Too Strangely Cute
April 29, 2015
Inspirational Art
Okay, yes, I’m sneaking this one in on Art Doll week when it would probably be better categorized under sculpture or illustration, but I don’t know when else I will get to share the immensely entertaining work of Gesine Kratzner. We have doll-like forms, props and a story told through the expressions; all things that are common with most doll art. But mostly, we have smiles. On our faces. Do we not?
Gesine is from Germany, educated in the UK and now lives and breathes life into her creations in Portland, Oregon. Technically, she’s an animator but pieces like these are where her heart is at. As she says, “Most of all, I love to draw and sculpt squiggly creatures and to dream up small worlds and stories for them to inhabit.” Creatures. Dolls. Pretty much the same thing.
Her creatures are polymer clay with color added through acrylic paint. Polymer purists might cringe at the mention of painted polymer, but the look she gets is not something that could be done with polymer alone. I imagine it also allows her to spontaneously and freely create the forms leaving color until later when the personalities have made themselves known. Her process certainly shows a lot of personality.
You can further entertain yourself with Gesine’s pieces by heading over to her website. And, if you fall in love with these faces and want to own your own little creature, you can grab them up in her Etsy shop that goes by the sophisticated name of … Blobhouse.
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.
Decorative Figurative
June 11, 2013
Inspirational Art
Figurative sculpture, of course, doesn’t need to be literal. In fact, with polymer, you have this wide open invitation to play with shape, color, texture, etc., and just go wild because… why not?
Gera Scott Chandler has become one of my favorite artists in recent years because of her very unique style, sense of playfulness, and rather emotive work. These muses below appear so optimistic and benevolent due to the facial expression and stance, with a joy and liveliness radiating from the mix of color and texture. It’s quite the metaphor for moments of great inspiration.
This kind of work is a brilliant (pun intended!) example of how techniques and approaches in polymer can cross over from jewelry or decor to sculpture. There is a freedom in this kind of sculpture that, if you haven’t already, you should try. You can even use your favorite jewelry or decor techniques. You don’t have the engineering of how a piece of jewelry will hang or the restrictions of the functionality or form of a piece of home decor. And if you usually do more realistic sculpture, taking a stab at this looser approach will allow you to let go of the reality of forms so you can just play. Its just pure art and pure expression, which you may find to be a wonderful way to get your creativity to get up and stretch a bit.
Okay, yes, I’m sneaking this one in on Art Doll week when it would probably be better categorized under sculpture or illustration, but I don’t know when else I will get to share the immensely entertaining work of Gesine Kratzner. We have doll-like forms, props and a story told through the expressions; all things that are common with most doll art. But mostly, we have smiles. On our faces. Do we not?
Gesine is from Germany, educated in the UK and now lives and breathes life into her creations in Portland, Oregon. Technically, she’s an animator but pieces like these are where her heart is at. As she says, “Most of all, I love to draw and sculpt squiggly creatures and to dream up small worlds and stories for them to inhabit.” Creatures. Dolls. Pretty much the same thing.
Her creatures are polymer clay with color added through acrylic paint. Polymer purists might cringe at the mention of painted polymer, but the look she gets is not something that could be done with polymer alone. I imagine it also allows her to spontaneously and freely create the forms leaving color until later when the personalities have made themselves known. Her process certainly shows a lot of personality.
You can further entertain yourself with Gesine’s pieces by heading over to her website. And, if you fall in love with these faces and want to own your own little creature, you can grab them up in her Etsy shop that goes by the sophisticated name of … Blobhouse.
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.
Figurative sculpture, of course, doesn’t need to be literal. In fact, with polymer, you have this wide open invitation to play with shape, color, texture, etc., and just go wild because… why not?
Gera Scott Chandler has become one of my favorite artists in recent years because of her very unique style, sense of playfulness, and rather emotive work. These muses below appear so optimistic and benevolent due to the facial expression and stance, with a joy and liveliness radiating from the mix of color and texture. It’s quite the metaphor for moments of great inspiration.
This kind of work is a brilliant (pun intended!) example of how techniques and approaches in polymer can cross over from jewelry or decor to sculpture. There is a freedom in this kind of sculpture that, if you haven’t already, you should try. You can even use your favorite jewelry or decor techniques. You don’t have the engineering of how a piece of jewelry will hang or the restrictions of the functionality or form of a piece of home decor. And if you usually do more realistic sculpture, taking a stab at this looser approach will allow you to let go of the reality of forms so you can just play. Its just pure art and pure expression, which you may find to be a wonderful way to get your creativity to get up and stretch a bit.
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