Ogle Kathleen Dustin’s latest line of handbags at the Smithsonian Craft Show this weekend (or just study them on Instagram).
She’s been refining the closures and getting fancy with the carrying strap. Kathleen even has one she agrees is “cute.”
I’m winging my way west for a few days of sun and grandsons.
Kathleen DeQuence Anderson’s Forming to New polymer heart box will be part of this year’s Black Creativity Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago during the month of February.
The box will be shown along with the works of 99 other African American artists from across the US in the nation’s longest-running exhibition of African-American art.
She started making heart boxes when her aunt died unexpectedly. Kathleen quickly created a piece in which she and others could write heartfelt parting messages. The boxes have evolved over the years and here’s her gallery of samples, her shop and her Facebook link.
This box was designed with the exhibition’s innovation theme in mind. Its rich colors, patterns and textures represent the stimuli, conversations, discussion and collaborations that feed the innovation process.
We move from funny things to secret things. Madrid’s Fabiola Perez Ajates makes inros in surprising shapes with hidden openings.
These are from her April class. Her class photos are practically a class in themselves. You can oggle all all the tools in the background and admire the techniques the students are trying.
Fabi’s story is a fascinating one. Did I mention that it’s in the book along with a step-by-step of one of her ingenious creations?
Vancouver’s Joan Tayler likes to make polymer art that is both decorative and useful. It’s not surprising that she’s recently turned to inro covered with cane slices. This refreshing blue and white series shows how much interest and variety can come from a repertoire of patterns in a simple color palette. “My favorite patterns are greatly influenced by the eight years I spent in Japan,” she explains.
She shares a poignant moment when as a child she proudly sculpted a perfect horse sculpture. Joan’s elation was immediately followed by disappointment when she realized that the soft play clay wouldn’t survive.
You can imagine her pleasure when, years later, she discovered polymer clay. She says, “Polymer clay, like most visual art mediums, attempts to freeze a moment. For my purposes it does it very well; it makes me happy.” Joan still makes horse sculptures.
Can you relate? Why do you work in polymer?
Loretta Lam has done some spring cleaning on her web site and added new works – like this graceful egg-shaped inro. The balance and colors of her pieces are soothing.
Read more about this Niche Award winner here.
Thanks to Ronna Weltman for the link. Have you seen Ronna’s new book? It just came out and it’s great.
After a hectic spring weekend, a splash of Portugese color in this inro from Xana and Te (Alexandra and Teresa) is just what I need to start my week. What sets this work apart is the attention to detail and the way the onlay pieces are carefully positioned and applied. I particularly like the subtle Skinner blend in the background. Have a happy, colorful Monday.
