Close Color Calls
December 14, 2016 Inspirational Art
Our Color Spotlight section of the Winter 2016 issue of The Polymer Arts was graced by Donna Kato, interview by Lindly Haunani. How amazing is that combination?! Donna let us in on her colored pencil experiments and her reasoning behind her approach. Although colored pencil on polymer is not new, it is always fascinating to see into the workings of an artistic mind and since this section focuses on color choices and inspiration, we got a peek at how this master choose colors for her explorations.
One piece that I was sent to consider including was this beautiful necklace you see here. We ended up focusing so much on the pencil work that there really wasn’t a place for this in the article but it certainly deserves a bit of attention. Each section of the necklace deals with one basic hue in two different values. The disparate placement offsets the regularity of each hue showcased in the same shape and the relative dark to light hue being basically the same within each color set. The delicious saturated colors don’t hurt it at all either.
The most active page to see what Donna has been up to in her own art looks to be her Facebook page although you can see some of her more honed work and learn from her wisdom by going over to check out her classes on CraftArtEdu.
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Let’s play with color hue. Pick 2-3 colors–they can contrast, be analogous (next to each other on the color wheel) or simply be your favorites. Choose two variations of each color–different saturation (how pure a hue it is), values (dark or light), or tints/shades (additions of white/black.) Now use just these to create a new piece.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
A Journey of Exploration
December 12, 2016 Inspirational Art
As many of you are aware, our Winter 2016 issue, themed “On the Surface”, came out weekend before last. Despite some head-spinning challenges in our schedule, we still pulled off a an issue that readers are finding particularly inspiring. My apologies to those folks that lost entire mornings and afternoons as they read the issue cover to cover instead of getting work done or running intended errands. So glad you found it so worthwhile!
The success of this issue was in no small part due to the wonderful contributing artists who gave us so much to look at and so much to think about. Even so, our artists have a much broader range of talent than any single article can even begin to show so this week, we’ll look at what else these talented folks have been up to, starting with Debbie Crothers who gave us the article on Surprising Variety showcasing some unexpected materials to use in polymer surface design.
Debbie has been on a journey of exploration in polymer since we first met online some 8 years ago. She is always coming up with an amazingly wide range of techniques and textures. You are more likely to see her fun treated beads on her Facebook page than completed pieces but lately it’s been the other way around with some stunning results, such as this beauty using an image transfer and crackle technique to throw textural accents into the mix of smooth shapes. I have to admit that the sunset colors are what first grabbed me but then you spend some time looking over the detail and you kind of fall in love with the whole piece.
Debbie has also been a busy girl herself, showing off her brand new website this month. You can find the way to her thoughtful blog there as well as links to her classes, videos, and upcoming workshops. For a retrospective of her work, past and present, jump over to her Flickr photostream to see the interesting journey she’s been on.
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Look back through whatever history of your work you have available to you. Where have you been with your work and where are you now? As we approach the new year, let this review help you shape ideas on where to go this coming year. Spend some time just making notes, a goal list or just sketching to help move you along on the next step of your journey.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Winter is Here and so are 20% Discounts
December 5, 2016 Polymer community news, The Polymer Arts magazine news
Some quick news for you today then we’ll resume with eye candy and design ideas on Wednesday.
The Winter 2016–On the Surface issue is here and if you are a subscriber, it’s either in your inbox or being shipped as you read this. It’s release was yesterday so if you are due a digital edition, check your inboxes (or junkmail/spam folder if it’s not there) or start keeping your eye on the mailbox.
If you don’t have your copy on order yet, head over to the website and get yours now. www.thepolymerarts.com
In addition, we thought we’d start the holidays off right by getting a big sale going for backs issues and copies of Polymer Journeys, just in time for holiday present buying or just treating yourself.
The 12 Days of Savings Sale: 20% off all Print and Digital editions of our Single Magazine Issues and Books
… even off already discounted books, packages, and shipping (where it’s not already included)! Discount will be applied to your cart total. Save up to 30% off the cover price when purchasing already-discounted multiple issue packages! Good through December 12th … use promo code: 12Days20
Okay … off to wrap up things for the Winter issue. Enjoy your Monday and the new issue when you get to it.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Time to get Excited! Here’s the Winter 2016 Cover: On theSurface
November 12, 2016 Inspirational Art, The Polymer Arts magazine news
This next issue gets down to a subject most every polymer clayer can get behind. Or on top of really. That being surface design. The subject is a pretty broad one so it was tough deciding just what to put in the issue but we ended up with a very exciting mix of articles. Here is just part of the list:
- The Well Designed Surface
- Raised Surface Coloration
- Unique Surface Variety
- Ink Resist Polymer Painting
- Creating Custom Texture Sheets
- Wall Stories: The Art of Alev Gozonar
- Color Spotlight with Donna Kato
- The Backside of Brooches
- Giving Away the Shop: Pros & Cons of Freebies & Giveaways
- … and much more.
If you need to renew or purchase a subscription, or would like to pre-order your Winter issue, you can go to our website here.
