Spring in this hemisphere means that creepy, crawlies are gathering. New Mexico’s Gael Keyes has taken note with her own series of marvelous creatures that wander across lapels and collars.
Gael’s versions are made from her cane bits and scraps but there’s method to her madness. She cuts slices of leftovers into patterns that match, much like Mother Nature. Here’s more explanation on Facebook.
New Mexico’s Gael Keyes works with the garage door open. It’s no wonder that she is visited by bugs.
She gently returns her inspirations back outside as she makes her own fantastical versions from leftover patterns and bits of shimmer. They’re delightful and harmless.
Get up close and personal with this polymer grasshopper brooch from Ohio’s Debbie Jackson to appreciate the patterns and the colors. The piece was a commission.
Don’t get too close. The creature is based on a species from India (Poekilocerus Pictus) that spits a jet of liquid at those who come too near (Debbie didn’t include that feature).
Even if you’re squeamish about bugs, you’ve got to admit that these guys really know how to dress in stripes and dots. Debbie has captured him in all his glory. Here’s Debbie on Instagram.
Oh wait! The bug at the right is real! Debbie had posted her in-progress shots in a Facebook group and I missed them. Thanks to Debbie for the clarification.
Sometimes watching an artist’s hands is so instructive and calming.
That’s what Canada’s (BC) Wanda Shum does in this 3-minute bug-building video. She’s in control, she knows what she’s doing. Sigh! Relax and watch.
Wow, that bug’s got a lot of wings! Who knew?
Wanda uses the littlest bits of canes to build an extravagant creature. Lots of wild variations crawl around on her site.
Russia’s Daria Telegina (Balambeshka on IG) is smitten with moths.
Her Facebook and Instagram are filled with these exotic creatures which she refers to as cute things.
Each one is more complex than the last with exquisite details on their polymer wings, cane-slice antennae, and minutely textured bodies.
Don’t you wonder how she became fixated on moths? What do you feel compelled to make and why?
You probably have some questions about how France’s Cécile Bos (11prunes) creates these delicate canes.
How big are the original canes (these seem impossibly small), what’s her inspiration?
Cecile intends to mix up these canes. The white background surrounding each of them ensures that she can combine the elements into a larger botanical image.
Here’s a previous similar cane to give you an idea where she’s headed. Cecile brings a fabric designer’s sensibility to polymer. We are used to kaleidoscoping and repeating designs. These are complex canes from a different perspective.
Forgive the pun. It was just too easy to smile and wince and admire this ambitious and detailed cane from Israel’s Edith Fischer Katz.
On her Instagram, she has compiled several in-process shots that document how she built the components for this large complex cane.
Edith uses these components in sculptures that are often edgy and alarming. See how she used an earlier crow cane here. Who knows what plans she’s hatching for the fly?
New Mexico’s Gael Keyes (@keyesgael) focused on bugs at last year’s Clayathon. This year she’s added outrageous fish and birds to her repertoire of wildlife.
Gael developed her own cane style that she pattern-matches in the Natasha bead way (here’s a quick tutorial) to create feathers, fins, and wings.
During the holidays she turns to her own brands of angels that you can see on Facebook.
These magnificent moths are winging their way to the Philadelphia Museum of Craft Art Show. They’re new from Maine’s Bonnie Bishoff.
Bonnie’s combinations of caned bits and scrap stripes on the wings completely tickle me. And the shapes are spot on. It makes you appreciate moths. Usually, they’re the ones making scraps of our sweaters and woolens.
Enjoy them up close on Instagram.
Albuquerque’s Gael Keyes envisions fantastical bugs in polymer. Since her retirement from teaching last year, Gael has branched out into dolls and sculpture. It’s her bugs that keep crawling onto her Instagram and grabbing attention.
Gael collects her scraps and twists the colorful bits into Natasha canes. Sliced in half, matched, and shaped, these canes become wonderful wings, legs, and heads. She adds a few beads and wires for legs and antennae.
Insects come naturally to Gael and her bugs are quite beautiful. Scroll down her Instagram to see her fall and winter creatures.
