Positivity, Beauty and Love
November 9, 2016
Inspirational Art, Ponderings
Before I talk about this gorgeous mural, I want to ask those of you reading this to bear with me on what has been a bit of hard morning here in the US as I have a small request. But don’t worry, I am not going to get political. I simply want to send out, from my little tiny corner of the world, a message of positivity. It’s a message I think we as artists are particularly capable of sending out in a myriad of effectual ways. I believe this is the only thing worth focusing on right now in what is sure to be an unforgettable time. What about it will be so unforgettable is what I hope you and I can influence.
Last night, Americans saw a shift in our belief in and an understanding of our country and what it stands for. There are a lot of angry, depressed and confused people, not just here in the States but all over the world. Everything I’ve watched and read indicates that the unexpected US presidential election results was primarily a vote against something rather than for something but it has left us in a precarious place. For those of you despairing of the outcome, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The president is not the American people. He is just one person and we are millions. The president is not a dictator and does not have the kind of power to do many of the things Trump has said he would do. So let’s not panic or the panic itself will become part of the problem. Let’s take control of and influence what each of us has access to. And what we have access to, primarily, is our talent and each other.
As artists, writers and creatives in general, we have, collectively, a tremendous amount of influence. The creatives in our world monitor and voice our emotions. They color the atmosphere of our world. And right now, all of you, whether you are an active artist or simply a supportive admirer, can make a difference in how the US moves forward and how the world is effected.
No, we will not be able to shore up stock markets or end bigotry in any kind of immediate and dramatic way but that is not how change actually happens. Change happens in a series of infinitesimally small steps. Like an earthquake, tiny small shifts and pressures build up until the plates cannot stand it any longer and releases the pressure all at once. This is what happened yesterday. We now have the opportunity to create the right kind of change by applying the right kind of pressure in this atmosphere where people are looking for answers. We can be the pressure for positive changes.
So I want to ask everyone reading this to do a very simple thing, something that we all have the power to do and can collectively use to make truly positive changes in what has been, for a while now, a very divided and emotional time, all across the world. I want to encourage you to put out nothing but beauty, compassion, love and positive messages right now. Set aside anger, disappointment, depression and even your fears for the time being in order to do and say kind and positive things.
It is extremely important that negativity not rule the day. So use your network, your influence, your exposure and your creativity to help bolster the atmosphere of our global community. Don’t desert or admonish family or friends for supporting the other candidate or for sitting out the election. Instead support what you believe in with charitable donations, volunteering, vocal support, and your art. Create beautiful things so the world is just that much more lovely a place.
I’ll do my part now by sharing a bit of beauty. This beautiful Starling mural by artists Collin van der Sluijs and Super A is on an apartment building in Berlin. The collaborative work was created for the “One Wall Mural Project”, a project that aims to highlight the diversity of the many neighborhoods of Berlin by enabling artists to create these huge murals, thereby spreading a message of cohesion and beauty throughout the city. Take a look at this post on Colossal to see it in more detail. It is amazing.
It’s too bad we can’t all create 137 foot tall murals to be seen by thousands of people daily, sharing beauty and inspiring others along the way. But we can do our small part to contribute to a positive solution rooted in love for everyone. Will you join me?
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Select a piece of your artwork and give it to someone who could use a little more beauty today. Do this for them and for yourself. Being kind and charitable will enrich your day as well as the day of the person you gift the art too and, hopefully, that has a rippling effect through many, many people.
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Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
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Parallel Lives
February 14, 2015
Inspirational Art
This last story was actually requested. By several readers. Why this handful of people knew there was this story to be told, I’m not sure. It is a lot like yesterday’s story, but with some significant differences, as well as a different kind of significance here. I think you’ll know what I’m getting at when you read it
The artwork here is not a piece by either in the story, but it’s something I’ve had saved for a while. Its not even polymer. But, really, it could be, and someone really needs to try this! It’s a glass mosaic created on a rock.
That is what artist Liz Tonkin does… she builds mosaics on rocks. Isn’t is gorgeous? Take a look at her Facebook page to find the most eye candy of this sort. Okay, enjoy that while reading the last of our ‘lovely’ stories this week.
Parallel Lives
Once upon a time, in a Los Angeles high school drama class, a charming boy with an amazingly cute smile sat down next to a very shy, self-conscious girl (who had unintentionally ended up in the class) and asked her to do a scene with him. She didn’t know why this guy, who every girl in class seemed to have a crush on, would ask her, but she said yes, so he suggested they get together that weekend and go over scenes.
That was the first of many weekends and many hours spent together. She was his first girlfriend and his first kiss. He was the first guy she actually fell in love with. Being young and uncertain though, they didn’t really know what they wanted and a rift developed. But, it wasn’t long before they worked out how to just be friends and would spent long hours at dingy coffee shops, comparing personal philosophies and talking about their art and writing. It was always so easy to just be themselves with each other.
They stayed irregular friends for nearly a decade, unintentionally following each other around, but rarely seeing each other. They went to the same community college, then the same four year college. Then he went on to a prestigious animation program north of L.A., and she moved to New Mexico. A a couple years later, they both ended up in San Francisco at the same time and returned to L.A. for a while when both were between jobs.
