Floral Lines

April 2, 2015

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Today, I thought we’d just admire the easy way that flowers can be used, like any singular element, as a way to create lines. Lines define and give direction, as well as creating energy by creating visual movement. An arrangement of many small flowers will create those lines just as would a series of beads, crystals, hand tool marks, etc. So instead of bunching flower motifs into, well, a bunch, consider how you can create lines with them to convey the kind of calm or energy you are after in the piece you are making.

Here is a beautiful set of champagne bottles created by Anastaisa of Art-Kisto4ka on Livemaster.ru.  I love the way the line of flowers twist back and forth on the first two bottles giving the compositions a flowing energy, which is further picked up and added to by the lines of pearly dots shooting off in little swirls. I included one that outlined a heart as well simply to show how the flowers can create a grounded line that easily defines a shape.

Anastasia makes the most realistic looking flowers. I have to look around to ensure they weren’t real and preserved flowers. The ones on the bottles are excellent, but it’s her larger flowers that will really blow you away. You can see more of her finished work in her shop and on her blog. She also sells her flowers as components in her supply shop on LiveMaster.

 

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

 

     TPA_McGuire_blog ad    sfxpaad-diffuse

A Sprinkle of Spring

April 1, 2015

handmade exp field flowersSpring is not just about the flowers, but also about the vast expanses of green many of us were longing for during the winter. This little field with its scattered few flowers made me smile when I saw it. That really is how the fields are out here right now, densely green with a sprinkle of wildflowers here and there. The simplicity of this piece is the key to the design.

I know very little about the creator except that she lives in Baia Mare, Romania, sells her work under the business name of Handmade Experience and doesn’t like to talk about herself. I prefer not to post work without having a name to go with it, but it is better to be seen without a name attached than not at all.

Update: Thanks to Sara Kroger we have a name for our artist–Anca Ursentea. She unearthed this interview with her: www.revista-atelierul.ro/2014/03/22/despre-lut-polimeric-cu-anca-ursentea/ 

Speaking of things not being seen, I had quite the collection of possible pieces to show this week, but so much was removed from the list for reasons that make me a tad sad. Mostly it’s about the photos. I’ve said this before, and I’ll keep saying it … take good, clear, well-lit photos with simple contrasting backgrounds. Most of the work I decided not to post this week had terribly busy backgrounds that made the art hard to discern. Maybe the flower theme gets people thinking about texture, and they feel this draw to fill the image with busy backgrounds. Some textured backgrounds can be nice and add atmosphere to the image, but most of the time, it just takes the focus away from your work. And if it’s a primarily green piece, don’t shoot on a green background. Also, avoid too much photo manipulation, and don’t use special photo effects. Get a good shot into the camera so you can do a minimal amount when you get to the computer, leaving you with a fresher, truer image of your piece.

I’m just saying … if you would like to get your work into any of the many quality, well-read blogs and websites that report on and re-post images from the web, give them something great to work with. You and your artwork deserve it.

 

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

     TPA_McGuire_blog ad    sfxpaad-diffuse

Sudden Color

March 31, 2015

4ddf3ca2204958b57dcbb7c1c1d4ae78Isn’t one of the most breathtaking things in spring really just the blossoming of color after long months of a barely-there tint to the world? It’s a simple and even expected occurrence, the return of brilliant color, but when starved of something for a while, we become so much more appreciative and even excited by it, as if it was our first glimpse all over again.

Simple, but perfectly bright and cheery, is what I thought of this hair slide by Kathy of Flowertown Originals on Etsy. It’s really those jelly roll canes, going from light in the middle to bright color on the outside that makes the composition seem to glow. (See our Summer 2014 article in The Polymer Arts on creating the illusion of light for more on these techniques.) Between the blossoming flowers, the greening of the grasses and the lengthening days, this is just the kind of work that will be very well appreciated this time of year!

 

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

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015 LP-PA-FoilsDf0215   ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad;

The Pantone Spring Range

January 14, 2014

Carina of Austria designed these colorful beaded necklaces and bracelets made from polymer clay. Although produced  lat year, they range this year’s Spring Pantone palette. The latest Pantone palatte and these pieces  give a modern twist to the classic spring palette by pairing soft pastels with more saturated colors to create a colorful contrast. These pieces bring to mind a mixture of blooming wild flowers with colors that refresh and defy conventional ideas of Spring.

7576299092_0ef8585c6d

For artist inspiration, take a look at some of the polymer clay images on Carina’s Flickr pages. Try some of these less conventional springtime colors in your own work. Have fun!

 

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.

