Small Steps

July 21, 2019

A little warning: this post is not going to be strictly about art as usual and you’ll understand why if you’re up for reading my little mental prattle today. Just thought you ought to know!

Has anyone ever told you, when something particularly difficult has happened to you, that it was just the way things are meant to be? Do you believe that’s true? Or do you feel a little inclined to smack the messenger? It’s ok … pain, be it physical or emotional, can make you grumpy in a way that cheery, little encouragements just can’t dissipate.

So, yeah, I’ve been a little grumpy this week. My arms are getting worse and I’m not sleeping well because this really worries me. I’m certain I am going to need to take some kind of break to let them heal but being the one full-time person in my business, taking a break can wreck a production schedule. It really makes me appreciate my arms! My arms and hands are my busy little helpers. I can’t do layout without them. I can’t touch up photographs without them. I can’t work with polymer clay without them!

Luckily, I can write without them because of speech-to-text software, as buggy as it can be sometimes. So today I’m mostly going to talk at you, literally, from my end, to save my arms which are taking care of the last tweaks needed to get the magazine files to the printer tomorrow. So, forgive me for the lack of in-depth artistic information and imagery. That takes several hours of research and my mouse finger is about done in.

So, yeah, I’m hoping you’ll indulge me as I share with you what has been on my mind, you know, from one creative to another. I know many of you are small business owners or super-solopreneurs trying to make a living or supplementing your income with your art, with no additional support. If you couldn’t upload to your online shop, schlep all those boxes to the art fair, or pack up those orders, who would? There is certainly nobody who can design and make your artwork for you so if you lose the ability to do so, even for a short time, what in the world would you do?

This, of course, is where my brain has been going, worrying about the situation with my arms. To calm my worries, I’ve been telling myself that whatever I’m going to need to do to heal is going to be a necessary thing in my life, not a barrier or a hurdle or any type of calamity. I do think we end up where we need to be when we do not struggle against what we know in our gut to be the right course of action. I think that we do become tuned into the things that we need when we acknowledge the need for change. We often just don’t see opportunities or understand what is possible until we are ready for them.

So, I am wondering, if I need to take a break, what can I do with that time? And, in the process of pondering this, it has struck me is that I have not had the opportunity, in the nearly 10 years I’ve been doing polymer centric publications, to ask myself what I would do if I could not do print production. And, yes, my thoughts have gone there because although I am hoping the doctor is going to advise a reasonable break of three or four weeks, I’ve done some research and know there’s a possibility that my tendinitis has progressed into something that’s going to take much longer to heal from. And just asking myself those questions has revealed to me that I’ve not really reviewed what I’m doing and why for quite a long time. And maybe this is happening now because that is what I need– to take an honest view of my life.

I am sure I am not the only one who could use a little internal review. Have you had the opportunity to ask yourself recently if you’re happy doing what you’re doing? And I’m talking careers, relationships, living situations, as well as a creative life. Do we continue to do what we do out of inertia or because we love it or because we just don’t have time to stop and think about it?

I know it’s hard to carve out time to take a good honest look at our lives on a regular basis, but shouldn’t that be a priority? I know couples whose anniversaries are not just a time to go out to dinner and celebrate but, rather, are a time to discuss and assess the relationship. They asked each other “Do you want to stay with me another year?” I know one couple that’s been doing that for over 30 years. After that long, it seems silly to ask but I do think it wonderful that they take the time out to pose the question so that if they are at all unhappy maybe they can do something about it before becomes a problem. Maybe, we should all be doing that with every aspect of our lives. Maybe right after the busy season or on New Year’s Day – whenever in your life you know you will have some downtime each year – we can ask ourselves, “Am I happy with my life and how I am living it?”

Is it me, or does the prospect of asking that sound downright scary? What if the answer is no? I get a little twist in my stomach thinking about it. Is that because I’m afraid to of the truth or afraid of the prospect of needing change?

