Nikki Johnston

Interview by

MacPherson Arts & Crafts

1. Where are you from and where do you live now?
I live in the north west of England, U.K.

2. Have you always been interested in dolls?
I’ve always loved dolls and babies right from the word go. I’ve also loved art too. So when I found the reborns, I fell head over heels in love.

3. When did you first become interested in sculpting?
I found the reborns 11 years ago, but I didn’t pick up the clay until 2015. I played with it for a while, then when Princess Charlotte was born, I completely inspired and haven’t looked back since.

4. How did you first encounter reborn dolls?
I found them on eBay. I though someone was selling a real baby. When I realised it was a doll I was so intrigued. I used all my Christmas money to buy a starter painting set and have never looked back.

5. Have you sculpted dolls from the time you started sculpting, or did you start off with something else?
I started painting in 2009. I didn’t start sculpting until 2015.

6. How long have you been sculpting?
4/5 years

7. What medium do you use to sculpt your babies with?
I love polymer clay.

8. What inspires & motivates you to sculpt?
There is no feeling like watching a face appear in your hands from a block of clay. That, and watching all the artists out there bring them to life in so many different ways, makes it all worth it!

9. Do you sculpt full time & do you have other hobbies?
I’m a full time sculptor and reborn artist. I also teach a sculpting class with Samantha L Gregory. However, I also do real newborn photography on the side when I have a spare moment.

10. Do you only sculpt for kit production or do you do custom ~ portrait orders too?
Only for kit production at this moment in time :)

11. When did your first kit come out and what was the baby's name?
2015 and Princess Charlotte. Followed very closely by Robin Asleep.

12. How many kits have you produced to date?
11 to date.

13. Do you have a list of names of all of your kits you have produced as we would love to have an archive directory for your sculpts?
Charlotte (2015), Robin Asleep (2015), Lexi & Evie (2016), Isabella (2017), Kiara (2018), Trouble (2019), Robin Awake (2019), Jack & Posy (2019), Vincent (2020).

14. Which baby of yours has been your all time favorite and why?
Hum...that’s a hard one. I love Robin and Charlotte as they started it all. Isabella is special as she is the one I started to sculpt while teaching our fist sculpting class in Spain. Kiara is also special as she is one of the first faces I started to sculpt in early 2015. I then picked her up in 2018 to finish and I’m so happy with how she turned out. Trouble I’m so proud of, even if he did give me a run for my money every step of his creation. I’m so, so happy with Jack and Posy. But especially Jack. He has my heart. The first sleeping asian sculpt to my knowledge and he is exactly how I had pictured him in my mind. I’m so excited to see everyone’s versions of him!

15. Do you plan to continue sculpting babies for kits?
Yes. As long as I am able. I absolutely love it!

16. How do you feel about the reborn doll industry? What excites you and what upsets you?
I love how supportive it can be. And how the love of art connects us all. It still blows my mind that over the past 2 years, through teaching our sculpting class we have met some amazing people around the world. Ones that have fast become dear close friends who we consider family. People, who without this art form, we would have never known existed. It is mind blowing and we are so unbelievably lucky to call this our job. As for what upsets me, the increase of the number of fake and illegal copies of kits is frightening and heartbreaking. I really hope that we will soon be able to put a stop to it.

17. How do you feel about the progression of the art of reborning over the past 10 years?
I love how the level of realism in both the sculpting and reborning has improved exponentially. Each sculpt that is brought out has another level of detail than the last. Same with the painting and rooting. Every day there seems to be more detail added. The progression is amazing!

18. Do you think that this industry has a long term future or do you think its just a fad that will blow over?
I hope it has a long term future. I think there will always be a want for the dolls, but the security of the industry will rely on the fake kits being brought under control.

19.What are your plans and hopes for the future?
I’d love to continue sculpting for kits. I’d also love to start delving into the world of silicones. I’d also love to continue travelling with our sculpting course. That is a dream come true. But we’ll see what the future brings.

20. Do you have something new in the works?
Always something new on my table. What makes it to be produced is another matter. Haha.