Cover 13-P4 web    PCW_flower tile canes  WhimsicalBead051512

Floral Lines

April 2, 2015
Posted in

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Today, I thought we’d just admire the easy way that flowers can be used, like any singular element, as a way to create lines. Lines define and give direction, as well as creating energy by creating visual movement. An arrangement of many small flowers will create those lines just as would a series of beads, crystals, hand tool marks, etc. So instead of bunching flower motifs into, well, a bunch, consider how you can create lines with them to convey the kind of calm or energy you are after in the piece you are making.

Here is a beautiful set of champagne bottles created by Anastaisa of Art-Kisto4ka on Livemaster.ru.  I love the way the line of flowers twist back and forth on the first two bottles giving the compositions a flowing energy, which is further picked up and added to by the lines of pearly dots shooting off in little swirls. I included one that outlined a heart as well simply to show how the flowers can create a grounded line that easily defines a shape.

Anastasia makes the most realistic looking flowers. I have to look around to ensure they weren’t real and preserved flowers. The ones on the bottles are excellent, but it’s her larger flowers that will really blow you away. You can see more of her finished work in her shop and on her blog. She also sells her flowers as components in her supply shop on LiveMaster.

 

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

 

     TPA_McGuire_blog ad    sfxpaad-diffuse

Read More

A Sprinkle of Spring

April 1, 2015
Posted in

handmade exp field flowersSpring is not just about the flowers, but also about the vast expanses of green many of us were longing for during the winter. This little field with its scattered few flowers made me smile when I saw it. That really is how the fields are out here right now, densely green with a sprinkle of wildflowers here and there. The simplicity of this piece is the key to the design.

I know very little about the creator except that she lives in Baia Mare, Romania, sells her work under the business name of Handmade Experience and doesn’t like to talk about herself. I prefer not to post work without having a name to go with it, but it is better to be seen without a name attached than not at all.

Update: Thanks to Sara Kroger we have a name for our artist–Anca Ursentea. She unearthed this interview with her: www.revista-atelierul.ro/2014/03/22/despre-lut-polimeric-cu-anca-ursentea/ 

Speaking of things not being seen, I had quite the collection of possible pieces to show this week, but so much was removed from the list for reasons that make me a tad sad. Mostly it’s about the photos. I’ve said this before, and I’ll keep saying it … take good, clear, well-lit photos with simple contrasting backgrounds. Most of the work I decided not to post this week had terribly busy backgrounds that made the art hard to discern. Maybe the flower theme gets people thinking about texture, and they feel this draw to fill the image with busy backgrounds. Some textured backgrounds can be nice and add atmosphere to the image, but most of the time, it just takes the focus away from your work. And if it’s a primarily green piece, don’t shoot on a green background. Also, avoid too much photo manipulation, and don’t use special photo effects. Get a good shot into the camera so you can do a minimal amount when you get to the computer, leaving you with a fresher, truer image of your piece.

I’m just saying … if you would like to get your work into any of the many quality, well-read blogs and websites that report on and re-post images from the web, give them something great to work with. You and your artwork deserve it.

 

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

     TPA_McGuire_blog ad    sfxpaad-diffuse

Read More

Sudden Color

March 31, 2015
Posted in

4ddf3ca2204958b57dcbb7c1c1d4ae78Isn’t one of the most breathtaking things in spring really just the blossoming of color after long months of a barely-there tint to the world? It’s a simple and even expected occurrence, the return of brilliant color, but when starved of something for a while, we become so much more appreciative and even excited by it, as if it was our first glimpse all over again.

Simple, but perfectly bright and cheery, is what I thought of this hair slide by Kathy of Flowertown Originals on Etsy. It’s really those jelly roll canes, going from light in the middle to bright color on the outside that makes the composition seem to glow. (See our Summer 2014 article in The Polymer Arts on creating the illusion of light for more on these techniques.) Between the blossoming flowers, the greening of the grasses and the lengthening days, this is just the kind of work that will be very well appreciated this time of year!

 

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

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015 LP-PA-FoilsDf0215   ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad;

Read More

The Pantone Spring Range

January 14, 2014
Posted in

Carina of Austria designed these colorful beaded necklaces and bracelets made from polymer clay. Although produced  lat year, they range this year’s Spring Pantone palette. The latest Pantone palatte and these pieces  give a modern twist to the classic spring palette by pairing soft pastels with more saturated colors to create a colorful contrast. These pieces bring to mind a mixture of blooming wild flowers with colors that refresh and defy conventional ideas of Spring.

7576299092_0ef8585c6d

For artist inspiration, take a look at some of the polymer clay images on Carina’s Flickr pages. Try some of these less conventional springtime colors in your own work. Have fun!

 

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.

Cover 13-P4 web    PCW_flower tile canes  WhimsicalBead051512

Read More
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