tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33375361929528161622024-03-12T20:38:44.935-04:00Stories They TellCommentary on current art and craft trends, artistic inspiration, polymer clay, artistic process, 21st century art trends, craft, metalsmithing, jewelry makingStories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-56953952923552340002020-09-10T13:27:00.000-04:002020-09-10T13:27:05.011-04:00Polymer Surface Design: The new "Discovery Series" from Stories They Tell<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I haven't posted on this blog in a while but today I have a really big announcement! I've decided that it's time for me to get the contents of my design notebooks (about 15 in all) out into the world. I love teaching in person but with the current situation in our society, I have no certainty that this will be an option any time soon. I've considered the idea of a book for years but with today's cutting edge-technology, I'd rather put the content directly into the hands of the consumer, as it's more immediate and easy to update. So over the next months, I'll be publishing my techniques as a series of PDF files available in my Etsy shop as stand-alone tutorials. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm calling this the </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Polymer Surface Design "Discovery Series"</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> and I'll be covering all the various surface design techniques that I've discovered and used for my work since about 2010. Some of the tutorials will be strictly technique-based, some will include construction and design details. ALL of them will involve using color and texture in bold and unusual ways! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We'll take our maiden voyage together with a technique that I've been using for a few years, utilizing the Distress® Oxides® from Tim Holtz and Ranger Industries, a combination of dye and pigment that oxidizes when water is added, creating a matte, hazy bloom that enhances textures very well. They blend beautifully when wet and when a new color is applied to a dry surface, the colors layer without producing 'mud'. I had to tinker quite a bit to make sure the Oxides® adhered to polymer clay and dried completely but fortunately, my art school experience finally lead me to the solution, which I'm pleased to be able to pass on to lovers of this amazing medium!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbbLLxQe1Qo/X1oVPzhyhCI/AAAAAAAADG4/i1-TGc4UGRcEUqIbRfKWCEmhlkrjKYM1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Byzantine_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="2048" height="548" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbbLLxQe1Qo/X1oVPzhyhCI/AAAAAAAADG4/i1-TGc4UGRcEUqIbRfKWCEmhlkrjKYM1gCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h548/Byzantine_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="625" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Byzantine" - polymer clay, Distress® Oxides®</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The tutorial is posted in my Etsy shop today: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/storiestheytell">https://www.etsy.com/shop/storiestheytell</a>, under "Tutorials". I'll also be setting up a private Facebook page -- "Polymer Distress®Oxides® Community"-- for posts by anyone using the technique from the tutorial and with tips, additional information for variations on the technique and maybe some videos. (I have a very high standard for myself and there's a lot to learn about video production before I'm willing to post any).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Why use PDF files instead of video? Well, I'm kind of old-school and, as much as I appreciate videos and the kind of learning they provide, I still would rather have a more 'book' like, non-electronic, visual record of my life's work. I've designed the pages so they can be put in a plastic sleeve and into a notebook so they're accessible to you wherever you're working with your polymer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here's a gallery of some of the pieces I've done using the Distress® Oxides®. I love Tim Holtz's color palette, it's right up my alley!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_TK3-eRRKE/X1olQ4EkKNI/AAAAAAAADHE/0RLu46jkE3E6UBuDGiQF4Vqp0H0qLhbnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1632/September%2BTwilight_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1613" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_TK3-eRRKE/X1olQ4EkKNI/AAAAAAAADHE/0RLu46jkE3E6UBuDGiQF4Vqp0H0qLhbnACLcBGAsYHQ/w618-h625/September%2BTwilight_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="618" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"September Twilight" - Distress® Oxides® Aged Mahogany, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mustard Seed, Walnut Stain, Antique Linen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKd9ruRCceU/X1omPbgdm9I/AAAAAAAADHM/lqgmXFd9KOcdK6U-N95g1XUYiTzVPmAkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Fallen%2BLeaves_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="2048" height="354" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKd9ruRCceU/X1omPbgdm9I/AAAAAAAADHM/lqgmXFd9KOcdK6U-N95g1XUYiTzVPmAkgCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h354/Fallen%2BLeaves_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Fallen Leaves" - Distress®Oxides® colors Crackling Campfire, Mustard Seed, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Scattered Straw, Fossilized Amber</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIv7EpSHuKs/X1onTt8evjI/AAAAAAAADHg/cr1DOLN_mOgIa3zaOzcEZqJcu_-CE_poACLcBGAsYHQ/s1797/Creation_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1797" data-original-width="1723" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIv7EpSHuKs/X1onTt8evjI/AAAAAAAADHg/cr1DOLN_mOgIa3zaOzcEZqJcu_-CE_poACLcBGAsYHQ/w600-h625/Creation_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Creation" - Tim Holtz Alloys®</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CPP9EQm5c48/X1pYZzLl5bI/AAAAAAAADHw/_eaOlIPusHcdwnA46TPMiaEqZ-YI8iyqACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Inner%2BCircle_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1654" data-original-width="2048" height="505" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CPP9EQm5c48/X1pYZzLl5bI/AAAAAAAADHw/_eaOlIPusHcdwnA46TPMiaEqZ-YI8iyqACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h505/Inner%2BCircle_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Inner Circle" - polymer, Distress® Oxides® colors Seedless Preserves, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Crackling Campfire, Milled Lavender</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itjY5I2IY0M/X1pakdYX9YI/AAAAAAAADIA/NOgNmLqDXpMsp6RC8sOp2Xon1OhvyZTKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Reef_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="419" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itjY5I2IY0M/X1pakdYX9YI/AAAAAAAADIA/NOgNmLqDXpMsp6RC8sOp2Xon1OhvyZTKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h419/Reef_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Reef"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQgLUo5gV3A/X1pew-OxIAI/AAAAAAAADIM/9GqGCCzbOI0GCZnVSUinxvkMVBKnnJhDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1845/Field%2Band%2BStream_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1656" data-original-width="1845" height="561" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQgLUo5gV3A/X1pew-OxIAI/AAAAAAAADIM/9GqGCCzbOI0GCZnVSUinxvkMVBKnnJhDQCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h561/Field%2Band%2BStream_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Field and Stream"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryGb8VqGxOs/X1pfCQeR-GI/AAAAAAAADIU/zMZ0DJ_3Jc89dyECN9EPn0F5Ew7NSz4QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1652/Double%2BExposure_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1652" data-original-width="1060" height="976" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryGb8VqGxOs/X1pfCQeR-GI/AAAAAAAADIU/zMZ0DJ_3Jc89dyECN9EPn0F5Ew7NSz4QwCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h976/Double%2BExposure_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Double Exposure"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZBJoS04dY8/X1pfrxGCmgI/AAAAAAAADIc/KwpsdYMOufg-cAinzQ2FrRJwihoP8LY2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1558/Guinevere_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1522" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZBJoS04dY8/X1pfrxGCmgI/AAAAAAAADIc/KwpsdYMOufg-cAinzQ2FrRJwihoP8LY2wCLcBGAsYHQ/w611-h625/Guinevere_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="611" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Guinevere" earrings</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-An30dAivNsQ/X1pgCqgEvJI/AAAAAAAADIk/qd6zC4koEbkUDeD44W7YP3pdynbUY8C-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Shard%2BNecklace1_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1808" data-original-width="2048" height="551" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-An30dAivNsQ/X1pgCqgEvJI/AAAAAAAADIk/qd6zC4koEbkUDeD44W7YP3pdynbUY8C-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h551/Shard%2BNecklace1_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Turnabout" - Double-sided beads made from test shards</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6rttr2Axz0/X1pgYtHHq7I/AAAAAAAADIs/bp2mrczKiEIQ8R7GnxsoZSC7fpkfp2VKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Shard%2BNecklace2_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="2048" height="485" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6rttr2Axz0/X1pgYtHHq7I/AAAAAAAADIs/bp2mrczKiEIQ8R7GnxsoZSC7fpkfp2VKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h485/Shard%2BNecklace2_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Turnabout" - flip side</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVJQ_8K8SmQ/X1pg7LtB_4I/AAAAAAAADI0/rputIjShy84Zii1OYossgmCuEKemm93OQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1984/Kyoto%2B2_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="1977" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVJQ_8K8SmQ/X1pg7LtB_4I/AAAAAAAADI0/rputIjShy84Zii1OYossgmCuEKemm93OQCLcBGAsYHQ/w624-h625/Kyoto%2B2_polymer_2020_cdamm.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Kyoto II"</span></div><p></p>Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-55166684461105883582019-02-27T11:37:00.001-05:002019-02-27T11:46:53.762-05:00An Idea is Born<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As an artist, something I’m frequently asked is “where do
your ideas come from?” Neil Gaiman, a writer I enjoy, says he tells people that
you get ideas from daydreaming or bring bored, that you get ideas all the time
and the only difference between artists and other people is that artists notice
when they’re doing it. Now, I know from experience that if I don’t write these ideas
or musings down, they’re gone, they’re ephemeral and forgettable. Also, it’s
useful to know the progression in the development of an idea and if you keep a
dated notebook, you’ve got those details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I know that I get ideas from looking at lots of sites,
mostly not polymer ones, since ideas from those are mostly derivative. Instead
I browse Pinterest, Instagram, Colossal, Designboom, Remodelista, Iron Orchid
Design, etc-- and then speculate “what if?” as in, “what if I made those shapes
with translucent polymer clay and a metallic clay edging” when I see a layered
evening gown on the runway in an article on Paris Fashion Week. During my work
as an academic advisor at UC Berkeley, I learned some very valuable lessons
about source material for ideas. Plagiarism is of great concern in academic
circles and I could tell you a few interesting stories based on my experiences.
But that's not my purpose here. I learned that, when doing research, go to the
oldest, most original source material that you can find-- original
documents, a skeleton that was dug up out of the earth, the actual writings of
the person that you want to investigate-- you get the idea. Stay clear of
interpretations by others. If you're doing a paper on George Washington, don't
read a fictional bodice-ripper vaguely based on the Revolutionary War and then
extrapolate about our first President's motivation for his battle strategies.
Go to his journals for his actual thoughts while on campaign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Similarly, as visual artists we should seek out original sources
for our inspiration. With the mind-numbing array of social media sites
available, we are constantly bombarded with the interpretations of others. Who
among us has not spent hours on Pinterest? But did you realize that Pinterest
is really just a collection of curated galleries? You are viewing images chosen by
individuals out of all the available content out there. You are being herded,
your ideas are being influenced by people whose values and experience you don't
know anything about. You should wonder-- what's being left out? Why were these
particular images chosen? Are they better or simply more “promoted”? One
suggestion is that you create a short list of blogs to visit on a regular basis
to see what artists that <u>you</u> choose are doing. Don't just pick the easy way and
let someone else determine what you're seeing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I first started making jewelry, I participated in the
monthly online jewelry challenge over at the <a href="http://www.artbeadscenestudio.com/">Art Bead Scene Studio</a> in
which our pieces were intended to be based on historical 2-dimensional
works of art, mostly paintings. This was a very stimulating exercise and I
developed a nice body of work, which I had never done previously. But the
exercise was still based on a particular artist’s interpretation of life, on
their colors, their choice of subject matter, their philosophy. Not an original
source, as it would be if I, myself, were drawing in the moment from nature or a person or a bowl of fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In my classes I sometimes suggest that students find a
greeting card or a scrap of material to help them with their color choices.
When confronted with an array of paints, crayons and pots of color in class,
sometimes overwhelm sets in and having these aids can help to define your
palette. But these are not original sources and you need to eventually wean
yourself from them. A color wheel is an original source but isn't something
found in nature and is not stimulating to the imagination, at least not to
mine. Pick some fresh flowers, buy a blooming potted plant, hang out at a zoo.
