A Sharing Week

Out of necessity, I’m going to do something a little bit different this week for you. It’s been a whacked-out week. You’ve had them, right? You think everything’s going so well and then one unexpected thing after another pops up, and next thing you know all your top priorities become bottom of the list items, and you can barely find time to sleep much just do the work you intended. Yeah, it’s been like that.

Now, mind you, nothing serious is going on. It’s just a lot of things happening at once. Well, I did seem to do something to my arm – yes, the one I’m trying to heal – but I’m considering that to be a little reminder that just because it’s feeling better doesn’t mean it is. *sigh* Back to being super diligent with how I use that arm!

So, as hard as I have tried every night to sit down and work on this blog these last few days, I’ve simply been unable to. One of the maxims of this break for me has been to listen to my body, resting and sleeping when I need to rather than when my schedule can afford it and so, by the time I sit down to work I’ve been utterly exhausted and just need to sleep. For that, I send my sincere apologies. I promise to get back to it next weekend!

But I can’t leave you on this Sunday without food for thought. So, here is an article that was shared with me some months back by Donna Greenberg. I think the philosophies here are so important for all types of artists and even hobbyists. It’s an article about fiber artist Anni Albers and an extrapolation of her writings fitted into 4 lessons for being an artist. They are this:

Lesson #1: Embrace accidents

Lesson #2: Bring play into the artmaking process

Lesson #3: Listen to your chosen material

Lesson #4: Experiment with new technologies

Sound familiar? I think you’ve heard all but #3 from me a few times on this blog over the years. However, I really like how it’s worded here. Whether you are a beginner or veteran crafter, I think you will find something to spark your work this week. Click here to read it. Then, you might want to bookmark that website, Artsy.net, the Education section, for more wonderful articles and interviews!

If, however, you are one of those who have found it hard to just sit down and create, might I suggest sitting down for 12 minutes and watching this video? They talk often about art in the context of fiction writing but the concepts of resistance and persistence might just hit home for you and get you off to work!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lTcgSzf0AQ

 

Upcoming Damage Sale  … a Head’s Up

In the meantime, I am going to spend the rest of this US Labor Day holiday weekend catching up on sleep so I can set up our big Damage sale for you all this coming week. This is the biggest price cut on publications I do all year, taking shelf worn and corner dinged publications and selling them for half price or less. I am giving you a heads ups because it’s a limited inventory and many issues disappear within the first day.

The sale will be on Wednesday, Sept 4th. I will send out a quick announcement here so everyone gets a fair chance but otherwise, look for our newsletter with all the details. Sign up for the newsletter here if you are not already on it.

Thank you for your understanding this weekend. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Of Fish, Team Work and Child-like Wonder

September 30, 2015

19121Apparently, I am up for not only discussing mixing disciplines but also for being whimsical. I do love whimsy. That is the realm of the child and the always child-like side of ourselves. It’s something we should never, ever lose as it brings us back to a place of wonder and exploration and, by extension, a constant appreciation for this amazing world we live in. And, doesn’t seeing the world that way make us ever so much more happy in our lives?

This piece is by an artist by the name of James Christensen, and this is not polymer. But, it could so readily be polymer that I am going to chatter along like it doesn’t matter that it is made of bronze or that it originally came from one of James’ illustrations. Here are James’ own words about this fantastical piece:

In the fantastic world of James C. Christensen’s paintings, fish are a symbol of magic and wisdom. “Their floating presence in the air reminds us that anything is possible,” says Christensen, “and those touched or surrounded by fish are considered truly blessed. When the fish don’t arrive, however, sometimes a person will take matters into his own hands, with compelling but less-than-convincing results.”

“When The Greenwich Workshop first approached me about transforming False Magic into a bronze sculpture I was surprised, but it turned out to be a brilliant idea. As soon as we had constructed the rigging I knew it was going to be great; the creative work and art of many people have taken False Magic and made it real magic.” 

So from an illustration to a clay sculpture to a cast bronze, this imagery rode down the path of several disciplines to become what it is today. It’s another way that you all can look at your own or another person’s work in another medium and try to translate it into something that is all your own. Every time an artist works to translate what they see and are inspired by in the work of another, the imagery and art gains further depth.

James creates the most beautiful and whimsical illustrations, as well as other sculptures. Scroll down his page to see more of his work and enjoy a few childlike moments getting lost in it.

Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:

     

   TPA_McGuire_blog ad  Print

A Sharing Week

September 1, 2019
Posted in ,

Out of necessity, I’m going to do something a little bit different this week for you. It’s been a whacked-out week. You’ve had them, right? You think everything’s going so well and then one unexpected thing after another pops up, and next thing you know all your top priorities become bottom of the list items, and you can barely find time to sleep much just do the work you intended. Yeah, it’s been like that.

Now, mind you, nothing serious is going on. It’s just a lot of things happening at once. Well, I did seem to do something to my arm – yes, the one I’m trying to heal – but I’m considering that to be a little reminder that just because it’s feeling better doesn’t mean it is. *sigh* Back to being super diligent with how I use that arm!

So, as hard as I have tried every night to sit down and work on this blog these last few days, I’ve simply been unable to. One of the maxims of this break for me has been to listen to my body, resting and sleeping when I need to rather than when my schedule can afford it and so, by the time I sit down to work I’ve been utterly exhausted and just need to sleep. For that, I send my sincere apologies. I promise to get back to it next weekend!

But I can’t leave you on this Sunday without food for thought. So, here is an article that was shared with me some months back by Donna Greenberg. I think the philosophies here are so important for all types of artists and even hobbyists. It’s an article about fiber artist Anni Albers and an extrapolation of her writings fitted into 4 lessons for being an artist. They are this:

Lesson #1: Embrace accidents

Lesson #2: Bring play into the artmaking process

Lesson #3: Listen to your chosen material

Lesson #4: Experiment with new technologies

Sound familiar? I think you’ve heard all but #3 from me a few times on this blog over the years. However, I really like how it’s worded here. Whether you are a beginner or veteran crafter, I think you will find something to spark your work this week. Click here to read it. Then, you might want to bookmark that website, Artsy.net, the Education section, for more wonderful articles and interviews!

If, however, you are one of those who have found it hard to just sit down and create, might I suggest sitting down for 12 minutes and watching this video? They talk often about art in the context of fiction writing but the concepts of resistance and persistence might just hit home for you and get you off to work!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lTcgSzf0AQ

 

Upcoming Damage Sale  … a Head’s Up

In the meantime, I am going to spend the rest of this US Labor Day holiday weekend catching up on sleep so I can set up our big Damage sale for you all this coming week. This is the biggest price cut on publications I do all year, taking shelf worn and corner dinged publications and selling them for half price or less. I am giving you a heads ups because it’s a limited inventory and many issues disappear within the first day.

The sale will be on Wednesday, Sept 4th. I will send out a quick announcement here so everyone gets a fair chance but otherwise, look for our newsletter with all the details. Sign up for the newsletter here if you are not already on it.

Thank you for your understanding this weekend. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Read More

Of Fish, Team Work and Child-like Wonder

September 30, 2015
Posted in

19121Apparently, I am up for not only discussing mixing disciplines but also for being whimsical. I do love whimsy. That is the realm of the child and the always child-like side of ourselves. It’s something we should never, ever lose as it brings us back to a place of wonder and exploration and, by extension, a constant appreciation for this amazing world we live in. And, doesn’t seeing the world that way make us ever so much more happy in our lives?

This piece is by an artist by the name of James Christensen, and this is not polymer. But, it could so readily be polymer that I am going to chatter along like it doesn’t matter that it is made of bronze or that it originally came from one of James’ illustrations. Here are James’ own words about this fantastical piece:

In the fantastic world of James C. Christensen’s paintings, fish are a symbol of magic and wisdom. “Their floating presence in the air reminds us that anything is possible,” says Christensen, “and those touched or surrounded by fish are considered truly blessed. When the fish don’t arrive, however, sometimes a person will take matters into his own hands, with compelling but less-than-convincing results.”

“When The Greenwich Workshop first approached me about transforming False Magic into a bronze sculpture I was surprised, but it turned out to be a brilliant idea. As soon as we had constructed the rigging I knew it was going to be great; the creative work and art of many people have taken False Magic and made it real magic.” 

So from an illustration to a clay sculpture to a cast bronze, this imagery rode down the path of several disciplines to become what it is today. It’s another way that you all can look at your own or another person’s work in another medium and try to translate it into something that is all your own. Every time an artist works to translate what they see and are inspired by in the work of another, the imagery and art gains further depth.

James creates the most beautiful and whimsical illustrations, as well as other sculptures. Scroll down his page to see more of his work and enjoy a few childlike moments getting lost in it.

Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:

     

   TPA_McGuire_blog ad  Print

Read More
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