During that time, the girl turned to poetry, and he to painting, both looking at what filled their souls but not their pockets. Christmas day of 1993, they spent the afternoon with her family and still talked like they always did. But, it would be the last time they would talk for 20 years.
Soon after the year the girl met another guy, got married and moved to Colorado. The boy got serious about his career and soon met a woman through work and eventually got married. Neither marriage was good but, they were both the type of people who don’t give up easily, and they stayed for far too long in relationships that crushed their spirits. She had stopped writing her poetry, and he did little more than work.
After her inevitable divorce and several years of near solitude, she tried to find something meaningful with someone else, but there would always be angry words, or they would want her to give up her art or her writing that she kept trying to resurrect. So, the girl gave up on love and sunk herself into her work.
She would think back, however, and remember those few people in her past with whom she could always be herself, those bright lights on the horizon of her past, and started looking for them. Some she found, but not the boy from drama class who she wanted to see again more than anyone. She knew he’d become successful in animation as his name would roll by on the TV screen sometimes when her roommate watched cartoons, but she had no way to reach him.
Then one particularly trying day, when she looked back at the mess of a life she’d had, she thought of that boy again and decided she would search for him one more time. Suddenly, there he was, his still very cute smile staring out at her from a new blog of his. She wrote him and hoped he’d just say hi back. A few hours later he did. But he didn’t just say hi.
They talked every day from then on, in the same way they did 20 years before. A couple months later, the girl’s father became ill, and she drove out from Colorado to Los Angeles to help. The two old friends managed to meet up and then went out for a dinner that they lingered over until the place closed. It was then that the girl realized she was still in love with that boy, and, as it turned out, the boy had the very same realization about her. The girl, however, had been resigned to being alone the rest of her life, but the boy, he jumped off the deep end and just told her how he felt. She made him wait 6 weeks before she could finally say, “Yes, I feel the same. Now what?”
That all started just over a year ago. Somehow, even living a thousand miles apart and being about the two busiest people anyone could imagine, they make it work. They talk every day, try to see each other every month and are slowly breaking down all the cynicism built by the many years in between. Their lives still parallel each other, too; both working jobs that combine art and writing. Their big deadlines even land on the same weeks. They live in a similar rhythm, but, more often than not, many miles apart.
And yes, they sometimes wonder what would have happened if they had realized when they were young just how rare and precious it is to have someone you can be yourself with and who loves you just as you are. But, that boy and girl who met in a high school drama class are not the same boy and girl who met again last year. Maybe the years in between were not always happy ones, but it allowed them to become the kind of people who can appreciate and love each other the way two people really should.
The girl’s name is Sage. The boy’s name is Brett. We will spend this Valentine’s day a thousand miles apart, but still, we believe we are the two luckiest people in the whole darn universe.
Happy Valentine’s day to everyone out there. Cherish and appreciate the love in your life in all the forms and from all the souls that give it to you.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
It Was in the Numbers
February 13, 2015
Inspirational Art
Our story today comes from Colleen White, and the art work comes from her husband, David White. Being it is Friday when we do outside inspirations, it fits that we can show something non-polymer; although, the shapes of those rocks, the swirling texture in the stone and the green of that cape might bring up a polymer possibility or two.
It Was in the Numbers
My husband and I met in 1969; he was a senior, and I was a junior in high school. We dated for a few months, then “broke up”, but remained friends as he went off to college in north New Jersey, and I went to Florida to art school. Over the next four years I saw him only a few times; meeting him and his girlfriend in New York for concerts or visiting them when I went up to New Jersey to visit my folks. The last time I saw him was 1973, and they were married. I later married and stayed in Florida.
In 2001, I had just signed my divorce papers and put a contract on a house when I got a note in the mail from him saying, “Please write or call.” He was an art director in New York when the Trade Towers and Pentagon were hit. He thought it was the beginning of WW3 and decided he had to find me. He had looked for me in the late 80s when he was divorced, but with no luck, so he had hired a detective agency to find me. That’s how he got my address. The first time we talked on the phone, it was like 29 years had disappeared! Within a few months, he moved to Florida, we married and now live in paradise. He is truly my soul mate. He is an amazing artist and inspiration to me.
There are a few strange coincidences that makes it all more fun. We met in 1969, and 911 was the reason he started looking for me again. The house I had just purchased was 911 69th Ave. He also has the same first and middle name as my ex-husband, and both their last names are colors!
To see more of David’s work, go to his website here. Collen works in polymer and metal clays among other things and has work and classes posted on her website.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
In Memory of Tommy
February 12, 2015
Inspirational Art, Ponderings
We interrupt this week of happy couples to remember a different kind of love; that for our dearest friends, some of which are a bit on the furry side.
Our pets can be such an amazing and important part of our lives. I know of many stories where people pulled through very difficult times because of a loving animal or were even saved due to their diligence. But, mostly, they help us get through the day with their simple, uncomplicated love; loving us for just being ourselves; just for having them as part of the family. They can teach us a thing or two about love!