Anyone who has a pet has probably spent hours looking at the subtle blend of
colors that make up their hair coat-- it's endlessly fascinating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, whenever possible, go straight to the original source--
Nature. I live in a place that has four true seasons-- each one offers
possibilities for color in wonderfully different ways. I embrace winter because the colors
are so different from those of spring or summer—more subtle and therefore
challenging. They shake up my color preferences and design ideas. Here are some wintry-colored pieces from years past. Thanks for reading!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zKaeaODGrPU/XHa39bd1BfI/AAAAAAAADBw/Ap5fRFC-fZ0UdjzZp-_SNTvBwue2v5PawCLcBGAs/s1600/Storm_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zKaeaODGrPU/XHa39bd1BfI/AAAAAAAADBw/Ap5fRFC-fZ0UdjzZp-_SNTvBwue2v5PawCLcBGAs/s640/Storm_cdamm.jpg" width="618" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Storm" - Work on paper, acrylic medium, alcohol ink, acrylic</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-_iVBS6-i4/XHa4g7liZjI/AAAAAAAADB4/hUq1say0oVslA9zB6emGNKNcju8sAHM7ACLcBGAs/s1600/Stone%2Bof%2BRemembrance_polymer%2Bclay_2016_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1567" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-_iVBS6-i4/XHa4g7liZjI/AAAAAAAADB4/hUq1say0oVslA9zB6emGNKNcju8sAHM7ACLcBGAs/s640/Stone%2Bof%2BRemembrance_polymer%2Bclay_2016_cdamm.jpg" width="626" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Stone of Remembrance" - Polymer clay, acrylic, Pan Pastels, sterling silver</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBhqgeQMFlA/XHa4-XfO4xI/AAAAAAAADCA/Xn5suW58iQACePZYH0Jt4UH2BFjkiGOSQCLcBGAs/s1600/Where%2Bthe%2BRivers%2BFlow%2BNorth%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="1404" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBhqgeQMFlA/XHa4-XfO4xI/AAAAAAAADCA/Xn5suW58iQACePZYH0Jt4UH2BFjkiGOSQCLcBGAs/s640/Where%2Bthe%2BRivers%2BFlow%2BNorth%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" width="632" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Where the Rivers Flow North" - Polymer clay, acrylic, embossing powder</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrBnmrcbpoM/XHa5Y1TiO2I/AAAAAAAADCM/0w7Q8h7mfFQM0G3BFwsZirDQawbVzKnkwCLcBGAs/s1600/Landscape%2Bpendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1117" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrBnmrcbpoM/XHa5Y1TiO2I/AAAAAAAADCM/0w7Q8h7mfFQM0G3BFwsZirDQawbVzKnkwCLcBGAs/s640/Landscape%2Bpendant.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Landscape" pendant - Polymer clay, acrylic, Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kTrUg9gqzY/XHa5xffXGrI/AAAAAAAADCU/nkva87n7-uIXphmt-SDWXl6yn5NfHiHDACLcBGAs/s1600/Late%2BWinter%2Bearrings_2016_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="807" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kTrUg9gqzY/XHa5xffXGrI/AAAAAAAADCU/nkva87n7-uIXphmt-SDWXl6yn5NfHiHDACLcBGAs/s640/Late%2BWinter%2Bearrings_2016_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Late Winter" earrings - Polymer clay, mokume gane technique, embossing powder</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PXdyg9_EEkE/XHa6LyPVpjI/AAAAAAAADCc/FjqXC6h4MIErwDQTZ6PQIIlc3Q_NKkx-gCLcBGAs/s1600/March_2018_Labyrinth%2Bearrings_polymer_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="971" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PXdyg9_EEkE/XHa6LyPVpjI/AAAAAAAADCc/FjqXC6h4MIErwDQTZ6PQIIlc3Q_NKkx-gCLcBGAs/s640/March_2018_Labyrinth%2Bearrings_polymer_cdamm.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Labyrinth" earrings - Polymer clay, acrylic </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6k1EbtZFb4/XHa6gap0OAI/AAAAAAAADCk/sBCBikQ-DZcLk-gxeqJ1qqFmKDAidFspgCLcBGAs/s1600/Nov_2017_Aurora%2BBorealis_polymer_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="1327" height="632" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6k1EbtZFb4/XHa6gap0OAI/AAAAAAAADCk/sBCBikQ-DZcLk-gxeqJ1qqFmKDAidFspgCLcBGAs/s640/Nov_2017_Aurora%2BBorealis_polymer_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Aurora Borealis" pendant - Polymer clay, acrylic, Pan Pastels, embossing powder</span></div>
<br />Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-57715513105614178232019-01-14T10:54:00.003-05:002019-01-14T10:54:33.843-05:00On Making Art<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Making art is really about problem-solving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your thoughts/emotions are the starting point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You come up with an idea, you have a feeling you want to express, you see a scene you want to capture, a color or texture that takes your fancy, you have a 'what-if?' moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now problem-solving comes into play.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How do I capture that light? How do I blend that unique color? How can I get my brain to tell my hand how to express what I see and how I feel?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And now it's about technique.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And technique is about practice, it's about honing skills and about trial-and-error and repetition. There are no short cuts. Mixing the exact color, capturing a particular expression, translating motion to a static image-- all these take the exercise of skill, skill that's constantly upgraded and expanded by doing the artistic task over and over, of practicing all the steps that lead up to the final smooth application of the technique that solves the problem, that captures the moment-- in the sketch, the necklace, the lyric, the collage, the watercolor, the embroidery, the symphony.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every masterpiece-- no matter how small-- starts with a problem that is solved with innovative thought, combined with a gigantic leap of faith and then completed with skill and technique. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5Sq-2QyrqA/XDyvuUEJ6SI/AAAAAAAADAI/ii7_94fijA4e05HwaZVQCXd4BrrWIONawCLcBGAs/s1600/Many%2BSides%2Bof%2BMe_polymer_2017_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1256" height="620" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5Sq-2QyrqA/XDyvuUEJ6SI/AAAAAAAADAI/ii7_94fijA4e05HwaZVQCXd4BrrWIONawCLcBGAs/s640/Many%2BSides%2Bof%2BMe_polymer_2017_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The Many Sides of Me" - pendant-- Polymer clay </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">veneer scraps, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">surface colored and pieced</span></div>
Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-55021922793009611492017-05-18T14:28:00.000-04:002017-05-19T10:35:33.814-04:00Art on the Farm - Spring 2017 Workshop Announcement<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Repeat Motifs – Unique Finishes”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A 3-Day Intensive for Polymer Clay Surface Design<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">June
21-23, 2017</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Join me this June for the 5th year of Art on the Farm, at my home studio in Braintree, Vermont, in the heart of rural New England. Our topic for the 3-day intensive workshop is "Repeat Motifs - Unique Finishes".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We'll start class by creating a simple signature motif, then learn how
to use textures, paints, pastels, acrylic mediums, alcohol inks, crayons and
much, much more to color and enhance these polymer elements with custom surfaces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Since there are so many possibilities for surface embellishment, limiting ourselves to one unique shape will help us refine our technique and we’ll experiment with layered
forms, changing the proportions of our shapes and abstracting these motifs into multiple elements
to use for jewelry and mixed media projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Students have access to my extensive collection of
texture sheets, molds and stencils, as well as to all the paints, mediums,
inks and pastels in my studio. Believe me, I have tons of interesting
things to play with! Try out the newest Tim Holtz/Ranger® line of Distress and
Distress Oxide paints using my techniques for making these finishes
work even on non-porous polymer clay surfaces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As one of the earliest adopters of surface techniques for
polymer clay, I have years of experience using paints, watercolors, pastels,
inks and other surface design media on opaque and translucent polymer clay. If you’ve ever wanted to delve
into the amazing world of coloring the surface of polymer, this is the workshop for
you! Small class size means lots of one-on-one time with the instructor. Beginners to polymer as well as those experienced in the medium are welcome, as these are not techniques that you'll find in books or online, so everyone starts at the same point. You'll go back to your home studio with all the information necessary to continue your own experiments in color and texture and stock up on the supplies you really want, after trying them out at the workshop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If you're interested in the upcoming June workshop or the one later this Fall, October 4-6, 2017 leave a message on my website at <a href="http://www.storiestheytell.com/">http://www.storiestheytell.com</a> with your e-mail address to check for spaces in class and for more information on tuition, lodging, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are some examples of surfaces we'll learn how to do in class. Enjoy the eye candy! </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYM-n0eItCE/WR3YouzwoHI/AAAAAAAAC6I/sMektDTalm0-hhCjvqU7fGCvkYDDvqRwwCLcB/s1600/112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYM-n0eItCE/WR3YouzwoHI/AAAAAAAAC6I/sMektDTalm0-hhCjvqU7fGCvkYDDvqRwwCLcB/s640/112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pan Pastels, acrylic paint, embedded wire</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OoJPd252xhc/WR3Yy9RHqBI/AAAAAAAAC6M/8jvoCj9MZ9kBoKMl7YHh8-7kunCwKkYfgCLcB/s1600/123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OoJPd252xhc/WR3Yy9RHqBI/AAAAAAAAC6M/8jvoCj9MZ9kBoKMl7YHh8-7kunCwKkYfgCLcB/s640/123.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pan Pastels, acrylic paint, graphite paint</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlZ7LNOJX94/WR3Zc_Ph7lI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/XlwZVW38jbg4XSKzu0wA735XwVcMdrueQCLcB/s1600/April_2017_Clovis_polymer_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlZ7LNOJX94/WR3Zc_Ph7lI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/XlwZVW38jbg4XSKzu0wA735XwVcMdrueQCLcB/s640/April_2017_Clovis_polymer_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ranger Distress Paints, acrylic medium, alcohol inks</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tsRKkIo5M30/WR3Z0MKSZoI/AAAAAAAAC6U/7Iv2URFq1oIdMsFHxxHdTbFQ3OKpd0negCLcB/s1600/April_2017_arrowhead2_polymer_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tsRKkIo5M30/WR3Z0MKSZoI/AAAAAAAAC6U/7Iv2URFq1oIdMsFHxxHdTbFQ3OKpd0negCLcB/s640/April_2017_arrowhead2_polymer_cdamm.jpg" width="576" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ranger Distress Paints, acrylic paint, alcohol ink</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IhEFthpP8vo/WR3aQfDT92I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/7X81MyCcdqs7UcCX8lhuOR5l0ug8Nqe9gCLcB/s1600/Colors%2Bof%2Bthe%2BCanyon%2Bearrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IhEFthpP8vo/WR3aQfDT92I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/7X81MyCcdqs7UcCX8lhuOR5l0ug8Nqe9gCLcB/s640/Colors%2Bof%2Bthe%2BCanyon%2Bearrings.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Colors of the Canyon" - Pan Pastels, micaceous iron oxide</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uH_fAUuhd2k/WR3al4Z5DQI/AAAAAAAAC6c/qE__A3qkfmosaN1aZ0w7L_rE_p6dbuZbACLcB/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uH_fAUuhd2k/WR3al4Z5DQI/AAAAAAAAC6c/qE__A3qkfmosaN1aZ0w7L_rE_p6dbuZbACLcB/s640/007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pan Pastels, acrylic paint</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUzE7bFcKOE/WR3a2F6RbkI/AAAAAAAAC6g/TtdgcTH-o1EaLFMEtl1PMx_Re2yYaFENwCLcB/s1600/DSCN0309_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUzE7bFcKOE/WR3a2F6RbkI/AAAAAAAAC6g/TtdgcTH-o1EaLFMEtl1PMx_Re2yYaFENwCLcB/s640/DSCN0309_1024.JPG" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Acrylic paint, alcohol ink</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0mhDJZPcfk/WR3bSMwCwyI/AAAAAAAAC6k/XbCzfCFNnH4GZvBNXrEsNKwGoO37qQbfQCLcB/s1600/Homage%2Bto%2BTucson%2B2015%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0mhDJZPcfk/WR3bSMwCwyI/AAAAAAAAC6k/XbCzfCFNnH4GZvBNXrEsNKwGoO37qQbfQCLcB/s640/Homage%2Bto%2BTucson%2B2015%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" width="544" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Homage to Tuscon" - Micaceous iron oxide, acrylic paint</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-0-2otHSZQ/WR3bqrGh5KI/AAAAAAAAC6o/kr7_gXBw6K4c3EmLDvO4iMPyXlut-w90wCLcB/s1600/Kaleidescope%2Bpendant%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-0-2otHSZQ/WR3bqrGh5KI/AAAAAAAAC6o/kr7_gXBw6K4c3EmLDvO4iMPyXlut-w90wCLcB/s640/Kaleidescope%2Bpendant%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">"Kaleidescope" pendant - acrylic paint, Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_otuUCzMwzw/WR3b6Owux6I/AAAAAAAAC6s/VMmK9rE7Ec4dWrdeVVXokwCs_qTW-i-7wCLcB/s1600/Landscape%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_otuUCzMwzw/WR3b6Owux6I/AAAAAAAAC6s/VMmK9rE7Ec4dWrdeVVXokwCs_qTW-i-7wCLcB/s640/Landscape%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer.jpg" width="562" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Landscape" earrings - Acrylic paint, Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ig2eI6nxzxM/WR3cMNCABqI/AAAAAAAAC6w/eykfbAlUF5AkfxJSd__PQKYgi4kG3BzFwCLcB/s1600/Molokai%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ig2eI6nxzxM/WR3cMNCABqI/AAAAAAAAC6w/eykfbAlUF5AkfxJSd__PQKYgi4kG3BzFwCLcB/s640/Molokai%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Molokai" earrings - Acrylic paint, Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZolybwakU6U/WR3cd7ExH_I/AAAAAAAAC60/L_CTNOdKf_g908Ck9G9t5ZemItzsLNSnwCLcB/s1600/oceanic%2Borganic%2Bbeads%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZolybwakU6U/WR3cd7ExH_I/AAAAAAAAC60/L_CTNOdKf_g908Ck9G9t5ZemItzsLNSnwCLcB/s640/oceanic%2Borganic%2Bbeads%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" width="616" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Acrylic paint, handmade texture plates</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxpMGCjctx0/WR3dHtboXnI/AAAAAAAAC64/7Vp2XF28JnMipRF2vV9K0_nMNZTiZCD4gCLcB/s1600/Oracle%2Bearrings_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxpMGCjctx0/WR3dHtboXnI/AAAAAAAAC64/7Vp2XF28JnMipRF2vV9K0_nMNZTiZCD4gCLcB/s640/Oracle%2Bearrings_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Oracle" earrings - Overlapped, repeating shapes; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Acrylic </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">paint, Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Acrylic paint, layered shapes</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YEMYTczOuSE/WR3eDKNMTXI/AAAAAAAAC7A/ljdc9qPa2QwuGMQLgrmTPGhqm3B3J_hWgCLcB/s1600/Picture%2B2540_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YEMYTczOuSE/WR3eDKNMTXI/AAAAAAAAC7A/ljdc9qPa2QwuGMQLgrmTPGhqm3B3J_hWgCLcB/s640/Picture%2B2540_1024.jpg" width="620" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Layered shapes, acrylic paint</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AF57v9S2hrM/WR3eR2Db3QI/AAAAAAAAC7E/OjwlHcBJJoMY1CFUmeoES_fv03n33btbwCLcB/s1600/Portal_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AF57v9S2hrM/WR3eR2Db3QI/AAAAAAAAC7E/OjwlHcBJJoMY1CFUmeoES_fv03n33btbwCLcB/s640/Portal_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Handmade texture plates; repeating, overlapping shapes, acrylic paint, Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKPJbxISW74/WR3empiWtiI/AAAAAAAAC7I/bpzRKfPI7_IeiUoxsPkyc1g4fPAQDCZ9wCLcB/s1600/samurai%2Bpendant%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKPJbxISW74/WR3empiWtiI/AAAAAAAAC7I/bpzRKfPI7_IeiUoxsPkyc1g4fPAQDCZ9wCLcB/s640/samurai%2Bpendant%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Samurai" pendant - Acrylic paint</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYrEEO-mEiU/WR3e2DxV8UI/AAAAAAAAC7M/dHWKIDXuhYwjIbOWD-HeEF62V5rQ7MozgCLcB/s1600/Sargasso_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYrEEO-mEiU/WR3e2DxV8UI/AAAAAAAAC7M/dHWKIDXuhYwjIbOWD-HeEF62V5rQ7MozgCLcB/s640/Sargasso_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Sargasso" pendant - Handmade textures, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">acrylic paint, Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WIhwMuwvgI/WR3fLy2qLVI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/ciyNCquHmEYT7cnivPjFyp7xMp9OG51kgCLcB/s1600/Shape%2BShift1_Sedona_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="604" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WIhwMuwvgI/WR3fLy2qLVI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/ciyNCquHmEYT7cnivPjFyp7xMp9OG51kgCLcB/s640/Shape%2BShift1_Sedona_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Sedona" pin/pendant - Acrylic paints, Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYjrwsFtq2w/WR3fhfdDsrI/AAAAAAAAC7U/BADx1Aj3c7QMw5_EGrGLgWaolGnvOAHCQCLcB/s1600/Stone%2Bwheel_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYjrwsFtq2w/WR3fhfdDsrI/AAAAAAAAC7U/BADx1Aj3c7QMw5_EGrGLgWaolGnvOAHCQCLcB/s640/Stone%2Bwheel_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" width="616" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Stone Circle" pendant - Pieced, sliced polymer with metallic paints and Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mflhC1epUh4/WR3f6kW1OqI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/HOnExYnqqFQ94esK2WPiCBxEjcaqBQUtgCLcB/s1600/Trojan%2Belements_polymer%2Bclay_2016_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mflhC1epUh4/WR3f6kW1OqI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/HOnExYnqqFQ94esK2WPiCBxEjcaqBQUtgCLcB/s640/Trojan%2Belements_polymer%2Bclay_2016_cdamm.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Trojan" earrings - Layered and stacked forms, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">acrylic paints, Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TH7QqiVUMW4/WR3gw4bL9KI/AAAAAAAAC7c/H1r_ON9PdNwF35r3mTSFy-rkAXZlHGKNwCLcB/s1600/Turquoise%2BLandscape%2Bpin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TH7QqiVUMW4/WR3gw4bL9KI/AAAAAAAAC7c/H1r_ON9PdNwF35r3mTSFy-rkAXZlHGKNwCLcB/s640/Turquoise%2BLandscape%2Bpin.jpg" width="628" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Turquoise Landscape" pin/pendant - Pan Pastels</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7ig_Cw7CUw/WR3hEIjY8HI/AAAAAAAAC7g/D41gAsqlQRUlFs12Gk-ckWGHE-xCmIa_wCLcB/s1600/Wabi%2BSabi%2Bpendant_polymer%2Bclay_2017_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7ig_Cw7CUw/WR3hEIjY8HI/AAAAAAAAC7g/D41gAsqlQRUlFs12Gk-ckWGHE-xCmIa_wCLcB/s640/Wabi%2BSabi%2Bpendant_polymer%2Bclay_2017_cdamm.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Wabi Sabi" - pendant - Translucent liquid polymer, micaceous iron oxide, Pan Pastels, acrylic paint</span></div>
Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-85091220043904433972017-04-27T07:27:00.000-04:002017-04-27T07:27:35.331-04:00Embracing a New Paradigm<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Some earthshaking discoveries in science sneak into the
public consciousness slowly, and many are never even widely known. The same
thing happens in the science of the art world from time to time. Unless you
work in a certain medium, you may never be aware of significant changes in the
things artists have available for creative expression. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><br />
</o:p></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Polymer clay was this sort of ‘earthshaking’ discovery.
