Gaby
Through his own example, artist-dollmaker Noel Cruz has shown how to transform an unhappy life into a fairy tale and share it with others.
He grew up in a large family that struggled to make ends meet. As a child, he had no toys, and his playtime was spent cleaning other people’s homes. When Noel turned 12, he discovered a passion for painting. This newfound interest was sparked by a beauty pageant he saw on television, which made him think it would be great to learn how to paint portraits. It turned out that the teenager had a remarkable talent for capturing likenesses. Within four years, the young artist was inundated with commissions.
Noel Cruz with actress Lindsay Wagner and her portrait, which he created in his youth
Eventually, Noel Cruz found his niche in the art world by repainting factory dolls and creating realistic representations of celebrities.
These 30-40 cm tall figures are true masterpieces, highly valued by collectors. The price of one of these dolls, which often appear as auction lots, has long surpassed a thousand dollars.
And this is entirely justified. A standard mass-produced doll simply cannot compete with Noel’s custom versions. In his work, the artist strives to make the character he revamps come to life. The secret to the popularity of these hyper-realistic dolls lies in the fact that each one is unique. The intricate, one-of-a-kind details that the master embellishes them with are truly remarkable.
How Dolls Came into Noel’s Life
In interviews with various publications, Noel Cruz has repeatedly shared that it all started with a single incident. In the summer of 2001, after he and his wife had settled in the U.S., he was browsing eBay in search of a doll to gift his partner, who was actively collecting fashionable dolls from a specific manufacturer.
Frida Kahlo doll: right – factory version, left – original creation by Noel Cruz
Among the items for sale, Noel suddenly noticed a rather unusual doll. Its face was significantly different from the other toys in the series. The product description noted that the original paint had been removed from this face. Whoever had done this had carefully repainted it to give the doll a more realistic appearance.
Noel was literally stunned. He had never thought it possible to achieve such an effect. Since he had spent his entire conscious life painting human portraits, it felt as if fate was urging him to try something similar. He decided to use mass-produced dolls, which seemed to be begging for a makeover.
The Art of Transformation
For his repaints, Noel Cruz uses various dolls, including those depicting celebrity figures. In his view, all of them need new, hand-painted faces. The dolls do not resist and behave obediently.
However, unlike a plastic surgeon, the artist begins the process of transforming the doll’s appearance not with the chin or nose, but with the hair. He styles and curls it, and only then does he remove the factory paint from the face to paint a detailed portrait.
He views the structure of each face as a three-dimensional canvas, and ultimately, he manages to capture the essence of each celebrity with astonishing accuracy. The stylish outfits and original accessories for the transformed dolls are mostly handmade by the artist’s wife.
Typically, the artist spends 3-7 days transforming a doll. The duration and complexity of the work depend on the specific piece.
Noel Cruz sold his debut repainted doll for $162. The very first buyer instilled confidence in the artist that this creative endeavor would thrive. And it did. What began as a casual hobby 22 years ago has turned into a lifelong pursuit. Noel has never regretted it.
Click on any photo, and each image of the celebrity doll will open in a larger size.
