Daily tips about polymer clay art and artists from Cynthia Tinapple
Paula Pindroh from Lakewood, Ohio, joins the ranks of polymer clay illustrators (see the new category in the right hand column).
Artists like Meredith Dittmar, Doreen Gay-Kassel, Sylvie Perrin, Marcia Rocha and others take the clay in a direction that few of us pursue and many of us admire. Most of these illustrators started out working on paper and were lured to polymer because of its three dimensional possibilities and the immediacy of its color.
Thanks to Susan Rose for the link.
This bracelet from Portland's Wendy Malinow makes me smile. The deer hunters in my office stop in their tracks and ask how (and why) I have an antler on my arm. I've developed an elaborate spoof about soaking shed antlers in special solutions and then forming them. They can't believe it's polymer clay anyway.
It's one of the only pieces in my collection that I share with my husband who wears it when he's feeling particularly primitive.
Wendy's imagination has free range. A Google search will bring up lots of references to her book illustrations. Now she brings that same carefree and colorful spirit to her creations in metal and polymer. Be prepared to stretch your mind as you look at Wendy's other-worldly works.
Doreen Gay-Kassel has illustrated many stories and books in polymer clay (check out her list of stellar clients). She's adding these wonderful clay and wire sculptures which she calls "polymorphs" to her repertoire. And she'll be giving classes in her Hopewell, New Jersey studio.
Doreen's site is a treat and I can't wait to see what her poly morphs into. Thanks to Louise Fischer-Cozzi who sent Doreen our direction.
It's hump day….bliss out by taking a look at French illustrator, Sylvie Perrin who uses polymer clay to make fresh, witty scenes.
It's fun to compare cultures reflected in the Japanese sites from the post a few days ago to the French today to New York's Marcia Rocha (well actually, she's from Brazil) from a few months back.
The French site of illustrator Sylvie Perrin (aka Queen of Clay) shows characters and scenes that come alive with humor and a finely honed craft.
The tip comes from Véronique H. whose site is also a treat.
If you're challenging yourself to look beyond an altoids box, a votive or a frame to cover with polymer clay, take a look at this site for ideas.
There's a big contingent of artists in Japan who are using polymer clay for anime-like characters. The work is finely crafted and very cartoon-like. The whole movement is baffling to my very western mind and I'd love for someone to explain it more fully. It was Kiwis Belgium site that led me to Japan. Visit these sites and prepare to be intrigued.
Feeling a little prickly this Tuesday morning? These puppettinis from Monza, Italy are just the thing to make you grin. There's not much info on the artist. The little creatures are for sale and can be made into earrings. A look at the artist's calendar reveals a whole host of neatly done characters.
They serve as young and silly reminders that there's a big world out there that finds amusing things to do with polymer clay. Smile, and start your Tuesday out right. This tip came from Marcia Rocha, a kindred spirit of Puppettini's.
Portland, Oregon's Meredith Dittmar first started sculpting while trying to avoid getting her computer science degree. After graduating she worked as an interactive designer/programmer and her digital works have been shown in international film festivals, exhibits and magazines.
For the past ten years, she's put the digital realm on the backburner to pursue her three-dimensional passion. The first "guys" were made in 1994 when she discovered polymer clay.
Ever since that day, a steady flow has continued. Thousands have been created and no two were alike until the recent "clones" series. "Guys" are made out of premo and flexible sculpey.
They're quirky, colorful and fresh. And you can put them on your phone or watch a Converse Video (scroll through until you hit "Polymer Playground") of these creatures.
I was just going to lounge today but a hot tip from Jan Norwood sent me to funnysculptures.com and I just can't wait to introduce you to the work of this nutty polymer person. Marcia Rocha is a Brazilian-born artist now based in New York, if I'm reading her web site correctly.
If you're in the post-holiday doldrums, this will pick you up in a hurry. Thanks to Jan for the tip.
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