The First Polymer Pioneer?
November 27, 2015 Inspirational Art, Ponderings
On the last page of the Winter 2015 issue, we have a very, very special Muse’s Corner article. It was brought to us by Anke Humpert, who had the good fortune to connect with a polymer artist who may very well be the first published polymer pioneer, unknown to most all of us. The reason we may not recognize the cover of this book, or the author, is probably that it was written in German. Which makes sense since that is where polymer clay was invented and first produced commercially. But how have so few of us even known of dear Sigrid Smolka?
Here is the thing that so shocked Anke (and, later, myself) when she first found out. This book was published years before Nan Roche’s seminal book The New Clay. Now, we aren’t talking 3 years, or 5, or even 10. This book was published 17 years before, not too long after the clay actually hit the market. Isn’t that amazing?
All on her own, Sigrid developed techniques and processes that we will all find familiar and common today. I guess that really shouldn’t be a surprise. The clay can leads us to obvious conclusions even now. But it was just so early on and she did this all on her own and so hidden from the rest of us. But not anymore.
You can read Anke’s whole story about Sigrid Solka in the Winter issue. Get your copy ordered, if you haven’t already, so you can read this and all the other wonderful contributions your fellow polymer artists shared with you in this issue.
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___________________________________________
Leather and Layers and Polymer Insets
November 11, 2015 Inspirational Art
I’m a little sleep deprived this morning so don’t mind my short write up here.
I found this last week while searching for layered polymer pieces. Such a chic and contemporary look in this purse by Miryam Garcia. I didn’t think it was polymer at first. But she says this Bolsa de Cuero is all handmade from the leather of the purse itself down to the mandala-like polymer insert. I’m not a purse girl, but I’d sling that on.
Okay kids … back to polishing up the final files for the Winter issue. I’ll confirm the release date on Friday when I should have confirmation myself. In the meantime, go have some fun checking out the variety of work on Miryam’s Flickr stream and her blog.
___________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
___________________________________________
On the last page of the Winter 2015 issue, we have a very, very special Muse’s Corner article. It was brought to us by Anke Humpert, who had the good fortune to connect with a polymer artist who may very well be the first published polymer pioneer, unknown to most all of us. The reason we may not recognize the cover of this book, or the author, is probably that it was written in German. Which makes sense since that is where polymer clay was invented and first produced commercially. But how have so few of us even known of dear Sigrid Smolka?
Here is the thing that so shocked Anke (and, later, myself) when she first found out. This book was published years before Nan Roche’s seminal book The New Clay. Now, we aren’t talking 3 years, or 5, or even 10. This book was published 17 years before, not too long after the clay actually hit the market. Isn’t that amazing?
All on her own, Sigrid developed techniques and processes that we will all find familiar and common today. I guess that really shouldn’t be a surprise. The clay can leads us to obvious conclusions even now. But it was just so early on and she did this all on her own and so hidden from the rest of us. But not anymore.
You can read Anke’s whole story about Sigrid Solka in the Winter issue. Get your copy ordered, if you haven’t already, so you can read this and all the other wonderful contributions your fellow polymer artists shared with you in this issue.
_________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
___________________________________________
Read MoreI’m a little sleep deprived this morning so don’t mind my short write up here.
I found this last week while searching for layered polymer pieces. Such a chic and contemporary look in this purse by Miryam Garcia. I didn’t think it was polymer at first. But she says this Bolsa de Cuero is all handmade from the leather of the purse itself down to the mandala-like polymer insert. I’m not a purse girl, but I’d sling that on.
Okay kids … back to polishing up the final files for the Winter issue. I’ll confirm the release date on Friday when I should have confirmation myself. In the meantime, go have some fun checking out the variety of work on Miryam’s Flickr stream and her blog.
___________________________________________
Like this blog? Lend your support with a purchase of The Polymer Arts magazine and visit our partners:
___________________________________________
Read More