The freedom of polymer

Ohio women inmates' collaborative wall piece and Ohio classes

This 28″ x 34″ wood panel is decorated with 118 polymer triangles shaped over bead scoop forms and covered with scraps of patterns made by students in the polymer program at the Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW). The piece was created for a Columbus gallery exhibit this fall.

Visiting polymer teachers have stressed the importance of balancing lights, darks and middle values for a successful piece. Still, it surprises me when this big range of colors and styles add up to one cohesive and happy image. I must also credit my husband who checks my math and mounted their works on a custom panel.

Even though they are imprisoned their art travels, communicates, and frees their spirits. The inmates send thanks to our polymer community for their support.

There are a few seats available for the September Ohio class! Maine’s Bonnie Bishoff will teach “Capturing Wire with Polymer.” Her approach to polymer is unusual and her class has received rave reviews. Sign up!

Summer blooms

Karen Pasieka hangs nosegays of flowers everywhere on PolymerClayDaily

I pulled aside this tile of a field of flowers from Ontario’s Karen Pasieka (SubtleDetails). Later I discovered that she wasn’t finished and was soliciting advice about stems and leaves.

The dreamy colors on the cloud-like background were enough for me.

Her display of polymer flower necklaces “on” vases rather than “in” vases made a visual pun that I admired too. Go to her Instagram to see lots more summer blooms and display ideas.

That’s what the contact form is for

Linda Martin leans into her first wall art and is surprised on PolymerClayDaily

Michigan’s Linda Hoffman Martin bravely submitted her first piece of wall art to PCD via the contact form.

This lovely wire and polymer leafy shadow box reminds me of how grateful I am when artists like Linda take a risk and send a link.

She first put the piece up on the FB Hooked on Polymer group because she was proud of it. When hundreds of others agreed with her, she was surprised and emboldened to try for a wider audience.

If that little voice in your head says, “You’ve got something here!” take a chance and spread your work around. The validation can do wonders for your mojo.

Yes, that’s my cue to tell you that StudioMojo, the weekend newsletter, is another way to push yourself in new directions and shore up your enthusiasm. We’d love to have you join us.

100 tiles tell the story

Angie Wiggins tells the story of 100 days in 4x4 tiles on PolymerClayDaily.com

Angie Wiggins assembled the results of her 100-Day Challenge into one 40″ x 40″ tribute to tenacity.

Her tiles cover a wide range of subject matter, styles, and techniques. Each one records her unmistakable marks and colors.

Now that you’ve seen the work of 100 days in its entirety, visit her Instagram and Facebook to look at each tile and appreciate the whimsey, the detail and the delight she took in each day’s theme.

Layers of polymer ruffles

Victoria Mkhitarian shows us new ways with her ruffles on PolymerClayDaily.com

New Zealand’s Victoria Mkhitarian’s newest framed art makes me want to run my fingers across its many layers of pale polymer, copper and acrylic paint. She calls her series Ruffles and this closeup on Facebook gives you a better understanding of its construction.

Her Flickr photos also give you a good look at her delicate and luminous works.

The layers in her Ruffles1B (right) incorporates the same thin strips of polymer arranged vertically. In this piece, the layers are tinted with alcohol inks and she omits the copper layers.

Victoria frames these delicacies in deep shadow boxes. Yep, I’m gushing over ruffles!

A riot of summer colors

This big summer polymer painting is from Deb Groover (Debortina) who’s at the Art Fair on the Square in Madison, Wisconsin this weekend.

Basic polymer shapes are applied to a large raw wood panel. Then flat polymer flowers and patterns in riotous summer colors are added. She paints in the background after the figures have settled themselves in. There’s such good energy in her paintings that Deb and Tina have attracted a large and loyal following.

To appreciate the size of her art, look at photos on Instagram and Facebook.

Saturday’s StudioMojo will hit the high spots and give you the rest of the summertime polymer story. Join us by signing up at StudioMojo.org.

Beyond the bowl

PolyStudio stumps us with bowl wall art for a Monday Mystery on PolymerClayDaily

This wall art from PolyStudio.shop takes ring bowls to a different level. This could simply be a pile of polymer bowls that have been made more exciting with Swellegant! dyes and metal coatings. But wouldn’t this assemblage of bowls look great on the wall? I’m calling it wall art. Sometimes I have to improvise.

It’s not often that I can’t dig around a site to identify the artist of a piece but PolyShop.shop has me stumped. Will one of our French friends help? I prowled through the shop, Instagram, and Facebook to no avail. PCD will call this our Monday Mystery and wait for your clues.

Thanks for the assistance! It is wall art and it’s from Valerie (Veesuel on FB).

Fish for the rainforest

Colorado’s Ann Kruglak (MysticDreamerArt) has helped save thousands of acres of rainforest with her polymer art. She has donated 100% of her earnings since 2010 to the Rainforest Trust.

The project allows Ann to put her money where her mouth and her heart are. At the same time, her art has taken leaps forward as she has created hundreds of pieces of wall art and jewelry. Her colors have grown brighter and her textures deeper on clearly defined shapes to match her energetic retro patterns.

Ann is passionate about both her art and her service project. She sends each piece off with prayers of peace. It’s a win-win use of time and talent. Here she is on Instagram. Thanks, Ann.

Step-by-step mosaic marvel

Step-by-step mosaic from Bridget Derc on PolymerClayDaily.com

Starting the week with step-by-step photos from the UK’s Bridget Derc makes us feel like we’re already working in the studio.

Bridget’s Katie in the Garden is a 9″x12″ homage to her cat. It took her over a year to finish this polymer mosaic to her satisfaction.

The colors are alluring and her ingenious skinner-blended border will give you a Monday morning headful of ideas. See more of her on Facebook.

Light and layers

Alev Gozonar floats translucent layers of patterns and touches of color on PolymerClayDaily.com

Wafer thin slices of cane float toward you from this latest wall piece by Alev Gozonar made during her art residency in Ayvalik, Turkey.

The combination of translucence and dimension keeps your eyes diving down to see what more there is to discover.

If you’re a cane fan, Alev’s selection of canes both colored and patterned may make you want to make new designs for your own supply.

Study Alev’s way with large polymer and mixed media wall art on her portfolio and on Instagram

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