Carol Johansen
Carol Johansen’s journey into the world of dolls began in childhood, shaped by a fascination with figures and a love of sculpting that followed her into college, where she minored in Art. It was only a matter of time before her passions—art and dolls—would merge into a career in professional doll-making.
In 1996, Carol discovered polymer clay, a moment that transformed her artistic path. She began creating lifelike dolls for family and friends, eventually offering them for sale through a local doll shop. For four years, she pursued this creative outlet until a career advancement and family responsibilities required her full attention. Then, in 2015, with more time and space in her life, Carol joyfully returned to her art.
Creating art dolls is more than a craft for Carol—it’s a calling. From initial concept to the final stitch, she relishes every step: sketching, sculpting, wigging, shoemaking, painting, and costuming. Mostly self-taught, she’s studied with established artists in-person and through online courses and continues to refine her sculpting with the guidance of a local figurative artist. For Carol, the pursuit of excellence is a constant—there’s always another skill to master, another detail to perfect.
Each of her dolls is a one-of-a-kind original, constructed with durable steel armatures and a custom-blended, carefully cured polymer clay. Costumes are crafted from fine fabrics and antique lace, embellished with hand embroidery, beading, and delicate details that enrich each doll’s narrative. Carol draws inspiration from nature, vintage photographs, life’s quiet moments, and the fairy tales she cherished as a child. To transform raw materials—clay, cloth, wire, paint, and imagination—into a compelling figure is, in her words, “pure magic.”
Carol’s work has been featured in Dolls Magazine, A for Artistic E-magazine, International Doll Artists Magazine, and the Dutch Poppen & Teddy Beer Magazine. Her artistry has earned numerous accolades, including First Place in the Professional Doll Makers Art Guild (PDMAG) Gold Awards in 2019 and 2022 in the Advanced Fantasy/Child category. She is a proud member of the PDMAG, the International Art Doll Registry, and joined ODACA in 2019.
She lives with her husband in a charming California beach town, where the nearby presence of her grown children and teen grandchildren provide daily joy—and some of her most enthusiastic (and honest) critics.