Polymer painting with feeling

Deborah Stanley paints feelings with polymer on PolymerClayDaily.com

Kentucky’s Deborah Stanley exhibits this 14.5″ x 17.5” polymer portrait of Breonna Taylor entitled Remember in KORE Gallery in Louisville.

Like many of us, Deborah began a project with her young son. She was soon hooked on polymer. “For my first several years as an artist, I exclusively created abstract designs, always determined to let go/let flow with the clay.”

A portrait commission challenged her to express herself and to create a likeness. This pivotal moment taught her that she could put both a likeness and feeling in every piece of art.

This week was packed with online classes and conferences. Ideas and tools and tips zoomed around and we’ve snatched some up for StudioMojo. We’ll be chock full of luscious links. Subscribe now and gear up for Spring.

Handy polymer and a global exhibit

Kathryn Corbin solves a problem and sets up an exhibit on PolymerClayDaily

This quirky, abstract pendant from Massachusetts’ Kathryn Corbin is both decorative and efficient when you have no pockets and a house littered with reading glasses always out of reach.

Kathryn solved her problem in an arty way. Bits of pattern, some rough texture, and colors that go with everything ending in a loop for hanging readers. Why be boring? We’re artists!

Kathryn loves to experiment in the studio and she sent this and pix of other juicy projects along to prove it.

We were chatting about the IPCA global interactive exhibit in February. The deadline for submission is January 15 which gives you plenty of time. Lots of categories and awards! Not an IPCA member? Join here.

Putting your own stink on a technique

Valerie Anderson's abstract brooch plays with colors and shapes on PolymerClayDaily.com

Scotland’s Valerie Anderson (bedeckedbeads) has played and played with Sonya Girodon’s free tutorial. With this latest brooch, Valerie puts her own spin on the process with deep watery colors.

And if you look at the side view you’ll see how her curved strips add another departure. When you put your own “stink” on a technique and take off in new directions, you make it yours. Here’s Valerie’s shop.

I’ve run across such an astonishing array of new work that we will have to ponder what’s happening in this week’s StudioMojo newsletter. It’s as if you’ve been unleashed! Are you feeling it? Come see where polymer is headed.

Coloring outside the polymer lines

Deb Groover arranges bakes stripes into a vibrant polymer painting on PolymerClayDaily.com

Florida’s Deb Groover (@debortinastudio) has loosened her approach to painting with polymer on wood. She cures these quickly formed bright stripes, arranges them on a wood substructure, and finally paints the background.

I didn’t think she could create her large paintings in a more loose, vibrant way but she’s managed to do just that in recent works. They’re more abstract, more geometric.

Whether it’s beaches or birds or just stripes, there’s a lively attitude that permeates her paintings.

Here’s my old video interview with fuzzy audio (the microphone slid down her blouse). Persist through it for an explanation of this former ceramic artist’s unfettered style in polymer.

Cheeky slab polymer

Katie Long brings Brooklyn to Australia on PolymerClayDaily

Australia’s Katie Long (Hellotherecheeky) wakes up your Wednesday with this in-your-face color palette.

You’ve probably noticed how fond the Aussies are of what they’re calling “Slab Polymer” (google it). Lay down a base slab of clay and layer on tiny pieces of design. Flatten and cut out shapes you can use. They’ve become masters at it.

It’s the punchy, fearless colors and layers of abstract elements that set off a big YES in my gut. Katie adds a coat of resin for shine. She’s on Instagram here. This collection is called “Brooklyn”…gotta love that.

Modelling statement earrings

Vanessa Dunn lets photos do the talking about her earrings on PolymerClayDaily.com

Philadelphia’s Vanessa Dunn (XENIASTUDIO) calls these her Wave earrings. She’s paired up with a Philly-based ethical clothing company who had their model wear her abstract polymer earrings in a shoot.

Her earring designs blend beautifully with Voloshin’s breezy billowy cotton designs.

Vanessa sprinkles shots of her earrings on models throughout her Instagram to great effect. Photos on models say much more than a straightforward description.

She sells on Etsy.

Abstract earrings

Pickled Ginger makes wearable abstract paintings on PolymerClayDaily.com

A visit to Bonnie Gilmore’s Hatching Sparrows led me to the mother lode of Australian polymer artists. We may have to mine this all week.

But I digress. These merrily collaged earrings are from Fee’s Pickled Ginger though they’re mostly sold out.

Flat thin cutouts of leaves and feathers are bunched with brightly patterned narrow slivers that hang from a dot.

It must be like wearing a moving abstract painting.