Polymer Clay Daily

Jill Penney’s Low-brow Art

Arizona’s Jill Penney (scroll way down that page) is a pop surrealist doll artist who makes polymer clay dolls that are part punk, part comic book, part anime, slightly deviant…what’s being called low-brow art.

The style has roots in tatoos and graffiti and is wildly popular on the west coast. When a pop surrealist gallery opened up in our midwest town with Penney’s dolls, I went to see what I could learn.

The craftsmanship in Penney’s dolls is impressive and her aesthetic fits perfectly in this gallery of like-minded artists. Her sassy waif-like dolls beg to be played with but their pricetags place them well beyond toy status. The blending of toys and art takes a bit of getting used to. Several serious young collectors were comparing their pricey acquisitions. The buzz reminded me of the early days of outsider art. It’s nice to see fine polymer clay art in the middle of this growing genre.

Wallace’s Fabric Influences

Ohio’s Amy Wallace mixes polymer clay and fabrics too (check Dayle Doroshow’s work from yesterday). Amy’s signature piece is her “stacker” bead which combines coils of patterned polymer strips.

Heavily influenced by fabrics, Amy’s focuses much of her work on buttons and she does them well.

If you’ve ever been tempted to try a coiled fabric basket, check out Amy’s recent HGTV segment. She makes it look so simple!

Yes, of course she’s got an Etsy site and some Flickr fun stuff. For more fabulous fabric treats, spend some time looking at Marimekko’s spring collection. Have a fun weekend.

Crowley’s Rolling Stones

Chicago polymer clay artist Dan Crowley loves characters. His favorites are his “Lady” characters which are loosely based on his aunts. Each face is made up of at least 18 pieces of clay.

Inspired by puppeteers like Jim Henson and Bill Baird, Dan began sculpting heads and finger puppets in 1992. His creations have grown in scale and complexity. His Christmas windows for Tiffany & CO won awards and his sculpted “Character Shoes” for Stuart Weitzman shoe stores have been a hit from Madison Avenue to Rodeo Drive.

I love the idea of sculpting heads onto small wood mannequins as Dan has done here with the Rolling Stones. There’s wonderful work on his site. Don’t miss his shoes, his puppets, and his characters. Some of his links aren’t working but it’s worth the wandering around.

Many thanks to another character expert, Maureen Carlson, for sending the link.

Creagers Holiday Offering

I hadn’t visited Arizona’s Richard and Jodi Creager’s site for a while when I bumped into their polymer clay sculptures on their EBay page.

Richard and Jodi have been designing dolls together as a team since 1979. They produce 10-15 dolls a year. You’ll immediately understand why their works are in private and museum collections across the country. The detail in their collaborative figures is breathtaking.

This was one of their special Holiday Dahlia Darkling offerings. The Creagers say of their work, “To be able to create a human form, an image, a personality…to be able to express what you have inside and put into form your mind’s and heart’s vision, and to stir emotion in someone … all from a piece of clay… this is our True Joy in Life”

Holiday Treats

I pulled these lovely polymer clay pieces from my stash of items saved for use during the holidays. But I neglected to name them properly so I can’t link them or identify the artists (one identified, one to go).

I love the elfish character speeding downhill. And the Christmas tree pin design (Kim Korringa’s!) was so simple and appealing that I just had to share it.

Enjoy these tidbits while I wrap your present. If you know the creator of the skiier, let me know and I’ll link you to the rest of his/her works.

Come back tomorrow to see what’s under the tree.

Bradshaw’s Sculptures

This polymer clay figure called “Frozen Slumber” could have been found in my snowy sparkly front yard. It’s one of many magical figures by Georgia artist Michelle Bradshaw.

Her world is filled with faeries and pixies; mermaids and selkies; dryads and dragons often so small they could fit into the palm of your hand.

Bradshaw has a remarkable imagination matched by accomplished sculpting skills. Look at the Julia Roberts likeness and the hunky men! Have a magical weekend.

New Zealand’s Keogh

This is not a vacation picture. It’s a witty polymer clay sculpture from New Zealand’s Sonia Keogh.

"My characters are playful, provocative and have an emotional energy. Polymer clay enables me to merge realism and fantasy, to develop a sense of irony by manipulating the natural order of things," says Keogh.

Susan Lomuto uncovered the link to these quirky, satirical pieces and thought you’d enjoy them.

LoopyBoopy Holidays


Twenty-four guests for Thanksgiving dinner at our house and the power goes out two hours before the meal!

Perhaps I picked up some gremlin vibes from these polymer clay holiday elves-gone-bad by Louisiana’s LoopyBoopy Art Dolls. They’re wonderful characters and her descriptions are great.

We fired up the generator for cooking and got power back 15 minutes before guests arrived! Whew. This year I am thankful for electricity. Angela Gerhard sent the link along.

.

Marjorie Schmick Retrospective

My mouth watered (and it’s not from the aroma of turkey in the oven) when I saw works from Marjorie Schick in the latest issue of American Craft magazine. While these pieces may not be made of polymer clay (the site loads slowly and the image link in the left column is worth the wait), we certainly share her love of colors and jewelry as sculpture.

Here’s the schedule of the traveling exhibit , the catalog and a new companion book.

The artist’s work focuses on the body’s relation to form and is simultaneously ornamental, visual and tactile. Included in the exhibition are 64 objects recounting more than 40 years of Schick’s work.

I found a great Smithsonian interview with the artist as well which is great for post holiday dinner reading (or napping).

I give thanks for you, dear readers. Happy Thanksgiving Day.

Polymer Clay Miniature Feast

It’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving dinner and this 1/12th size polymer clay feast from Norway’s Christel Jensen makes it look easy. Check out the bananas in her fruit tarts. And her bread dough looks absolutely edible.

Christel has a new DVD out if you’d like to learn to make miniature teapots. Don’t miss her detailed flowers and inviting room settings.

Susan Lomuto reminds us that the 2008 polymer clay Niche Award finalists have been named and there are statements from each of the finalists on the NPCG site. The pictures of the entries are frustratingly miniature. Congrats to the finalists.

I’m off to grocery shop and tidy the house for guests. And of course there’s the OSU/Michigan game. Go Bucks.