This story is a simple one, but I think it probably echos the experiences of all too many pet families. It comes to us from Gayle Thompson and, like Monday’s story, shows us how precious the ones we love are, even when they are not still around. The image here is of the very special pet Gayle tells us about, which I thought was pretty neat.
In Memory of Tommy
My story is about a dog. Yes, a dog that stole my heart!
His name was Fuzzy’s Tomahawk, and he was a retired racing greyhound. I was a foster for a greyhound group, and I was supposed to be keeping him for about a week until he was sent ‘up north’ to another group that would find him a forever home. From the moment he came into my house, he acted like he was at home. He was never nervous like other fosters, and he was the total opposite of the dog I was looking for. He was such a happy, playful boy!
The greyhound group got together to say goodbye to one of our volunteers that was going back home to the UK. She wanted to see this foster dog that I just couldn’t stop talking about, so she came by my house after the get together. When she saw him – and my interaction with him – she said, “Gayle, How can you let him go?!” I knew then, she was right. I wanted him with me.
I called the leader of our group praying that this dog had not been spoken for by an adopter. Foster parents get first choice in keeping their fosters, but I didn’t want to disappoint anyone that had picked him out. Luck was on my side! He was not spoken for! So, he stayed home with me!
I called him Tommy, and he was the light of my world. I took him everywhere with me. Then, when I had him for only about 18 months, he developed internal bleeding and could not be saved. It was very fast and devastating to me. I held him as he took his last breath; something that is hard to ever forget.
About two years later, I was inspired by a greyhound print that I found online. I contacted the artist and asked if I could use her design in my work. She agreed. So, I created the attached picture that I call “In Memory of Tommy”. It has his coloring, a halo and angel wings.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Just Add Mint
February 11, 2015
Inspirational Art, Ponderings
Here is an example of a love story that someone thought no one else would be much interested in. But, I can’t imagine anyone not finding this touching; if for no other reason, than to remind us of the hope we all should have. Debbie Crothers shares her amazing rough and beautiful beads and her once rough and now beautiful love story. And when you’re done brushing the tears from your eyes, go see what other luscious things this polymer explorer has been up to on her Flickr photostream.
Just Add Mint
I was 30 years old and had just come out of a terrible relationship. Two and a half years of my life had been invested, and I was planning on marrying this man. It certainly wasn’t the world’s best relationship. He could be so charming when he wanted to be. I think I held onto those moments and tried to forget all the bad times. Huge mistake. Two years into the relationship, I found out he turned to heroin – what!!!; how could I not have seen that; how on earth could I not know? Believe me, I had no idea. He was the world’s best liar and manipulator, and you know what – it was apparently, all my fault!!! We tried to get help; we tried to fix things; we tried to make our relationship work, but there was no way it was going to. He left town, and I was left to deal with the financial mess, the “drug people” who came looking for him and the thought that I must be a horrible person to make someone turn to drugs. My life was shattered, and I was an emotional wreck. The nightmares started, the stress started and the depression began. Life was hard, but I had to keep going.
The story moves on to about six months later; still nightmares, still financial stress and definitely not looking for a partner. I was having drinks with my sister and some friends. Her boyfriend, Colin, had been trying to match-make me with his best mate, “Mint”, in Perth, but I sure as hell wasn’t ready to get involved with anyone – or so I thought. Anyway the phone rang. Colin answered it, spoke for a while, then handed the phone to me and said “Deb, there’s someone here who wants to talk to you.” I took the phone and said “hello.” A beautiful, calm voice came on the other end and said “Hi, just wondering if you’d like to marry me?” I was a little surprised, but stayed calm and said “sure, where shall we have our honeymoon?” To be honest, the rest of the conversation is a bit of a blur now (well, it was a long time ago), but all I remember is this beautiful voice that filled me with a sense of calm and made me feel safe. Crazy, I know, because I didn’t even know the guy – had never even seen him before.
I wanted to meet him, and he wanted to meet me, so he arranged to come to Geraldton in a few weeks time. We decided to have drinks again at Colin’s unit while waiting for Mint to arrive. I remember when he walked through the door – I can still picture it now. He said his hello’s to everyone, and then came over to me. He smiled at me and shook my hand, and it was a moment I’ll never forget. I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I knew this was a good man, and I loved the way he made me feel. We all spent the night talking and laughing, and then when everyone else had gone to bed or gone home, we still sat and talked – it was like we had known each other forever. We met up again the next night, and that’s when we decided to have children together. We even chose the name of our first son – Red.
That was December; we moved in together the following July, got married in September and had our first son, Red, in February.
20 years on, we now have 3 beautiful children and a wonderful life together, and I still get excited every afternoon when he comes home to me.
He is my love story.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
The Jeweler
February 10, 2015
Inspirational Art
Today, we have a great little love story from the very talented Randee Ketzel. Her talent has been long in the making, as we can see from the story. She also sent a wonderful not-so-very-ordinary mokume “Crazy Heart” to accompany. She has this and other beautiful hearts, as well as a wide range of her lovely work in her Etsy shop.