Most people outside the art world have no idea what it is or that it even
exists. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s a synthetic clay that never dries out, takes color from many
different sources and in any hue you desire, cures at a very low temperature,
holds its form while curing with very little support, can be formed into very
thin sheets without breakage, and is stable for millennia, as far as we can
predict. All things that traditional earth clays do not. </span>I think it’s a hoot that what I use to make jewelry is the same material,
engineered into pipes, that carries bathroom waste and water through our homes
out to the sewer, or in my case, out to my septic field. I often wonder what
Leonardo Da Vinci would have made with PVC in the form of polymer clay?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9z56tyQNxvw/WP4HfsVVf5I/AAAAAAAAC3o/GMpl4yXB0_4A1VbznfTTMyGkKr3L3lzegCLcB/s1600/Picture%2B973_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9z56tyQNxvw/WP4HfsVVf5I/AAAAAAAAC3o/GMpl4yXB0_4A1VbznfTTMyGkKr3L3lzegCLcB/s640/Picture%2B973_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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"Apocalypto" extruded beads, placed in Bead Dreams competition</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxlAs5LV6Ks/WP4DmfZ6V3I/AAAAAAAAC3U/UvlBjInz8skxI4QpiyXdo1U5_ht-l12jwCLcB/s1600/Picture%2B304_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxlAs5LV6Ks/WP4DmfZ6V3I/AAAAAAAAC3U/UvlBjInz8skxI4QpiyXdo1U5_ht-l12jwCLcB/s640/Picture%2B304_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of my earliest polymer mixed media pieces - mokume gane polymer disk, </div>
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steel, brass, textured polymer donut</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AX05lwRnGi0/WP4DvcQtyeI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/9DgTVkVnXbw79BSgriF5n8-zDSQJcQVqwCLcB/s1600/Picture%2B523_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AX05lwRnGi0/WP4DvcQtyeI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/9DgTVkVnXbw79BSgriF5n8-zDSQJcQVqwCLcB/s640/Picture%2B523_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>"Little Bumble Beads" - shown in a tutorial published in Stringing Magazine</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon after I began working in polymer, tired of my
inability to control the interaction of colors in the extrusions and mokume
gane I was blending, I started texturing the clay and applying color to the
surface of it, rather than blending factory-supplied colors. At first, the only
medium I knew about that could be used to color clay was heat-set oil paints. My
go-to technique was to apply color deeply into the texture and then sand it
back so that the texture was highlighted and there was space to add more color.
I happily worked like this and taught this technique for years in my classes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro4QJyf0oAU/WP4Cnw7Gy_I/AAAAAAAAC3c/UvHl5vbluvUbm_PtRkzw4DyYsQOxFkFbwCEw/s1600/088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro4QJyf0oAU/WP4Cnw7Gy_I/AAAAAAAAC3c/UvHl5vbluvUbm_PtRkzw4DyYsQOxFkFbwCEw/s640/088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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'Ruffle' beads, colored with Genesis Heat-Set Oil Paints</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_XKukTLVGI/WP4CtHRHuMI/AAAAAAAAC3c/XoYxeDhaEgQgjnz1TVDg-IC5RG4jjwK9wCEw/s1600/053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_XKukTLVGI/WP4CtHRHuMI/AAAAAAAAC3c/XoYxeDhaEgQgjnz1TVDg-IC5RG4jjwK9wCEw/s640/053.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Tuareg" - Translucent Premo and Genesis heat-set oil paint -
published in Designer Showcase article in Belle Armoire Jewelry, Sept/Oct 2011</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2nWWvMa6kY/WP4L2qlRkRI/AAAAAAAAC38/yWp1j-6gsAEnRxUnSwydM9qj3sSih4E5ACEw/s1600/Picture%2B2456_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c2nWWvMa6kY/WP4L2qlRkRI/AAAAAAAAC38/yWp1j-6gsAEnRxUnSwydM9qj3sSih4E5ACEw/s640/Picture%2B2456_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Emperor's Nightingale" - Mixed media piece - polymer, wire, acrylic paint,
handmade textures - private collection</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzf8rK0V1Jw/WP4PhE1dyoI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/7n63I4OtmR4v62FFGds6wdfx4LqzebgFQCEw/s1600/Everglades%2Bneckalce_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzf8rK0V1Jw/WP4PhE1dyoI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/7n63I4OtmR4v62FFGds6wdfx4LqzebgFQCEw/s640/Everglades%2Bneckalce_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></o:p> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">"Everglades" necklace - polymer clay, heat-set
oil paint - private collection</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, I’ve been called a ‘mad scientist’ since any and
all mediums are fodder for my experimentation when coloring polymer clay. In my
artistic life I’ve dabbled in most crafts, from pottery to fiber, rughooking,
knitting, professional dressmaking, papermaking, furniture painting, etc. My
brain seems to enjoy asking ‘what if?’ a lot and I never reject an artistic
idea, no matter how loony it sounds at the time! Having a background in many
craft processes, I can see how unusual combinations of things might be
serendipitous artistically. This is how innovation happens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The medium that most mimics polymer for me is handmade
paper. In its liquid state, it is infinitely shapeable, taking the form of any
mold into which it’s poured. I loved the work I did with this medium when I
lived in Berkeley, CA back in the 80s and took classes at Fiberworks with Nance
O’Banion. So it doesn’t surprise me that I have lately been exploring the
marriage of polymer and paper in my work. The new Distress Oxide paints that I’ve
been exploring from Ranger really love paper, were made for it but all the
coloring media that work on polymer also work on paper. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbdGDgLfChU/WP9SYZHt88I/AAAAAAAAC4g/2p1nZtwsimI2XRR4zNPEwfuvTsl9icSLACLcB/s1600/April_2017_donuts2_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbdGDgLfChU/WP9SYZHt88I/AAAAAAAAC4g/2p1nZtwsimI2XRR4zNPEwfuvTsl9icSLACLcB/s640/April_2017_donuts2_cdamm.jpg" width="576" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Paper clay donuts - Ranger Distress Paints</o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQZSxJjdyg4/WP9VUMakqGI/AAAAAAAAC48/dedjlCmoQzQaRYiNOMWQDr5BgahW3o5oACLcB/s1600/DSCN2702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQZSxJjdyg4/WP9VUMakqGI/AAAAAAAAC48/dedjlCmoQzQaRYiNOMWQDr5BgahW3o5oACLcB/s640/DSCN2702.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>"Clovis" - Paper, Distress Oxides Paint</o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWbTJV4B1Vk/WP9TFdBwi1I/AAAAAAAAC4o/YSETF346qXkWljEuRJtGcsuLSTnFau4YQCLcB/s1600/Kali_2017_paper_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWbTJV4B1Vk/WP9TFdBwi1I/AAAAAAAAC4o/YSETF346qXkWljEuRJtGcsuLSTnFau4YQCLcB/s640/Kali_2017_paper_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Kali" - Watercolor paper, acrylics, pen</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvyBIEVG2LM/WP9Tnzd7cpI/AAAAAAAAC4w/ycV-ryUULBEJPmseWfJnFkRDNDaF565BQCLcB/s1600/Can-Can_2017_paper_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvyBIEVG2LM/WP9Tnzd7cpI/AAAAAAAAC4w/ycV-ryUULBEJPmseWfJnFkRDNDaF565BQCLcB/s640/Can-Can_2017_paper_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Can-can" - Watercolor paper, crayon, pens, Distress Paints</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve never been a polymer purist, thinking of myself as
more of a ‘mixed media artist working in polymer’. All the common wisdom of the
artistic (and art-as-a-business) community says I should stick with one idea and
squeeze every ounce of creative and financial juice out of it before moving on. I say, listen
to The Muse and let your intuition steer you out onto the vast waters of the
creative sea. Shift your paradigm and see what shows up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKkMaz3mibE/WP9WDy7h2xI/AAAAAAAAC5E/oyb4c1sehNMrfEoPU3x-TMYzfYASuV7jACLcB/s1600/April_2017_paper%2Bpurple_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKkMaz3mibE/WP9WDy7h2xI/AAAAAAAAC5E/oyb4c1sehNMrfEoPU3x-TMYzfYASuV7jACLcB/s640/April_2017_paper%2Bpurple_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>"Purple Study" - Paper, Scratch Foam, Distress Oxide Paints, pen, acrylic</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIq5EMosIbs/WP9XbmnYpaI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/pOk4cSa3cxUGo843hMu6FytbtMMpU1UrQCLcB/s1600/Emergent_polymer%2Bclay_2017_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oIq5EMosIbs/WP9XbmnYpaI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/pOk4cSa3cxUGo843hMu6FytbtMMpU1UrQCLcB/s640/Emergent_polymer%2Bclay_2017_cdamm.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>"Emergent" series - Paper, polymer, acrylic, alcohol inks, pen, Distress Oxide Paint</o:p></span></div>
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Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-47335285368606420902017-04-03T14:17:00.000-04:002017-04-03T14:17:17.516-04:00Randomness vs Control
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As artists, one of the most important things we do when
we create is to edit. For instance, when faced with a stunning landscape, the
impulse may be to capture it, so you take a photo and in that action, you are editing.
You pick a focal point—a waterfall, an animal, an outstanding natural feature—and
edit out the rest. You’ve exercised control over the final image. If you just
went around snapping shots of pretty leaves and flowers in bunches without
editing, you’d have a whole lot of colors and shapes without any coherent idea
to make them interesting. Maybe it’s just a human impulse to try to have some
control over our environment—we arrange flowers in a vase, we create a still
life arrangement on a platter, we place images just so in a painting--we tell our
story with the way we choose and organize the elements.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNm-8l4RPxo/WOJ35tmyhtI/AAAAAAAAC1w/gVtrHUwUZssRM5ajtirEwWEhYH9Z04xSwCLcB/s1600/Distress%2BOxides%2Bstudy1_paper_2017_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNm-8l4RPxo/WOJ35tmyhtI/AAAAAAAAC1w/gVtrHUwUZssRM5ajtirEwWEhYH9Z04xSwCLcB/s640/Distress%2BOxides%2Bstudy1_paper_2017_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Paper, texture paste, Ranger Distress Oxides - random colors and textures on cardstock</o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKLBruF1SUA/WOJ4hr_P9lI/AAAAAAAAC10/Je4GgJhP-moB0gc00jzWh3fs-kbyoriGwCLcB/s1600/Earthwheel%2BI_polymer%2Band%2Bpaper_2017_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="531" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKLBruF1SUA/WOJ4hr_P9lI/AAAAAAAAC10/Je4GgJhP-moB0gc00jzWh3fs-kbyoriGwCLcB/s640/Earthwheel%2BI_polymer%2Band%2Bpaper_2017_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>"Earthwheel" - Pendant element - Paper, alcohol inks, modeling paste, polymer - edited shapes, layered</o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHiEQ7qcO-o/WOKI-3_Fg1I/AAAAAAAAC2k/c6C50rkf_84N0GVX7QjdERPEqDbFYG9-QCLcB/s1600/Raw%2Bveneer_2016_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHiEQ7qcO-o/WOKI-3_Fg1I/AAAAAAAAC2k/c6C50rkf_84N0GVX7QjdERPEqDbFYG9-QCLcB/s640/Raw%2Bveneer_2016_cdamm.jpg" width="632" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Raw polymer veneer-- Acrylics, Pan Pastels</o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pKv3wHWAp0/WOKJRDOn-HI/AAAAAAAAC2o/bb6oFpkY3GglvvUzaSUpxOPWyLi0mOBlwCLcB/s1600/Emergent%2BSeries_Piercing%2Bthe%2BVeil_polymer%2Bclay_2016_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pKv3wHWAp0/WOKJRDOn-HI/AAAAAAAAC2o/bb6oFpkY3GglvvUzaSUpxOPWyLi0mOBlwCLcB/s640/Emergent%2BSeries_Piercing%2Bthe%2BVeil_polymer%2Bclay_2016_cdamm.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>"Emergent Series - Piercing the Veil" - polymer clay pendant - layered shapes, handmade texture sheets, opaque and translucent clays, Pan Pastels, acrylics, alcohol ink</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not against random colors and shapes per se but they
don’t hold my interest or engage my mind without some intervention, some
organization, some higher idea expressed by the exercise of creative editing. I’m
told even Jackson Pollack had a plan to his (seemingly) random paint drips on
canvas. This is the main beef I have with paints, processes or materials that ‘do
it for you’. The Pebeo Fantasy Prisme line of paints and Swellegant are examples that come to
mind. I love patinas as much as the next person but I prefer to mix the various
colors myself and apply them slowly over time, choosing where to place them and
controlling the reaction. <u>I’m</u> doing the editing. I’ve been making my own
texture sheets for years and it’s something I teach in my classes. I just
bought a Curio cutting machine not so I can make multiples but so I can make my own stencils. And what about colors—clay,
paints, yarns, crayons, alcohol ink, etc—right out of the package? Somebody
else is making the choice for you, is choosing the palette. One of the reasons
I chose Premo clay when I first started with polymer was the fact that the
colors were the same as a traditional painter would used to mix a custom palette from the basic colors—alizarin crimson, cobalt blue, phthalo green,
etc. I kept meticulous track of all the ‘custom’ clay colors that I developed and used
in my mokume gane mixes. As long as I could get basic colors of the clay, I
could always mix the blends myself and not be dependent on some large company
that might just decide to discontinue my favorite choice (as Premo eventually
did with Cobalt Blue which made a lot of color aficionados very unhappy). </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3RMOYW5anMM/WOJ_C4cAf1I/AAAAAAAAC2A/0cKFTYZZ6a8DHFf0vJT6NTxjZJoULuG8gCLcB/s1600/DSCN0309_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3RMOYW5anMM/WOJ_C4cAf1I/AAAAAAAAC2A/0cKFTYZZ6a8DHFf0vJT6NTxjZJoULuG8gCLcB/s640/DSCN0309_1024.JPG" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alcohol inks applied to textured polymer -- handmade molds, pencil</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eki943Z0Zi0/WOKCh3eeexI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/94j_NemHJyEuK7rehmafvocoKqWPe83WACLcB/s1600/Fallen%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="612" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eki943Z0Zi0/WOKCh3eeexI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/94j_NemHJyEuK7rehmafvocoKqWPe83WACLcB/s640/Fallen%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaf earrings - polymer clay, handmade leaf texture, applied <br />patina using VerDay paint system</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahigN9Vmc-M/WOKOaLnqftI/AAAAAAAAC2w/4m0U4FDU1Ig7JztAqeIaLsC0AyPClClSQCLcB/s1600/April%2BFool%2Bpendant_polymer_2017_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahigN9Vmc-M/WOKOaLnqftI/AAAAAAAAC2w/4m0U4FDU1Ig7JztAqeIaLsC0AyPClClSQCLcB/s640/April%2BFool%2Bpendant_polymer_2017_cdamm.jpg" width="610" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"April Fool" pendant - polymer clay, alcohol inks, modeling paste, acrylic, layered</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Currently my method is to apply color to the surface of polymer
clay but my philosophy hasn’t changed. If I’m using a product that I can’t
easily make myself, like alcohol ink, I mix colors together to come up with my
own blends. I layer paints and sand down to the base color and layer more
colors. The result never looks like the original color and that’s the point! Over
the past year I’ve been having a lot of fun with various mixed media products
and techniques and this idea of randomness over control has cropped up more
than once in my thoughts. It’s cool to drop alcohol ink onto a surface and
watch it randomly spread out into circles but so what? What you do next with
that clay veneer is really the whole point—that’s where intervention/creativity
comes in. Give the same colored polymer surface to two different people and
watch what happens. What choices do they make? How do they express themselves? What
story do they tell with the materials? How much intervention is needed before
you can call it ‘art’?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The point I’m making is—the more choices you make and
ways you modify/enhance/control your materials, the better—this way, your finished work
will reflect you and nobody else.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_u6dXZj09Cw/WOKDP3zaebI/AAAAAAAAC2U/ZS1G_uo_b_cC_jvQrHF9Q9ha9y0OWGWbgCEw/s1600/Impressionist_polymer_2017_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_u6dXZj09Cw/WOKDP3zaebI/AAAAAAAAC2U/ZS1G_uo_b_cC_jvQrHF9Q9ha9y0OWGWbgCEw/s640/Impressionist_polymer_2017_cdamm.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alcohol inks applied over acrylic paints, technique from Joggles.com</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_VtBXy8cWM/WOKDR8Qo4PI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/cmUruhuLjJEO5kGSrJiOHp7awol0Ydy5QCEw/s1600/Many%2BSides%2Bof%2BMe_polymer_2017_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_VtBXy8cWM/WOKDR8Qo4PI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/cmUruhuLjJEO5kGSrJiOHp7awol0Ydy5QCEw/s640/Many%2BSides%2Bof%2BMe_polymer_2017_cdamm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Many Sides of Me" - polymer clay pendant -- Previous veneer sheet pieces applied to white base, crackled, textured and painted, added to translucent base layer</span></div>
