Appreciating Life in polymer

Stephanie, one of the students in the Ohio Reformatory for Women polymer class created this lovely frame for the exhibit, Reflections from a Gated Community: Art from Ohio Inmates that opens at our local (High Road Gallery) gallery this Sunday. Reception from 2-4.

The black 10″ square wood frames were made by my husband and the inmates could decorate them with polymer however they wished. Because we can’t take glass into the prison, the mirror was added last. This frame is called Appreciating Life.

Seeing Stephanie’s children’s names and birthdays carved in the background bricks brought tears to my eyes as I typed the artwork’s label which reads, “The gifts of life, the beauty of nature and these three precious people make me who I am and remind me of what I have.”

The inmates have no internet available for tutorials, Pinterest and PCDaily.They have no tissue blades, nothing sharp, no fancy tools. They rely on books, occasional classes and their own creativity. Still their art is raw, powerful and full of conceptual content and personal meaning. In each class, I teach them techniques and they teach me about art and life.

Shout out to Lindly

I wondered why Lindly Haunani was sending PCD so many good links this month. Turns out she’s been convalescing and spending more time than usual online. She’s on the mend after quite a long siege but I know she’d like to hear from you all. Lindly will recognize that Stephanie’s been studying her color book! Appreciating Life, indeed.

Bright spots of polymer

You’ve probably figured out that sometimes I choose pieces to feature just because they’ll make a bright spot on the PCD site design. And some shapes are fun to cut out in Photoshop. I indulge myself.

Pavla Cepelikova’s organic brooch struck all the right notes and doesn’t it look pretty here? I have no idea how she’s making those patterned swirls. She adds sparkly bits in the crevices.

The brooch is part of her Ammonite series and she tells all in a tutorial on Etsy. You may remember that she offered her version of polymer batik a couple of years ago. Pavla shares lots of examples on Flickr and Pinterest.

Indulging

Speaking of indulging yourself, there are a raft of conferences coming up early next year. Need a treat to put on your gift list? The New Jersey Clayathon has a very attractive price tag especially if you register within the next two weeks.

Mondrian polymer

It was a rainy day and Baltimore’s Linda Loew had some time on her hands so she created this simple square bowl. Its mid-century, Mondrian vibes might make you believe it’s a 50’s ashtray but stubbing out your cig on polymer wouldn’t be smart.

The playful slump of the shape, the minimalist use of color, and the gilt edge combine for an artful, amusing, MadMen effect. Would you guess that the grid lines are transferred on? That’s my theory.

Linda prefers to fly under the online radar. You’ll have to befriend her on Facebook. The previous times that PCD has snagged her at conferences are here and here.

One-of-a-kind polymer

Sophie Arzalier (Cristalline) starts her holiday decorating with polymer that hints of enamels. The poinsettia petals and backgrounds are made with subtle blends that make them glow.

Sophie takes advantage of one sure-fire palette and combines the components in ways that make them each one-of-a-kind.

She shares her methods on her blog, on Facebook, and in her Etsy shop.

Home run

I’m hugging my computer and blessing my studio now that we’re home after too long on the road (extra time for ice). Now to sort the mail, take care of the dangling loose ends and retrieve the balls I dropped. Thank you for hanging in there with me.

Polymer clay angles

These polymer clay earrings from Lindsay Locatelli (WazoDesigns) are all lines and angles and not quite matching in a thoroughly modern way.

Lindsay sometimes carves wood and her expertise shows. We usually think of faceting using triangular shapes. Here she cuts straight down to form rectangular planes. Her use of climbing ropes for stringing beads is another favorite departure for Lindsay.

Go check her out on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s an earlier PCD feature.

Turkey Day

Happy Turkey Day from the USA via Marina Andrin from Serbia. It’s a small world.

Enjoy Marina’s menagerie in polymer on Facebook, Bahance, and Pinterest.

Let me share Mari O’Dell’s holiday greeting that reminds us all to remember that: ..

If your blessing is wealth, share it.
If your blessing is health, take care of it.
If your blessings are people, love them.
This season we see more clearly now we’re blessed by giving and receiving.
We know deep down what matters most is family and friends.

Parts, pieces, problem solving polymer

Don’t be fooled by this little quilt-like image of Heather Campbell’s mixed media assemblage that includes much sculpted polymer. You must envision it full-sized – a 4-foot square!

And be sure to look at Heather’s in-process photos like the one below to get a better idea of the size and complexity of the piece.

The heavily encrusted circles and spirals join into one piece called Keep Circling. This story speaks about the need to, “Keep searching for that space and place that gives you meaning and purpose. You are the only one that can recognize and identify your center as home.” she explains.

Heather says that, “All my assemblage pieces have a story, and it’s so much more fulfilling to me to work on something with parts and pieces, and problem solving.”

Heather refers to her style as Bohemian Nouveau, combining the free spirited characteristics of the Bohemian lifestyle with the decorative motifs of the Art Nouveau movement. Learn much more on her sites on Pinterest, Artful Home and Artists of Utah.

Polymer and hardware

Spain’s Fabi Perez Ajates shows off these pendant samples for her new classes. Great shapes and unusual hinges set off her rich textures and colors.

Like yesterday’s Patti Bannister, Fabi is a mixed media artist who jumps between painting and polymer. You can watch as Fabi smoothly shifts gears on her site.

I’m latching onto fast food wifi to post today as I travel for the holidays. Here’s hoping for good weather and safe travels for all of us.

Polymer with nine lives

North Carolina’s Patti Bannister considers herself a painter but when a tactile mood hits her she returns to polymer…and cats.

These mosaic pieces will make their way as jewelry on her Etsy site. See Patti’s whole range of work on Flickr. Patti’s example makes us appreciate our accommodating medium that allows us to stay flexible and switch gears whenever the mood strikes or the situation changes.

On the road again

We’re back on the road heading to family for Thanksgiving. Still itching from poison oak but happy to be driving east.

Op-art polymer

This March we looked at Bridget Derc’s polymer-covered bottle. This time the UK artist tackled a kleenex box, applying crisp stripes in punchy colors and geometric patterns that tease the eye. See more of her op-art polymer on Pinterest and Flickr and read about her on this gallery site.

Mojo tricks from the archives

Dayle Doroshow learned one of her favorite techniques from Kathy Amt at the 1996 Ravensdale conference. You can still see those collaged mokume gane steps in Dayle’s current work (as in this 4″ tile for the FIMO project).

She shares the instructions with the StudioMojo folks in a video this Saturday. Dayle also added a free Shoe Brooch video on her website.

There’s still time to join the StudioMojo fans for a look back at historic tricks that you might not be familiar with. Sign up now.

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