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.

Polymer therapy

Mira Pinki Krispil used polymer to heal her hands on PolymerClayDaily.com

Mira Pinki Krispil surrounds her pieces with women and that feels comfortable for a Monday. The faces seem concerned and connected.

The polymer portraits have been cured on a 6 1/2″ marble vase. The other side of the vessel is covered with Mira’s bright millefiore flowers.

Some years ago she came to polymer after enduring eight surgeries on her hands. Working with clay was part of her occupational therapy and she used it to document her recovery. “Since then I can’t stop creating with this amazing material,” Mira admits.

Culture in clay

Rashmi's miniature portraits speak clearly on PolymerClayDaily.com

This polymer sculpture from India’s Aura Figurines (via Ginger Davis Allman) has a liveliness that’s unusual and compelling… and a little mysterious.

We only know the artist as Rashmi on Twitter. If you discover more about Rashmi, let me know.

While we know we’re a worldwide community, it’s still fascinating when you see how culture and spirit come through the clay. How does she do that?

Friday is StudioMojo writing day so I’ll leave this mystery in your good hands so I can concentrate on organizing the intriguing topics and tidbits that float by us each week. There’s always much to uncover and bring to you. Join us at StudioMojo.org for all the weekend juicy bits.

Mixed media curls

Sweet gum tree pods litter the sidewalks at this time of year. Polymer illustrator Helena Bogosian found a creative use for her stash of dried seed pods. They make amazingly fetching curls and more.

Prowl through Helena’s Facebook and Instagram sites to see how she’s turned polymer and the bounty from her sweet gum tree into moody, haunting portraits.

Polymer tribute

Colorado artist/illustrator Tammy Durham is revisiting her favorite classic painters in polymer. Currently she is paying homage to Alphonse Mucha. Czech painter Mucha was one of the leaders of French Art Nouveau beginning in 1895.

These panels (Primrose on the left and Feather on the right) measure about 10 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ and are created with carefully layered strips of clay plus extruded and sculpted bits that reinterpret the original art.

You can click on the images for a closer look and browse through Tammy’s Facebook feed for a glimpse of her work in progress. You can also see her work on her site and on Pinterest.