I’m not sure. But I am going to take the time to ask myself that question this week when I get to take a breather from production. So, if the answer is “no”, then that is the first step towards making necessary changes. I can already say that I’m not happy about the physical pain I often find myself in so I do know I will be working on that. But none of us should be afraid to ask ourselves such a question. If a change needs to be made, it doesn’t have to be drastic and it doesn’t have to be immediate. You can start by making just teeny tiny changes towards it.

The idea of making minuscule little changes comes from something I read about a process called the Kaizen method. This was developed primarily for use in business to create more efficient procedures. It seems to be rooted in the idea that you aim to create change through a series of very small steps. The Idea is that when we are faced with a big change, it’s scary and daunting and we tend not to get started working towards it because of that. But if you just change one very small thing every day, or every week, something so minuscule it would be silly to say you couldn’t do it, you will be making progress towards the change you want or need and will eventually, almost effortlessly, get there.

So, what if we took an honest look at what we’re doing with our lives and a close look at the things that don’t make us happy or causes pain and do just one teeny-tiny little thing today to put us on the path to the change that we need? And better still, tell someone you’re going to do it. Because if you say something like “I’m going to massage my arm for thirty seconds every morning before I get to work, no matter how busy I am,” (Yeah, that was mine early this week …) to your spouse or your best friend, how in the world can you tell them that you couldn’t take thirty seconds out of your day to do that? And if you reward yourself as well (I sat by the pond and watched our pretty fish while I did it), you’re even more likely to do it.

Okay, I know you don’t read this blog for motivational self-help talk but this was on my mind and if it’s on my mind as a person trying to figure out how to live a creative life and survive it, I figure it’s going to strike a chord with a few of you as well. I hope you didn’t mind.

There is a direct artistic process correlation buried in these ideas. For one, you really should ask yourself on a regular basis if you’re happy doing the kind of work that you’re creating. For instance, I’ve been antsy to get back to doing some fiber work, not just polymer, but being entrenched in polymer art day in and day out, it’s rather hard for me to think in terms of fiber design but if I get a break, I think it may do just that. And then I’ll combine the polymer, I’m sure.

And taking tiny steps… You can do incredible things one tiny bit at a time. Take a look at the Cynthia Toops and Chuck Domitrovich pin opening this post. She drops in one little chip of polymer at a time – a tedious procedure, I’m sure. But I’m also sure that as the image emerges, Cynthia becomes more and more motivated to complete the piece. And the result is gorgeous. I can only imagine how satisfying it is to complete such an intense piece. And that’s what change would be like, done one teeny tiny step at a time.

And really, our life is not made up of big events and monumental changes. It is primarily made up of all the small steps, the minor decisions, the little nudges, and all the little utterances we put out there. The small steps are what get us to the big and momentous occasions. So, hurrah for all the teeny tiny steps we make. Let’s try to keep the ball going in the right direction.

I’ll let you know next week what the doctor says. Don’t worry… I promise I will not disappear. There is nothing I would rather do than inspire the artistic and creative in people. If I need any help, I’ll let you know. I do tend to post calls for content and assistance on my personal Facebook page so if you’re at all inclined, you’re welcome to friend me there at www.facebook.com/s.sagebray

In the meantime, I hope you have a beautiful, creative, and inspired week!

 

 

Stories in Pieces

April 20, 2017

Ctoops dragon fightingThank you for the responses on Tuesday’s mosaic. I loved reading your different views and loved the level of enthusiasm in the comments. I apologize that they took a day to show up–the mysterious ways of the internet did not let us in to approve them until late in the day. Technology often reminds me of when the kids were around four. You just never knew if or when they would cooperate. Actually, that reminds me of 14 year olds, too. But, wait … that is not our subject today!

We are going to get back to mosaics and I hope a few of you will chime in with your thoughts again. Let’s look at a completely different type from Cynthia Toops, who is just mad about micro mosaics.

Cynthia’s images often invoke a story but how important is the story to the success of the work? Do you easily find a story here, even with the disparate types of critters wedged into it? Do you not care if a story is easily drawn from this but enjoy it any ways? If so, why? Does it feel crowded to you or is the abundance of detail part of its charm?

