Polymer Clay Daily

New Year’s Eve


Who better to celebrate the New Year with than that crazy Bulgarian, Dinko Tilov? I'd lost track of his site and through a series of links (visit clay wizard), found him just in time for a polymer clay New Year's party.

His characters are wonderful exaggerations. Note the devil and angel at the right who may be whispering on your shoulder right now as you consider your last bite of 2006 overindulgence. Happy New Year!

Characters

Annie Wahl may be the creator of yesterday's "snow baby" according to a tip from fellow Minnesotan Maureen Carlson. I couldn't stop chuckling as I cruised through Annie's site.

Annie says of her work, "Even when I have a specific plan in my mind, someone else inevitably shows up. I just welcome them in and in truth, these characters are most often the best company."

"I sculpt dolls for the pure joy of creating and having fun. In return they have taken me on this blissful journey meeting other doll artists, organizations, events and people whom I would not have had the opportunity to meet."

If you want to see Annie's step-by-step process, download this .pdf file, a reprint of a 4-page article in the National Institute of American Doll Artists magazine. What a treasure trove I've stumbled into. Thanks Maureen.

This just in from Babs Young in Michigan. She thinks my original baby may have been from Indiana's Kathryn Walmsley. Hey, take a look at her crayon sculptures! The mystery and the great links continue.

Angels

I wish I knew who I bought this little angel ornament from at Winterfair a few years back. It's delightful and my attempts to replicate it were laughable. There's a tutorial on Robin LeDuc's site that makes the process look deceptively easy. Trust me, it's not but I am tempted to try again.

Our young neighbors just brought their brand new baby over. Talk about artistry and little angels!

If you're a baby lover, Robin's got some very nice work on her New Hampshire site as does Utah's Lorie Follett (thanks to Carol Simmons for the link). Of course there's Camille Allen, the mother of all polymer clay babies.

On a more adult note, Kim Cavender just sent in a link to Joanna Howdydoo's sculptures which are immensely entertaining.

Models for Peace

My holiday wish is that tanks could be transformed into voting booths as this young polymer clay artist envisions it here.

George Estreich's creations have been featured in major art exhibits, television ad campaigns, textbooks and adopted by New York City public schools. George is currently pursuing a masters degree in industrial design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.

A postscript from Ronna Weltman

AnySoldier.com gives people a way to get care packages to soldiers, even if they don't know any. You can also give a tax-deductible donation and they'll take care of buying stuff.

While looking over the site, I ran across these polymer goodies crafted by CJ Rice, a military wife. J&C Manufacturers features handmade gifts and collectibles crafted by Active Duty United States Military members, disabled American veterans and their spouses. CJ Rice is a military wife who makes pins out of polymer.

I was really touched because the first thing I clicked on was a little polymer cake. Although it was a humble creation, it had "#1 Dad" on it, and that got me choked up, thinking a child whose father is serving overseas might buy that to send to daddy. Of course, that gave me a pang in the heart, and isn't that art pure and simple — something that says something, touches you, takes you to a new place?

Readers may appreciate knowing about an opportunity to support our troops this holiday season, and also it could be fun to give a military wife a "You go, girl" for her finding her voice in polymer clay, and to wish you peace.

Intentions

Good Intentions is the name of this polymer clay piece from South Carolina artist Beth Bullman Regula. She uses polymer to create relief paintings as well as small and large sculpture. This new artist link was discovered by Susan Rose.

Lindly Haunani talks about the necessary steps in the art process:

  • gathering
  • intentioning
  • doing
  • refining
  • sharing

and how important it is not to get stuck in any one part of the process. Good Intentions…an appropriate way to close out our week of looking ahead and to expanding our polymer clay horizons. Have a lovely weekend.

Beyond your comfort zone

Just in case you thought that your polymer clay art was too safe and tame and boring, take a look at the work of Art Institute of Chicago grad student Peter Goldlust. As he says, "These environments explore the gray areas between seemingly distinct states of being: the alluring and the repulsive; the playful and the threatening; and the natural and the synthetic."

No flower canes here, just absolutely fascinating imaginings. This polymer and prozac piece is particularly intriguing.

His carved crayons may give Maggie's tutorial students some ideas as they contemplate their new crayolas. Thanks to Barbara Forbes-Lyons for passing this link along.

Weidler

Jack Weidler sculpts amazingly detailed wildlife and fantasy creations hair by hair, feather by feather from polymer clay. He's an Arizona artist with physical challenges who loves his work. This kind of detail is beyond my comprehension. Be sure to thumb through his portfolio and enlarge to appreciate the detail.

Thanks to Susan Rose for the link.

It's time for me to stand on my soapbox and encourage all our readers to join the National Polymer Clay Guild. There's a new energy and vitality in the guild and you'll want to be part of it. Online voting for new officers is going on now. Join, volunteer, help further your art and craft.

Small Business


No big production work on today's site! Liana Turnbull embellishes skulls from her Colorado ranch with polymer clay. Baking bones and polymer clay has made for some nasty smells and at least one ruined relationship.

Liana describes her process in detail. It's a fun read and will stretch your imagination. Take a break from your tame Christmas earrings and visit these exotic sculptures.