Whenever I'm stuck in the design doldrums, I head for France (well French web sites) to give myself a whole new look.
I'm not sure who's behind "Benita Loco" but the site is chock full of strange and interesting polymer clay creations. The technique is usually rough but the sensibility is self-assured and chic. And the necks of the models are always young and lovely.
If you tire of the polymer section, you'll find colorful treats in the rest of the site too.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stay focused on polymer in my web surfing last weekend. I ended up ordering books and CDs and this wonderful ring (actually, two are pictured here) from Dynomighty.com. Magnetic jewelry has always intrigued me and a magnetic ring offered too many possibilities to resist.
I'm hoping I can cover this baby with polymer clay. Think it's possible? My favorite magnet user is Cathy Johnston who closes her perfect miniature books/pins and purses (scroll down her class page to see this wonderful design) with magnetic clasps.
Look to the right on the home page. I've added a select list of recommended blogs in the right hand column. I'll keep the list short so as not to overwhelm you. These blogs are quite special. Happy Monday.
The person behind yesterday's "empty vessel" blog is none other than Susan Rose who's been forwarding terrific links to me for months! Small world. Beautiful blog. Bookmark it.
And of course she's sent a couple perfect links to round out our week of "intensity." While artworks made from fruit pits and spools of thread may seem a long way from polymer clay, they round out our week of demonstrating how what's in your head and your heart translate into art.
"Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art."
Leonardo Da Vinci
And a couple of links to intense sites (here and here). It's been a frantic day that needs some calm.
I usually stay away from the techniques and products side of polymer clay art but this tip was just too good to miss. The clank of the pasta machine handle hitting the floor is a familiar (and annoying) one.
Thanks to Debbie Woznick of Denver's Mile High Guild you may never hear that sound again. All you need is one of those strong magnets which come in the same diameter as the handle. Put the magnet on the end of the handle and insert it into the machine.
The magnet may fight you a bit as you approach the machine but with a little coaxing, it works. Supergluing the magnet to the handle is probably a good idea. I love a simple, elegant solution. Thanks, Debbie.
The topic of intensity seems to have struck a chord with readers. Take a look at a couple more along the same line. Harriet Estel Berman creates bracelets from tin cans and Kate Cusack makes pins from zippers. It's the "vision thing" that speaks loudly. These artists are following their own creative impulses and aren't waiting for the next new technique.
Since it's back-to-school time, here's one for homework. Visit the site of the Plastics Historical Society. The next time you're asked about when polymers were discovered, you'll be able to answer with confidence.
One of the characteristics that draws us to great pieces is intensity. Two polymer clay artists sent in this link to Jennifer Maestre who sculpts using colored pencils. They both found her works inspiring. I'll add Liana Kabel's jewelry made of Tupperware (or try this link) and Margaux Lange's series made entirely of Barbie doll parts as great examples.
This bracelet from Portland's Wendy Malinow makes me smile. The deer hunters in my office stop in their tracks and ask how (and why) I have an antler on my arm. I've developed an elaborate spoof about soaking shed antlers in special solutions and then forming them. They can't believe it's polymer clay anyway.
It's one of the only pieces in my collection that I share with my husband who wears it when he's feeling particularly primitive.
Wendy's imagination has free range. A Google search will bring up lots of references to her book illustrations. Now she brings that same carefree and colorful spirit to her creations in metal and polymer. Be prepared to stretch your mind as you look at Wendy's other-worldly works.
She's listed in the most recent issue of Los Angeles Magazine as one of the best things about the arts in LA!
Carolyn Potter is a multi-talented textile, metal, polymer clay and gourd artist. She's got a whole list of classes scheduled at the Barnsdall Art Center. (Here's a .pdf file of their fall brochure.)
Carolyn's polymer inlaid gourd looks like the epitome of fall to me. And if you're a Day of the Dead (or Halloween) celebrant, you'll love this link that Carolyn passed along. These sugar skull molds could certainly be adapted for polymer!
I should have taken more pictures at Monday's art show in Columbus. The level of the work surprised me. That's where I hit upon Pat Bolgar (yesterday's post) and Grace Stokes.
Grace doesn't have a web site but you can see more of her work in the recent Lark book by Katherine Aimone. Both artists showed remarkable facility at combining polymer and PMC.
Looking for links to Grace led me to the Ganoksin site which offers some tempting pictures and articles for the PMC/polymer folks out there. Be sure to take a look at the Ford/Forlano article.