The Jeweler
In 1981, I was working at Wilson’s Jewelers in Tampa, Florida as one of the first women jewelers in the Southeastern US. My own office. My own rules. Creative control (within a big box jeweler’s parameters, of course.) I was fiercely proud of my work to get there–a medieval apprenticeship, years of self-training with very few resources and I had finally arrived.
So one day, this incredibly attractive, well-dressed man walks up to my counter and proffers me a watch for repair. The office next door was the horologist’s. (Watchmaker–it’s a sister profession.) As Julio was out to lunch, I graciously deigned to fill out the paperwork. The man looks me over–dust mask around my neck, nerdy magnifying headset on my head, fireproof apron on–tilts his head, and says, “Oh, you must be the watchmaker’s assistant, right?” I stop writing. I lift my head and stare him right in the eye.
“I am the JEWELER,” I say. “He works for ME.” (Okay, it was the eighties.) The attractive man blushed, mumbled something and retreated with claim ticket in hand. Three days later, he returned. With another watch. A week later, another. As he came to pick them all up, he cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and asked, would I possibly be available for dinner, maybe, sometime …?
I coolly answered yes–then went around the corner of my office and exploded into an insane happy dance. That was 34 years, 2 children, 4 houses, and 5 states ago. He is still incredibly attractive and well-dressed. And occasionally says the most bone-headed things.
Don’t ever change, baby.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Drawn On (And a ‘Love’ly Contest)
February 4, 2015
Inspirational Art
This beautiful scene came across my screen during the The Polymer Art Challenge on Facebook, and I just fell in love. I’ve been recently pushed and prodded into getting back to doodling and sketching as a way to get a little art out in spare moments. I think we’ve all drawn in our clay with hand tools to make decorative lines, dots, dashes and the like. But how about actually sketching out an image?
This delicate sketch of a landscape was created by Giulia Allasio of Alida monili (Alida Jewelry). She has several other pieces like this, all with a quiet serenity in not only the sketch but the forms, colors and simple framework she chooses. This particular one is titled Paradiso di Luce (“Paradise in Light”). She says it is a view of a small mountain lake. Take a moment to examine the detail, and see how the land and sky beyond the reaching tree has been lightly colored to show a shimmer of light and variation in the sky.
I would suggest dropping by Giula’s Alida monili Facebook page where she has been posting this and other beautiful pieces to share with us all.
By the way, the push I got to get back to sketching came from my dear sweet man who, even though he draws for a living (he’s in animation, drawing hundreds of storyboard images every week; talk about cranking it out!), he sketches randomly while on the phone or to wind down for the day. I bring this up for three reasons … one, if you’re not getting into the clay studio as often as you’d like, quick sketching is a way to be visually creative in short, relaxed moments. Two, sketching randomly will improve your drawing skills and create ideas you can transfer to your clay work. And three, I want to ask for stories of your other halves and the other loves of your life for next week, so I’m using this as a segue. I’ve not done anything like what I’m about to propose before, but let’s see what happens!
A ‘Love’ly Contest
Next week precedes Valentine’s Day, and I thought it would be ‘love’ly if readers would share their own love stories and suggest a piece of art to go with it. It could be any kind of love story, from how you met your spouse or some little thing he or she did that made you love them even more, to a touching relationship with your children or the love of a family member that encouraged your art and expression. I’ll give each reader whose stories we choose to post next week a free digital copy of any issue of The Polymer Arts or an equivalent discount off a print copy or a subscription.
Send your stories to sbray@thepolymerarts.com (or just reply to your blog post email if you get it that way). Try to keep your stories to 300 words or less, and don’t forget to send me a link to another artist’s work or an image of your own work to go with the story. An image of the loved one in the story might be nice too. If you have a website of yours you would like to promote, include that as well.
So come on, make us sigh and cry. I’ll go stock up on tissues.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
Doll to Your Heart
February 14, 2013
Inspirational Art
I know Valentine’s is really supposed to be about your sweetheart–and I do hope all of you have the chance to spend the day with the one you love the most–but I like to think of this day as a time to consider what love means and all the ways we have it in our lives. It does take many forms … there is what we feel for that one other person who knows us best, the passion we have for life and our art, the affection we have for family and friends, the devotion we have to our pets, etc. And then there is the love we get from complete strangers or we can feel for someone we don’t even know simply because of caring and empathy. We have people in our community that could use a little extra love, that are dealing with family tragedies and personal struggles among other hardships.
How about just sending out a little love & wishes today for someone who could use a little extra? Here is a touching story from Keri Joy Colestock who created this heart adorned Wall Dancer while struggling with her own pain and hurdles.
I began the “Wall Dancers” in February 2003. After 15 years of a being Senior Designer, I lost my “passion” for my art. I said, “No Mas!” Just when I thought I knew where my life was going, I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in February 2002 and that kept me literally bed-bound. It’s been a 7-year battle. The first dolls were actually made in bed with me in my jammies! I was told by all of my doctors that “these were impossible to do” so I make them dolls every year for Xmas! ~smiling~
My wish is that they will make you feel happy, positive and sometimes even encouraged.That they will always put a smile on your face!
