Love of Coffee

February 7, 2015

0597897929eb8b19c136c6257f717729On this last day of representational imagery, I thought I’d leave it on the light side, as well as take the chance to celebrate my favorite beverage!

Isn’t this pen just too cute? Tama of DetallitoOz does cute so very well. All of her work has such character and style. And cute imagery works best when it has a really great personal style coming through. From the little coffee pot on top to the swollen cups full of rich java, this pen is playful and energetic, so much so it’s making me feel a real need for a cup of joe myself!

See more of Tama’s wonderfully styled pieces on her site here. This little lamb would like you to come visit him.

Familia 3

And do continue to send me your love stories! A free digital copy or equivalent credit for The Polymer Arts print editions for each story I share, not to mention how happy and excited that special someone in your life will be when they see their story with you out there for all the world to sigh over. If you missed it, there are more details on Wednesday’s post about our Valentine’s Day contest.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

 

Outside Inspiration: Visions in Metal

February 6, 2015

Na Pali Moon I 2012 07131_0Looking at all the other craft mediums out there, there is so much in the way of representational imagery. It was hard to decide what to share today. But since we are so many of us jewelry artists, I decided to return to the classic precious metal jewelry craft.  This particular piece titled Na Pali Moon by Joan Tenenbaum uses several different classic techniques including reticulation (heating precious metal to cause ripples on the surface), cutting, patina surface treatments and even mokume gane (quick … can you find it?). For an all metal piece, the colors are particularly amazing and well controlled.

Joan described what she was trying to recreate here: “I have long been fascinated by the view of distant hills as they disappear into the mist. I love how they become less and less distinct and fade in color the farther away they are. As one looks along the coast, the rippling texture of the ridges of headlands has always inspired visions of jewelry capturing that movement and that landscape. In Na Pali Moon I have combined this theme with another favorite — that of moonlight on water. There are many beautiful coastlines, but the distinctive northwest coast of the Island of Kauai is one of the most exciting to me.”

I can see this kind of thing being made in polymer too. Polymer would lend itself well to the layers and textures. The hardest part might be mixing the muted colors to keep the serene feeling of such a scene.  For more on Joan’s work and process, take a look at her gallery here.

Speaking of precious metal jewelry, our friends over at Metal Clay Artist magazine have had a terrible financial blow fall on them due to another business’s faulty practices. The problem is so bad that they’ve suspended publication on this magazine indefinitely — and it’s the only metal clay focused magazine in print! I am particularly saddened by and empathetic to their situation because MCAM is so much like The Polymer Arts — created by and for artists in a new medium and out of a passion to share with and grow their community. They even publish polymer clay articles, so you know they’re good people! We have been in touch to see how TPA might help, but first the editor, Jeanette LeBlanc, needs to get out from under the overwhelming financial burden caused by unforeseeable circumstances. You can read more on this story and how you can help and even get yourself some goodies or issues of this beautiful magazines at this MCAM FundMe page.  Or go to the Metal Clay Artists’ website to buy a back issue or two. Get new inspiration, and help out a fellow artist dedicated to helping fellow crafters.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

 

Drawn From Imagination

February 5, 2015

il_570xN.354312393_h0t0

Today’s image is fantasy, rather than reality, but the images and things we see in our mind are just as valid as representational imagery, probably even more so. We have our own memories and images of the real world, but to peek inside someone else’s mind to see what their imagination is creating is pretty darn amazing.

Pennsylvania’s Kristie Brigham (Kristie-Lou on Etsy) might have been been inspired by the shell as much as her own imagination in this pendant. She commonly combines polymer and colorful shells and stones to create the visage of an underwater or ethereal world. I thought this was one of her best ones, at least that I could find. The colors and ruffling of the texture around the face echoes the layers of color and shimmer in the shell. And this piece had an emotional inspiration. In her own words: “The 2010 tragedy [oil spill] in the Gulf of Mexico originally inspired this design. I envisioned Mother Nature watching over her ocean creatures … looking up at them, protecting them, and guiding as many as she [could] to safety while she works to heal the waters we take for granted.”

So very much a representational image in her mind after all. You can find more of Kristie-Lou’s face-focused work on her Etsy page.

And don’t forget to send me your stories for the ‘Love’ly ContestSend them to sbray@thepolymerarts.com (or just reply to your blog post email if you get it that way). I love what I’ve been reading so far!

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

Reinterpret a Flower

February 3, 2015

il_570xN.490547265_sfa6I was really going to try and avoid flowers this week, not because they aren’t wonderful and lovely, but because we already have such a love affair with them in this community. I figured we’ve seen quite a bit, and it would be more useful to find other subjects. But then there were these. I have had these earrings in my little chest of goodies to share for a while, but it took until this theme for me to figure out why I think they are so well done. I think it’s the fact that the creator, Deb Cooper, made the whole earring a flower with stalk included, rather than just adding flowers to a circle of clay. Sometimes it’s just the very simplest of adjustments that takes something from nice to fantastic, from interesting to amazing.

