Creature Advantages

October 2, 2014

9325800907_20e80774a8_kAs I mentioned at the beginning of the week, mirroring is extremely common in nature, especially among it’s many creatures. From the tiniest insects to the largest mammals, most creatures start out as forms that split into two, becoming whole as two halves of the same original design. It’s kind of interesting if you think about it; there really aren’t any asymmetrical creatures until you get down to the microscopic level or go deep under the sea.

This mirroring in nature is both for survival purposes and it is kind of a shortcut. Or at least I tend to think of it that way. Nature can design just one half and then copy and repeat to make a whole, functional and well-balanced creature. Well, that same concept works great for craft artists too! Insects are fun and colorful creature to recreate or make up in polymer and can be created using the same elements on both sides of the little buggers. This beautiful beetle by the wonderfully fun and creative Joyce Fritz was created with cane slices cut and flipped to mirror the other side’s intricate patterns. A great shortcut for creating complex looking creatures!

Joyce makes all kinds of mirrored and not-so-mirrored creatures, but all with a similar level of intricacy. Find more of her little guys on her website.

 

If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.

14-P3 Fall-Play cover Full sm  Blog2 -2014-02Feb-3   polymer clay butterfly ornament sm  Polymania Advert 125   tpa-125x125-blog

Literal Mirrors

October 1, 2014

12_m_01

I am really pushing the mirror theme here, I know. But, I have been in love with these bowls since I first saw them. It was during those first few magical months after I realized what polymer clay really was and what it could do. I was taking in everything I could find online. The images of James Lehman’s bowls were by far the most breathtaking for a newbie like me. The colors are amazing, the shine is unreal and the form and overall workmanship was unlike anything I’d seen. To this day, I think of them as being in a class by themselves that no one else has quite been able to match.

So, the imagery isn’t usually mirrored in James’ pieces, but the polish is mirror-like and because of the detail and attention he applied to both the insides and the backsides of his bowl, he had to take photos of them on a mirrored surface to show the full effect. So, humor me while I fit it into this week’s theme. Because this kind of dedication to the finish of a piece — this was nearly 15 years ago as well — is awe inspiring, if not a level any fine polymer artist would want to aspire to reach.

James still has a site with his work online here but has not done much in the community for a number of years. If you Google the guy and look at his other websites, it’s obvious that he is one easily distracted and fanatically curious fellow, and it’s no surprise he has gone on to further develop his skills in another area of interest. But, we will still have his amazing work to enjoy, appreciate and inspire us.

 

If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.

14-P3 Fall-Play cover Full sm  Blog2 -2014-02Feb-3   polymer clay butterfly ornament sm  Polymania Advert 125   tpa-125x125-blog

Mirror, mirror …

September 29, 2014

burst-of-pendants22The ‘mirror image’ is a very common element in nature; from leaves to flowers to fruit to every creature I can think of, there are often two halves mirroring each other to make the whole. I’ve  seen a number of interesting uses of this in polymer pieces lately and thought this might be an easy theme to gather up work for this week. Not so much, however. Because using this kind of element necessitates a centered composition where the mirror images appear–their meeting point in the middle creating a center line–and with a community much enamored of asymmetry, it is far rarer than I would have thought. But, I aim to find a variety of examples where the mirroring adds energy or depth to a piece rather than feeling stale because the element (or elements) are arranged on some center line.

The obvious first place to look is in caning. The kaleidoscope cane alone holds up a great argument for mirroring. Create an pie slice shaped cane, cut up the length and lay matching sides together to fill in the pie round (or some approach akin to that.)  And you end up with usually very energized visuals. Lines, curves, angles and other directional elements will be moving from the center in opposite directions creating that energy.

When I hear kaleidoscope canes, I always think of Carol Simmons and her intense precision in this art form.  These pendants are examples for her upcoming workshops being held in Racine, Wisconsin after the RAM Symposium later in October. (It’s a waiting list only class; find out more on her website.) The center lines from the process of mirroring images have become a range of star burst like patterns, pushing direction from the center of the pendants to the outside that adds dynamic energy and a mesmerizing amount of detail on such a small space.

If you haven’t attempted a kaleidoscope cane before, but are interested, there are dozens of basic free tutorials as well as more intricate ones sold on Etsy and through other shops. Just Google the term “kaleidoscope cane tutorial” for many instant options.

 

If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.

14-P3 Fall-Play cover Full sm   Blog2 -2014-02Feb-2   3d star ad  Polymania Advert 125  tpa-125x125-blog

Abundant Symmetry

February 27, 2014

This “Necklace for a Wild Mood” by Corliss and John Rose (also known as the 2Roses) is about abundance and consistent, balanced symmetry. At first glance there is a harmonious sense of beautiful proportion and balance. The slightest variation in the marbling of the clay, shape or length of the beads helps to avoid a static feeling.  There is a fine balance in which the corresponding beads are not necessarily exact but very similar. The colors in this informal symmetry give the piece undertones of luscious extravagance.

3773980904_cef12e49a3_z

Corliss and John Rose are a fascinating couple, each a master craftsperson in his/her own right. In edition to art jewelry, they produce work in commercial and industrial design, tool and die making, painting, photography, lithography, sculpture, holography, furniture, fabrics, engineered plastics, leatherwork, ceramics, lapidary, and gem cutting. I’m exhausted just thinking of all that work. Check out their website and Flickr pages to find our more about this intriguing partnership and be inspired by their art.

 

If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.

