The Art Dolls of DABIDA
Gelske Koopmans - Artist
Gelske Koopmans, a doll artist and member of DABIDA sent me a message pointing me to The Dutch and Belgian Institute of Doll Artists‘ website. I have been familiar with the work of some of the members of this group and was delighted to feature the Institute and show photos of some of the amazing work.
DABIDA was founded in 2006 by a small group of Dutch Doll Artists, who now make up the DABIDA board.
My only regret is that I just can’t post a picture from each artists, or speak about the ones I do feature. The good news is, all the DABIDA members have a page on the DABIDA website and many of them have a link to their personal sites. You can spend hours viewing each artist’s work.
Gelske Koopmans creates her dolls directly into porcelain- or stoneware clay. She says, “The beauty of making dolls is that it enables you to try out various creative skills”
Gelske Koopmans Artist
She hand builds the head of the doll, arms and legs and sometimes the entire body. She can experiment with various kinds of glazes, for example in painting the face or the entire doll.
Geksje goes on the say, “I have to make clothes for the doll, sometimes of cloth and other times of clay. After all these years I am still excited about making dolls, because I am more and more able to make the image I have in mind.”
I’m so impressed with the lace work on some of her figures and the beautiful faces that she creates.
The follow are just a few of the marvelous art dolls created by the members of DABIDA.
Artist - Ankie Daanen
Artists - Bets & Amy van Boxel
Artist - Gerda Schaarman - Rijsdijk
Artist - Hannie Sarris - Hulstein
Artist- Marlaine Verhelst
Artist- Tine Kamerbeek
Artist- Yvonne Flipse
I want to thank Gelske Koopmans for contacting me and all the other artists for allowing me to feature them here. Again I regret not having room to feature them all. I hope you take the time to visit them on the DABIDA website in the members section.
Popularity: 84% [?]
Love your website and I want to thank you for your positive comments on DABIDA (www.dabida.eu). We have a great group of artists here.
Marlaine Verhelst
DABIDA board member
Thank you so much Marlaine, I enjoy this blog so much because I am able to spend time delving into the work of such talented artist as yourself. Your figures are some of my favorite and have been since I first became aware of your work. I was so delighted to see your work in 500 HANDMADE DOLLS by Lark books. You are truly talented as are all the members of DABIDA.
I’m flattered that you took the time to let me know you like my site.