All the choices here were the right choices: the translucent clay to catch the light and show variation in the colors, the colors themselves, leaving the flower with very organically ruffled petals and not spoiling it with any other additions. These actually got me to stop and consider what you could do to make a gauge earring from real flowers. But these would certainly last longer.

You can find Deb’s wide array of cleverly decorated gauge earrings on Etsy and on her Deviant art page.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

 

Re-Imagining An Owl

February 2, 2015

c1ec2009e7c0b29ae4ca81966606b4a6While cruising the farthest corners of the internet last week looking for conceptual pieces, I came across a lot of beautiful representational imagery in polymer. Concepts are created in art using imagery; concepts can also be created abstractly, or concepts can be embodied in the function, location or timing of the piece. And, I think, all representational imagery is obviously not conceptual but sometimes simply the artist’s view or translation of something out there in the world or within our imaginations. Sometimes, you just want to sit back and enjoy something well- or cleverly rendered. So that’s what we’re going to do this week.

This first piece feels so much more than visually representational. I imagine that, while wearing this necklace with the segmented feather beads, the wearer’s movement would make the the feathers shift, in a smooth subtle way. I think it could bring to mind flight or the owl gently ruffling its wings. The idea of something that flies combined with a design that moves and floats is just lovely. It represents the bird and an action of the bird. Rather clever.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

Conceptual Horses

January 26, 2015

TornstromPolymer lends itself particularly well to decorative arts, since it is so versatile in form and color and has the ability to be combined with so many other materials. But it can also be a very expressive medium. An artist can use a variety of sculptural techniques, colors and textures to recreate all kinds of imagery, which makes polymer particularly wonderful for conceptual work. I thought we’d take a week to see just what wonderful and new work is being produced in that area of polymer.

EvaMarie Törnström’s Malta Horse is what got me really thinking about this area of polymer art. For those of you who have been to Malta, the iconic crosses, the aged limestone walls and the intense blue of the surrounding ocean are instantly recognizable, collectively, as representative of that beautiful country. There is a lot more to this particular piece, but I’ll let you puzzle out its other less obviously related characteristics. I’m still puzzling them out myself. But even if you haven’t been to Malta, you know there is a connection between the chosen elements, and it will make you stop and think. As all good art really does.

Sweden’s EvaMarie is partial to creating horse sculptures but does very large wall pieces as well, also usually equine-related. Do take a moment to look at some of her unusual and visually intriguing pieces 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.

businesscard-3.5inx2in-h-front    PolymerArts Kaleidoscope     sfxpaad

Love of Coffee

February 7, 2015
Posted in

0597897929eb8b19c136c6257f717729On this last day of representational imagery, I thought I’d leave it on the light side, as well as take the chance to celebrate my favorite beverage!

Isn’t this pen just too cute? Tama of DetallitoOz does cute so very well. All of her work has such character and style. And cute imagery works best when it has a really great personal style coming through. From the little coffee pot on top to the swollen cups full of rich java, this pen is playful and energetic, so much so it’s making me feel a real need for a cup of joe myself!

See more of Tama’s wonderfully styled pieces on her site here. This little lamb would like you to come visit him.

Familia 3

And do continue to send me your love stories! A free digital copy or equivalent credit for The Polymer Arts print editions for each story I share, not to mention how happy and excited that special someone in your life will be when they see their story with you out there for all the world to sigh over. If you missed it, there are more details on Wednesday’s post about our Valentine’s Day contest.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

 

Read More

Outside Inspiration: Visions in Metal

February 6, 2015
Posted in

Na Pali Moon I 2012 07131_0Looking at all the other craft mediums out there, there is so much in the way of representational imagery. It was hard to decide what to share today. But since we are so many of us jewelry artists, I decided to return to the classic precious metal jewelry craft.  This particular piece titled Na Pali Moon by Joan Tenenbaum uses several different classic techniques including reticulation (heating precious metal to cause ripples on the surface), cutting, patina surface treatments and even mokume gane (quick … can you find it?). For an all metal piece, the colors are particularly amazing and well controlled.

Joan described what she was trying to recreate here: “I have long been fascinated by the view of distant hills as they disappear into the mist. I love how they become less and less distinct and fade in color the farther away they are. As one looks along the coast, the rippling texture of the ridges of headlands has always inspired visions of jewelry capturing that movement and that landscape. In Na Pali Moon I have combined this theme with another favorite — that of moonlight on water. There are many beautiful coastlines, but the distinctive northwest coast of the Island of Kauai is one of the most exciting to me.”

I can see this kind of thing being made in polymer too. Polymer would lend itself well to the layers and textures. The hardest part might be mixing the muted colors to keep the serene feeling of such a scene.  For more on Joan’s work and process, take a look at her gallery here.

