{"id":16509,"date":"2019-08-04T03:04:43","date_gmt":"2019-08-04T10:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/?p=16509"},"modified":"2019-08-13T16:11:23","modified_gmt":"2019-08-13T23:11:23","slug":"crosswise-crafts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepolymerarts.com\/blog\/crosswise-crafts\/","title":{"rendered":"Crosswise Crafts"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Heather Campbell – “Keep Circling”<\/p><\/div>\n

If you read this blog because polymer is your primary art material, do you consider yourself a polymer artist or a mixed-media artist? This question has arisen in a few conversations recently \u2013 how to identify oneself as an artist \u2013 and also in regard to the content of these blogs posts because a lot of people that are writing me of late have turned out not to be primarily polymer artists, or at least identify themselves as mixed-media rather than polymer artists. I think that\u2019s really cool and I don\u2019t find it terribly surprising that people who work in other art materials are interested in polymer because polymer has so much crossover and such a wide range of possible applications.<\/p>\n

I mean, is polymer clay the only material in your art studio? Aside from maybe dedicated caners, I think the majority of us who identify as polymer artists also have drawers and bins and boxes of other things like beads, fabric, paints, paper, resin, and so much more. So, is your polymer art really a type of mixed-media art? And what is mixed-media art really anyways?<\/p>\n

And most of all\u2026 do the labels really matter?<\/p>\n

Labels are important for the purpose of organizing all the information we are inundated with daily, but unfortunately, it also puts people and concepts in restrictive boxes and that can become problematic. When someone is labeled (or calls themselves) a polymer artist, it doesn\u2019t mean that they work only with polymer or even primarily with polymer. They may simply have an affinity for the material more than any other single material.<\/p>\n

Not only do we use a lot of other materials in polymer work, but we can also so readily draw inspiration from looking at artwork in materials. I, myself, find fiber art to be an immense resource for ideas in my polymer work, especially modern quilting, so I thought I\u2019d bring you along to explore some of the ways today\u2019s quilt art and polymer creatively crossover.<\/p>\n

Crosswise Crafts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Quilt art is a form of fiber art which pushes beyond functional bedcovers and quilted clothing of the past. Fiber Art itself is a relatively recent term, first used shortly after World War II to categorize fine art using natural or synthetic fiber as the material. This speaks to how relatively new the focus has been on fiber as an art form. Luckily, the term quickly worked its way out of the relatively elite world of curators and art historians into a more generalized use encompassing all fiber-based artistic applications, from weaving and quilting to intensely detailed embroidery and monumental outdoor installations.<\/p>\n

There has been a tremendous amount of experimentation going on in fiber arts since the latter decades of the twentieth century, something as polymer artists we understand and applaud but, unlike polymer the many forms of fiber art draw from some of mankind\u2019s oldest crafts so experimentation tends to rally not around techniques but around form, nontraditional materials, unusual use and placement of materials, and conceptual approaches, especially those involving cultural issues and activism. This makes it a rich source of inspiration that can really light the way for new possibilities in polymer.<\/p>\n

As I\u2019m sure you know, not only do we emulate fiber in polymer, we also have methods of construction and layout with veneers and inlays which use basically the same approach as quilting, less the sewing. Both art forms also technically work in three-dimensions but are commonly composed in two-dimensions which is why I think it\u2019s such a great arena to look to for a creative shot in the arm.<\/p>\n

Here is a very direct example of the crossover between quilting and polymer. Lindly Haunani<\/a> draws the patterns for her polymer quilts directly from classic quilt patterns, like this one based on a half square quilt design.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

She uses these wall pieces to examine and teach color. She also applies the concepts to brooches like these lovely pieces.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

By the way, Lindly has a series of workshops teaching color through the creation of veneers and polymer quilts coming up in late August\/early September at Creative Journey Studios. You can check those out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although classic quilt patterns pop up in polymer quite often, contemporary quilts are nothing like these. Here is an example of traditional quilting techniques but without the traditional patterns by Lisa Jenni<\/a>. Do the colors or composition poke at your creative brain but with polymer on the mind? It could be an arrangement with alcohol ink dyed polymer, striped canes, and stamped clay medallions, right?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That quilt reminds me a little bit of Gera Scott Chandler\u2019s<\/a> work. The colors and the emphasis on oblong circles are probably the connections but you see how one could possibly inspire the other, yes?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And how have we not seen something like this piece below done in polymer? This is embroidered quilting by Susan Lenz<\/a> It\u2019s less than 3\u2019 x 2\u2019 so such a piece in polymer would not be a monumental task. This has given me an idea \u2026 I think I know what I\u2019m going to do with all the inchies collected over the years. Let\u2019s all make wall pieces from our collections!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Be sure to look at Susan\u2019s Lancet window series<\/a> too. They have a similarly open layout but in kind of stained-glass patterns.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Contemporary quilts, like polymer, are not restricted to a two-dimensional canvas or flat layers. There are a lot of things being added into and onto quilts today. Just look at this riot of wonder by Molly Jean Hobbit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Does this piece bring to mind any polymer artists who also use lots of pieces and materials in their work? Maybe Laurie Mika<\/a>, Heather Campbell <\/a>(as seen in the opening image), or even Christi Friesen<\/a> with her mixed-media mosaics? If you have always liked what these ladies are doing, just imagine the fresh batch of ideas you could get from contemporary quilts.<\/p>\n

Want to really delve into the quilt world now? You go down a rabbit hole by simply putting \u201cquilt art\u201d into Pinterest, or you could start on the Contemporary Quilt Art associations gallery pages<\/a>. Click on each image to get a whole slew of additional quilts by various artists. It\u2019s quite the fabulous (and possibly time gobbling) rabbit hole to go down.<\/p>\n

Want to do a little polymer quilting of your own today? Well, you could sit down to this video by Jan Montarsi<\/a>, demonstrating how to make striped polymer quilt squares. Mind you, he uses his new Create Template, but you could do it without the template if you want to get right to it. If you have the latest edition of The Polymer Studio, Issue #3<\/a><\/em>, go to Jan\u2019s article on multicolor blends first to make some really bright and saturated blended sheets to work with. If you didn\u2019t subscribe or purchase your copy yet, you can get an immediate digital download or order a print edition on the website here<\/a>. And you can get Jan\u2019s templates here<\/a>.<\/p>\n