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Toini started making dolls in 1994. "My children were growing fast
so it was time to eternalize them.” Previous art hobbies were a great help.
Painting, sculpting, handicrafting and drawing caricatures was
chancing into full-time dollmaking.
”I used to try different materials in my previous artworks but making a doll
makes the material truly come alive.”
The beginning was very strong: First prize in national doll contest in artdolls came with a
a doll called ”Tomi” in that same year. ”I saw Tomi's picture in photostudios display window
and he was so full of life. It was love at first sight." Toini studied in Kalajoki Christian
College making of artdolls five months in the beginning of 1995. Toini has made dolls of celebrities for quite some time:
"Making dolls is more like a way of living. I see interesting models every day. You get hooked on this one. I often found myself
sculpting in the middle of the night!”
Couple of the most fascinating creations are worlds tallest man in his own time
(Robert Wadlow 110" , body: Taina & Kari Kinnunen, Expo-suunnittelu, suit:
Seija Mällinen), Finnish tallest man (Väinö Myllyrinne 100", body: Taina & Kari Kinnunen,
Expo-suunnittelu, suit: Eila Siurua) and worlds smallest person (Pauline Musters 24"),
which were sculpted in 1:1 scale. Wadlow and Musters can be found in Tietomaa, Oulu, Finland. Doll exhibitions have been held in Oulu, Kemi, Helsinki, Savonlinna and Tampere.
Toini is also teaching in dollcourses which are held across Finland.
"One of my dreams is to have a dollhouse here in Oulu. There's much to do before
that comes true!”
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