Maureen Carlson examines her more soulful side in her new collection of polymer totems. She says it’s a relief to sometimes leave her sweet fantasy characters behind and examine other ideas, emotions and cultures.
These modern tribal images are based on her face molds. Further decoration and coloring with alcohol inks and pencils give them distinct identities and stories. She makes the process look loose and fun.
Maureen will be teaching her new totem designs as part of her narrative bead class at the Florida Fandango retreat next May.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG!!! i love them!!
I do love narrative jewelry!! thanks Cynthia!
Maureen! These are wonderful! It takes your obvious love of the human visage and updates it…or rather post-dates, in this case. Love the ancient vibe. Surely, there’s a story for each one.
Oh Maureen, your new work is beautiful! Brava! You inspire me to bring out my colored pencils and alcohol inks and play.
Keep ‘em comin’!
It’s always so fun to see my work pop up on PCD. Thank you, Cynthia, for the hard work that you put in to helping our community of artists connect with each other.
I love how each of our journeys through life is reflected in our work. Visual diaries.
Maureen! I don’t usually gravitate towards faces but man, oh man do I love these! Keep ‘em comin’ is right!
These are wonderful! Admittedly, I’m a sucker for ancient and primitive influences, but these are eye-catching in their own right.
I love these. I want to pick them up and play with them.
Maureeeeeeen, they’re so cool.
tejae
Maureen, these are so amazing cool!!! I love them!
Maureen, darling!
Fab faces!
So much expression and texture. Very Cool
Maureen is a wonderful artist and storyteller. I am so excited that she is teaching at Fandango in May . I hope some of her talent rubs off on us!
Wow, these are so wonderful, Maureen. They speak to my soul! I’ve been in the doldrums the past two weeks, haven’t created a thing, but I think I’ve been inspired by you to start again. Thanks so much!
My goodness, I can’t get enough of looking at these. So inspiring. I keep asking myself what it is that gives them such a tribal feel. They remind me of photos of African masks I was admiring in a book yesterday and yet they’re not masks but faces. How interesting.
Oh Maureen! I am enamoured of your new totems. You’ve captured such distinct personalities…wise, strong, aloof, disdainful, mysterious. I only wish I was there to admire them in person. Stunning, stirring work!