I know it does mine!
Before I talk about this gorgeous mural, I want to ask those of you reading this to bear with me on what has been a bit of hard morning here in the US as I have a small request. But don’t worry, I am not going to get political. I simply want to send out, from my little tiny corner of the world, a message of positivity. It’s a message I think we as artists are particularly capable of sending out in a myriad of effectual ways. I believe this is the only thing worth focusing on right now in what is sure to be an unforgettable time. What about it will be so unforgettable is what I hope you and I can influence.
Last night, Americans saw a shift in our belief in and an understanding of our country and what it stands for. There are a lot of angry, depressed and confused people, not just here in the States but all over the world. Everything I’ve watched and read indicates that the unexpected US presidential election results was primarily a vote against something rather than for something but it has left us in a precarious place. For those of you despairing of the outcome, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The president is not the American people. He is just one person and we are millions. The president is not a dictator and does not have the kind of power to do many of the things Trump has said he would do. So let’s not panic or the panic itself will become part of the problem. Let’s take control of and influence what each of us has access to. And what we have access to, primarily, is our talent and each other.
As artists, writers and creatives in general, we have, collectively, a tremendous amount of influence. The creatives in our world monitor and voice our emotions. They color the atmosphere of our world. And right now, all of you, whether you are an active artist or simply a supportive admirer, can make a difference in how the US moves forward and how the world is effected.
No, we will not be able to shore up stock markets or end bigotry in any kind of immediate and dramatic way but that is not how change actually happens. Change happens in a series of infinitesimally small steps. Like an earthquake, tiny small shifts and pressures build up until the plates cannot stand it any longer and releases the pressure all at once. This is what happened yesterday. We now have the opportunity to create the right kind of change by applying the right kind of pressure in this atmosphere where people are looking for answers. We can be the pressure for positive changes.
So I want to ask everyone reading this to do a very simple thing, something that we all have the power to do and can collectively use to make truly positive changes in what has been, for a while now, a very divided and emotional time, all across the world. I want to encourage you to put out nothing but beauty, compassion, love and positive messages right now. Set aside anger, disappointment, depression and even your fears for the time being in order to do and say kind and positive things.
It is extremely important that negativity not rule the day. So use your network, your influence, your exposure and your creativity to help bolster the atmosphere of our global community. Don’t desert or admonish family or friends for supporting the other candidate or for sitting out the election. Instead support what you believe in with charitable donations, volunteering, vocal support, and your art. Create beautiful things so the world is just that much more lovely a place.
I’ll do my part now by sharing a bit of beauty. This beautiful Starling mural by artists Collin van der Sluijs and Super A is on an apartment building in Berlin. The collaborative work was created for the “One Wall Mural Project”, a project that aims to highlight the diversity of the many neighborhoods of Berlin by enabling artists to create these huge murals, thereby spreading a message of cohesion and beauty throughout the city. Take a look at this post on Colossal to see it in more detail. It is amazing.
It’s too bad we can’t all create 137 foot tall murals to be seen by thousands of people daily, sharing beauty and inspiring others along the way. But we can do our small part to contribute to a positive solution rooted in love for everyone. Will you join me?
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Select a piece of your artwork and give it to someone who could use a little more beauty today. Do this for them and for yourself. Being kind and charitable will enrich your day as well as the day of the person you gift the art too and, hopefully, that has a rippling effect through many, many people.
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Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Read More
This last story was actually requested. By several readers. Why this handful of people knew there was this story to be told, I’m not sure. It is a lot like yesterday’s story, but with some significant differences, as well as a different kind of significance here. I think you’ll know what I’m getting at when you read it
The artwork here is not a piece by either in the story, but it’s something I’ve had saved for a while. Its not even polymer. But, really, it could be, and someone really needs to try this! It’s a glass mosaic created on a rock.
That is what artist Liz Tonkin does… she builds mosaics on rocks. Isn’t is gorgeous? Take a look at her Facebook page to find the most eye candy of this sort. Okay, enjoy that while reading the last of our ‘lovely’ stories this week.
Parallel Lives
Once upon a time, in a Los Angeles high school drama class, a charming boy with an amazingly cute smile sat down next to a very shy, self-conscious girl (who had unintentionally ended up in the class) and asked her to do a scene with him. She didn’t know why this guy, who every girl in class seemed to have a crush on, would ask her, but she said yes, so he suggested they get together that weekend and go over scenes.
That was the first of many weekends and many hours spent together. She was his first girlfriend and his first kiss. He was the first guy she actually fell in love with. Being young and uncertain though, they didn’t really know what they wanted and a rift developed. But, it wasn’t long before they worked out how to just be friends and would spent long hours at dingy coffee shops, comparing personal philosophies and talking about their art and writing. It was always so easy to just be themselves with each other.