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Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-36599800746805426772016-10-03T08:53:00.001-04:002016-10-03T17:37:54.407-04:00When the Photos Say It All<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Taking an art technique-- in this case, one for polymer clay-- that you've developed and then translating it so others can learn it is always a crap shoot. The method seems so clear to you because you've spent weeks or months working with it. It's like a lover that you know well-- how it will respond, what will work or not work, its sensitivities and peculiarities. In order to teach it, you have to think backwards to try and remember how it was when you didn't know how to do it at all, what the first steps were, the first explorations. That's the hardest part-- not merely teaching the steps that lead to the finished project but putting yourself in the students' shoes, back at the beginning, where it's exciting but scary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So when your students begin to produce results that go beyond your expectations, all the hard work that went into developing that technique is worth it. Not only are they experiencing the joy that comes from creating pieces that express their individuality but they are validating your vision, the one that came to you in the hazy half-light time between night and morning. They see what you see, they get the power of the creative spark that spawned it. Heady stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made sure that at this past session of Art on the Farm I took a lot of pictures. Sometimes in the aftermath of a 3-day class I'm so drained that I think maybe this will be the last class. Time to move on to something else. Then I look at the photos and they say it all.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u4UnSphnniY/V_JQPPkgB-I/AAAAAAAACzk/k86IjGzxokEoYUj_WAH9vkbUCK-skQTjwCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Janis_veneer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u4UnSphnniY/V_JQPPkgB-I/AAAAAAAACzk/k86IjGzxokEoYUj_WAH9vkbUCK-skQTjwCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Janis_veneer1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Polymer clay veneer sheet by Janis L.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LypC9SObSjc/V_JQtdM6PqI/AAAAAAAACzo/AgdkyXf_AR03IEi3CqyoG6lFWsn9ACADwCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Karen_veneer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LypC9SObSjc/V_JQtdM6PqI/AAAAAAAACzo/AgdkyXf_AR03IEi3CqyoG6lFWsn9ACADwCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Karen_veneer2.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Polymer clay veneer sheet by Karen K.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMHOzktFxDk/V_JRExfbUaI/AAAAAAAACzw/Ly3VvxXvjC0UJGcpCr1yNuNax4i3nwPzgCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Terri_Veneer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMHOzktFxDk/V_JRExfbUaI/AAAAAAAACzw/Ly3VvxXvjC0UJGcpCr1yNuNax4i3nwPzgCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Terri_Veneer3.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Polymer clay veneer sheet by Terri K.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7W3U11qkh9w/V_JRTSamwDI/AAAAAAAACz0/MGWRLNTGXtgvdd2e4rpapeecEERMIgEYQCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Janis%2Bearrings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7W3U11qkh9w/V_JRTSamwDI/AAAAAAAACz0/MGWRLNTGXtgvdd2e4rpapeecEERMIgEYQCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Janis%2Bearrings2.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Polymer earrings from veneer sheet by Janis L.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yaTex9xD2Bo/V_JRnOCfhyI/AAAAAAAAC0A/vw3ckbaKGLUdTgX7YByUHE1NdoyayKg3ACLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Karen%2Bleaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yaTex9xD2Bo/V_JRnOCfhyI/AAAAAAAAC0A/vw3ckbaKGLUdTgX7YByUHE1NdoyayKg3ACLcB/s640/AOTF_2016_Karen%2Bleaves.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaf elements - polymer clay - by Karen K.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7GZoz59FQo/V_JR31aaZXI/AAAAAAAAC0E/UsnllGncbgc5mdTTDTsF_J4DAZS37lkKQCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Janis%2Bearrings3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7GZoz59FQo/V_JR31aaZXI/AAAAAAAAC0E/UsnllGncbgc5mdTTDTsF_J4DAZS37lkKQCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Janis%2Bearrings3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Veneer earrings by Janis L.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpyLk9tlevE/V_JSOA320pI/AAAAAAAAC0M/98ZdHxfVJS8q5b7SZtWIOtcd0Wa69aR7QCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Terri_veneer%2Bset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpyLk9tlevE/V_JSOA320pI/AAAAAAAAC0M/98ZdHxfVJS8q5b7SZtWIOtcd0Wa69aR7QCLcB/s640/AOTF_2016_Terri_veneer%2Bset.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jewelry elements from polymer veneer sheet - Terri K.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sf7PVcZogdM/V_JSrY2muqI/AAAAAAAAC0U/cnJzG74y7uMTTO3VFnNmSxpl4sZnNbPyQCEw/s1600/AOTF_2016_Janis%2Belements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sf7PVcZogdM/V_JSrY2muqI/AAAAAAAAC0U/cnJzG74y7uMTTO3VFnNmSxpl4sZnNbPyQCEw/s400/AOTF_2016_Janis%2Belements.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Earring elements from polymer veneer sheets - Janis L.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5j7ZGqS950U/V_JS_MC9umI/AAAAAAAAC0c/wNZQwucIRy0CjTpUQ9vTogIK5saoVcFoQCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Terri_veneer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5j7ZGqS950U/V_JS_MC9umI/AAAAAAAAC0c/wNZQwucIRy0CjTpUQ9vTogIK5saoVcFoQCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Terri_veneer.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Polymer clay veneer sheet from Terri K.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDpXkMymlts/V_LO1wfA2ZI/AAAAAAAAC0w/GW-1y6xWq2UuEVPf_d6eeq1g2GbOy4c8wCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Corrine_elements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDpXkMymlts/V_LO1wfA2ZI/AAAAAAAAC0w/GW-1y6xWq2UuEVPf_d6eeq1g2GbOy4c8wCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Corrine_elements.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polymer veneer elements - Corrine G.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_RAl-ZXuwc/V_LPJBThRwI/AAAAAAAAC00/Ard_f3YcppQjbsU1zzlbRsCov3ALeh0RwCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Kim_polymer%2Bheadpins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_RAl-ZXuwc/V_LPJBThRwI/AAAAAAAAC00/Ard_f3YcppQjbsU1zzlbRsCov3ALeh0RwCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Kim_polymer%2Bheadpins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polymer veneer headpins - Kim R.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seclq38zEL8/V_LPXOGZBUI/AAAAAAAAC04/vjM5HxvtkYwjCKntD7IiXb4FvqpsxHXzQCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Corrine_polymer%2Bveneer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seclq38zEL8/V_LPXOGZBUI/AAAAAAAAC04/vjM5HxvtkYwjCKntD7IiXb4FvqpsxHXzQCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Corrine_polymer%2Bveneer.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polymer veneer sheet - Corrine G.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0YkBjQ_C3w/V_LPj2mlFDI/AAAAAAAAC08/XTdY_GdNhxQHQxy2whG39LOtq3CLbwX8wCLcB/s1600/AOTF_2016_Kim_polymer%2Bveneer%2Belements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0YkBjQ_C3w/V_LPj2mlFDI/AAAAAAAAC08/XTdY_GdNhxQHQxy2whG39LOtq3CLbwX8wCLcB/s400/AOTF_2016_Kim_polymer%2Bveneer%2Belements.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polymer veneer elements - Kim R.</span></div>
Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-51917724171639198992016-08-08T08:33:00.000-04:002016-08-08T08:33:19.320-04:00Art on a Different Farm-- Fletcher Farm
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last summer I began teaching at a very special venue in
Vermont, Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Fletcher Farm reminds me of the summer camp my sister and I went to in the Pocono
Mountains of Pennsylvania for a couple of summers. I learned to swim and shoot and make lanyards and do ceramics. We were
strictly segregated from the boys’ side of the camp but they could have been on
the other side of the moon for all I cared--at the still innocent age of 11. We all ate in a big
dining hall with a lofty ceiling and after lunch went off for boating or crafts
or nature hikes. Some nights we got to stay up late and sneak off on a trip to the local
hamburger place up the road, accompanied by our counselors. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, if you’re nostalgic for a simpler time when the world
outside seems far away—even just for a few days—Fletcher Farm is the place to
be. Established as a family farm in 1783, it’s been run as a foundation since 1948 dedicated to
teaching craft skills, both old and new, to children, teens and adults. My own
medium—polymer clay—is one of the newest, although my friend Lisel Crowley teaches precious metal clay classes. The offerings run the gamut from rug
hooking and ceramics, to traditional jewelry making, basketry, watercolor and
folk art painting. Classes begin in late June and run through August and there are
even some in fall and winter—here’s the link-- <a href="http://www.fletcherfarm.org/">www.fletcherfarm.org</a> . The classrooms are in
rustic buildings scattered around the spacious campus, some cottage-y and some in old
barns, with a a beautiful post and beam ceiling in the dining hall. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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I had two classes there this year—one for my new polymer veneer
technique and another for that technique paired with forged wire. The students were all
enthusiastic and a few were well-versed in polymer and wire-working techniques,
so we could just get on with the business of making things and having the
life-changing experience of seeing the creations of our hands come to life. Below
is a selection of their work. Thank you, my wonderful students!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJBEcQnZt8A/V6h0UOk5FRI/AAAAAAAACyY/VPBq4XLdymQbSmM9I7hlpjivCk9ziI3YwCLcB/s1600/Earrings_2016_M%2BAssenza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJBEcQnZt8A/V6h0UOk5FRI/AAAAAAAACyY/VPBq4XLdymQbSmM9I7hlpjivCk9ziI3YwCLcB/s640/Earrings_2016_M%2BAssenza.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Forged wire and polymer veneer earrings by Marti A.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6S4LCTHg-HU/V6h0wTE0oRI/AAAAAAAACyc/udoS_paEexUUsuGzgXw8JHn_SfPx3Zc_QCLcB/s1600/Elements_2016_W%2BKuntz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6S4LCTHg-HU/V6h0wTE0oRI/AAAAAAAACyc/udoS_paEexUUsuGzgXw8JHn_SfPx3Zc_QCLcB/s640/Elements_2016_W%2BKuntz.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Polymer veneer elements for pendants by Wendy K.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuOxAyOdJtw/V6h1IKKRziI/AAAAAAAACyk/gj0uagCHEbEipAU1nF4Olt-WeWLDJhJZQCLcB/s1600/Earrings2_2016_A%2BPatti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuOxAyOdJtw/V6h1IKKRziI/AAAAAAAACyk/gj0uagCHEbEipAU1nF4Olt-WeWLDJhJZQCLcB/s640/Earrings2_2016_A%2BPatti.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>Earring elements by Anne P.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqz6RK4pSw8/V6h1YRdHwyI/AAAAAAAACyo/IiPaF2_a6HMvaDD2f_p6WGCUSYtU6mWkQCLcB/s1600/Necklace_2016_M%2BAssenza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="539" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqz6RK4pSw8/V6h1YRdHwyI/AAAAAAAACyo/IiPaF2_a6HMvaDD2f_p6WGCUSYtU6mWkQCLcB/s640/Necklace_2016_M%2BAssenza.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Necklace elements by Marti A.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo4vOXs3ODE/V6h2Mp4_oCI/AAAAAAAACy4/Jjn9CmAO2Dk-FH9R8k4ZjBLJkGGRjuc4wCLcB/s1600/Elements_2016_A%2BPatti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo4vOXs3ODE/V6h2Mp4_oCI/AAAAAAAACy4/Jjn9CmAO2Dk-FH9R8k4ZjBLJkGGRjuc4wCLcB/s640/Elements_2016_A%2BPatti.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polymer veneer elements by Anne P.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IFLWTubkV5g/V6h2e-LXZOI/AAAAAAAACy8/QzsNXWmGGuoOMSPGW87rxmLGiXYigZsqACLcB/s1600/Pendant_2016_M%2BAssenza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IFLWTubkV5g/V6h2e-LXZOI/AAAAAAAACy8/QzsNXWmGGuoOMSPGW87rxmLGiXYigZsqACLcB/s640/Pendant_2016_M%2BAssenza.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Polymer veneer pendant by Marti A. - forged wire and metallic</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0BryxnizTI8/V6h2wjikJWI/AAAAAAAACzA/sw7b_zSfrhIlLofQmk9RRsiGM9T-55SHwCLcB/s1600/A%2BPatti%2Bworking_2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0BryxnizTI8/V6h2wjikJWI/AAAAAAAACzA/sw7b_zSfrhIlLofQmk9RRsiGM9T-55SHwCLcB/s640/A%2BPatti%2Bworking_2016.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anne P. working in The Corn Crib at Fletcher Farm</span></div>
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Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-78271625178723808002016-03-09T07:48:00.000-05:002016-03-09T07:48:05.568-05:00Polymer Clay: A New Way at Art on the Farm, 2016<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">In
announcing my Art on the Farm workshops for 2016, I’m naming them ‘Polymer Clay: A
New Way’ for two reasons. Not only am I teaching a surface design and coloring
approach to polymer—as I have before—but I’m employing a new method this year for
students to use to discover their own style. I’m also seeking to learn more
about each student—their experience, artistic preferences and expectations--
before they come to my studio, using a ‘tell me about yourself’ survey so I can
plan the class structure to be more effective. I don’t teach single techniques
so I don’t want students to be disappointed that they don’t go home with a completed
‘project’. There are plenty of tutorials online and other workshops at bead
shows and polymer retreats that do that. That’s not how I teach. People have
seen the constant evolution of my style in polymer and they want to learn how to do that
in their own work. They also want to learn how to move on from artistic blocks and
how to turn their vision of their own style into reality.<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOvs795sVkY/Vt2IomT3MhI/AAAAAAAACw4/58mtMfjqUTc/s1600/Veneer_Terrazzo%2Bearrings_2016_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOvs795sVkY/Vt2IomT3MhI/AAAAAAAACw4/58mtMfjqUTc/s1600/Veneer_Terrazzo%2Bearrings_2016_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOvs795sVkY/Vt2IomT3MhI/AAAAAAAACw4/58mtMfjqUTc/s400/Veneer_Terrazzo%2Bearrings_2016_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">"Terrazzo" earrings - polymer veneer with Pan Pastels, acrylics and crayons</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro9trUqtTTE/Vt2J1adlRlI/AAAAAAAACxA/avt_QXnjx9o/s1600/WIP_Moon%2BBlood_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro9trUqtTTE/Vt2J1adlRlI/AAAAAAAACxA/avt_QXnjx9o/s400/WIP_Moon%2BBlood_polymer_2015_cdamm.jpg" width="353" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">"Blood Moon" pendant - Polymer veneer with Pan Pastels, acrylics, layered and textured</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On
the first day we cover form and how to transform and personalize shapes with
texture, layers and morphing. Day 2 covers surface techniques— textures, veneers,
applied surfaces and molding. The last day covers color methods, types of
products and their uses and how they act in combination with each other. We
also cover attachments and how they inform the design process.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wcQUF4-wu0/Vt2KlvJ-oXI/AAAAAAAACxE/UULzX0vLINU/s1600/Valentines%2BHearts_2016_Dancing%2BHearts%2Bpin_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wcQUF4-wu0/Vt2KlvJ-oXI/AAAAAAAACxE/UULzX0vLINU/s400/Valentines%2BHearts_2016_Dancing%2BHearts%2Bpin_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p>Valentine's Day pin - polymer veneers with Pan Pastels, acrylic paints</o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRIiJJvabF8/Vt2MY8dApMI/AAAAAAAACxY/SEK9JLHdNMQ/s1600/Summer%2Bin%2Bthe%2BCity_polymer%2Bclay_2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRIiJJvabF8/Vt2MY8dApMI/AAAAAAAACxY/SEK9JLHdNMQ/s400/Summer%2Bin%2Bthe%2BCity_polymer%2Bclay_2015_cdamm.jpg" width="347" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p>"Summer in the City" earrings - polymer clay, acrylics</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">If
all this sounds rigorous, it is-- but it’s also a kick-butt load of fun! I think
problem-solving and creating from a personal vision is the best kind of
artistic stimulation and doing it in the company of other creatives is life-changing
and is meant to send you home with a super jolt of inspiration and energy to
kick-start your own creative process and projects. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dTyTVtRwKQ/Vt2NmZw5gzI/AAAAAAAACxo/-c_r2EMlqwI/s1600/Point%2BReyes%2Bnecklace%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dTyTVtRwKQ/Vt2NmZw5gzI/AAAAAAAACxo/-c_r2EMlqwI/s400/Point%2BReyes%2Bnecklace%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p>"Point Reyes" necklace - polymer clay, acrylics, wire</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Multi-layer beads-- polymer clay, oil paints, acrylics</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Even
if you’re not familiar with polymer, this workshop will work for you. I’ve worked with metal
artists, wire designers, potters and painters. This method works for anyone
delving deep into the creative process with a yen to discover their own style.
