Another blast of polymer clay color and energy from Ponsawan Silapiruti (Silastones) finishes this otherwise white week. You must click on the image to get the full effect of this 6″x12″ wall piece made from cane slices.
Ponsawan explains that this technique is “…perfect for me who get bored easily and hate repetition, and can’t sit still very long.” Her Flicker site shows that even while she looks after her daughter she continues to produce work that reflects her heritage and her indomitable spirit.
For earlier posts featuring Ponsawan’s work, click here, here, and here. Have a colorful weekend.
by Cynthia Tinapple on January 29, 2009 · 3 comments
The blinding white snow outside makes me search for warmer polymer clay colors on my computer. Betsey Baker’s work on her new 1000markets site hits the spot.
On her blog (Stonehouse Studio) Betsy talks a bit about her online experience and why she’s trying various venues.
She says her new “Maya” series was inspired by the vivid colors of the Yucatan – the azure blues of the ocean, the yellow/greens of the lush vegetation, the desaturated reds and oranges of old hacienda walls and the texture of Mayan artifacts – and that’s just what I need today.
In the depths of winter Kate Clawson‘s green polymer clay tiles look especially appealing. Kate attaches one of these small gems to each of her business cards.
Her “Organic Odysseys” galleries include corn pens, cherry tomato earrings and nasturtium bracelets. Here’s her Etsy site.
Kate says that her local organic Quiet Creek Farm in Pennsylvania, “…sparked a greater interest for me to explore each plant and all its components on a level that is deeper than can be had by supermarket fare or produce stands.”
Pressing vegetation into polymer clay, Kate captures the minute details in each leaf and seed, allowing her to explore the layers of beauty in the simplest edibles. The finished work is like a modern day fossil that recalls memories of farm days and great meals.
by Cynthia Tinapple on January 27, 2009 · 3 comments
How did I miss this wonderful polymer clay Obama by France’s Sylvie Perrin? A cruise through her blog will have you amazed and laughing out loud. Her web site is today’s pick-me-up.
Speaking of smiles and pick-me-ups, have you seen the teapots on the latest Polymer Art Archive post? The teapot bodies were formed around sand-filled fabric bags. Rebecca Mazur created these delights in 1998!
Those of you who are captivated by today’s organics and undersea designs will want to look at what Australia’s Robyn Gordon was coming up with in polymer clay in 1981! Here’s our first post about her.
Tuesday is a good day for tidying loose ends and boning up on your polymer clay history.
by Cynthia Tinapple on January 26, 2009 · 1 comment
Two Finnish polymer clay artists, Petteri Leppikallio and Pörrö Sahlberg (Hiidet), have launched monthly challenges for themselves that they’re posting on their site. Their blog posts (this is just a small sampling) are becoming an online sketchbook and a visual glossary that they hope will inspire others.
This month Pörrö has been using two colors which she shapes into basic shapes using basic techniques. Petteri, a woodworker, has been exploring textures.
The ground rules for the year-long project specify that the ideas are more important than results.
“I need to study simplicity. There are tons of techniques available in the literature and the net, however I feel the simplest things and themes are somewhat unstudied. There must be lots of new ways to do old things and probably some new ideas rise from repeating the old ones,” says Pörrö.
With their studious and structured approach, their collaboration will be a fascinating one to follow.