They stayed irregular friends for nearly a decade, unintentionally following each other around, but rarely seeing each other. They went to the same community college, then the same four year college. Then he went on to a prestigious animation program north of L.A., and she moved to New Mexico. A a couple years later, they both ended up in San Francisco at the same time and returned to L.A. for a while when both were between jobs.
During that time, the girl turned to poetry, and he to painting, both looking at what filled their souls but not their pockets. Christmas day of 1993, they spent the afternoon with her family and still talked like they always did. But, it would be the last time they would talk for 20 years.
Soon after the year the girl met another guy, got married and moved to Colorado. The boy got serious about his career and soon met a woman through work and eventually got married. Neither marriage was good but, they were both the type of people who don’t give up easily, and they stayed for far too long in relationships that crushed their spirits. She had stopped writing her poetry, and he did little more than work.
After her inevitable divorce and several years of near solitude, she tried to find something meaningful with someone else, but there would always be angry words, or they would want her to give up her art or her writing that she kept trying to resurrect. So, the girl gave up on love and sunk herself into her work.
She would think back, however, and remember those few people in her past with whom she could always be herself, those bright lights on the horizon of her past, and started looking for them. Some she found, but not the boy from drama class who she wanted to see again more than anyone. She knew he’d become successful in animation as his name would roll by on the TV screen sometimes when her roommate watched cartoons, but she had no way to reach him.
Then one particularly trying day, when she looked back at the mess of a life she’d had, she thought of that boy again and decided she would search for him one more time. Suddenly, there he was, his still very cute smile staring out at her from a new blog of his. She wrote him and hoped he’d just say hi back. A few hours later he did. But he didn’t just say hi.
They talked every day from then on, in the same way they did 20 years before. A couple months later, the girl’s father became ill, and she drove out from Colorado to Los Angeles to help. The two old friends managed to meet up and then went out for a dinner that they lingered over until the place closed. It was then that the girl realized she was still in love with that boy, and, as it turned out, the boy had the very same realization about her. The girl, however, had been resigned to being alone the rest of her life, but the boy, he jumped off the deep end and just told her how he felt. She made him wait 6 weeks before she could finally say, “Yes, I feel the same. Now what?”
That all started just over a year ago. Somehow, even living a thousand miles apart and being about the two busiest people anyone could imagine, they make it work. They talk every day, try to see each other every month and are slowly breaking down all the cynicism built by the many years in between. Their lives still parallel each other, too; both working jobs that combine art and writing. Their big deadlines even land on the same weeks. They live in a similar rhythm, but, more often than not, many miles apart.
And yes, they sometimes wonder what would have happened if they had realized when they were young just how rare and precious it is to have someone you can be yourself with and who loves you just as you are. But, that boy and girl who met in a high school drama class are not the same boy and girl who met again last year. Maybe the years in between were not always happy ones, but it allowed them to become the kind of people who can appreciate and love each other the way two people really should.
The girl’s name is Sage. The boy’s name is Brett. We will spend this Valentine’s day a thousand miles apart, but still, we believe we are the two luckiest people in the whole darn universe.
Happy Valentine’s day to everyone out there. Cherish and appreciate the love in your life in all the forms and from all the souls that give it to you.
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Our story today comes from Colleen White, and the art work comes from her husband, David White. Being it is Friday when we do outside inspirations, it fits that we can show something non-polymer; although, the shapes of those rocks, the swirling texture in the stone and the green of that cape might bring up a polymer possibility or two.
It Was in the Numbers
My husband and I met in 1969; he was a senior, and I was a junior in high school. We dated for a few months, then “broke up”, but remained friends as he went off to college in north New Jersey, and I went to Florida to art school. Over the next four years I saw him only a few times; meeting him and his girlfriend in New York for concerts or visiting them when I went up to New Jersey to visit my folks. The last time I saw him was 1973, and they were married. I later married and stayed in Florida.
In 2001, I had just signed my divorce papers and put a contract on a house when I got a note in the mail from him saying, “Please write or call.” He was an art director in New York when the Trade Towers and Pentagon were hit. He thought it was the beginning of WW3 and decided he had to find me. He had looked for me in the late 80s when he was divorced, but with no luck, so he had hired a detective agency to find me. That’s how he got my address. The first time we talked on the phone, it was like 29 years had disappeared! Within a few months, he moved to Florida, we married and now live in paradise. He is truly my soul mate. He is an amazing artist and inspiration to me.
There are a few strange coincidences that makes it all more fun. We met in 1969, and 911 was the reason he started looking for me again. The house I had just purchased was 911 69th Ave. He also has the same first and middle name as my ex-husband, and both their last names are colors!
To see more of David’s work, go to his website here. Collen works in polymer and metal clays among other things and has work and classes posted on her website.
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We interrupt this week of happy couples to remember a different kind of love; that for our dearest friends, some of which are a bit on the furry side.
Our pets can be such an amazing and important part of our lives. I know of many stories where people pulled through very difficult times because of a loving animal or were even saved due to their diligence. But, mostly, they help us get through the day with their simple, uncomplicated love; loving us for just being ourselves; just for having them as part of the family. They can teach us a thing or two about love!
