Polymer Clay Daily

Graham’s polymer watercolors

In these two 8″x10″ polymer clay paintings, Pittsburgh’s Denise Graham says that, “Achieving a watercolor effect was a delightful challenge.”

Denise has been painting with polymer clay for years and was looking for a way to return to her roots as a watercolorist.

Alcohol inks and acrylic paints enhance the overall effect in Summer’s Fruit. In Spring Blossoms, she uses pastels and mica powders to create the subtle background hues.

See additional paintings on her Flickr site and read a bit more about her methods. Thanks to Carol Shelton for the reminder to take another look at this unusual use of polymer.

Tabakman’s robotic polymer

Laura Tabakman’s latest creation contains 10 mechanisms and computerized polymer clay shapes that undulate, grow and spin on a 3’x6′ base.  See the video here.

Her robotic piece, called Flora, resembles a moving Monet and won best of show at the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s exhibition.

Over the past few months Laura’s been developing organic shapes both in her installation art and in her jewelry (as in this “Cascade” necklace) paying special attention to how the pieces move as they’re worn or approached.

The chronological organization of Flickr gives us a snapshot of an artist’s progress and I think it’s safe to say that Laura’s having a growth spurt.

Thanks to Susan Lomuto (DailyArtMuse) for the link. Have an invigorating weekend.

Samsonova’s polymer glows

Click on this polymer clay necklace to see how glow-in-the-dark can be both fun and sophisticated. Elena Samsonova is a Russian-born Connecticut artist who has lately been reviving and updating 60’s psychedelic canes, making them trendy again.

Her Flickr collection shows her recent bright, bold palette. In one departure from color, Elena created white “animal beads” covered with slices of simple line drawing canes (inspired by an Ikea shower curtain) that are incredibly charming.

We last visited her in 2007 when wirewrapping was her focus.

Here’s her blog in English and if you want to see her work-in-progress, visit her Russian site.

Sim’s polymer fights fear

Singapore’s Garie Sim is fighting fear with polymer clay and humor. The illustration at the left shows the H1N1 virus being attacked. If you look closely under our microscope you will see that the attacker is Garie’s polymer creation at the right.

His knife-wielding creatures are called the H1N1PC virus and they shout the battle cry, “Don’t whine, we will take out the swine.”

You might guess that Garie works with children. If you scroll down his blog you’ll see wonderful pictures of his young students standing proudly with their polymer works.

You can understand why Garie is combatting the fear virus with hope and cheer. Thanks to Lindly Haunani for the link.

Petrova’s summer polymer blooms

Russia’s Olga Petrova sent in these links to her polymer and DecoClay work and her flowers hit the spot for a lovely summer’s Tuesday.

DecoClay is an air dry polymer clay most popular beyond the US borders, particularly in Japan, Thailand and Russia.

Put down that cane, stop rolling that bead or sculpting that doll and take a look at these lovely bright blooms from Russia. Olga’s site translates nicely and gives you a look into the vibrant polymer community there.

If you have some time and want the full tour, click on some of her links to other clay sites.

Polymer rocks!

The response to our polymer clay and wood works at the local artfair (a few more pix here) was rewarding beyond our expectations. An article in the local news prompted old friends and neighbors to come see what we were up to.

The debut of my polymer clay rock line (called the Wilma Flintstone collection by my husband) was so enthusiastic that even the little rock cairns I created to enhance the displays ended up being hot items.

They’re not just my rocks, of course. I blame Kim Cavender for first showing me some rock tricks, and Tracy Holmes for her west coast versions. Betsy Baker makes great pebble earrings and Tory Hughes is widely recognized as the creator of the finest faux. Thanks to all of them and many others for their inspiration.

Gazzera no-holds-barred polymer

Just what we need for the weekend, a bit of saucy, no-holds-barred polymer clay jewelry from France’s Sandrine Gazzera. It’s been three years since we visited her site which is filled with great fashion shots and dazzling color. No translation needed!

I’m ready for my show this weekend but it hasn’t left me much time for you, dear readers. Ronna Weltman sent me the link to Sandrine which was just the thing. A creative breath mint!

Buhrman’s polymer mandalas

Texas’ Susan Buhrman (Three Eye Studio) designs dimensional polymer clay mandalas on 7″ squares. She explains that her work, “…reflects the soul’s yearning for balance and symmetry.”

I’m particularly frazzled today as I prepare for a weekend art show. Susan’s mandala pictured here, Just Before Dawn, caught my eye and calmed me down.

Take a look these unusual polymer constructions on her Flickr and Etsy sites. Her dream is to complete an installation of hundreds of mandalas for public view.

Patriotic polymer

There’s talk of fireworks and picnics and I’m feeling all red, white and blue. Stars and stripes canes make simple, fail-safe beads. Look at these simple little ones from Arizona’s Barbara Handy who does a brisk business in summertime polymer clay flip-flops.

Lance Perry’s (Crescent Hill Designs) polymer clay Uncle Sam and Firecracker sculptures will, he hopes, “…ease one’s growing pains by taking them back to their childhood, if only for a moment.”