Polymer Clay Daily

Australian Coast

Robyn Gordon’s vibrant polymer clay works depict forms in the Australian coastal and marine habitat. Her works are widely collected and shown. She says of her work:

My jewellery works often have elements of fantasy and the unexpected – bold additions to the body, an outward expression of the personality of the wearer. I like my works to sit well on the body, to be comfortable, to elicit responses from the viewer/observer – the walls of the body become a walking gallery.

The work on Gordon’s site spans 25 years and will take you some time to read through. I’m surprised that it’s taken us so long to discover this prolific artist. The link came to us via a French connection, Catherine Verdière. Thanks!

Liberating color

Imagine 250,000 polymer clay beads rolling down the streets of San Francisco. In this Sony video they’re actually colorful super bounce balls. The images are so fanciful and liberating that they had to be shared. You may have seen the ad during the Super Bowl but it’s worth a second look.

And on a more serious note, two reminders from the National Guild.

First, they’re rebuilding their web site and would appreciate having lots of pictures of members’ work. If you’re willing to share pictures from your web site, drop the webmaster an email giving her (Barbara Forbes-Lyons) your permission. Or if you have digital pictures that aren’t already online, send them along.

Second, the Progress and Possibilities 2007 entries deadline is creeping up on us. April 1 will be here before you know it. Diane Villano is waiting for your paperwork.

Transcending

Snooping around in Paula Pindroh’s portfolio and her home site is like returning to childhood. Her polymer clay illustrations are playful and open.

Paula’s blog shows her latest work, including a peek at her preliminary sketches. She also writes about her other pasttimes…one as a parttime cookie decorator for a Cleveland caterer.

Paula’s skill translates perfectly into edible delights. The cookies are works of art. Scroll way down her blog page to see them all. Whether it’s illustrations in clay or cookies in sugar, this artist’s vision transcends her materials.

Blackburn Book

If you need a "hit" of polymer clay inspiration, you’ll want to take a look at this new book from England’s Carol Blackburn. She has a way of taking standard techniques and enlivening them with her own vision. I’m a big fan of her backfilling tips.

The book is a colorful treat that’s laid out in a way that makes every step obvious and clear. True to its title, the book focuses more on beadmaking than on the construction of finished pieces. This isn’t a project book, it’s a hefty primer for beginners and accomplished clayers alike.

If you’re in a listening mood, be sure to tune into Alison Lee’s Craftcast chat with Donna Kato who talks about work that transcends the material it’s made of. Nice concept to ponder this weekend.

One glass

One glass of wine with my Valentine’s Day dinner and my head feels like this today.

It’s comforting to look at Steve Chipman’s Flickr photos and see his sculpted polymer clay heads progress. Perhaps I’ll feel more like "Doris" at right by noon. A brief Google of Chipman shows him to be a polymer sculptor and a web developer, or as one fan called him, a "javascript deity."

Fun stuff to browse. Talk amongst yourselves. I’ll be back tomorrow.

Wall Dancers

Keri Joy Colestock creates series of polymer clay "Wall Dancers" that are colorful and lively. The optimism of these creations is surprising since they were started in response to a health challenge.

I wish I could zoom in on the pictures and get a better grasp of Keri’s techniques. But techniques aside, these wall pieces are terrific to look and show a quirky, resiliant spirit as well as a fine command of color and shape. Thanks to Susan Rose for starting our Tuesday so brightly.

Mosaics

The Society of American Mosaic Artists has awarded Laurie Mika’s "Hope Springs Eternal" the top award in Best Two-Dimensional category in SAMA’s 2007 exhibit on display at the Mesa, Arizona Contemporary Arts Center March 20th through April 29th.

In the middle of cold Ohio, I find myself daydreaming about Laurie’s mixed media mosaic class in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico April 1-8 (there may still be openings). Her stamped, painted and collaged polymer clay tile assemblages are full of color and energy. Keep your eye out for her Mixed-Media Mosaics book which is coming out later this year.

Dialogue


These recent works by Jeffrey Dever at Mano Gallery round out the week. Like yesterday’s artist, Jeffrey starts with organic shapes and translates them. Says Dever, "My quest is not to replicate God’s finest gifts of flora and fauna, but merely to enter into the dialogue."

You need to see and touch Dever’s works to appreciate his craftsmanship. The patterns and lines are not surface decoration or paint, but carved or incised details backfilled with contrasting colors of clay, cured at each stage. An individual piece can easily go through 20 to 30 fabrication/curing cycles and take weeks to complete.

Pendulum Swing

We’ve gone pretty far into sweetness and fantasy this week. Time to swing back to the organic world, to science and the unseen richness and beauty of the sea as illustrated by a Seattle artist. Take a look at Carolyn Zick’s polymer clay radiolaria.

Radiolaria are microscopic plankton, single cell organisms whose delicate variations and beautiful forms Zick was compelled to draw and recreate. Her show, Pale Sun, displayed these and other works created while she was an artist in residence in Listagilio Center in Akureyri, Iceland.

Thanks to Susan Rose who linked us to this walk on the wild side.