I’m giving you a foundation process to take home and keep improving and growing. I want
you to play, experiment, explore and have insights into how to work and expand
ideas into new, exciting areas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">If
this sounds like something you've been looking for and feel you’d benefit from, visit my website </span><a href="http://www.storiestheytell.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">www.storiestheytell.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and click on
"Workshops" to view the registration information.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Art
on the Farm – May 25-27, 2016 in Braintree, VT</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dates in Fall, 2016 TBA</span></span></div>
Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-40243752349259249142015-11-06T16:57:00.001-05:002015-11-06T16:57:14.070-05:00Idiosyncratic
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Idiosyncrasy” – a mode of behavior or way of thought
peculiar to an individual</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">:</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s been an interesting few months. Notice how people
use the word ‘interesting’ when they don’t know exactly how to define events,
people and situations that defy categorization. When your perception of the
world is rocked, ‘interesting’ is a place-holder expression, useful until you
can finally sort out what’s really happening.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I spent most of the summer and fall severely questioning
my perception of myself as an artist and teacher after this Spring's Art on the Farm
class sessions at my home. Several of my students were cantankerous (to
say the least) and others just didn’t seem to ‘get it’. A couple of them
actually wrote me e-mails telling me how I should have improved or changed the
class. I feel I have a modest reputation out there in the polymer clay world
and when students come all the way to Vermont to learn from me, I expect they
may have certain expectations about the instruction. I welcome positive (emphasis
on positive) input and always want to improve my classes and teaching. But I
was very careful to explain in several pages on my website what it was that I
was teaching, as well as the philosophy behind the techniques and processes.
I’m not just teaching pretty ways to color clay. I don’t want to send you home
with exact copies of what I make. There are already plenty of teachers out
there who are teaching classes featuring stand-alone polymer techniques and that’s
fine. It’s just not me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Every day I read a feed from <a href="http://www.sethgodin.com/">Seth Godin</a>, an entrepreneur, marketing genius and culture analyst who always gives me a fresh perception on the world of business and how it and our culture are rapidly changing in the 21st century. Today the post was called “Idiosyncratic” and he talks about how “the
people at the edges, the people who care, are drawn to idiosyncrasy, to the
unpredictable, the tweakable, the things that might not work.” He mentions that
perfection might just be boring. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I totally agree. I started applying surface design and
paint to polymer because I was bored with smooth surfaces and then applied texture
because I wanted a more sculptural canvas to embellish. I wanted more 'art' in my
jewelry approach. I wasn’t sure it would work, any more than I
am sure every time I step into my studio that I will find success with any
innovation or new tweak to a familiar process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And I have come to realize, in these past few months,
that this is what I have to teach—idiosyncrasy or, actually, how to express your individuality. Making
it your own. It’s really what defines an artist. I don’t see myself as a
polymer rebel—I don’t want everyone to change the way they make art or overturn
the status quo, but I do want to reach the people who are craving innovation
and want to step out on the ‘skinny branches’ to discover what may or may not
work. People who are ready to challenge themselves to change up how they have
been working before, to seek the true expression of their ideas, to learn to love
what they create, even if the world may not. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So I’m looking for a few good students who are ready to
do amusing exercises as homework when they sign up, to free up their
perceptions and get their brains ready to work. People who will arrive without
expectations about what they will be taught and how, who will take
responsibility to create value for themselves. Explorers who will embrace the
word ‘idiosyncratic’ and not feel it’s a dirty word. Seekers who will fully
engage in the work and not expect to be spoon-fed all the answers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So if that’s you, visit my website
<a href="http://www.storiestheytell.com/">www.storiestheytell.com</a>, read the pages concerning my teaching philosophy and
then contact me and I’ll send you an application for next Spring’s Art on the
Farm workshop. You’ll read all about me and then I’ll also know all about you
and what you intend to get from the class. Maybe we’ll find our idiosyncratic
way together.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-67621198614094733272015-06-04T10:48:00.000-04:002015-06-05T07:58:27.725-04:00Recovering Your Imagination—Lessons from Art on the Farm<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Earlier this week, Sage Bray, editor of <u><a href="http://www.thepolymerarts.com/">The Polymer Arts</a></u> magazine said some very nice things about my work on her blog. I wrote her
to say that I really appreciated it when someone takes the time to look closely
at the work and then offer an informed analysis of what they see, rather than
merely stating that they like it. It's much more helpful to me as an artist to know
that what I’m trying to express is actually getting through to others.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But what struck me later as interesting about Sage’s comments
was that she said “</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Christine’s work is
really very fascinating. I have no idea where her forms might come from–they
are quite original”…Hmmm, I thought. Why, they come from my imagination, of
course—where else? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3l08Q7P4hY/VXBXq6lmwCI/AAAAAAAACvM/6pkJZ2WiJ5Q/s1600/Cathy_Spring%2B2015_Session%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3l08Q7P4hY/VXBXq6lmwCI/AAAAAAAACvM/6pkJZ2WiJ5Q/s640/Cathy_Spring%2B2015_Session%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span> <span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p>Cathy's bead - Polymer, Pan Pastels, crayon</o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Pondering, I began
to consider that, because of the widespread dispersal of information, ideas and
designs on the Internet, much work we see today <u>is </u>derivative and not really
the product of our imaginations. A lot of talk goes around polymer and jewelry
circles about how it’s impossible to come up with anything totally original,
that we are just unconsciously recombining the myriad things we see in our rambles
through the interwebs into what we then think is an original concept. I disagree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We all are born into a human
culture and pick up cues about that culture with our mother’s milk, as it were.
My Celtic Studies professor at Berkeley many times proposed the theory that we learn
ideas, concepts of right and wrong, mannerisms, language, definitions of beauty,
what art is, etc. before we’re even able to speak. Inspirational author and thinker,<a href="http://www.startwithwhy.com/">Simon Sinek</a>, talks
about how we choose what we buy using the pre-language, limbic center of the
brain. He posits that we choose the ‘why’ of something, employing feelings rather
than logic, and then reinforce this choice with the ‘what’ and the ‘how’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><o:p></o:p> </span> </o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_KIc8gboEM/VXBZVX6-9aI/AAAAAAAACvY/IeXKogYFVzA/s1600/Susan_Spring%2B2015_Session%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_KIc8gboEM/VXBZVX6-9aI/AAAAAAAACvY/IeXKogYFVzA/s640/Susan_Spring%2B2015_Session%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Susan's work - Polymer, Pan Pastels, acrylic, crayon</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></o:p></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">All theories aside about whether or not any work can be truly original, exposing ourselves to other cultures and their art can serve to inform our choices and enrich our design ‘palette’. There are potent ways to stimulate our imaginations and I endeavor to teach them as the central part of the curriculum at Art on the Farm. Sure, I provide plenty of new techniques for polymer surface design but sending people home solely with a bag of new tricks is not my goal. I want to send them home with a method to discover their own way of working. Introducing tools to develop their imaginations is the best way to do that.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><div style="text-align: left;">
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’ve come to realize that my Art on the Farm course is actually about developing your personal design style and polymer is merely the vehicle. I could be teaching cookery, music, rug hooking, or sculpture. It wouldn’t matter—the principles are the same, as are the steps to achieving the goal of ‘making it your own’.</span> </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyPA8q3bYwo/VXBbI0l6y1I/AAAAAAAACvk/LVkPyMTZ8dw/s1600/Jan_Spring%2B2015_Session%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyPA8q3bYwo/VXBbI0l6y1I/AAAAAAAACvk/LVkPyMTZ8dw/s640/Jan_Spring%2B2015_Session%2B1.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jan's element - Polymer, Pan Pastels, acrylic, crayon</span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">So of course I was
mightily pleased with the results produced at the first session of this Spring’s
Art on the Farm. After three days in the studio, everyone’s take on the instruction
and techniques was different, everyone worked in their own style and the work
seemed, to me, to reflect the unique personality of every individual there. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4VLueg_aPg/VXBb_DOM8bI/AAAAAAAACvs/-yKuNknQ2-c/s1600/Ruth_Spring%2B2015_Session%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4VLueg_aPg/VXBb_DOM8bI/AAAAAAAACvs/-yKuNknQ2-c/s640/Ruth_Spring%2B2015_Session%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ruth's beads - Polymer, Pan Pastels, acrylic, crayon</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Thinking about all this
has made me decide to make some changes to my basic course. I’ve expanded it to
four days in the studio and I’m limiting the class size to four students at a time.
I’m also creating an application so that potential students can identify their
goals and reasons for coming to Art on the Farm. I’m not here to pour
information into people’s heads—people need to ‘create value’ for themselves
and I want to assist students to take responsibility for doing that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6E4tvjEyVI/VXGOc54T8BI/AAAAAAAACwM/TW8naAZUClI/s1600/Ruth2_Spring_Session1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6E4tvjEyVI/VXGOc54T8BI/AAAAAAAACwM/TW8naAZUClI/s640/Ruth2_Spring_Session1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Ruth's bangle - Polymer clay, Rub n' Buff - completed after returning home after the class</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’m really looking
forward to our second session, being held for 4 days, from June 17-20, 2015. If
you’re interested in joining us, there’s one seat left. E-mail me at <a href="mailto:cdamm1@myfairpoint.net"><span style="color: blue;">cdamm1@myfairpoint.net</span></a> for
information.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSUANXJOR_8/VXBfF1XATqI/AAAAAAAACv4/_LWgxBNZliE/s1600/Mary_Spring_2015_Session1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSUANXJOR_8/VXBfF1XATqI/AAAAAAAACv4/_LWgxBNZliE/s640/Mary_Spring_2015_Session1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mary's beads - Polymer, Pan Pastels, acrylic, crayon</span></o:p></span></div>
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Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-83727521213852454722015-04-29T07:57:00.000-04:002015-04-29T07:57:35.563-04:00Design Competitions—Sweet Dreams or Nightmares?
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the benefits of growing older is that you tend to
be philosophical about a lesson learned rather than bummed and depressed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lately I entered a piece of mine—a necklace I titled
‘Molten’—in a well-known jewelry design competition. There was a hefty entry
fee, so I did my homework and viewed the work of previous winners, then decided
that I would make an entirely new piece. I planned to incorporate my latest
techniques, newest handmade texture plates and work from a total concept so all
the elements would enhance and illustrate it. I love volcanoes and the idea of deep processes at work within our planet, so I wanted my polymer elements to reflect those colors and forces. I chose the tektite stones as spacers because they are said to contain microscopic remnants of the meteorites that caused them to form when they hit the Earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I happily set to work.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbRY8fIZjIw/VUDCN-ybO9I/AAAAAAAACtg/PBKaScUZhxc/s1600/Molten%2Bdetail2_Bead%2BDreams%2B2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbRY8fIZjIw/VUDCN-ybO9I/AAAAAAAACtg/PBKaScUZhxc/s1600/Molten%2Bdetail2_Bead%2BDreams%2B2015_cdamm.jpg" height="510" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>'Molten' - polymer clay, acrylics, Kroma Crackle, tektite stone chips, steel wire</em></span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Since my body of work consists mostly of experiments that help me develop my teaching methods, I don’t have a huge resume of past exhibitions for my
polymer clay work or wins in other competitions. I’ve mostly chosen to showcase
my work in others’ books or in jewelry magazines. I have been, however,
included in a few shows and events in past years that will always make me feel
like I was a successful artist, from the days when I was doing textiles and
pottery. For me, to have the award have any meaning, I have to first respect
the work and expertise of the person or organization doing the judging or
making the choice to include me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">One thing I’ve learned—it’s a big world out there and if
you stay true to yourself and your vision, not everybody will understand or
validate it. Primarily, it’s your own self that you have to please. Ask
yourself --does this reflect my aesthetic, my ideas, my original thought and
concept? If the answer is ‘yes’, then you are a winner, despite what the world
says.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Although I was pleased enough with my piece to pay the
fee and submit it, I wasn’t chosen for final judging. I wasn’t too
surprised—I’m not trendy, my work is complex technically and intellectually and
the stories I tell do not resonate with everyone. If I had to exist off the
sales of my work, I would probably starve!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But I made the decision many, many years ago to do only
one-of-a-kind and that has kept my work fresh and growing. I don’t want to be
picked up by a major retailer or make a million of the same piece. I show my
esteemed customers respect by making them a singular piece of work each time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rq7--UwQ0Qc/VUDDgcWUOBI/AAAAAAAACto/oW8Q-kqYzP0/s1600/Molten%2Bdetail1_Bead%2BDreams%2B2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rq7--UwQ0Qc/VUDDgcWUOBI/AAAAAAAACto/oW8Q-kqYzP0/s1600/Molten%2Bdetail1_Bead%2BDreams%2B2015_cdamm.jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So if you want to compete, just know that acceptance or
rejection by others—a competition, a gallery, a website, an exhibition—doesn’t
mean anything in the total scheme of the lifetime of your art. It’s art, not
sports. The ‘best’ work doesn’t win because there’s no agreed-upon criteria for
art that’s as cut-and-dried as who jumps the highest or gets over the finish
line first. It’s somewhat subjective when it comes to craftsmanship but very
subjective when it comes to choosing ‘best’ over ‘also ran’. The question
becomes “what is ‘best’ anyway”?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Enjoy the process, dig deep to express yourself and don’t
try to please others—be authentic. Don’t cater to what you think others will
like. At the end of the day you will be happier and more self-fulfilled than if
you try to please a panel of strangers.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qM3LU46jnEY/VUDD8r78JWI/AAAAAAAACtw/b8Ho1hDw7FU/s1600/Molten3_Bead%2BDreams%2B2015_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qM3LU46jnEY/VUDD8r78JWI/AAAAAAAACtw/b8Ho1hDw7FU/s1600/Molten3_Bead%2BDreams%2B2015_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="526" /></a></div>
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</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-6270725429435737942015-03-18T12:51:00.002-04:002015-03-18T12:57:44.300-04:00When Something is Nothing<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The phrase ‘you can’t get something for nothing’ refers
to the idea that it’s unlikely you can reap a reward or achieve some sort of value from something that's offered with
no investment of effort on your own part. In artistic terms, you could compare this
to discovering a new ‘free’ technique or method and then using it without devoting
any time to develop an idea for its unique use in your own work or customizing
it with your own tweak or spin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m wary of the practice of posting instructions for a new technique to the
general art community without providing a structure to demonstrate its
potential use. For instance, “here’s a cool idea for a polymer clay veneer”. I’ve
seen entire books on this topic with very few real examples of what to do with
your cool veneer once you have it. The default seems to be to cut it out with
some commercial cutters, poke a hole in it and string it. I’m not trying to be
insulting here, I’m trying to inspire a sense of play and exploration before
you move on to the next new thing. I’m trying to get you to ask ‘what if’. I’m
inviting you to think outside the box and then actually start to work out there.
