Polymer Clay Daily

Hughes’ article in Ornament

The Path from Nothing to Something is the title of an article on Tory Hughes in this month’s Ornament magazine. Tory’s path usually leads to new levels of play, experiment and expansion and it should be a good read.

If the article and the delicious photos aren’t enough, you may want to consider Tory’s creativity retreat, Perception and Play, in France this fall. The two basic concepts of the retreat are:

    1. What you perceive leads directly into what you create and teaches you who you are as a creator.
    2. How you play teaches you to experiment, learn, integrate, expand and express without risk.

      Doesn’t that sound enticing? Find all the details here.

      Memorial face cane

      Today I had my own private meditation on Michael Jackson as I quickly built one last polymer clay face cane of him based on an illustration in the New Yorker magazine.

      Years ago, I remember my son feeling sick after celebrating his birthday with a black cake decorated with one white sequined glove made of frosting. Jackson’s music is entwined in our family’s growing up stories.

      I made a Thriller cane in the early 90’s, my black and white phase, and still have a chunk of it left. It’s still useable and the image still resonates. His death marks the end of an era. Have a look at my process here.

      Vanden Broeck’s metal techniques in polymer

      This colorful bangle by Belgium’s Moïse Vanden Broeck traps extruded canes between two polymer clay plates. Moise brings a metalworker’s eye to his polymer work as in this additional bracelet design and these rings.

      He also explains how to create a cutter tool using rotary blades which is an update on the original tube bead cutter by Elise Winters.

      Nice to have a few mental exercises to get us in shape for the studio week ahead.

      Wilder declares independence

      Wire-wrapping has been on my radar all week. Here’s one more in Dee Wilder’s (Malodora) Butterfly Wings polymer clay bracelet – a riot of colors, beads and wire combined into a noisy, noticeable bracelet.

      Dee credits a workshop with multimedia artist Mary Hettmansperger and a tutorial from Deryn Mentock for leading her to wire work. Dee’s sites show a wealth of dramatic works that range in tone from exhuberant excess to careful extruded and turned shapes to constrained micromosaics.

      In an Etsy interview Dee explains that, “I feel for the first time that I have reached a level of competence where I can control my materials. I’m not just trying to duplicate techniques and processes. I’ve never [before] stayed with a medium long enough for that to happen. I am able to visualize a finished piece and execute my vision. That might not mean much to most crafters and artists, but to me it is a giant breakthrough.”

      Enjoy Dee’s shower of colors like the Independence Day fireworks we’ll see this weekend!

      Ronna resonance and guerrilla crafts

      The eye-popping color of this polymer clay necklace by Austria’s Carina Feichtinger startled me as I plowed through the web this morning.

      Carina credits Ronna’s book for inspiration (see yesterday’s post) though it’s certainly Carina’s own colors and design.

      I was also touched by this guerrilla craft, polymer piece from LA’s Lauren Steven which was created for submission to Stampington as a part of Monica Magness’ “AdDRESSing the Situation” campaign to bring awareness of the murders of women in Juarez, Mexico.

      The front and back of her piece is shown here. See more of Lauren’s thoughtful works in her Etsy shop.

      Global polymer trends

      Julie Picarello’s “Boheme” polymer clay necklace reflects a little of a trend you may have spotted. There’s a looser, almost primitive style that’s gaining ground. French polymer artists excel at the look.

      Ronna Sarvis Weltman gives step-by-step instructions in her newest book, Ancient Modern, and in the past few weeks I’ve been stunned and delighted by the number of versions her book has spawned.

      When a style gets in the air, it starts popping up everywhere. I like how Julie has reinterpreted the wrapped wire look to go with her unmistakable designs (and she may have never seen Ronna’s book…I didn’t check).

      Grant Diffendaffer’s workshops have caused a similar phenomenon with experimental recursive molded beads popping up all over the world. Today was my day to catch up on the web and these global waves of new designs really struck me.

      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.