This story is a simple one, but I think it probably echos the experiences of all too many pet families. It comes to us from Gayle Thompson and, like Monday’s story, shows us how precious the ones we love are, even when they are not still around. The image here is of the very special pet Gayle tells us about, which I thought was pretty neat.
In Memory of Tommy
My story is about a dog. Yes, a dog that stole my heart!
His name was Fuzzy’s Tomahawk, and he was a retired racing greyhound. I was a foster for a greyhound group, and I was supposed to be keeping him for about a week until he was sent ‘up north’ to another group that would find him a forever home. From the moment he came into my house, he acted like he was at home. He was never nervous like other fosters, and he was the total opposite of the dog I was looking for. He was such a happy, playful boy!
The greyhound group got together to say goodbye to one of our volunteers that was going back home to the UK. She wanted to see this foster dog that I just couldn’t stop talking about, so she came by my house after the get together. When she saw him – and my interaction with him – she said, “Gayle, How can you let him go?!” I knew then, she was right. I wanted him with me.
I called the leader of our group praying that this dog had not been spoken for by an adopter. Foster parents get first choice in keeping their fosters, but I didn’t want to disappoint anyone that had picked him out. Luck was on my side! He was not spoken for! So, he stayed home with me!
I called him Tommy, and he was the light of my world. I took him everywhere with me. Then, when I had him for only about 18 months, he developed internal bleeding and could not be saved. It was very fast and devastating to me. I held him as he took his last breath; something that is hard to ever forget.
About two years later, I was inspired by a greyhound print that I found online. I contacted the artist and asked if I could use her design in my work. She agreed. So, I created the attached picture that I call “In Memory of Tommy”. It has his coloring, a halo and angel wings.
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Here is an example of a love story that someone thought no one else would be much interested in. But, I can’t imagine anyone not finding this touching; if for no other reason, than to remind us of the hope we all should have. Debbie Crothers shares her amazing rough and beautiful beads and her once rough and now beautiful love story. And when you’re done brushing the tears from your eyes, go see what other luscious things this polymer explorer has been up to on her Flickr photostream.
Just Add Mint
I was 30 years old and had just come out of a terrible relationship. Two and a half years of my life had been invested, and I was planning on marrying this man. It certainly wasn’t the world’s best relationship. He could be so charming when he wanted to be. I think I held onto those moments and tried to forget all the bad times. Huge mistake. Two years into the relationship, I found out he turned to heroin – what!!!; how could I not have seen that; how on earth could I not know? Believe me, I had no idea. He was the world’s best liar and manipulator, and you know what – it was apparently, all my fault!!! We tried to get help; we tried to fix things; we tried to make our relationship work, but there was no way it was going to. He left town, and I was left to deal with the financial mess, the “drug people” who came looking for him and the thought that I must be a horrible person to make someone turn to drugs. My life was shattered, and I was an emotional wreck. The nightmares started, the stress started and the depression began. Life was hard, but I had to keep going.
The story moves on to about six months later; still nightmares, still financial stress and definitely not looking for a partner. I was having drinks with my sister and some friends. Her boyfriend, Colin, had been trying to match-make me with his best mate, “Mint”, in Perth, but I sure as hell wasn’t ready to get involved with anyone – or so I thought. Anyway the phone rang. Colin answered it, spoke for a while, then handed the phone to me and said “Deb, there’s someone here who wants to talk to you.” I took the phone and said “hello.” A beautiful, calm voice came on the other end and said “Hi, just wondering if you’d like to marry me?” I was a little surprised, but stayed calm and said “sure, where shall we have our honeymoon?” To be honest, the rest of the conversation is a bit of a blur now (well, it was a long time ago), but all I remember is this beautiful voice that filled me with a sense of calm and made me feel safe. Crazy, I know, because I didn’t even know the guy – had never even seen him before.
I wanted to meet him, and he wanted to meet me, so he arranged to come to Geraldton in a few weeks time. We decided to have drinks again at Colin’s unit while waiting for Mint to arrive. I remember when he walked through the door – I can still picture it now. He said his hello’s to everyone, and then came over to me. He smiled at me and shook my hand, and it was a moment I’ll never forget. I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I knew this was a good man, and I loved the way he made me feel. We all spent the night talking and laughing, and then when everyone else had gone to bed or gone home, we still sat and talked – it was like we had known each other forever. We met up again the next night, and that’s when we decided to have children together. We even chose the name of our first son – Red.
That was December; we moved in together the following July, got married in September and had our first son, Red, in February.
20 years on, we now have 3 beautiful children and a wonderful life together, and I still get excited every afternoon when he comes home to me.
He is my love story.
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Today, we have a great little love story from the very talented Randee Ketzel. Her talent has been long in the making, as we can see from the story. She also sent a wonderful not-so-very-ordinary mokume “Crazy Heart” to accompany. She has this and other beautiful hearts, as well as a wide range of her lovely work in her Etsy shop.
