Polymer Clay Daily

Inspired by China

Bonnie Bishoff and J.M. Syron made this mahogany-and-polymer-clay-veneered "Sea and Sky Altar Coffer," for "Inspired by China, Contemporary Furnituremakers Explore Chinese Traditions," an exhibit which brings together 29 stellar examples of historic Chinese furniture, with 28 works made specifically for the exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.

There's a great companion web site that tells all about the show. It's exciting to hear Bonnie talk about her technique in the "Voices of the Makers" section. You'll find her talking in the "The Journey" video section and it's worth a listen.

The exhibition is filled with diverse interpretations of Chinese culture and tradition. It opened November 11 in Salem, Massachusetts and travels to the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Nov. 30, 2007 until March 31, 2008.

Luminous


Indiana's Camille Young is today's discovery by way of Naama Zamir in Israel. Small world.

Not only is Camille new to me (she's 25 and recently moved from Arizona to Indiana) but I was also unfamiliar with the Lumina clay which she uses. Camille says, "The clay comes only in transparent white so I mixed in acrylic paints to get all the different colors."

I'm absolutely tongue-tied about her work. Rather than try to explain it, you'll have to go look for yourself. Camille is a talent we'll want to watch closely. She's got lots of work on the web to see at Flickr, her own site and some art sites. Many thanks to Naama for the link.

And don't miss the short video on her blog (it's the first post under "blog"). 

Calm and balanced

Last I looked at Susan Waddington, I focussed in on her dogs painted on polymer. This time as I whipped through her site, I caught a glimpse of her pendants and bracelets.

She's got a nice way of combining companion pieces in balanced and eye-pleasing ways. And her colors are soothing. Take a look.

Neutrality

Election day and I'm on pins and needles. For relief let's head to some place neutral. How about Switzerland? Yes!

I just love the jewelry at the Essor Gallery. No polymer here but lots of ideas.

And for your polymer clay fix today try this MTV claymation. It cracks me up. I'll be calmer tomorrow.

Where does truth lie?

I live in Ohio for heaven's sake and of course I'm nervous about tomorrow's election. I need a distraction. I've got just the whacko thing for a whacko Monday.

This video (see the MySpace link below) of Seattle's Michael Leavitt's polymer clay poseable action art figures is wonderfully entertaining. To the left you see his Van Gogh with detachable ear and starry night palette.

According to Leavitt, "Truth lies in pure entertainment and simple beauty." Take a look and then spend some time on his web site. Pure entertainment, for sure.

Bay Area Show

Grant Diffendaffer sent word today that he'd be in this weekend's BABE Show (that's Bay Area Bead Extravaganza in Oakland, CA).

While you may not be able to get to California so quickly, you can rummage through the BABE Show links. I see that Christi Friesen, Janet Farris, Klew and others are in the show. And lots of suppliers are listed for those who want to shop.

Looks like Janet has added a great new Kabuki cane on her web site along with some terrific new mosaics and other treats. Watch her build the cane in a series of pictures. Very educational. Enjoy the weekend.

Good Company

This issue of Ornament magazine gives us all a boost. Not only are Ford/Forlano on the cover, but the magazine is full of our ilk…Winters, Dustin, Friesen, Van Helmert and some I've missed I'm sure (let me know if you spot them).

I'm not sure I understand the article about Ford/Forlano but I'm sure glad it's there and I have great respect for their work. I catch myself saying, "I remember when they were all about grids and tubes and cartoon colors" as I read that they've evolved from Nietzsche and Dionysus. So be it. I must have missed something along the way.

I'm awfully proud that our craft has attained such lofty heights. I love to thumb through the magazine and punch in all the web addresses. It's a great education.

Mouthwatering

Perlenkuche (bead kitchen) makes mouthwatering beads in Bern, Switzerland. Don't we wish our holiday cravings could be satisfied by these delicacies?

I'm amazed at how the ice cream of these two artists has such realistic texture. And their meringues! Hmmmm. No need to speak German to enjoy this site.

Thanks to paper mache artist Gabriele Kunze for the link.

Stilt Dancers

Christopher Malone's creations are an exciting hybrid of realistic dolls with amazing facial expressions of polymer clay and fantastical creatures with wild dress and embellishment. They range in size from 14-inch "magic hands" to 7 1/2-foot stilt dancers and are simply spectacular.

What a surprise to come across this Ohio-born artist who's living in Washington, D.C. Thanks to Kathleen Anderson for sharing the link.

Tip-of-the-hat

I'm looking forward to a vacation with polymer friends who are wonderful artists and some of whom produce works only for trade, for gifts and for the sheer enjoyment. So I doubt you'll find Colorado's Carol Simmons with a big web site any time soon but you shouldn't miss her work.

These two beads (photos of front and back) set on my window sill and are as wonderful to touch as they are to look at. I can't bring myself to drill holes in them.

Carol's an organizer, a mover and shaker and former president of the national guild. A Monday tip of the hat to those who quietly keep our craft moving forward.