There is much to do so I am off to get this issue together and polished for you. We’ll get back to our regularly scheduled eye candy on Monday!
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Our Color Spotlight section of the Winter 2016 issue of The Polymer Arts was graced by Donna Kato, interview by Lindly Haunani. How amazing is that combination?! Donna let us in on her colored pencil experiments and her reasoning behind her approach. Although colored pencil on polymer is not new, it is always fascinating to see into the workings of an artistic mind and since this section focuses on color choices and inspiration, we got a peek at how this master choose colors for her explorations.
One piece that I was sent to consider including was this beautiful necklace you see here. We ended up focusing so much on the pencil work that there really wasn’t a place for this in the article but it certainly deserves a bit of attention. Each section of the necklace deals with one basic hue in two different values. The disparate placement offsets the regularity of each hue showcased in the same shape and the relative dark to light hue being basically the same within each color set. The delicious saturated colors don’t hurt it at all either.
The most active page to see what Donna has been up to in her own art looks to be her Facebook page although you can see some of her more honed work and learn from her wisdom by going over to check out her classes on CraftArtEdu.
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Let’s play with color hue. Pick 2-3 colors–they can contrast, be analogous (next to each other on the color wheel) or simply be your favorites. Choose two variations of each color–different saturation (how pure a hue it is), values (dark or light), or tints/shades (additions of white/black.) Now use just these to create a new piece.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Read MoreAs many of you are aware, our Winter 2016 issue, themed “On the Surface”, came out weekend before last. Despite some head-spinning challenges in our schedule, we still pulled off a an issue that readers are finding particularly inspiring. My apologies to those folks that lost entire mornings and afternoons as they read the issue cover to cover instead of getting work done or running intended errands. So glad you found it so worthwhile!
The success of this issue was in no small part due to the wonderful contributing artists who gave us so much to look at and so much to think about. Even so, our artists have a much broader range of talent than any single article can even begin to show so this week, we’ll look at what else these talented folks have been up to, starting with Debbie Crothers who gave us the article on Surprising Variety showcasing some unexpected materials to use in polymer surface design.
Debbie has been on a journey of exploration in polymer since we first met online some 8 years ago. She is always coming up with an amazingly wide range of techniques and textures. You are more likely to see her fun treated beads on her Facebook page than completed pieces but lately it’s been the other way around with some stunning results, such as this beauty using an image transfer and crackle technique to throw textural accents into the mix of smooth shapes. I have to admit that the sunset colors are what first grabbed me but then you spend some time looking over the detail and you kind of fall in love with the whole piece.
Debbie has also been a busy girl herself, showing off her brand new website this month. You can find the way to her thoughtful blog there as well as links to her classes, videos, and upcoming workshops. For a retrospective of her work, past and present, jump over to her Flickr photostream to see the interesting journey she’s been on.
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Look back through whatever history of your work you have available to you. Where have you been with your work and where are you now? As we approach the new year, let this review help you shape ideas on where to go this coming year. Spend some time just making notes, a goal list or just sketching to help move you along on the next step of your journey.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Read MoreSome quick news for you today then we’ll resume with eye candy and design ideas on Wednesday.
The Winter 2016–On the Surface issue is here and if you are a subscriber, it’s either in your inbox or being shipped as you read this. It’s release was yesterday so if you are due a digital edition, check your inboxes (or junkmail/spam folder if it’s not there) or start keeping your eye on the mailbox.
If you don’t have your copy on order yet, head over to the website and get yours now. www.thepolymerarts.com
In addition, we thought we’d start the holidays off right by getting a big sale going for backs issues and copies of Polymer Journeys, just in time for holiday present buying or just treating yourself.
The 12 Days of Savings Sale: 20% off all Print and Digital editions of our Single Magazine Issues and Books
… even off already discounted books, packages, and shipping (where it’s not already included)! Discount will be applied to your cart total. Save up to 30% off the cover price when purchasing already-discounted multiple issue packages! Good through December 12th … use promo code: 12Days20
Okay … off to wrap up things for the Winter issue. Enjoy your Monday and the new issue when you get to it.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Read MoreThis next issue gets down to a subject most every polymer clayer can get behind. Or on top of really. That being surface design. The subject is a pretty broad one so it was tough deciding just what to put in the issue but we ended up with a very exciting mix of articles. Here is just part of the list:
- The Well Designed Surface
- Raised Surface Coloration
- Unique Surface Variety
- Ink Resist Polymer Painting
- Creating Custom Texture Sheets
- Wall Stories: The Art of Alev Gozonar
- Color Spotlight with Donna Kato
- The Backside of Brooches
- Giving Away the Shop: Pros & Cons of Freebies & Giveaways
- … and much more.
If you need to renew or purchase a subscription, or would like to pre-order your Winter issue, you can go to our website here.
There is much to do so I am off to get this issue together and polished for you. We’ll get back to our regularly scheduled eye candy on Monday!
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners.
_________________________________________
Read More