I’m implying that a whole whopping-load of potential is being short-changed if
you just move on to the next freebie without working into the possibilities and
innovations that are before you. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UUIh7_bIDoA/VQmrWoi8FmI/AAAAAAAACsA/Z591V-a3lPE/s1600/Colors%2Bof%2Bthe%2BCanyon%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UUIh7_bIDoA/VQmrWoi8FmI/AAAAAAAACsA/Z591V-a3lPE/s1600/Colors%2Bof%2Bthe%2BCanyon%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>"Colors of the Canyon" - polymer clay, acrylic paint, handmade</o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> texture plates, annealed steel earwires</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You may have guessed that this is not how I teach at my
<a href="http://www.storiestheytell.com/services.html">Art on the Farm </a>workshops. Yes, I have a lot of innovative techniques
for surface coloration, texture and structure to teach students. But first we
work on building a foundation for the techniques that are introduced afterwards,
starting with form, layering and texture—the actual sculpture that lies under
the surface techniques. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqH9WQ7DyiY/VQmkgA4ingI/AAAAAAAACrk/SK16aMfMrhE/s1600/Study%2Bin%2Bcomplexity%2Band%2Bcolor_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqH9WQ7DyiY/VQmkgA4ingI/AAAAAAAACrk/SK16aMfMrhE/s1600/Study%2Bin%2Bcomplexity%2Band%2Bcolor_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" height="484" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Study in building complexity and color</o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You’re going to go home with the foundations of a system
for your own personal explorations, not just a technique or series of them. I
need each day of this 3-day-long workshop to do this. I won’t short-change your
artistic soul by teaching a technique that will produce one result only. This
workshop will build your confidence in telling your own unique story in your
work--to tap into your own experience to produce art that is meaningful,
powerful and expressive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l03uIRYGFC4/VQmmHz5pHbI/AAAAAAAACrs/_5_eVharmE4/s1600/Valentine%2Bheart%2Bmended%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l03uIRYGFC4/VQmmHz5pHbI/AAAAAAAACrs/_5_eVharmE4/s1600/Valentine%2Bheart%2Bmended%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="602" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"How shall my heart be unsealed unless it be broken?" - quote from Kahlil Gibran - polymer clay, copper wire, acrylic paint</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Will you walk away with a finished piece of jewelry?
Maybe, maybe not. That’s not the goal. I think it’s more important to walk away
with a new skill in your toolbox—perhaps the most important tool—the skill of
how to think about your style and your artistic direction and how to steer
your work in that direction by being able to move confidently, step-by-step,
along that path even when you get home to your own studio without an instructor to look over your shoulder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RC5KBcUg3z4/VQmm6Jy_N9I/AAAAAAAACr0/Y8kMX7NXxp0/s1600/Twilight%2Bnecklace3%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RC5KBcUg3z4/VQmm6Jy_N9I/AAAAAAAACr0/Y8kMX7NXxp0/s1600/Twilight%2Bnecklace3%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="506" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"Twilight" necklace - polymer clay, crayons, handmade textures and forms, hand-knit wool cord, Woolywire embellishment</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If this post has made you excited about the possibilities for your own work, here’s the link to the Workshop and Teaching pages on my
website: <a href="http://www.storiestheytell.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.storiestheytell.com</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-48327212589329695162015-03-09T09:44:00.000-04:002015-04-25T12:06:40.091-04:00Art on the Farm - May 27-29, 2015 - June 18-20, 2015 - Updated with a 2nd session!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"Art on the Farm -- New Ways with Construction, Texture and Color" is the foundation 3-day polymer clay retreat I hold at my workshop in Vermont. Here’s the link to my website
with more <a href="http://www.storiestheytell.com/Workshops2.html">information on the teaching method itself</a>, with the details and costs of the workshop on <a href="http://www.storiestheytell.com/Services.html">this page</a>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Why this workshop is for you:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You’re
excited by the idea of texture and surface color on polymer but don’t know
where to begin<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You
need help developing your own unique style in polymer clay<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
</span><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You’re
currently working in polymer clay but are stuck in a rut<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You’re
attracted to the medium of polymer clay but are overwhelmed by the myriad of
techniques and styles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You
work in another medium and want to add polymer to your toolbox of techniques<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You’re
left unsatisfied with expensive online tutorials that teach just one technique without
any guidance in 'making it your own'</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCmjZCXNkJo/VP2YcFPh1cI/AAAAAAAACqg/JgFBIi_y4oU/s1600/Gretchen_Fall%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCmjZCXNkJo/VP2YcFPh1cI/AAAAAAAACqg/JgFBIi_y4oU/s1600/Gretchen_Fall%2B2014.jpg" height="548" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Students working in the studio, Fall 2014</o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IN7tF8TbSUo/VP2b17L3YTI/AAAAAAAACqs/uSCcG6zLBZA/s1600/Maria_Spring%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IN7tF8TbSUo/VP2b17L3YTI/AAAAAAAACqs/uSCcG6zLBZA/s1600/Maria_Spring%2B2014.jpg" height="640" width="534" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What I offer at Art on the Farm:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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class size (capped at 8) and unlimited individual attention<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A unique
method of surface coloring and texturing for polymer clay developed by me and not
taught anywhere else<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Access
to an extensive collection of coloring materials, including Pan Pastels, oil
paints, crayons, pencils, acrylics and inks <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Intensively-researched
support materials on coloring agents, surfaces and finishes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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kits to buy or added-on costs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘Lifetime Learning’— </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">the opportunity to revisit the foundation workshop for any session in the
future at no charge (*pending space available)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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local support group for Northeast-based students<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-746onVoELsE/VP2fHyiHCsI/AAAAAAAACq4/iUgivgx5C-A/s1600/Gretchen's%2Bworkspace_Fall%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-746onVoELsE/VP2fHyiHCsI/AAAAAAAACq4/iUgivgx5C-A/s1600/Gretchen's%2Bworkspace_Fall%2B2014.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLf-BankWpA/VP2hbZbV2II/AAAAAAAACrA/HzS1qkPSyrA/s1600/Carol_Fall%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLf-BankWpA/VP2hbZbV2II/AAAAAAAACrA/HzS1qkPSyrA/s1600/Carol_Fall%2B2014.jpg" height="588" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If any of this sounds like something you’d like to pursue further, please contact me via my website—www.storiestheytell.com – and I’d be glad to answer any questions you have about the course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And need I add? Vermont is just a green paradise in the Spring so be sure to leave yourself some time to hike, bike, sightsee, antique or kayak in some of the most pristine waters you’ve ever seen. Hope to see you here!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-92007709777646200232015-01-31T16:34:00.002-05:002015-01-31T16:36:14.001-05:00Tales of The Heart<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my workshops I always begin with a discussion of form. I wish I could throw all the shape-cutters and templates being sold for polymer clay into the ocean. Don’t get me wrong—I have templates for certain earring shapes that I designed myself that are my go-to when I have a clay veneer that will become an earring or element. But they are not cookie-cutter shapes, they reflect my aesthetic, not that of some manufacturer.
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As I’ve mentioned in this blog before, your piece will become truly unique only if you address every single aspect of its design and source or design it yourself. That means devising your own shapes and forms whenever possible. The ‘quick sketching’ method works for this—for instance, choosing a heart shape—and spending a minute or two sketching that shape very quickly in your notebook. Don’t worry about size, just let your brain and all its accumulated input stream out through your pencil. Don’t edit. Your can use your copier to alter size later to suit your purpose for the element. One exercise that’s fun is to choose a few sketched shapes, make larger and smaller sizes of each using the copier and then combine them into one piece, say—a necklace, keeping the same colorway </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for all the elements.<br />
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Now that my work is finally in a gallery—the </span><a href="http://www.artofvt.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Art of Vermont</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Artisans Gallery in downtown Randolph, Vermont-- I’ve been working to change out my inventory to reflect the seasons and jewelry-gifting holidays. Valentine’s Day garners an enormous response from shoppers in search of the perfect gift so it’s a great excuse to obsess a bit with the ubiquitous ‘heart’ shape. Every year I do a sketchbook page full of heart shapes and this year my page looked like this.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEyovChi5uk/VMEjCGn6HuI/AAAAAAAACn8/H9G5_WpLr4E/s1600/DSCN2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEyovChi5uk/VMEjCGn6HuI/AAAAAAAACn8/H9G5_WpLr4E/s1600/DSCN2157.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span span="" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">This Valentine’s Day I’ve
broadened my experiments to include pin/pendant options, as well as cuffs, bookmarkers and barretts. One of my first polymer projects was a French clip hair barrette and
I still wear it a lot. For some strange reason, I haven’t made another,
although every time I reach for my old stand-by I think “why don’t I make more
of these in other colors?” Well, I plan to remedy that soon.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span span="" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find there’s something
compelling about the traditional heart shape—it can morph and mold into so many
variations. The basic shape, I think, is so well-balanced in its simplicity that
it lends itself to abstraction and innovation. It’s got semiotic overtones as
well--semiotics being “the study of meaning-making, the philosophical theory of
signs and symbols” according to Wikipedia—so the shape itself means something
to us culturally and anthropologically on a subconscious level. This is a good
thing for the jewelry designer because it means that the heart shape is appropriate
in any season for adornment, not just for a sweetheart-themed holiday in
February, unlike a snowman pin, for instance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also a very universal symbol.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RD4B7mUgt_o/VMEY7kXS02I/AAAAAAAACnY/05Y9ZkSBGfc/s1600/Valentine%2B2015%2Borganic%2Bheart_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RD4B7mUgt_o/VMEY7kXS02I/AAAAAAAACnY/05Y9ZkSBGfc/s1600/Valentine%2B2015%2Borganic%2Bheart_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="506" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Organic heart - 2015 - polymer clay, </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">acrylic and oil paints, Prismacolor pencils</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8zyhhS0gw0/VMEZjyxxXjI/AAAAAAAACng/msTcrqOvD4Q/s1600/Valentine%2Bearrings%2B2015_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8zyhhS0gw0/VMEZjyxxXjI/AAAAAAAACng/msTcrqOvD4Q/s1600/Valentine%2Bearrings%2B2015_polymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not necessarily 'Valentine's Day' earrings - polymer clay, acrylic paint, crayons, Lillypilly slate veneer, handmade copper earwires</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UseIdXy7Qg/VMF8DNe-LgI/AAAAAAAACoM/7PpxbD-Wgks/s1600/2015_heart_polymer_clay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UseIdXy7Qg/VMF8DNe-LgI/AAAAAAAACoM/7PpxbD-Wgks/s1600/2015_heart_polymer_clay_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="534" /></span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 'Landscapes of the Heart' - pin/pendant of </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">polymer clay, acrylic paint, Kroma crackle medium</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oioLOPu5hy4/VMF-bRkwAcI/AAAAAAAACoU/rI1Vde4iMpA/s1600/Primitive%2Bheart%2Bcuff%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oioLOPu5hy4/VMF-bRkwAcI/AAAAAAAACoU/rI1Vde4iMpA/s1600/Primitive%2Bheart%2Bcuff%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Primitive heart cuff - polymer clay, acrylic and oil paints, Nunn Designs copper cuff base</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W43r_JiM6-s/VMF_lsz0OdI/AAAAAAAACoc/CALjU9VkuiI/s1600/Picture%2B2372_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W43r_JiM6-s/VMF_lsz0OdI/AAAAAAAACoc/CALjU9VkuiI/s1600/Picture%2B2372_1024.jpg" height="564" width="640" /></span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">'Helter-Skelter' heart element-- older work using mokume gane technique</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8Do3r9Ye2c/VMuEktW7xPI/AAAAAAAACos/36Xx49KOwzU/s1600/Valentine%2Bbookmark2%2B2015%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8Do3r9Ye2c/VMuEktW7xPI/AAAAAAAACos/36Xx49KOwzU/s1600/Valentine%2Bbookmark2%2B2015%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="374" /></span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Valentine bookmark - polymer clay, acrylic paint,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">crayon, Jan's Jewelry metal bookmark form</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixZe-206wDc/VM1IDiD7LzI/AAAAAAAACo8/UCepkz4qspY/s1600/Valentines%2Bheart%2Bearrings%2B2015%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixZe-206wDc/VM1IDiD7LzI/AAAAAAAACo8/UCepkz4qspY/s1600/Valentines%2Bheart%2Bearrings%2B2015%2Bpolymer%2Bclay_cdamm.jpg" height="592" width="640" /></span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Textured heart earrings, 2015 -- polymer clay, </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">acrylic paint, crayons, handmade texture </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">plate and earwires</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So even if you don’t get
around to making hearts for Valentine’s Day this year, don’t despair—the shape
is something that will work for you year ‘round. And what you can do when you
add in color, texture and connectors! Have fun! XOXOXO<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span><br />Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-60270733017532639552015-01-07T12:05:00.001-05:002015-01-07T12:54:49.447-05:00Curiosity<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">“Curiosity is essential for progress. Only when we look
to worlds beyond our own can we really know if there’s room for improvement.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> <a href="http://www.startwithwhy.com/">Simon Sinek</a></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve always thought that curiosity is the best
characteristic of our brains. It’s the ‘what if’ that expands our world in
any endeavor that requires innovation to thrive and grow—art, science,
cuisine, philosophy, whatever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of my best ideas come out of a curiosity to know
what would happen if I combined this with that or tried this process
differently from what everybody else is doing or used a product that nobody
else uses on polymer clay. I’ve just never been a follower of trends. If
everybody else is doing it or wearing it or buying it or listening to it, I
probably won’t. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes my curiosity prompts me to think “if everybody
is doing THAT, what would happen if I do it this way?” That’s how I got started
painting on polymer. It also helped that Sculpey decided to discontinue some
primary colors in their Premo polymer clay range, so you couldn’t count on your
blending formulae always being consistent. So thinking that the only
consistency is the one you create yourself, I started using Genesis heat set
oil paints on polymer, which I still use to this day. I’m not sure what got me
started on applying texture but flat and super-shiny was never my thing. I hate
sanding! Early on I set up a bead polishing system that involved a vibratory
tumbler and plastic media which I learned from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Polymer.Clay.Beads">Grant Diffendaffer’s</a>
book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">So maybe innovation is a combination of curiosity and
personal preference (or aversion). You hate sanding so you find some way to do
your art without having to sand. Your supply chain is compromised so you find a
way to get consistent color without having to depend on the whims of a
manufacturer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">2014 may be remembered in the polymer clay community as The
Year of the Hollow Bead Tutorial. Everybody seemed to be creating their own
unique method of making hollow beads. Given how light the medium already is, I
couldn’t see changing the way I made large beads using aluminum foil cores. Polymer beads are practically weightless so I just kept doing that. I was more concerned with
what you do with the surface of the enclosed void (hollow bead) that you now have—how do you
make THAT interesting? After covering a number of beads with veneers made with my
newly-created, ‘super-textural’ texture sheets, I asked the ‘what if’ question
and decided to make molds of some my most-favorite shapes. I’ve always done
one-of-a-kind beads but I wanted to see how the same bead shape looked with
different colors of base clay and a different color palette. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m still working on perfecting the technique but it
mostly worked. I made a necklace up with two identical beads—one with a black
clay base, one with white—and used them together. In the piece below they are the beads closest to the wire rings connected to the chain. They add a bit of symmetry to
an otherwise very asymmetrical piece. And I’ve once again progressed a bit
through the exercise of my curiosity. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYrLkmicIIM/VKwRICtXPII/AAAAAAAACmg/znnprQDBQtQ/s1600/attitash_necklace_polymer_clay_c_damm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYrLkmicIIM/VKwRICtXPII/AAAAAAAACmg/znnprQDBQtQ/s1600/attitash_necklace_polymer_clay_c_damm.jpg" height="640" width="610" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>'Attitash' -- polymer clay, acrylic, crayon, African copper beads, vintage copper chain, carnelian chips</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9QTAJzyW0E/VK1jPeWe48I/AAAAAAAACmw/eRH3j_YBjZY/s1600/Azo_gold_bead1_polymerclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9QTAJzyW0E/VK1jPeWe48I/AAAAAAAACmw/eRH3j_YBjZY/s1600/Azo_gold_bead1_polymerclay_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Azo Gold Bead - Polymer, acrylic, crayon, heat set oil paint - same bead as above with a textured </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">layer sandwiched </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">between the halves</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bg9O4tXF2Rk/VK1kRP3dg8I/AAAAAAAACm4/_SJLahrwr4I/s1600/Azo_bead2_polymerclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bg9O4tXF2Rk/VK1kRP3dg8I/AAAAAAAACm4/_SJLahrwr4I/s1600/Azo_bead2_polymerclay_cdamm.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Azo Gold bead, flip side</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAufxuVIu24/VK1qrjMcy5I/AAAAAAAACnI/35q8H65b-OA/s1600/planetfall_polymerclay_cdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAufxuVIu24/VK1qrjMcy5I/AAAAAAAACnI/35q8H65b-OA/s1600/planetfall_polymerclay_cdamm.jpg" height="640" width="578" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">'Planetfall' - polymer clay, found amber piece, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">acrylic, heat set oil paint</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">If any of you have had a similar experience, I’d love to hear from you about something you did last
year that curiosity caused you to discover about your art. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-39311912604413845592014-10-06T08:48:00.002-04:002014-10-06T08:48:26.373-04:00Cracking the Code to Making It Your Own<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every once in a while a new polymer clay technique makes a big
splash and Flickr is swamped with images from the dozens of artists
trying it out. Unfortunately, many just follow the steps in the
published tutorial, shape a simple focal and hang it from a chain.
