Meet the Artist ~ Amanda Riker
What is your name? Amanda Riker, but I also answer to Guen Where are you from? Wisconsin, USA Age? 28 going on 60 lol How long have you been customizing? I think since February? Or maybe March. Sometime this year. What got you started? A compilation of things, but the main reason was so then I could have something creative to do that was easy to put down. It's a bit hard being an artist and having a 6 month old lol What types of customs do you do? Pick something! I have been having so much fun experimenting and trying new things out! I do tend to lean toward fantasy themed things, but I will try anything once! What sorts of mediums do you use? I really like working on all parts of the dolls. Clothing, rerooting, face ups, body modification, there's just so many! I have been upgrading my materials though. I recently purchased fabercastel watercolor pencils and they are so worth it! I saw such an improvement on the quality of my face ups just by using something that wasn't walmart brands. Next on my list is artist grade pastels! Are there any products you just can’t live without? Mr. Super Clear, of course! When I started out I was a derp and bought Gloss Krylon Fixatif. Yea... don't do that haha! What is your most favorite custom that you have made? My favorite had to be Nila. She is in her new home with Casper11a, but she was so much fun to create!
What is your least favorite custom that you have made? She's not necessarily my least favorite, but Neave the 3 tailed Kitsune would be one I am unhappy with the face up. I love how her tails and kimono turned out, but I think I made her sealant a bit thick so her face is a bit faded. I will probably redo her face up one day.
A lot of beginners get so frustrated when their customs don't come out the way they want them to, and often compare themselves to their favorite artists and give up. Can you show us your very first custom? Don't judge! Lol
What is your most recent custom? I just finished one of the swap dolls, but I can't show you that one. The sea nymph is my most recent otherwise.
What is the worst injury you’ve had from working on customs? I've sliced my finger with an exacto knife before... took a while to make it stop bleeding. Who/What inspires you? Anything really. I do like to follow photographers, painters, and art accounts on IG and FB. Otherwise, inspiration can strike from anywhere for me. What projects are you currently working on? Too many! I literally have a to do list for dolls to make that's about 70 ideas deep! Haha! That's not including commissions, swaps, auctions and giveaways. Do you have any odd habits while working on customs? Well, I don't really know what would be considered odd. I haven't been doing customs for long enough to pick the oddities out I think. What types of art do you enjoy? It'd be easier to tell you what art I don't enjoy. Jackson Polluck. Andy Warhol. Georgia O'keefe. There ya go lol Do you take commissions? I do, though currently they are closed so I can focus on my own projects. Where can people see your work and contact you? I have a Facebook page: Fayetasia and an Instagram: @guenwyvhar Do you have any favorite tips or tricks? Not even kidding about this, but practice. Lots and lots of practice. It might not look the best when you begin, but the more you do it the better you'll get. Any advice for people just starting out? If you're really serious about starting in the hobby, don't skimp out on cheap stuff. I did that and I really wish I hadn't. To be fair though, I wasn't sure if I was even going to like customizing dolls!