Cynthia has a website here but her collaborative silversmithing partner, Chuck Domitrovich, keeps the best collection of their work on this Pinterest board.

_________________________________________

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

    businesscard-3.5inx2in-h-front   never knead -july-2015c-125

The Great Create Sept 15 blog   Shades of Clay Sept 15 Blog

_________________________________________

Scenes in Micro

September 18, 2014

5261884267_b4df99cd32_o

Ginger really wanted to share a micro mosaic piece with you this week and I’ve gone back and forth on options for us. The thing is, micro mosaics in polymer were really established, and I think are still best done, by Cynthia Toops. But I’ll be breaking a rule of mine to not feature an artist that was on the blog within the last 6 months–I like to spread the love around so to speak and Cynthia was featured last month. Well, here’s to breaking rules now and then!

The image of this bracelet is actually from Chuck Domitrovich’s Flickr pages. Chuck, an accomplished metal smith, partnered with Cynthia to create this bracelet some years back. This gorgeous bangle has two scenes actually–one side with an underwater scenario on the right and a land scene on the left. They work together because of the similar color palette and the styling of the imagery. I didn’t think it was too hard to imagine how these were created but the timing issue was not something I would have expected. Here is Cynthia’s process in Chuck’s words:

“Each mosaic is made by rolling tiny Fimo/polymer threads out of each color, and then baking those threads to harden them. Then the threads are cut into small pieces and these are used as the basis for the mosaic, with each tiny cut piece of thread pushed into soft polymer lining the bezel. She only has a limited amount of time to set all the threads before the polymer clay dries out and the threads begin to curl. In some of the larger mosaics she has done, Cynthia has had to rework entire sections that have dried too fast. Each mosaic takes many, many hours, and it is not unusual for her to spend a week of working almost constantly to finish one. Once all the threads are in place the entire piece is baked once again, hardening and setting them.”

There is more detail in this bracelet at the hinges and a closer look really is needed to appreciate all that went into this. You can see great detail shots by clicking the image here or this link and then clicking the right side arrows on Chuck’s Flickr page to see them all.  And you can find more of Cynthia and Chuck’s micro mosaic collaborations in this Flickr photo album.

Our guest blogger partner, Ginger Davis Allman lives in Springfield, Missouri with her husband Gary, her three kids and her many craft obsessions. Subscribe to her blog and look around her website for her well-researched and in-depth posts and articles on polymer related subjects. Support her great information and research as well as treating yourself by purchasing a tutorial or two from this talented lady.

 

 

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   Faux-Glass-Banner-1000px-600x476

 

Crowded Elegance

August 14, 2014

tubeNecklace1I knew it was not likely that I would get through a week about repetition and crowded aesthetics without bringing in Cynthia Toops. I tried, but of all the artists I can think of, no one really beats her degree of repetitious elements that is a portrayal  of beauty rather than something that tips into chaos or excess.

This tube necklace really drives home the idea that no matter how machined and perfect the elements, the crowded disorder of their assemblage is going to read as organic. Every element here was created with a precision tool or skill set, from the extruded tubes to the carefully chosen gradation of colors, and then to the elegant high-sided bezels the polymer tubes are packed into. It is easy to sense the care in the craftsmanship, but the precision may be hidden. You see this and still think of bunches of flowers, a meadow dense with wildflowers or the flowering of yarrow plants and the like, don’t you? It’s that very slight variation in color and height of each standing tube that sways our thoughts to the natural settings. A simple idea, but the results are complex, rich and rather intense in a quiet, elegant way.

From their amassed tubes to dense string of pods, and on to micro mosaics, Cynthia and her collaborator, Dan Adams, really crowd it in and continue to awe and delight us along the way. If you’ve never visited their website, take a a little trip through some of these beautifully packed spaces. 

 

 

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-P2 CoverFnl-blog   Blog2 -2014-02Feb-1   marble cane ad

Small Steps

July 21, 2019
Posted in

A little warning: this post is not going to be strictly about art as usual and you’ll understand why if you’re up for reading my little mental prattle today. Just thought you ought to know!

