In these series of brief artist profiles, we hope to present you with new and exisiting doll artists. 

Colliii.com: Hello Ornella, why don´t you start by telling us all a little about yourself.

Ornella: First of all I would like to greet the doll lovers visiting this website and wish them all well with their work.
My name is Ornella Gavioli and I come from a little village in the north of Italy called Cameni. I am in my late 40´s and am a Chemist. I live with my children and husband, who I have to say has supported me a great deal with my Reborning art. He was the one that encouraged me to take the courses that I did to learn more about this wonderfull art form.

Colliii.com: How did you get into Reborning dolls?

Ornella: Quite coincidentally really. I used to work in an office and I liked to have a creative hobby to balance out the office job, so I used to make cloth dolls. One day while I was searching for cloth doll making tips on the internet I came across Reborn dolls, which fascinated me so much that I started gathering as much infomation as I could about them instead! I really wanted to make my own Reborn dolls and I got a huge amount of help from a fellow artist here in Italy Barbara Giannelli. She answered all my questions and my husband bought me my first Reborn doll from Rita Del Gaudio. I have to say that the first doll I made for myself wasn´t a particular success.

Colliii.com: How have you progressed since then?

Ornella: I have worked really hard at improving my technique. One other thing I do is to try to give each doll their own special personality, I think that is important so that each doll has a special "feel" for each collector.

Colliii.com: How do you get inspired to create or recreate a baby doll?

Ornella: I often buy baby magazines or books with babies in them. Another great way to get baby inspiration is to see babies in the street. It was quite funny really, I had to explain to the mothers why I was so interested in looking at their babies! So now nobody feels funny, but rather they think its sweet and some feel honored too!
The thing that inspires me the most is when I see the doll in front of me. I spend a long time looking at the dolls and then I can see how it will turn out.

Colliii.com: Which part of the Reborning process do you like the most? 

Ornella: Thats a tough question. I could say which phase I like the least! I am not a big fan of Rooting, but thats only because I am still not that good at it! I have a lot to learn still.

Colliii.com: What can you do the best then?

Ornella: To be honest I am not 100% sure as I am still somewhat of a newcomer. One thing that I am trying to learn now are the 3D painting effects. That takes a long time, but its worth it as the skin so looks realistic afterwards. 

Colliii.com: You are also involved in other art forms, what else do you do?

Ornella: I believe that there are many art forms, basically everything whereby the person expresses themselves through a certain medium. I have experimented with all kinds art forms, from Origami to pearl jewelry. As well as Reborning I also do a lot interior design work, for example I paint furniture and also do mosaics. I wouldn´t say that I was a professional artist though. I think people that dedicate their lives to art are amazing and for me real artists.

Colliii.com: Where can doll collectors and doll fans find your dolls?

Ornella: I go to some small exhibitions but I mostly sell over Ebay. I also have an internet page which you can see by clicking here  I do a lot of dolls for people that come to me and give me the specs of their doll too, which is great as then I dont have to worry about finding them! I always have to sell a doll in order to buy materials for the next but to be honest I am a bit sad to see them go!  

Colliii.com: We are sure the collectors appreciate your hard work and even more so when they know how much effort you put into it! We wish you all the best for the future!