Sometimes it is painted!

Geninne Zlatkis paints her polymer mobile on Polymer Clay Daily.com

New Mexico’s Geninne Zlatkis paints and decorates, illustrates, and photographs. Every once in a rare while, she works with polymer as in this bird mobile. Yes, they’re painted.

No complex techniques, just a love of birds, and an understanding of their shapes topped with an illustrator’s ability to translate feathers into lines and dots.

It’s a pleasure to see landscapes and architecture through her eyes.

Over at StudioMojo, this is what I look for. We cast a wider net to spotlight outlier artists who understand the importance of polymer as one of many tools in their toolbox. Come on down and see what surprises we’ve dug up for your weekend entertainment.

Fishy polymer

The silly marine life from Denmark’s Estelle Marchal (lesptitsmobiles) gave me a laugh. She makes them into mobiles suspended from driftwood.

Can you imagine encountering these creatures floating in the night with their glowing eyes and fish grins? Sometimes a laugh or a surprise are what we need from our art. She claims they scare nightmares away.

There are more jollies and Estelle’s whole story on Instagram, her site, Pinterest and Facebook.

Balancing composition

Tory Hughes has long been fascinated by linear compositions. What better place to play with balance and color than in making mobiles? Tory is working on an edition of ten Red Dot mobiles that measure 24″ across. The first one sold to a Santa Fe collector.

Another of Tory’s mobiles was suspended in the exhibit at Carthage College. It fluttered like a celebration of colored wings above guests at the show.

See more mobile photos here and here and on her Facebook page. She will teach in Portland, Oregon November 7-9 with a few seats still available in one of the classes.

Zlatkis’ illustrates on polymer

Geninne Zlatkis’ painted polymer bird mobile was immediately claimed by her son to hang above his desk in their new home in Mexico. Pictures on her beautiful blog show how the 3.5″ birds were sculpted in fimo, baked and then painted with acrylics and given a coat of matte varnish. It’s Geninne’s remarkable detailing that makes these birds sing.

I’ve long been a fan of her illustrations and designs which have been widely published and picked up by retailers like Urban Outfitters. She occasionally works in white polymer (see an earlier mobile here) which provides a canvas for her signature drawings.

Her studio and her homes designed by her architect husband have gotten increasingly dramatic and serene. The views from the house they’re building now (their fifth) are breath-taking.

You can find her illustrations on Etsy and read her featured seller interview there.

Polymer playing, risking

Atlanta artist/illustrator Tammy Durham has begun a blog devoted to her polymer clay illustrations. Her newest 18″x24″ piece, Cardinals and Girl with Red Hair, gives us a colorful and exhuberant start for a creative summer week.

Tammy is developing art for physicians and childrens hospitals. She shares her ambitious plans and goals on her website and blog – a bold and gutsy move. Take a look.

The quote below is from Tory Hughes’ latest post. She makes me want to proclaim this a week to play. Following her own advice, Tory allowed herself to play as she created a mobile of 51 polymer butterflies for the August Sculpting Color show at the Fuller Craft Museum. Reading about her stumbles and obstacles may make you more willing to take chances with your work.

Playing and creating are very close together.
When we play, what do we do? We make something up.
When we create, what do we do? We make something up.
When we let ourselves enter the world of play, we…start to romp around in what might be. In the ‘what if’.

Zlatkis’ mobile

I was searching for red, white and blue today in honor of our July 4. What I found was beautiful white – a polymer clay mobile by Mexican artist Geninne Zlatkis that looks like it washed up on the beach.

Geninne is an illustrator and fabric artist who has just a few polymer pieces on her site. I loved her links to felted, painted and crocheted rocks (my weakness).

Geninne has lived in over 50 houses and her husband just designed and built another one that will leave you wanting more. The light and the workspaces in this newest one are breathtaking. Take a look at her old studio here. Great daydreaming and web surfing for Independence Day.