North Carolina’s Michelle Davis Petelinz helps us continue our observance of Black History Month with this sculpture called Munira, Ancestress of Radiance, part of her Ancestral Series
Michelle works in polymer and mixed media and has explored her African and Native American heritage in sculptures, tiles, wall art, bowls, and other mixed media pieces.
She describes her work as a fusion of art, spirit, and culture.
Atlanta’s Marcia Palmer makes pen sets that fly out of her Etsy shop. Having a matching base for each pen means that they stand a better chance of staying put on the desk.
Marcia textures and carves the imitative bone polymer and highlights it with paint.
Be aware that not all pen bodies covered with polymer can withstand the heat of the oven. Some melt into puddles of plastic (first-hand experience). Best to test an uncovered one first. Oh, and don’t put the ink cartridge in the oven. Big mess.
Marcia’s got a knack for bringing big style to the office.
When Dianne Quarles, an Atlanta based artist, was challenged to create a piece for a show on Black men, she discovered leather clay was the perfect solution. She created a piece titled, Remember Who You Are, inspired by Beyonce’s Black is King.
Dianne sculpted the face of a contemporary man mounted in front of a shield, reminding him of his ancestral African heritage.
Leather clay was perfect to create a shield that looked like real leather. Her work will be in the show, Fathers, Brothers, Sons at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta, September-October, 2020.
Posted by Dianne Quarles
“I call this the Turquoise Kente necklace because the polymer beads remind me of the traditional Kente cloth of Ghana,” says Beverly Poitier Henderson
The natural turquoise beads play well with their polymer counterparts which were inspired by Donna Kato’s mud cloth cane.
Posted by Beverly Poitier Henderson
Yes, I’ve really got the blues, not because I’m sad, but for the love of the rich blues of African Indigo-dyed textiles produced by the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
The hinged vessel pendant above is titled, Gathering of the Masaai, an ethnic group from Kenya and Tanzania. I love how they adorn themselves in layers of beaded neckpieces.
This mixed media piece includes African Indigo Textile, seed beads, and cane work. To see more of how I’ve had the blues over the summer, click this link…
Ohio’s
Debbie Jackson and I had a conversation today about recent events. We decided to lean into the discomfort of the issues that have been swirling around us to get some clarification and to be able to move ahead.
I knew I’d make some blunders (I did) and Debbie knew she wouldn’t have all the answers (she didn’t). But it was a start.
Debbie is exhausted and emotionally drained by recent events but she’s also hopeful that society can be repaired.
Come see how a black artist who has worked hard to make her living in polymer has plowed through a difficult landscape and succeeded. Debbie’s works are sold at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and she has taught and written, collaborated, and organized in amazing ways.
Her Miami University summer workshop (now postponed) is entitled “Culture on a String” and that says a lot about how Debbie envisions her polymer art.
Our StudioMojo interview was a start in my education and a necessary first step to better understanding and healing.
New Delhi’s Jaishree Choudhary (JudaMani) creates mostly items based on Indian themes. These masks have more of an African flavor.
The features are added with a few rolls for lips and eyes and sharp triangular-shaped noses.
The colors add drama along with carved and textured details. Looking at the mask bases may tempt you to try to create your own tribe.
Jaishree has been working for several years to bring realism to her polymer figures and faces. Even her unpainted tiles have great power in their simple shapes adorned with abundant and accurate details.
Where do I our ideas spring from? That’s one of the subjects we’ll look at in this weekend’s StudioMojo. We found a fun and surprising story about how “what goes around, comes around.” Come on over to StudioMojo for a smile and a surprise.
UK’s Dani Kirova (temptedbyartjewelry) has been feeling tribal with a series of masks and images.
You’ll find shield shapes, geometric ethnic caned patterns and echoes of Africa in her works on Instagram. Whether she’s carving or caning, these images are strongly imprinted on her spirit.
They jump out from her other works. Instagram’s presentation of many pieces at a glance give you a quick overview of work and allow themes to emerge.
Shannon Tabor (Charleston Clay Jewelery) uses her new silkscreen sparingly on these new Tribal Series post earrings.
One slim strip of Punchinella (sequin waste stencils) highlights the African colors and patterns.
See more photos on Facebook and Instagram. You can watch her work with some of these designs on a free video on YouTube.
See new work from Ohio’s Debbie Jackson on Facebook and on her Black Art in America page. She’s off to LA to sell these new works at the Pan African Film Festival.
A trip to Ghana injected Debbie’s work with renewed ethnic vibrancy and she mixes polymer with treasures she brought back with her. Her artistic aesthetic is rooted in Africa.
This new necklace includes polymer focal bead with eggshell mosaic, stick coral and African brass beads.
Debbie’s a vital part of our local Creative Women of Color collective that provides a creative connection with the community. Thanks to Jeanne Dumond for the link!
Tonight at 8:30 ET at Craftcast. Join us for a free event all about tools.