14P1 cover Fnl   PCW blue string art cane   Blog2 -2014-02Feb-2

Creature Advantages

October 2, 2014
Posted in

9325800907_20e80774a8_kAs I mentioned at the beginning of the week, mirroring is extremely common in nature, especially among it’s many creatures. From the tiniest insects to the largest mammals, most creatures start out as forms that split into two, becoming whole as two halves of the same original design. It’s kind of interesting if you think about it; there really aren’t any asymmetrical creatures until you get down to the microscopic level or go deep under the sea.

This mirroring in nature is both for survival purposes and it is kind of a shortcut. Or at least I tend to think of it that way. Nature can design just one half and then copy and repeat to make a whole, functional and well-balanced creature. Well, that same concept works great for craft artists too! Insects are fun and colorful creature to recreate or make up in polymer and can be created using the same elements on both sides of the little buggers. This beautiful beetle by the wonderfully fun and creative Joyce Fritz was created with cane slices cut and flipped to mirror the other side’s intricate patterns. A great shortcut for creating complex looking creatures!

Joyce makes all kinds of mirrored and not-so-mirrored creatures, but all with a similar level of intricacy. Find more of her little guys on her website.

 

If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.

14-P3 Fall-Play cover Full sm  Blog2 -2014-02Feb-3   polymer clay butterfly ornament sm  Polymania Advert 125   tpa-125x125-blog

Read More

Literal Mirrors

October 1, 2014
Posted in

12_m_01

I am really pushing the mirror theme here, I know. But, I have been in love with these bowls since I first saw them. It was during those first few magical months after I realized what polymer clay really was and what it could do. I was taking in everything I could find online. The images of James Lehman’s bowls were by far the most breathtaking for a newbie like me. The colors are amazing, the shine is unreal and the form and overall workmanship was unlike anything I’d seen. To this day, I think of them as being in a class by themselves that no one else has quite been able to match.

So, the imagery isn’t usually mirrored in James’ pieces, but the polish is mirror-like and because of the detail and attention he applied to both the insides and the backsides of his bowl, he had to take photos of them on a mirrored surface to show the full effect. So, humor me while I fit it into this week’s theme. Because this kind of dedication to the finish of a piece — this was nearly 15 years ago as well — is awe inspiring, if not a level any fine polymer artist would want to aspire to reach.

James still has a site with his work online here but has not done much in the community for a number of years. If you Google the guy and look at his other websites, it’s obvious that he is one easily distracted and fanatically curious fellow, and it’s no surprise he has gone on to further develop his skills in another area of interest. But, we will still have his amazing work to enjoy, appreciate and inspire us.

 

If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.

14-P3 Fall-Play cover Full sm  Blog2 -2014-02Feb-3   polymer clay butterfly ornament sm  Polymania Advert 125   tpa-125x125-blog

Read More

Mirror, mirror …

September 29, 2014
Posted in

burst-of-pendants22The ‘mirror image’ is a very common element in nature; from leaves to flowers to fruit to every creature I can think of, there are often two halves mirroring each other to make the whole. I’ve  seen a number of interesting uses of this in polymer pieces lately and thought this might be an easy theme to gather up work for this week. Not so much, however. Because using this kind of element necessitates a centered composition where the mirror images appear–their meeting point in the middle creating a center line–and with a community much enamored of asymmetry, it is far rarer than I would have thought. But, I aim to find a variety of examples where the mirroring adds energy or depth to a piece rather than feeling stale because the element (or elements) are arranged on some center line.

The obvious first place to look is in caning. The kaleidoscope cane alone holds up a great argument for mirroring. Create an pie slice shaped cane, cut up the length and lay matching sides together to fill in the pie round (or some approach akin to that.)  And you end up with usually very energized visuals. Lines, curves, angles and other directional elements will be moving from the center in opposite directions creating that energy.

When I hear kaleidoscope canes, I always think of Carol Simmons and her intense precision in this art form.  These pendants are examples for her upcoming workshops being held in Racine, Wisconsin after the RAM Symposium later in October. (It’s a waiting list only class; find out more on her website.) The center lines from the process of mirroring images have become a range of star burst like patterns, pushing direction from the center of the pendants to the outside that adds dynamic energy and a mesmerizing amount of detail on such a small space.

If you haven’t attempted a kaleidoscope cane before, but are interested, there are dozens of basic free tutorials as well as more intricate ones sold on Etsy and through other shops. Just Google the term “kaleidoscope cane tutorial” for many instant options.

 

If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.

14-P3 Fall-Play cover Full sm   Blog2 -2014-02Feb-2   3d star ad  Polymania Advert 125  tpa-125x125-blog

Read More

Abundant Symmetry

February 27, 2014
Posted in

This “Necklace for a Wild Mood” by Corliss and John Rose (also known as the 2Roses) is about abundance and consistent, balanced symmetry. At first glance there is a harmonious sense of beautiful proportion and balance. The slightest variation in the marbling of the clay, shape or length of the beads helps to avoid a static feeling.  There is a fine balance in which the corresponding beads are not necessarily exact but very similar. The colors in this informal symmetry give the piece undertones of luscious extravagance.

3773980904_cef12e49a3_z

Corliss and John Rose are a fascinating couple, each a master craftsperson in his/her own right. In edition to art jewelry, they produce work in commercial and industrial design, tool and die making, painting, photography, lithography, sculpture, holography, furniture, fabrics, engineered plastics, leatherwork, ceramics, lapidary, and gem cutting. I’m exhausted just thinking of all that work. Check out their website and Flickr pages to find our more about this intriguing partnership and be inspired by their art.

 

If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.

14P1 cover Fnl   PCW blue string art cane   Blog2 -2014-02Feb-2

Read More
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