Has anyone ever told you, when something particularly difficult has happened to you, that it was just the way things are meant to be? Do you believe that’s true? Or do you feel a little inclined to smack the messenger? It’s ok … pain, be it physical or emotional, can make you grumpy in a way that cheery, little encouragements just can’t dissipate.

So, yeah, I’ve been a little grumpy this week. My arms are getting worse and I’m not sleeping well because this really worries me. I’m certain I am going to need to take some kind of break to let them heal but being the one full-time person in my business, taking a break can wreck a production schedule. It really makes me appreciate my arms! My arms and hands are my busy little helpers. I can’t do layout without them. I can’t touch up photographs without them. I can’t work with polymer clay without them!

Luckily, I can write without them because of speech-to-text software, as buggy as it can be sometimes. So today I’m mostly going to talk at you, literally, from my end, to save my arms which are taking care of the last tweaks needed to get the magazine files to the printer tomorrow. So, forgive me for the lack of in-depth artistic information and imagery. That takes several hours of research and my mouse finger is about done in.

So, yeah, I’m hoping you’ll indulge me as I share with you what has been on my mind, you know, from one creative to another. I know many of you are small business owners or super-solopreneurs trying to make a living or supplementing your income with your art, with no additional support. If you couldn’t upload to your online shop, schlep all those boxes to the art fair, or pack up those orders, who would? There is certainly nobody who can design and make your artwork for you so if you lose the ability to do so, even for a short time, what in the world would you do?

This, of course, is where my brain has been going, worrying about the situation with my arms. To calm my worries, I’ve been telling myself that whatever I’m going to need to do to heal is going to be a necessary thing in my life, not a barrier or a hurdle or any type of calamity. I do think we end up where we need to be when we do not struggle against what we know in our gut to be the right course of action. I think that we do become tuned into the things that we need when we acknowledge the need for change. We often just don’t see opportunities or understand what is possible until we are ready for them.

So, I am wondering, if I need to take a break, what can I do with that time? And, in the process of pondering this, it has struck me is that I have not had the opportunity, in the nearly 10 years I’ve been doing polymer centric publications, to ask myself what I would do if I could not do print production. And, yes, my thoughts have gone there because although I am hoping the doctor is going to advise a reasonable break of three or four weeks, I’ve done some research and know there’s a possibility that my tendinitis has progressed into something that’s going to take much longer to heal from. And just asking myself those questions has revealed to me that I’ve not really reviewed what I’m doing and why for quite a long time. And maybe this is happening now because that is what I need– to take an honest view of my life.

I am sure I am not the only one who could use a little internal review. Have you had the opportunity to ask yourself recently if you’re happy doing what you’re doing? And I’m talking careers, relationships, living situations, as well as a creative life. Do we continue to do what we do out of inertia or because we love it or because we just don’t have time to stop and think about it?

I know it’s hard to carve out time to take a good honest look at our lives on a regular basis, but shouldn’t that be a priority? I know couples whose anniversaries are not just a time to go out to dinner and celebrate but, rather, are a time to discuss and assess the relationship. They asked each other “Do you want to stay with me another year?” I know one couple that’s been doing that for over 30 years. After that long, it seems silly to ask but I do think it wonderful that they take the time out to pose the question so that if they are at all unhappy maybe they can do something about it before becomes a problem. Maybe, we should all be doing that with every aspect of our lives. Maybe right after the busy season or on New Year’s Day – whenever in your life you know you will have some downtime each year – we can ask ourselves, “Am I happy with my life and how I am living it?”

Is it me, or does the prospect of asking that sound downright scary? What if the answer is no? I get a little twist in my stomach thinking about it. Is that because I’m afraid to of the truth or afraid of the prospect of needing change?

