Polymer Clay Daily

Colorful unraveling

Alessia Bodini explores euphoria and discouragement on PolymerClayDaily.com

This is the final 8″x8″ wood panel in a series of four from Italy’s Alessia Bodini.

The mixed-media grouping is called “The Genesis of Euphoria and Discouragement: Circular Work in Four Squares “.

Alessia Bodini explores euphoria and discouragement on PolymerClayDaily.com

In the final square, the extruded strips come undone, unraveled…but in a joyous, freed way. The surfaces of the extruded strips are shaved to reveal more depth of color.

It’s kinda like our lives right now….coming unraveled in what we hope are interesting ways. If you search Alessia on PCD you can track some of the unusual, quirky ways she plays with clay. Here she is on Instagram.

Quirky challenge

Barbara Nalepa's quirky characters enliven a 10-day challenge on PolymerClayDaily.com

Sweden’s Barbara Nalepa was nominated by EvaMarie Törnström to take part in an ad hoc challenge for 10 days.

Barbara Nalepa's quirky characters enliven a 10-day challenge on PolymerClayDaily.com

Barbara’s creatures have a wild and funny demeanor with an unexpected sprinkling of shimmering glitter from what may be low-fire enamel powder on polymer.

Since the challenge specifies that the artists don’t have to explain a thing, it’s hard to determine all that’s going on. Perhaps Barbara will elaborate on her quirky characters later.

More characters roam through her Facebook.

The art you need

Laurie Mika's Corona series shows us the power of art on PolymerClayDaily.com

Yes, we featured Laurie Mika’s Corona series just recently. But I need her works just now.

One friend dies, a neighbor tests positive and moves to hospice, a husband fights cancer. And I’m in Ohio, a state that is behaving responsibly!

Laurie’s art presses all my buttons. Wish us well today.

You may have been skeptical about the effect your polymer art can have. Laurie shows you how powerful it can be.

Polymer packs a punch

Anita Kennerley gets in your face with her polymer message on PolymerClayDaily.com

Georgia’s Anita Kennerley shows how polymer can pack a punch. She calls her 4 1/2″ round piece Rona Rules. Crocheted red dots are tucked in between textured and torn bits of silver clay with a tattooed fist that gets in your face with a message.

What a powerful way to emphasize the number one rule for fighting this virus.

Anita has great spirit and she never pulls her punches. Here she is on Facebook.

What will 2020 look like?

Nadia Elkina points us toward the future of polymer on PolymerClayDaily.com

Will 2020 polymer look more like Poland’s Nadia Elkina’s mosaic brooch? Dimensional, mixed, polychromatic?

It’s hard to tell which elements are which medium. And who really cares? It’s the overall snap, crackle, and pop that makes this piece compelling. Look even further ahead on IG here.

Join us this weekend over at StudioMojo where we’ll have our eye on new and interesting directions we can expect in polymer 2020. Who can predict? We’re gonna try. Come on over and add your two cents.

Seeing what she feels

Lynn (Whimsyatwork) likes others to see what she feels on polymerclaydaily.com

Florida’s Lynn (WhimsyAtWork) offers us Love and Peace with this outstanding mixed media wall piece.

Layers of handmade papers and fibers become the background for the central polymer face which looks like it’s sewn on.

Big lips, sultry mismatched eyes, tattooed nose. Love the loops on the left

She says of her work, “I breathe art. I didn’t always. I held my breath for a long time waiting for life to smack me. And when it did… WOW what JOY!! I hope you can see what I feel.” On Facebook here.

Family story in polymer

Monica Rotti turns photo transfers into an heirloom on PolymerClayDaily

Italy’s Monica Rotta features family members in this mixed media framed keepsake.

Black and white photos are transferred to pastel-colored polymer and then carefully textured and embellished. She backs each with a contrasting layer and mounts them on a painted page.

The Rumi quote that illustrates the piece reads, “Love is from infinity and will remain until eternity.” There’s a powerful story here.

The loving and thoughtful touches that Monica has added assure that this assemblage will become an heirloom.

We’ll be talking on StudioMojo about the power of doing what you love as Monica has clearly done. How do we go about finding and following that thread of deep interest? We’ll talk about a couple of upcoming events that center on just that. Join us! 

Preparing for Fall

Donna Greenberg prepares for Fall in polymer on PolymerClayDaily.com

New Jersey’s Donna Greenberg prepares us for fall with her 18″ Carnival, an explosion of colors and shapes.

“After months of working in controlled somber tones, it’s just what the doctor ordered to lift my spirits going into Fall,” Donna says.

Polymer, paper, pencil, and paints.

Zoom in to experience the lush layers. What does Fall look like in your work?

Rattan and polymer

Victoria James embellishes baskets with polymer on PolymerClayDaily.com

California’s Victoria James shapes polymer clay into bottoms and tops for her woven baskets.

Look at her Flickr site to see how she makes a polymer base to begin her weaving or fashions a lid to top off a basket.

For years Victoria was best known for her natural texture sheets made from patterns harvested from the woods. It looks like you can still buy them on her website.

Victoria’s pace has been slow and steady. Her works take time. The concept of working at your own pace will be front and center in this week’s StudioMojo where we’ll look at the tension between creativity and efficiency. Join us!