Roxanna Maria

The World of Fanciful Figurative Art

by Pam North

A resident of San Diego and former medical aesthetician, Roxanna Maria is a figurative artist known for her sculptures in polymer clay and paper clay. She embellishes her work with antique fabrics, modern pieces of metal jewelry, and other textiles to bring her pieces to life. All possibilities of any and all materials are embraced in her creations, enhanced by wool roving, mohair, and human hair in handmade wigging. All clothing including vintage mink and accessories are by the artist.
Roxanna Maria started in 1989 making porcelain 26-inch dolls, and she now specializes in 8-to-12-inch, polymer clay, one-of- a-kind, full figurative dolls. Her love of fairy tales fuels her imagination,  drawing her to storybook themes for many of her pieces. For the past 20 years, Roxanna Maria has been honing her skills, and she has become well-known in the industry for the realism that her craft conveys. She began sculpting in the early 1990s, and her creations have been featured world-wide, receiving high accolades and numerous awards. She has exhibited in many cities, and her works are in museums and galleries, Roxanna Maria also specializes in both portrait and commissioned work. 
“During the past 20 years of my sculpting career, I have been primarily a self-taught artist,” she explained. “I have been privileged to study with such artists as Lewis Goldstein, Jack Johnston and Mark Dennis, and I am keenly influenced by two of my favorite artists, Alberto Vargas and Ron Muick, whom I admire for their outstanding work and their impeccable attention to detail.”
“I am blessed to have a wonderful studio that has great light, a beautiful 50-year-old ficus tree outside one of the windows, and I can hear the birds chirping in the morning.” She finds her inspiration in life itself - walks on the beach, a drive though her neighborhood, and even just walking through a craft store. “I also am intrigued by significant moments in life that deserve to be captured, and I am passionate about displaying those moments through my art work. Emotion, personality and sentiment can shine through art when beautifully created by will and passion, breathing life into my art.”
She teaches workshops, usually through Cindy's Dolls, and also through Skype and private lessons in her studio. She sells her products to collectors through her website, and also does doll shows.
Asked how she views the future or direction of dolls, Roxanna Maria said, “Well, I know that ball-jointed dolls are very popular now, but what most people don't realize is that the first articulated dolls go as far back as 200 BCE, and the trend has continued rather than being new.  I still feel that the one-of-a-kind art doll never will be lost. The more scarce it becomes, the more it will be sought after.”
Her next projects include a series in paper clay called  The Seven Seas she currently is working on, and doing demonstrations at art events. “I love it when people are fascinated by my work, and then I educate them on how dolls are a fine art form, not just a craft.”
“What I find most fulfilling, and what makes me never want to give up, is when I see people connect with my work. It is truly special when you know that it has either brought a special memory to life for them, or it has simply touched their inner child.”
As a final note, she shared a bit of advice, saying, “If you are a collector, collect what speaks to your heart and soul. If you are a doll artist in any medium, don't ever lose your passion, and always create from your heart.”
Contact Information:
Email: Roxanna@roxannamaria.com
Website: www.http//Roxannamaria.com
Telephone: (702) 497-2112, (619) 303-9055
Address: 1700 Village Place Studio 36, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92103