It’s that time of year when we begin to believe in elves and fairies. Perhaps there are such creatures blooming in the early spring forests.
Katherine Dewey can make you a believer. Her fantastic archive of polymer sculptures is a pleasure to look at.
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There’s more of Leslie Blackford’s work posted in a Deviant Art gallery. If her MoodyWoods web site leaves you hungering for more pictures of her work, including this March Hare necklace, you’ll want to visit her among the deviant artists.
I’d never have found this stash. Thanks to Doreen for leading me there.
Somehow I missed the new works on Laura Balombini’s site….tsk, tsk. She posted some recent works in December that you’ll want to see. Laura’s often imitated but never duplicated.
Thanks to Babs Young for tipping me off.
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Leslie Blackford’s creatures light up a room….really. (You should see the Vegas Rabbit at the left light up. The pig is a light too.)
I intended to keep this bunny under wraps until Easter but I just couldn’t bear to withhold it. Her flying pigs, cats, birds, and all manner of Kentucky wildlife come alive in the silliest and most delightful ways.
It’s a treat to watch Leslie effortlessly turn a lump of clay into a fox and dress him in a polymer Elvis outfit or lean over her shoulder as she adds wings and a fez to a pig. I have one of these lamps in a bathroom and I smile every time I see it. That’s what polymer art is about.
Her web site is a little difficult to navigate but be patient and you’ll be rewarded.
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We see the world in fundamentally different ways. And isn’t that grand? It tickles me to step inside someone else’s head. Leslie Blackford led me to Kevin Buntin’s world which is inhabited by all types of strange and wonderful characters.
Leslie and Kevin and Maureen and their kindred spirits introduce us to stories that we’d never otherwise experience.
Polymer clay comes alive in strange and new ways in their hands.
When I pore over sites, looking for something to tantalize you, I wait for that "aha" moment. It’s great to suspend all judgment and simply go on visceral feelings. I’ve learned to trust my gut and it’s often smarter than my head.
These fish by Pat Sernyk of Manitoba triggered an "aha" as I wandered through the Clayamies site and fantasized about the pleasure of working with artist friends in a cabin up in the woods in Canada. These rainbow trout are terrific.
From Kaz and our polymer clay friends in Japan we received this New Year polymer dog for the year 2006. This is an image of a Komainu, a popular guardian dog at temples and shrines in Japan.
An auspicious beginning for our artistic new year. How can you help but predict good things for 2006?
Happy New Year
I was just going to lounge today but a hot tip from Jan Norwood sent me to funnysculptures.com and I just can't wait to introduce you to the work of this nutty polymer person. Marcia Rocha is a Brazilian-born artist now based in New York, if I'm reading her web site correctly.
If you're in the post-holiday doldrums, this will pick you up in a hurry. Thanks to Jan for the tip.
We’ve been dealing with our late cat’s legacy….fleas. I suppose that’s why I’ve been drawn to all the polymer bugs. Luckily it’s winter and my red-spotted legs are hidden from view. How inhospitable is it to have fleas during the holiday season? The charmers on the left are from Karen Kozak.
Jody Bishel (right) has some great ones on her photo album site too. It’s a shame they’re so darkly printed and hard to see on the web, they’re really wonderful.
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In my web exploration I came upon some young dark artwork, Darkside Dolls. I loved the energy of this cat by Michelle Steele and think her sculptures are terrific.
After travelling halfway round the world to locate new works, turns out that Michelle is from right here in Ohio.
Sort of a Christmas Grinchy-looking cat, right? Very Leslie Blackford/MoodyWoods-ish. Michelle says she’s putting some new polymer work on her site soon.
