneryk.
The works of the exceptional Darya Zhauneryk are eagerly welcomed by gallery owners. Each Blythe doll created by the artist comes with a set of accessories—shoes, bags, hats, umbrellas, masks, and jewelry. All of these are handmade, and often the craftsmanship is so delicate that the details can only be viewed with a magnifying glass.
Darya Zhauneryk began creating art dolls in 2013, after the birth of her eldest daughter. Initially, she sewed dolls herself from textiles, but later decided to transform the Blythe dolls. These dolls have a distinctive feature—movable eyes that change color, allowing them to express various emotions.
Darya began repainting the dolls and creating new hairstyles for them. In this transformation, only the base remains from the factory Blythe—the doll’s body with joints and the mechanism that controls the eye rotation. The artist personally creates the doll’s hair. A few years ago, she even developed a unique model of wool wigs for Blythe dolls, allowing anyone to try creating their own author doll.
“Each piece I create is a one-of-a-kind work of art, infused with my soul and creativity. I enjoy experimenting with various styles, clothing, and accessories to give each doll its own unique character and narrative,”
shares Darya Zhauneryk
Over the course of ten years, Darya Zhauneryk has created more than a thousand unique dolls, most of which are now housed in private collections across the world. Blythe dolls have a large following globally, with dedicated communities of enthusiasts passionate about collecting author dolls in many countries. Darya draws her inspiration from films, paintings, and occasionally, her children offer creative ideas.
The artist attributes her extraordinary success to her natural talent and sense of style, which she continues to nurture. Another key factor is her deep understanding of how to work with dolls. Over the ten years that Darya Zhauneryk has been creating her signature Blythe dolls, she has honed her skills and developed unique techniques. But most importantly, she infuses each doll with a piece of her soul.
