A Tale Worth Telling

Maryna Skubenko’s Dolls Share Personal, Historical, and Cultural Stories

By Stephanie Finnegan

Once upon a time, a girl was born in Ukraine. She was an only child, and she filled her days with make-believe, pursuing her internal fantasies, and learning how to draw and sew. She would while away the hours perfecting her crafts and imagining a world filled with storybook characters, elfin princesses, and other flights of fancy.

It’s fitting that an article about Maryna Skubenko begins with a Brothers Grimm-style opening. The artist, who currently resides on the Île d’Orléans, in the French province of Quebec City, Canada, has always found comfort and inspiration in the realm of otherworldly beings. She said, “I am definitely drawn to fairy-tale-style characters. There can never be enough of Alice, Snow White, or Cinderella. To me, it’s just a doll’s destiny to embody fairy tales. We learn from these characters when we work on them. We learn kindness, patience, and trust. They teach a childlike wisdom to us. I also love to make fairy and angel dolls. They touch my spiritual side.”

Skubenko has been immersed in the doll universe for two decades. This year, 2025, marks her 20th anniversary as a conduit for making her visions come true in doll form. She sculpts her ethereal designs under the name Wee Lucky Charms. “I see my dolls as miniature mystical beings. I would like to think that they bring luck or at least that I can pass my loving energy through them,” the artist shared.

Made in the winter of 2024, Mona Lisa was just now dressed by the artist. Maryna Skubenko created her from her childlike prototype. Mona Lisa is a little over 12 inches tall.

She added, “I have been sculpting the fantasy creations out of polymer clay since 2005, but when I first laid an eye on the Enchanted Doll by Marina Bychkova, I knew I wouldn’t be able to get off my mind. So, it took a year or two of dreaming — doing the research and buying all the necessary equipment and supplies — and in 2009, my very first porcelain doll was born. She was far from perfect, but I felt very encouraged. I fell in love with this art form, and since then, there has been no other material for me to use when creating. Porcelain has nobility and charm. It is perfect for ball-jointed dolls!”

A self-taught doll artist, Skubenko is a natural-born student. She absorbs life lessons and important insights from all of her encounters — whether they are with other like-minded people or the wonders of nature. “There is a subconscious inspiration in nature. Anyone who lives by the water, or the mountains, or the forest, would understand how calming and peacefully energizing nature can be. Taking the time to enjoy it can clear your mind and influence you. I also get inspiration from cultural/historical movies — shows like Marco Polo or Memoirs of a Geisha. I also spend a lot of time on Pinterest. Looking through artistic or cultural images gives me plenty of inspiration and ideas,” Skubenko said.

Hailing from 2025, 13-inch Franky is a sun-kissed fairy. The artist said, “This fairy has cute freckles all over her body. She lives in a loving home.”

Alice is a recent creation by Maryna Skubenko. The homage to the fairy-tale heroine, in a more adult fashion, measures 13 inches.

Regarding her relationships with family and friends, she likewise soaked up all the knowledge and mentorship they shared: “My mom had an artistic side, so she helped and encouraged me in drawing and sewing. I came to Canada in 2001 and was lovingly greeted by my husband’s family. My mother-in-law was a painter and taught me oil painting. I spent a lot of time painting with her. Everyone in my surroundings had always been supportive of my art.”

Studying the art of dollmaking, while tapping into her innate talent and personal experiences, Skubenko has made many new observations. She said, “I have learned that will and consistency are the keys to achieving one’s dreams. These are the two ingredients that helped me in learning how to make porcelain dolls and to become an earning artist. Also, patience. I have learned that without patience, I probably would not succeed. Raw porcelain crumbles in your hands as you work with it. I’ve learned to handle pieces gently, and after years of practice — drawing upon patience, will, and consistency — I now almost never crush my parts in making.”

In 2022, Maryna Skubenko made 13-inch Juliet for a friend collector. She said, “When I made a Juliet doll for a dear collector, who is a fan of the character, when I started to look at the images of Juliet for my sculpting inspiration, I studied her facial features until I fell in love with the character. As a result, I was able to put a soul into my Juliet doll. The collector loved her.”

This is a process photo of Red Riding Hood from 2022, taken while Maryna Skubenko was sewing her dress. “Her face is from a Juliet face mold. We can see the resemblance; yet she has her own character,” Skubenko said

Pursuing her creative goals consumes Skubenko, and she is more than happy to devote her days to nurturing her artistic fires: “When I get new ideas, the creativity burns nonstop. I become quite ambitious. At the moment I think my doll achieved the perfection I wanted, I am concentrating on outfits, and my newer dolls will have a line of beautiful, culturally influenced clothing. There will be accessories, large earrings, and headpieces. I am also learning how to make miniature flowers in different media.”

Relying upon her versatility and adaptability, the artist tackles all aspects of her dolls. “I always prefer making everything that comes with my doll,” she said. “All the wigs, the wings, the outfits, and decorations — I make them myself. I sometimes have a custom order from a friend who is a jewelry maker for silver shoes and some headpieces. I do use some bought furniture for display and photography purposes.”

She credits her husband, Rene, for coaxing her to improve her camera skills. “We spent lots of time learning photography together. I never edit my doll photos. All the pictures are done with the right camera settings, plus the game of lights and shadow. That takes a few tricks to learn — and I am still learning!”

Miranda is one of Maryna Skubenko’s latest figures. The doll combines ethereal beauty with elegant costuming.

Measuring 13 inches, Lilly is resplendent in her silk gown. She is one of Maryna Skubenko’s newest creations, and her wig choice was voted on by the artist’s Instagram followers.

Skubenko is sincerely touched by the opportunities, the colleagues, and the collectors that fill her life. She feels gratitude toward her family and friends made along her doll journey: “I have always been supported by my family. Sadly, the family got thinly spread over the years. I have my mom, Tatiana, and my husband, Rene, always there to support and cheer me up. I am grateful for the community of doll lovers. It’s not a big community, but it’s the most friendly and kind people. You’ll never get insulted or put down. I guess it is this form of art — it just gathers the best.”

When Skubenko reflects upon her past successes and her future aspirations, she can’t place a finger on what distinguishes her artistic endeavors from those of similar creators. Growing very philosophical, she said, “I believe it’s a combination of innocence and beauty that is typical to most dolls. Over the years, I’ve had some collectors who brought more than five of my dolls home. Why are collectors drawn to one particular artist’s style? I wonder if it’s an invisible thread. It’s an appeal that pulls them. It just can’t be put into words.”