And then they abandon a potentially work-transforming design tool for the
next 'pretty face' in the ongoing parade of step-by-step
instructions for free or for sale that are available from Etsy, the
Internet or a new polymer book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While I love a new technique to play with as much as the next
artist, I usually spend a significant amount of time testing it out,
adding my own interpretation and experimenting with all the ways that
it could be used. If those initial tests are interesting and I think the technique has real merit, I continue on and make a whole range of pieces and art jewelry elements,
sometimes spending months trying one thing and another, combining the
new with my old, tried-and-true methods. As </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="en">Professor </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guttorm_Fl%C3%B8istad">Guttorm Fløistad</a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_movement">Slow Movement</a> says, "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In order to master changes, we have to recover
slowness, reflection and togetherness. There we will find real
renewal."</span><br />
<span lang="en"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Usually I apply a new method to a shape I've been working with
that I really like--a standard, like pods or donuts. I always
encourage students to do a simple exercise-- see my blog post<a href="http://storiestheytell.blogspot.com/2014/08/working-in-series.html"> "Working in a Series"</a> -- to develop original shapes as one of the easiest ways
to imprint their style on a piece. Loving circles and round shapes as
I do, when I draw them they just naturally morph into an altered
round with a void in it, known by jewelry designers as a 'donut', an
unattractive name more reminiscent of a snack than a piece of art!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lately several techniques for cracking the surface of the clay to
create fine to large textures have been making the rounds. I used
this technique in creating one of the pieces that I did for Cindy
Wimmer's book The Missing Link, published last year. I believe that
one dimension of an element's construction--be it bead, pendant, or
whatever-- should not overshadow any other in the overall design.
Whether it be shape, surface, texture or color, all should work
together in harmony. I tried to make sure the color and form were
equally as important as the surface treatment- '</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">cracking'-- in this pendant
and beads.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSO47ckYc60/VCvgLYa2KfI/AAAAAAAACko/B8E5nVPxXmY/s1600/018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSO47ckYc60/VCvgLYa2KfI/AAAAAAAACko/B8E5nVPxXmY/s1600/018.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Molten" necklace - polymer clay, acrylic paint, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">mammoth bone beads, handmade copper links</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been playing with lots of pod shapes lately so my experiments
just naturally strayed in that direction with the crackles. Some of
them ended up with a raku-like feel to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAZfHvABLhg/VCvnfaQd3rI/AAAAAAAACk4/CoTLvcQXWeQ/s1600/Summer's%2BEnd%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAZfHvABLhg/VCvnfaQd3rI/AAAAAAAACk4/CoTLvcQXWeQ/s1600/Summer's%2BEnd%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" height="640" width="636" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Summer's End" - polymer pods with acrylic and crayon, spiderweb jasper, yellow jade, vintage chain and dangles, repurposed toggle and handforged brass washers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My bargain-hunter husband frequents the local hospital auxiliary
store for discarded treasures and found this silver cuff that proved
to be a great base for a polymer donut (after liberal sanding with
a kitchen scrubber pad to dull the blinding shine). I used a tutorial
by <a href="http://www.renaklingenberg.com/">Rena Klingenberg</a> for the instructions on how to attach the donut to the metal cuff shape. She has lots of interesting ideas on her blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WogFA7OZSms/VDKKG_KLPXI/AAAAAAAAClk/kYj4YY8ku6s/s1600/Aurora%2Bcuff%2Bpolymer%2Bclay%2Bchristine%2Bdamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WogFA7OZSms/VDKKG_KLPXI/AAAAAAAAClk/kYj4YY8ku6s/s1600/Aurora%2Bcuff%2Bpolymer%2Bclay%2Bchristine%2Bdamm.jpg" height="640" width="578" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Aurora" cuff - polymer clay with acrylic and crayon, purchased metal cuff, sari yarn</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like to think that my teaching methods are more about ideas than
techniques. Using what you have around you in your environment or sitting on
your bench to inspire your designs is something I always recommend.
The wire embellishment on this focal grouping was a left-over from a
previous project and caught my eye as I was composing the elements
for this piece. With some prodding and pushing, it fit the bead
perfectly and then I continued the wire styling to create loops for
attachment to the chain. It reminded me of tidepools and
beachcombing so I named it after my favorite Northern California
beach.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2OMJeCqSKuE/VDKLtjrKRyI/AAAAAAAAClw/h1JmJEWNBu4/s1600/Point%2BReyes%2Bnecklace%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2OMJeCqSKuE/VDKLtjrKRyI/AAAAAAAAClw/h1JmJEWNBu4/s1600/Point%2BReyes%2Bnecklace%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" height="516" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Point Reyes" necklace - polymer clay, acrylic, crayons, handforged wire, vintage chain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm moving into a more subdued palette as fall is officially here in central Vermont. On Wednesday my students arrive for <a href="http://storiestheytell.blogspot.com/2014/04/spring-on-farm.html">Art on the Farm</a>, ready to spend three days working together to forge their own style in polymer clay. I really look forward to meeting them! It's always so nourishing to spend time with other artists in an environment where ideas spin around like falling leaves and are allowed to flourish and deepen. Check here for the next blog, all about our discoveries and insights.</span></div>
Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-75560361516035993692014-08-23T14:06:00.004-04:002014-08-23T14:06:55.531-04:00Art on the Farm Workshop-- Expanded Resources and a Special Opportunity<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today a friend asked why I never taught at bead shows. I told her
that I don't teach project-specific classes-- I teach techniques and
then mentor my students in how to adapt those techniques to their own
unique artistic style. In my workshops we talk a lot about where
ideas and innovation come from, about new approaches to the art
material known as polymer clay and how it can enhance other art media
and disciplines. I've been stalled on the book that I want to write
because the standard industry model in book publishing seems to be a
technique-to-project approach which I personally don't believe
fosters creativity as much as it could.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over the past few days I've been re-reading the self-published
workbooks of <a href="http://www.artinsilver.com/blog/">Hadar Jacobsen</a>, an extraordinary metal clay
teacher and artist, who produces her own line of metal clay products. Hadar not only writes about using metal clay and
correctly firing it, but constantly updates the technical information
on her website for everyone, even if you haven't purchased her books.
I've been thinking about her style of making information available
and how I could adapt it to my workshops and enhance my students'
experience. And as homage to the inspiration that Hadar has been to
me, I've decided to offer any student who has already taken my 3-day
workshop the opportunity to repeat it at no charge anytime in the
future--subject to space availability in the class. Currently, I'm
offering my workshops in the spring and fall of each year here in
Vermont. I'm also developing a Facebook group for my students that
will have updated information on techniques, tips on process and new
product reviews.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes because of the vagaries of circumstance and income, I've
had to pass up opportunities for creative advancement, missing out on
a learning experience that may have forever altered how I do my art.
How I've wished for a patron or guardian angel to help me make that
opportunity happen.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here's what I've come up with to advance the cause of creativity in the polymer universe-- next month I'll be
teaching my 3-day intensive workshop at my farm in Vermont-- October
8-10, 2014, called “Telling Your Story in Polymer Clay: Form, Color
and Mixed Media”. I'm making a scholarship available for one seat
in that class to someone chosen at random from the group of
interested people who contact me by September 8 and ask to be
included in the drawing. All you need to do to attend is get yourself
here and bring clay and tools-- see my website
</span><a href="http://www.storiestheytell.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">www.storiestheytell.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
for details on the “Teaching” and “Workshops” pages. I'll
have all the coloring materials available for students. If
you're a newbie to polymer clay, it's not a problem.
This course is about exploring what polymer clay can become in the
hands of an artistic, curious person. I've had metalworkers, jewelers
and ceramics artists come to learn and none of them had ever used
polymer before. All that's required is imagination and a
well-developed artist's or crafter's skill-set.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'd love if you'd share this opportunity on your favorite social
media venues and blogs but it's not a requirement to apply. I've included some
photos below of techniques we'll be exploring this year's class. Please use
the contact button to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">e-mail me if you're interested in the
scholarship-- I'll post the results, obtained by a random number
generator, on September 8th on this blog. If you want to attend and
don't want to leave it to chance, I still have a few seats available.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4ovZDwJ3II/U_jUWMQJi6I/AAAAAAAACjo/aIi-KZ2_nCU/s1600/oceanic%2Borganic%2Bbeads%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4ovZDwJ3II/U_jUWMQJi6I/AAAAAAAACjo/aIi-KZ2_nCU/s1600/oceanic%2Borganic%2Bbeads%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" height="640" width="616" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Oceanic Organic beads - polymer clay, crayons, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">handmade texture plates</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3aI0rBtU8z4/U_jVga4UpbI/AAAAAAAACjw/FRM94t8aaNM/s1600/Geomorph%2Bcuff%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3aI0rBtU8z4/U_jVga4UpbI/AAAAAAAACjw/FRM94t8aaNM/s1600/Geomorph%2Bcuff%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" height="640" width="610" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Geomorph cuff - polymer clay, acrylic paint, handmade texture plate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2iu4k86G6Rw/U_jWit26evI/AAAAAAAACj4/lncHIUZqoGU/s1600/365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2iu4k86G6Rw/U_jWit26evI/AAAAAAAACj4/lncHIUZqoGU/s1600/365.jpg" height="626" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Beads - polymer clay, bamboo yarn, oil paints</span></div>
Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-83328862473569019782014-08-19T10:12:00.003-04:002014-08-19T10:12:43.665-04:00Working in a Series<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Working in a series, sticking with a particular theme or focus for
your creativity, was something I had little interest in until recently.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I came late to the polymer clay game, having followed all manner
of artistic paths throughout my life-- drawing, sculpture, ceramics,
textiles and wearable art, papermaking, rug making, knitting,
embroidery, upholstery, furniture painting, interior design, jewelry
and finally-- polymer clay. Being fairly new to this medium—since
2008 or so-- I have so many ideas and techniques that I want to try,
I've never been willing to “box myself in” by restricting my
ideas to a particular series. I know I have a very distinctive style
and people tell me they can always spot my pieces in any online
grouping like <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stories_they_tell/">Flickr</a> and have come to expect
my work to fall outside the box. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<br />
So why have I suddenly decided to work on a polymer clay series
I'm calling “Earthscapes”? Well, sometimes when we encounter an
idea that we really don't agree with our vehemence in rejecting it
could indicate that perhaps there is some merit to be
discovered. Or even attempt it for the purpose of debunking it.