The Jeweler
In 1981, I was working at Wilson’s Jewelers in Tampa, Florida as one of the first women jewelers in the Southeastern US. My own office. My own rules. Creative control (within a big box jeweler’s parameters, of course.) I was fiercely proud of my work to get there–a medieval apprenticeship, years of self-training with very few resources and I had finally arrived.
So one day, this incredibly attractive, well-dressed man walks up to my counter and proffers me a watch for repair. The office next door was the horologist’s. (Watchmaker–it’s a sister profession.) As Julio was out to lunch, I graciously deigned to fill out the paperwork. The man looks me over–dust mask around my neck, nerdy magnifying headset on my head, fireproof apron on–tilts his head, and says, “Oh, you must be the watchmaker’s assistant, right?” I stop writing. I lift my head and stare him right in the eye.
“I am the JEWELER,” I say. “He works for ME.” (Okay, it was the eighties.) The attractive man blushed, mumbled something and retreated with claim ticket in hand. Three days later, he returned. With another watch. A week later, another. As he came to pick them all up, he cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and asked, would I possibly be available for dinner, maybe, sometime …?
I coolly answered yes–then went around the corner of my office and exploded into an insane happy dance. That was 34 years, 2 children, 4 houses, and 5 states ago. He is still incredibly attractive and well-dressed. And occasionally says the most bone-headed things.
Don’t ever change, baby.
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This beautiful scene came across my screen during the The Polymer Art Challenge on Facebook, and I just fell in love. I’ve been recently pushed and prodded into getting back to doodling and sketching as a way to get a little art out in spare moments. I think we’ve all drawn in our clay with hand tools to make decorative lines, dots, dashes and the like. But how about actually sketching out an image?
This delicate sketch of a landscape was created by Giulia Allasio of Alida monili (Alida Jewelry). She has several other pieces like this, all with a quiet serenity in not only the sketch but the forms, colors and simple framework she chooses. This particular one is titled Paradiso di Luce (“Paradise in Light”). She says it is a view of a small mountain lake. Take a moment to examine the detail, and see how the land and sky beyond the reaching tree has been lightly colored to show a shimmer of light and variation in the sky.
I would suggest dropping by Giula’s Alida monili Facebook page where she has been posting this and other beautiful pieces to share with us all.
By the way, the push I got to get back to sketching came from my dear sweet man who, even though he draws for a living (he’s in animation, drawing hundreds of storyboard images every week; talk about cranking it out!), he sketches randomly while on the phone or to wind down for the day. I bring this up for three reasons … one, if you’re not getting into the clay studio as often as you’d like, quick sketching is a way to be visually creative in short, relaxed moments. Two, sketching randomly will improve your drawing skills and create ideas you can transfer to your clay work. And three, I want to ask for stories of your other halves and the other loves of your life for next week, so I’m using this as a segue. I’ve not done anything like what I’m about to propose before, but let’s see what happens!
A ‘Love’ly Contest
Next week precedes Valentine’s Day, and I thought it would be ‘love’ly if readers would share their own love stories and suggest a piece of art to go with it. It could be any kind of love story, from how you met your spouse or some little thing he or she did that made you love them even more, to a touching relationship with your children or the love of a family member that encouraged your art and expression. I’ll give each reader whose stories we choose to post next week a free digital copy of any issue of The Polymer Arts or an equivalent discount off a print copy or a subscription.
Send your stories to sbray@thepolymerarts.com (or just reply to your blog post email if you get it that way). Try to keep your stories to 300 words or less, and don’t forget to send me a link to another artist’s work or an image of your own work to go with the story. An image of the loved one in the story might be nice too. If you have a website of yours you would like to promote, include that as well.
So come on, make us sigh and cry. I’ll go stock up on tissues.
If you like this blog, support The Polymer Arts projects with a subscription or an issue of The Polymer Arts magazine as well as supporting our advertising partners.
I know Valentine’s is really supposed to be about your sweetheart–and I do hope all of you have the chance to spend the day with the one you love the most–but I like to think of this day as a time to consider what love means and all the ways we have it in our lives. It does take many forms … there is what we feel for that one other person who knows us best, the passion we have for life and our art, the affection we have for family and friends, the devotion we have to our pets, etc. And then there is the love we get from complete strangers or we can feel for someone we don’t even know simply because of caring and empathy. We have people in our community that could use a little extra love, that are dealing with family tragedies and personal struggles among other hardships.
How about just sending out a little love & wishes today for someone who could use a little extra? Here is a touching story from Keri Joy Colestock who created this heart adorned Wall Dancer while struggling with her own pain and hurdles.
I began the “Wall Dancers” in February 2003. After 15 years of a being Senior Designer, I lost my “passion” for my art. I said, “No Mas!” Just when I thought I knew where my life was going, I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in February 2002 and that kept me literally bed-bound. It’s been a 7-year battle. The first dolls were actually made in bed with me in my jammies! I was told by all of my doctors that “these were impossible to do” so I make them dolls every year for Xmas! ~smiling~
My wish is that they will make you feel happy, positive and sometimes even encouraged.That they will always put a smile on your face!
I know it does mine!
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