Anna Sheva’s Dolls Embody Multiculturalism and the Inner Charm of Children
By Stephanie Finnegan
When you think of a walking contradiction, what springs to mind? Perhaps Anna Sheva should bounce to the front of that definition. Hailing from the cold, blustery climes of Moscow, Russia, Sheva has found peace and tranquility in the warm, sunshiny city of Boca Raton, Florida. She comes from a land associated with snow and ice and is now living the dream in a sun-soaked, pastel paradise. “Boca Raton is a beautiful coastal city with amazing weather,” she said. “It is known for its golf courses, parks, and beaches. Influenced by the remarkable architect Addison Mizner, Boca Raton was built around a beautiful Mediterranean Revival style, which later grew into a vibrant city full of rich art and culture.” Sheva is one of the many artists who is thriving in this locale, and she credits her adopted state and country with her motivation.
“When I first started making dolls, I made only Caucasian dolls, because that is all I knew growing up in Russia. Once I moved to the United States and saw the diversity and the beauty of biracial and mixed-race children, I felt so drawn to and inspired by them and their beauty. So, I started studying different, darker skin tones and experimenting, coming up with my own painting techniques,” Sheva shared.
The dolls that leap forth from Sheva’s imagination are a testament to the remarkable individuality and unique loveliness that coexist in the world. Her dolls mirror the faces, attitudes, personalities, and charisma that children from all backgrounds convey. They are a buffet of expressions and possibilities. Sheva said, “I believe that the beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people. And, unfortunately, diversity is still underrepresented. So once I created my first biracial doll, which was about eight years ago, I got such an amazing and overwhelming response from people all over the world. This reaction inspired me even more to keep creating them, and I have been creating mixed-race and multicultural dolls ever since.”
Sheva arrived in the U.S., on her own, when she was in her 20s. At her university in Moscow, she had studied hospitality and linguistics. Educated to understand people’s concerns and needs — and blessed with empathy and concern — she used her talents and knowledge to pursue a brand-new path. She had become bewitched by the world of reborn art. “I have never taken any art classes. I am completely self-taught. I started taking an interest in doll art only a few years after moving to the U.S. and then discovered a world of lifelike reborn dolls. I chose to learn this craft all by myself and have learned a lot along the way!”
In 2020, she received two Dolls Awards of Excellence for her version of the Yannik doll by Natali Blick. These accolades are especially impressive because Sheva had begun her reborn journey only 10 years prior to her double win. From the moment she began painting and restyling dolls, she swung open a gate to her inner desires. Her internal impressions became real. “The desire to create has always been one of the deepest yearnings of my soul,” she said. “Creating dolls and beauty is something that makes me breathe with a different kind of happiness, and it allows me to express myself in ways that words cannot. It is not just a hobby for me. It is a calling and a passion that drives me to create and bring beauty into the world!”
Her enthusiastic collectors agree with her wholeheartedly. When they adopt one of her creations, they often correspond with her to show off photos of their new additions in their new homes. They are overjoyed to have these seemingly alive dolls join their treasured collections. “The biggest appeal of my creations, I believe, is how lifelike they are. I have been told over and over by collectors that it is almost as if my dolls have souls and they are alive.” Sheva is touched with gratitude when she hears these compliments, because these dolls pour forth from her “heart and soul” as well.
“I have done custom orders before, and will do some from time to time, but I do love creating from the heart, not from orders. I create from what I see in the world around me. My biggest inspiration has always been babies and children. Sometimes it will be a random beautiful baby or a child that I see in real life whose beauty catches my eye and touches my heart so much that I just have to pick up that brush and let my creativity flow!” Sheva said.
Over the years, her child dolls — from newborns to those upward in age — have captured customers’ attention because of their physical authenticity. It’s a believability that extends from the skin tone and beneath it, too. It’s not just the dolls’ outward appearances; they also seem to have an inner life. Sheva said, “I study lots of pictures and videos of children, who inspire me to create a certain doll, and then I do my best to convey that personality into a doll I am creating. I get my inspiration from pictures of beautiful multiracial children that I see on social media.”
Currently, Sheva works with vinyl dolls as her medium of choice — “Vinyl is my favorite,” she said. She considers the personalities and the looks of the dolls and their “je ne sais quoi” when she dresses and accessorizes them. “I don’t make their outfits myself, unfortunately. I wish, but it takes me way too much time, which I don’t have. I order everything, mostly on Etsy, or buy beautiful kids designer outfits for them.”
It is sweet to envision Sheva studying her creations and then selecting the ideal outfit to complement their appearance and attitude. A mother herself in real life, she has practice in juggling professional demands and familial obligations. “Besides being a doll artist,” she said, “I have been a full-time mom of three children for the last 12 years. It has been a bit challenging for me to find balance between motherhood and being a doll artist. I have three kids — Adelle, Oliver, and Emma — and three cats. My family have all been supportive, but they have nothing to do with dolls or the arts.”
Yes, Sheva is a study in contradictions and unexpected achievements. She was a new arrival in a completely different land, but she immersed herself in the differences and found herself in the process. She is honored to think her reborn and beautifully painted reimaginings are influencing a new generation: “The nicest compliment I have ever received for my artwork was probably how my dolls inspire people to start creating — and not only creating dolls but also creating all kinds of art! I am grateful.”