Speaking of precious metal jewelry, our friends over at Metal Clay Artist magazine have had a terrible financial blow fall on them due to another business’s faulty practices. The problem is so bad that they’ve suspended publication on this magazine indefinitely — and it’s the only metal clay focused magazine in print! I am particularly saddened by and empathetic to their situation because MCAM is so much like The Polymer Arts — created by and for artists in a new medium and out of a passion to share with and grow their community. They even publish polymer clay articles, so you know they’re good people! We have been in touch to see how TPA might help, but first the editor, Jeanette LeBlanc, needs to get out from under the overwhelming financial burden caused by unforeseeable circumstances. You can read more on this story and how you can help and even get yourself some goodies or issues of this beautiful magazines at this MCAM FundMe page.  Or go to the Metal Clay Artists’ website to buy a back issue or two. Get new inspiration, and help out a fellow artist dedicated to helping fellow crafters.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

 

Read More

Drawn From Imagination

February 5, 2015
Posted in

il_570xN.354312393_h0t0

Today’s image is fantasy, rather than reality, but the images and things we see in our mind are just as valid as representational imagery, probably even more so. We have our own memories and images of the real world, but to peek inside someone else’s mind to see what their imagination is creating is pretty darn amazing.

Pennsylvania’s Kristie Brigham (Kristie-Lou on Etsy) might have been been inspired by the shell as much as her own imagination in this pendant. She commonly combines polymer and colorful shells and stones to create the visage of an underwater or ethereal world. I thought this was one of her best ones, at least that I could find. The colors and ruffling of the texture around the face echoes the layers of color and shimmer in the shell. And this piece had an emotional inspiration. In her own words: “The 2010 tragedy [oil spill] in the Gulf of Mexico originally inspired this design. I envisioned Mother Nature watching over her ocean creatures … looking up at them, protecting them, and guiding as many as she [could] to safety while she works to heal the waters we take for granted.”

So very much a representational image in her mind after all. You can find more of Kristie-Lou’s face-focused work on her Etsy page.

And don’t forget to send me your stories for the ‘Love’ly ContestSend them to sbray@thepolymerarts.com (or just reply to your blog post email if you get it that way). I love what I’ve been reading so far!

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

Read More

Reinterpret a Flower

February 3, 2015
Posted in

il_570xN.490547265_sfa6I was really going to try and avoid flowers this week, not because they aren’t wonderful and lovely, but because we already have such a love affair with them in this community. I figured we’ve seen quite a bit, and it would be more useful to find other subjects. But then there were these. I have had these earrings in my little chest of goodies to share for a while, but it took until this theme for me to figure out why I think they are so well done. I think it’s the fact that the creator, Deb Cooper, made the whole earring a flower with stalk included, rather than just adding flowers to a circle of clay. Sometimes it’s just the very simplest of adjustments that takes something from nice to fantastic, from interesting to amazing.

All the choices here were the right choices: the translucent clay to catch the light and show variation in the colors, the colors themselves, leaving the flower with very organically ruffled petals and not spoiling it with any other additions. These actually got me to stop and consider what you could do to make a gauge earring from real flowers. But these would certainly last longer.

You can find Deb’s wide array of cleverly decorated gauge earrings on Etsy and on her Deviant art page.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

 

Read More

Re-Imagining An Owl

February 2, 2015
Posted in

c1ec2009e7c0b29ae4ca81966606b4a6While cruising the farthest corners of the internet last week looking for conceptual pieces, I came across a lot of beautiful representational imagery in polymer. Concepts are created in art using imagery; concepts can also be created abstractly, or concepts can be embodied in the function, location or timing of the piece. And, I think, all representational imagery is obviously not conceptual but sometimes simply the artist’s view or translation of something out there in the world or within our imaginations. Sometimes, you just want to sit back and enjoy something well- or cleverly rendered. So that’s what we’re going to do this week.

This first piece feels so much more than visually representational. I imagine that, while wearing this necklace with the segmented feather beads, the wearer’s movement would make the the feathers shift, in a smooth subtle way. I think it could bring to mind flight or the owl gently ruffling its wings. The idea of something that flies combined with a design that moves and floats is just lovely. It represents the bird and an action of the bird. Rather clever.

 

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.

  tpa-blog-125x125-2015  sfxpaad-diffuse  ice cream ad  TPA_McGuire_blog ad

 

Read More

Conceptual Horses

January 26, 2015
Posted in

TornstromPolymer lends itself particularly well to decorative arts, since it is so versatile in form and color and has the ability to be combined with so many other materials. But it can also be a very expressive medium. An artist can use a variety of sculptural techniques, colors and textures to recreate all kinds of imagery, which makes polymer particularly wonderful for conceptual work. I thought we’d take a week to see just what wonderful and new work is being produced in that area of polymer.

EvaMarie Törnström’s Malta Horse is what got me really thinking about this area of polymer art. For those of you who have been to Malta, the iconic crosses, the aged limestone walls and the intense blue of the surrounding ocean are instantly recognizable, collectively, as representative of that beautiful country. There is a lot more to this particular piece, but I’ll let you puzzle out its other less obviously related characteristics. I’m still puzzling them out myself. But even if you haven’t been to Malta, you know there is a connection between the chosen elements, and it will make you stop and think. As all good art really does.

Sweden’s EvaMarie is partial to creating horse sculptures but does very large wall pieces as well, also usually equine-related. Do take a moment to look at some of her unusual and visually intriguing pieces 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.

businesscard-3.5inx2in-h-front    PolymerArts Kaleidoscope     sfxpaad

Read More
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