I’m not sure. But I am going to take the time to ask myself that question this week when I get to take a breather from production. So, if the answer is “no”, then that is the first step towards making necessary changes. I can already say that I’m not happy about the physical pain I often find myself in so I do know I will be working on that. But none of us should be afraid to ask ourselves such a question. If a change needs to be made, it doesn’t have to be drastic and it doesn’t have to be immediate. You can start by making just teeny tiny changes towards it.

The idea of making minuscule little changes comes from something I read about a process called the Kaizen method. This was developed primarily for use in business to create more efficient procedures. It seems to be rooted in the idea that you aim to create change through a series of very small steps. The Idea is that when we are faced with a big change, it’s scary and daunting and we tend not to get started working towards it because of that. But if you just change one very small thing every day, or every week, something so minuscule it would be silly to say you couldn’t do it, you will be making progress towards the change you want or need and will eventually, almost effortlessly, get there.

So, what if we took an honest look at what we’re doing with our lives and a close look at the things that don’t make us happy or causes pain and do just one teeny-tiny little thing today to put us on the path to the change that we need? And better still, tell someone you’re going to do it. Because if you say something like “I’m going to massage my arm for thirty seconds every morning before I get to work, no matter how busy I am,” (Yeah, that was mine early this week …) to your spouse or your best friend, how in the world can you tell them that you couldn’t take thirty seconds out of your day to do that? And if you reward yourself as well (I sat by the pond and watched our pretty fish while I did it), you’re even more likely to do it.

Okay, I know you don’t read this blog for motivational self-help talk but this was on my mind and if it’s on my mind as a person trying to figure out how to live a creative life and survive it, I figure it’s going to strike a chord with a few of you as well. I hope you didn’t mind.

There is a direct artistic process correlation buried in these ideas. For one, you really should ask yourself on a regular basis if you’re happy doing the kind of work that you’re creating. For instance, I’ve been antsy to get back to doing some fiber work, not just polymer, but being entrenched in polymer art day in and day out, it’s rather hard for me to think in terms of fiber design but if I get a break, I think it may do just that. And then I’ll combine the polymer, I’m sure.

And taking tiny steps… You can do incredible things one tiny bit at a time. Take a look at the Cynthia Toops and Chuck Domitrovich pin opening this post. She drops in one little chip of polymer at a time – a tedious procedure, I’m sure. But I’m also sure that as the image emerges, Cynthia becomes more and more motivated to complete the piece. And the result is gorgeous. I can only imagine how satisfying it is to complete such an intense piece. And that’s what change would be like, done one teeny tiny step at a time.

And really, our life is not made up of big events and monumental changes. It is primarily made up of all the small steps, the minor decisions, the little nudges, and all the little utterances we put out there. The small steps are what get us to the big and momentous occasions. So, hurrah for all the teeny tiny steps we make. Let’s try to keep the ball going in the right direction.

I’ll let you know next week what the doctor says. Don’t worry… I promise I will not disappear. There is nothing I would rather do than inspire the artistic and creative in people. If I need any help, I’ll let you know. I do tend to post calls for content and assistance on my personal Facebook page so if you’re at all inclined, you’re welcome to friend me there at www.facebook.com/s.sagebray

In the meantime, I hope you have a beautiful, creative, and inspired week!

 

 

Read More

Stories in Pieces

April 20, 2017
Posted in

Ctoops dragon fightingThank you for the responses on Tuesday’s mosaic. I loved reading your different views and loved the level of enthusiasm in the comments. I apologize that they took a day to show up–the mysterious ways of the internet did not let us in to approve them until late in the day. Technology often reminds me of when the kids were around four. You just never knew if or when they would cooperate. Actually, that reminds me of 14 year olds, too. But, wait … that is not our subject today!

We are going to get back to mosaics and I hope a few of you will chime in with your thoughts again. Let’s look at a completely different type from Cynthia Toops, who is just mad about micro mosaics.

Cynthia’s images often invoke a story but how important is the story to the success of the work? Do you easily find a story here, even with the disparate types of critters wedged into it? Do you not care if a story is easily drawn from this but enjoy it any ways? If so, why? Does it feel crowded to you or is the abundance of detail part of its charm?

Cynthia has a website here but her collaborative silversmithing partner, Chuck Domitrovich, keeps the best collection of their work on this Pinterest board.

_________________________________________

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

    businesscard-3.5inx2in-h-front   never knead -july-2015c-125

The Great Create Sept 15 blog   Shades of Clay Sept 15 Blog

_________________________________________

Read More

Scenes in Micro

September 18, 2014
Posted in

5261884267_b4df99cd32_o

Ginger really wanted to share a micro mosaic piece with you this week and I’ve gone back and forth on options for us. The thing is, micro mosaics in polymer were really established, and I think are still best done, by Cynthia Toops. But I’ll be breaking a rule of mine to not feature an artist that was on the blog within the last 6 months–I like to spread the love around so to speak and Cynthia was featured last month. Well, here’s to breaking rules now and then!

The image of this bracelet is actually from Chuck Domitrovich’s Flickr pages. Chuck, an accomplished metal smith, partnered with Cynthia to create this bracelet some years back. This gorgeous bangle has two scenes actually–one side with an underwater scenario on the right and a land scene on the left. They work together because of the similar color palette and the styling of the imagery. I didn’t think it was too hard to imagine how these were created but the timing issue was not something I would have expected. Here is Cynthia’s process in Chuck’s words:

“Each mosaic is made by rolling tiny Fimo/polymer threads out of each color, and then baking those threads to harden them. Then the threads are cut into small pieces and these are used as the basis for the mosaic, with each tiny cut piece of thread pushed into soft polymer lining the bezel. She only has a limited amount of time to set all the threads before the polymer clay dries out and the threads begin to curl. In some of the larger mosaics she has done, Cynthia has had to rework entire sections that have dried too fast. Each mosaic takes many, many hours, and it is not unusual for her to spend a week of working almost constantly to finish one. Once all the threads are in place the entire piece is baked once again, hardening and setting them.”

There is more detail in this bracelet at the hinges and a closer look really is needed to appreciate all that went into this. You can see great detail shots by clicking the image here or this link and then clicking the right side arrows on Chuck’s Flickr page to see them all.  And you can find more of Cynthia and Chuck’s micro mosaic collaborations in this Flickr photo album.

Our guest blogger partner, Ginger Davis Allman lives in Springfield, Missouri with her husband Gary, her three kids and her many craft obsessions. Subscribe to her blog and look around her website for her well-researched and in-depth posts and articles on polymer related subjects. Support her great information and research as well as treating yourself by purchasing a tutorial or two from this talented lady.

 

 

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   Faux-Glass-Banner-1000px-600x476

 

Read More

Crowded Elegance

August 14, 2014
Posted in

tubeNecklace1I knew it was not likely that I would get through a week about repetition and crowded aesthetics without bringing in Cynthia Toops. I tried, but of all the artists I can think of, no one really beats her degree of repetitious elements that is a portrayal  of beauty rather than something that tips into chaos or excess.

This tube necklace really drives home the idea that no matter how machined and perfect the elements, the crowded disorder of their assemblage is going to read as organic. Every element here was created with a precision tool or skill set, from the extruded tubes to the carefully chosen gradation of colors, and then to the elegant high-sided bezels the polymer tubes are packed into. It is easy to sense the care in the craftsmanship, but the precision may be hidden. You see this and still think of bunches of flowers, a meadow dense with wildflowers or the flowering of yarrow plants and the like, don’t you? It’s that very slight variation in color and height of each standing tube that sways our thoughts to the natural settings. A simple idea, but the results are complex, rich and rather intense in a quiet, elegant way.

From their amassed tubes to dense string of pods, and on to micro mosaics, Cynthia and her collaborator, Dan Adams, really crowd it in and continue to awe and delight us along the way. If you’ve never visited their website, take a a little trip through some of these beautifully packed spaces. 

 

 

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-P2 CoverFnl-blog   Blog2 -2014-02Feb-1   marble cane ad

Read More
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