So I began the latter a few weeks ago in my studio, assured that I would bore
myself to death by working within one theme only-- textured polymer,
layered in various shapes, creating various elements.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
After just a few days, what I discovered was that restricting one dimension of your work—in this case to a technique involving stacked layers of organic textures-- produces a
cohesiveness over the total body of work while allowing creative
expansion into other areas like shape, color and surface.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<br />
I'm a real omnivore when it comes to shapes-- I love 'em all! I
saw a Facebook post recently about a Matisse exhibit and his fabulous work inspired me to draw several notebook pages of
shapes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ns7TerRIcI8/U_NL6_tc0MI/AAAAAAAACik/qB-meYXExKM/s1600/Matisse%2Binspiration%2Bsketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ns7TerRIcI8/U_NL6_tc0MI/AAAAAAAACik/qB-meYXExKM/s1600/Matisse%2Binspiration%2Bsketches.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's a pair of earrings that followed those sketches and subsequent ideas I had.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6WEmRcWi7g/U9ZlvFLlh1I/AAAAAAAACh8/o4YAfKa1jio/s1600/Polymer+clay+landscape+earrings1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B6WEmRcWi7g/U9ZlvFLlh1I/AAAAAAAACh8/o4YAfKa1jio/s1600/Polymer+clay+landscape+earrings1.jpg" height="640" width="532" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Earthscape Series - "Walkabout" earrings-- Souffle polymer clay, handforged copper, chalk, crayon</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you leave your imagination open to the world around you, anything can be a source of ideas, including what you're making for dinner.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eT5CYzPWGL0/U_NXucBMoqI/AAAAAAAACjY/_r28C2ls6Wg/s1600/Squash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eT5CYzPWGL0/U_NXucBMoqI/AAAAAAAACjY/_r28C2ls6Wg/s1600/Squash.jpg" height="628" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Kabocha squash sections</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Beginning with the Walkabout earrings, my weeks of inspiration in the studio were doubly blessed with the discovery of a new polymer clay, Souffle by Sculpey, with a suede-like texture that takes very well to pencil and crayon embellishment, a consistency that can pick up subtle patterning and the ability to be thinned to an amazing degree in a pasta machine even in the summer's heat. Thank you, <a href="http://www.stillpointworks.blogspot.com/">Claire Maunsell</a> for the inspiration to try this new product!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6NrpCThbKo/U_NNdmxlnqI/AAAAAAAACis/mu3ZZ720B0g/s1600/Landscape%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6NrpCThbKo/U_NNdmxlnqI/AAAAAAAACis/mu3ZZ720B0g/s1600/Landscape%2Bearrings%2Bpolymer.jpg" height="640" width="562" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Earthscape earrings, in process-- Souffle polymer clay, chalks, acrylic paints</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0wMKrg_3z4/U_NOD6ddHcI/AAAAAAAACi0/_xMZ25pfSxs/s1600/Gibraltar%2Bcuff%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0wMKrg_3z4/U_NOD6ddHcI/AAAAAAAACi0/_xMZ25pfSxs/s1600/Gibraltar%2Bcuff%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" height="580" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Gibraltar cuff and bangles - Nunn Design copper cuff and bangles base, Souffle polymer clay, acrylic paint</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42pAJL1YxRA/U_NQRj-1GMI/AAAAAAAACjA/qMRIDgfot-E/s1600/Green%2BDarkness%2Bpolymer%2Bclay%2Bbeads3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42pAJL1YxRA/U_NQRj-1GMI/AAAAAAAACjA/qMRIDgfot-E/s1600/Green%2BDarkness%2Bpolymer%2Bclay%2Bbeads3.jpg" height="640" width="588" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Green Darkness necklace in process-- polymer clay, crayons, acrylic paint, annealed steel wire</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNfBfYA6mh0/U_NSOFfu18I/AAAAAAAACjI/nU7EHlVXdzo/s1600/Tidepool%2Bpendant%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNfBfYA6mh0/U_NSOFfu18I/AAAAAAAACjI/nU7EHlVXdzo/s1600/Tidepool%2Bpendant%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" height="640" width="385" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tidepool pendant - Souffle polymer clay, chalk, embossing powder, acrylic paint, </span><span style="font-size: large;">handforged bails and connectors</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The above piece and the next show very well, I think, how the "Earthscapes" theme and the Matisse-inspired shapes were combined.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWhZgwBZioY/U_NT8I8gAbI/AAAAAAAACjQ/su0CJ4bVq2o/s1600/samuri%2Bpendant%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWhZgwBZioY/U_NT8I8gAbI/AAAAAAAACjQ/su0CJ4bVq2o/s1600/samuri%2Bpendant%2Bpolymer%2Bclay.jpg" height="640" width="401" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Samuri pendant - Souffle polymer clay, acrylic paint</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all, my explorations into working in a theme definitely yielded some gratifying results, which are ongoing as I redesign and load up my Etsy site. In our next Art on the Farm session here in Vermont, coming up this October 8-10, 2014, we'll be using this information to inform our studies about shape, texture and surface. Join us if you can, there are still some spaces available-- see my website: </span><a href="http://www.storiestheytell.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.storiestheytell.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for more information.</span></span></div>
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Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-54147312118610256442014-07-08T07:34:00.004-04:002014-07-08T10:04:23.848-04:00Morphology<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I love shapes-- ones from nature,
from pottery, from architecture, from sea life, from archaeology--
there are so many forms out there that can be starting points for
polymer work. </span>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the exercises I suggest to
my workshop students is to do a very short (3 minutes or so) series
of drawings focusing on a common shape-- circle, square, triangle,
etc. I do this myself once a year when I make Valentine's Day hearts.
I want to work with a heart shape that is fresh and uniquely mine so
I get a plain piece of paper or a page from my journal and start to sketch hearts, as quickly as I can and try not to edit myself or
attempt to make them perfect. These line drawings come straight out
of my right brain and after I fill a page or so with them, I can then
choose the ones that most appeal and tweak the shapes a bit if
necessary.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z3Cz5_VuS4/U7vUxmtoDrI/AAAAAAAACfc/U8skfo4Iwik/s1600/061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z3Cz5_VuS4/U7vUxmtoDrI/AAAAAAAACfc/U8skfo4Iwik/s1600/061.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0yp3eHYOsw/U7vWAQFM8TI/AAAAAAAACfo/yv7nc-rKkJg/s1600/DSCN0387_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F0yp3eHYOsw/U7vWAQFM8TI/AAAAAAAACfo/yv7nc-rKkJg/s1600/DSCN0387_1024.JPG" height="366" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lately I did a page of rectangles and triangles, both of them finished in under three minutes. Each
of these little sketches could spawn a whole series by
themselves.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WmDtNVAmzg/U7vdlA64OYI/AAAAAAAACgA/3gQydAGv_F0/s1600/099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WmDtNVAmzg/U7vdlA64OYI/AAAAAAAACgA/3gQydAGv_F0/s1600/099.jpg" height="640" width="617" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Triangle-morphing page</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rectangle-morphing or "20 Rectangles in 3 Minutes or Less"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the aid of my trusty Canon
copier, I can size the shapes up or down to create elements that fit
the scale of pieces that I want to create. And they are similar
enough that a few could be grouped together as elements to form a necklace or hang
from a lariat.Of course they transform even more when I add
texture and color.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JvrtB8qXq5o/U7v0W9wq0HI/AAAAAAAAChI/guVzeTVHsT8/s1600/Landscape+earrings+polymer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JvrtB8qXq5o/U7v0W9wq0HI/AAAAAAAAChI/guVzeTVHsT8/s1600/Landscape+earrings+polymer.jpg" height="640" width="562" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Landscape Earrings in process - truncated triangles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Morphed faux Bakelite rectangle earrings with </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">distortions </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and voids</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Triangle morphed into a clamshell shape with organic extension added</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite, signature
shapes comes from a primitive clothespin that my friend Renate found
at a flea market in Germany. I've gotten so much mileage out of that
simple outline.</span> </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4e0zX5myEx0/U7vyIAmeVfI/AAAAAAAACg0/A6seLc3prgk/s1600/Clothespins+-+Dutch+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4e0zX5myEx0/U7vyIAmeVfI/AAAAAAAACg0/A6seLc3prgk/s1600/Clothespins+-+Dutch+blog.jpg" height="544" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MD3TNjV8_-8/U7vv4KQ03aI/AAAAAAAACgo/rHaxLnEAb5M/s1600/Machu+Picchu+earrings+polymer+clay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MD3TNjV8_-8/U7vv4KQ03aI/AAAAAAAACgo/rHaxLnEAb5M/s1600/Machu+Picchu+earrings+polymer+clay.jpg" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Machu Picchu Earrings- polymer and copper metal clay</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cave of Dreams Earrings - Polymer and Copper Metal Clay</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sage Bray, editor of <a href="http://www.thepolymerarts.com/">Polymer ArtsMagazine</a>, is doing a series on morphed forms this week. She calls this post "Pushing the Triangle". <a href="http://www.thepolymerarts.com/blog/pushing-the-triangle/">http://www.thepolymerarts.com/blog/pushing-the-triangle/</a> Seems
summer brings us out of our caves and into the light where Nature is
dazzling us with a vast display of shape and color. Play around a bit this week while
you're watching the kids at the playground or having lunch al fresco. I
promise your work will take on new energy and what you come up with will be all your
own.</span><br />
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Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-84709285970055962972014-04-30T10:00:00.000-04:002014-04-30T16:45:40.380-04:00Inspired by Reading: The Interpreter of Maladies<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a while since I've participated in the Inspired by
Reading challenge but this time I got a jump on the reading and
obtained a copy of Jhumpa Lahiri's book of short stories, <i>The
Interpreter of Maladies </i><span style="font-style: normal;">a month
or so ago. I've always been a fan of the writing of Indian women--
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's </span><i>Mistress of Spices</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
is one of my favorites and was made into a great movie, by the way.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the short story format and
was looking forward to reading this book but after reading a few
stories, Lahiri's generally pessimistic characters and plots I found
too depressing. She does have fine insight into the maladies of
modern relationships, which apply universally and not just to Indian
society. But how to translate this angst into a piece of jewelry? </span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I decided to meld elements from a
few different stories into my design. In the story of the same name
as the collection, </span><i>The Interpreter of Maladies</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,
the main character is a tour guide in his spare time but also works
for a doctor as an interpreter for the numerous Indian dialects of
his patients-- hence the title. Most of the story takes place as he
drives around an American famiy of Indian heritage, visiting temples
and places of interest. My imagination was captured by the author's
description of an historic temple built in the shape of a gigantic
chariot with elaborately carved stone wheels so since these could
also represent the shape of a mandala, I decided to make that my
primary shape and build the rest of the piece around that. I found
this image of a wheel from the Konark Sun Temple, built in the 13</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;">
century. This ornate beauty is an impressive 10 feet high and is one
of twelve pairs in all.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgZPW2MxLT4/U2D8JknfMeI/AAAAAAAACeY/jSSvvjOtH7g/s1600/Konark+sun+temple1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgZPW2MxLT4/U2D8JknfMeI/AAAAAAAACeY/jSSvvjOtH7g/s1600/Konark+sun+temple1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Another one of the stories
focused on a character who moves into a home and finds in the attic a
large statue of the Virgin Mary which offends her Indian husband but
she becomes obsessed with it and at the same time, the goddess Kali.
Kali-- such a rich source of imagery-- to me she represents an entire
culture more than any other religious symbol. She is the goddess of
time, change and distruction-- basically, entropy--we're born, we
live, we die. From Wikipedia: “</span><span lang="en"><span style="font-style: normal;">In
spite of her seemingly terrible form, Kali Ma is often considered the
kindest and most loving of all the Hindu goddesses, as she is
regarded by her devotees as the Mother of the whole Universe. And
because of her terrible form, she is also often seen as a great
protector.” I love Her multiple arms so I determined that my focal
must have some too. I decided on the 10-armed incarnation and included a
turquoise and red palette as in traditional interpreations of the
goddess. </span></span><br />
</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rf-nbSSU6zQ/U2D9RHmClWI/AAAAAAAACeg/wnGJbOWqqJo/s1600/kali+ma+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rf-nbSSU6zQ/U2D9RHmClWI/AAAAAAAACeg/wnGJbOWqqJo/s1600/kali+ma+1.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="en"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="en"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"My Mother is the principle of consciousness. She is
Akhanda Satchidananda;</i> <i>indivisible Reality, Awareness, and
Bliss. The night sky between the stars is perfectly black.</i> <i>The
waters of the ocean depths are the same; The infinite is always
mysteriously dark.</i> <i>This inebriating darkness is my beloved
Kali."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> -Sri Ramakrishna</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span lang="en"><span style="font-style: normal;">Inspiring, huh? In college I
had a real love affair with the writing of Rabindranath Tagore, a
20</span></span><sup><span lang="en"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></span></span></sup><span lang="en"><span style="font-style: normal;">
century Indian mystical poet who was the first non-European to win a
Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. </span></span><br />
<span lang="en"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="en"><span style="font-style: normal;">“Clouds come floating into my
life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my
sunset sky”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;">But I was still
searching for an idea for the interpreter portion of my design when
inspiration struck and I decided to mix up my cultural symbolism and
use </span><i>milagros</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,
traditional Mexican metal charms used for shrines and as personal amulets as a focus for prayer and healing. Luckily I found a
10-piece set on Etsy with just body parts that was perfect.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: normal;">So I mixed up some bronze
polymer, set about making the mandala/chariot wheel, backed it with
some textured turquoise clay with red antiquing, added a spiky red
halo to represent ones I've seen painted around Kali's head, then ten
arms antiqued to match the pewter milagros charms. They spill through
the mandala in a river of supplication to the Goddess. The arms could
be angel's wings, carrying the prayers of the supplicants to Heaven
where Kali can hear them. Write your own story about it. </span><br />
<br />
Here's a list of the other participants-- be sure to check out their fine work.<br />
<br />
Sarajo Wentling <a href="wlmailhtml:{FBAB349C-48BA-4141-88C2-6A02D027801D}mid://00000030/!x-usc:http://www.facebook.com/l/uAQGf2XMd/sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none;">http://sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/</a><br />Jeanne
Steck <a href="wlmailhtml:{FBAB349C-48BA-4141-88C2-6A02D027801D}mid://00000030/!x-usc:http://www.facebook.com/l/vAQGcPGO6/www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none;">http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com/</a><br />Mary
Harding <a href="wlmailhtml:{FBAB349C-48BA-4141-88C2-6A02D027801D}mid://00000030/!x-usc:http://www.facebook.com/l/IAQHwB_gK/www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none;">http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/</a><br />Karin
Grange <a href="wlmailhtml:{FBAB349C-48BA-4141-88C2-6A02D027801D}mid://00000030/!x-usc:http://www.facebook.com/l/bAQFSecZc/ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr/" style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none;">http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr/</a><br />Ann
Schroeder <a href="wlmailhtml:{FBAB349C-48BA-4141-88C2-6A02D027801D}mid://00000030/!x-usc:http://www.facebook.com/l/ZAQElATiF/www.beadlove.wordpress.com/" style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none;">http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com/</a><br />Mary
K McGraw <a href="wlmailhtml:{FBAB349C-48BA-4141-88C2-6A02D027801D}mid://00000030/!x-usc:http://www.facebook.com/l/yAQH9rGqw/www.mkaymac.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none;">http://www.mkaymac.blogspot.com/</a><br />Rachel
Stewart <a href="wlmailhtml:{FBAB349C-48BA-4141-88C2-6A02D027801D}mid://00000030/!x-usc:http://www.facebook.com/l/XAQGBorn6/www.bluefinchjewelry.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none;">http://www.bluefinchjewelry.blogspot.com/</a><br />Andrew
Thornton, Laurel Ross, Alison Herrington, Terri Greenawalt, and Karen Hiatt <a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/">http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/</a></span><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLK9no0GGUY/U2D_Sqh6wjI/AAAAAAAACew/96abBr0Sj3g/s1600/094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLK9no0GGUY/U2D_Sqh6wjI/AAAAAAAACew/96abBr0Sj3g/s1600/094.jpg" height="640" width="628" /></a></div>
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"Kalika"<br />
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</span><br />Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-56051102099646365002014-04-04T17:24:00.003-04:002015-02-25T14:04:23.753-05:00Spring on the Farm<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gazing out on several feet of slowly-melting snow from my studio window, it's hard to imagine that Spring will ever be here. But the signs are there-- robins hunting for worms in the muddy ground, the steam coming from sugarhouses all over my neighborhood, smelling like the world's best maple syrup, our chickens laying more eggs, allowing me to make my absolutely favorite treat in the world-- tangy lemon squares. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After such a long winter and months of light-deprived days, our minds are seeking a re-awakening, something to tease our senses and creativity into new and exciting territory. For polymer clay artists, our medium is gaining enthusiasts, among them my own students from the Art on the Farm workshop last year. When your students continue to grow and develop their own ways of working, and even organize times to work and share together -- a teacher can't ask for better than that!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are a few photos of work done by students in my class last Fall. Both these ladies were completely new to working with polymer clay.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTp4mOGMH6U/Uz6p5SftV7I/AAAAAAAACc4/YTxnF--Q520/s1600/Sharon+Nodelman+piece1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTp4mOGMH6U/Uz6p5SftV7I/AAAAAAAACc4/YTxnF--Q520/s1600/Sharon+Nodelman+piece1.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sharon Nodelman</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0iYmdwIhWI/Uz_oh3RrYmI/AAAAAAAACeI/dj2UCQC4eW4/s1600/074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0iYmdwIhWI/Uz_oh3RrYmI/AAAAAAAACeI/dj2UCQC4eW4/s1600/074.jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sharon Nodelman</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1TuILc8uOo/Uz6r6DxbL6I/AAAAAAAACdE/SD3mHCPVpTs/s1600/070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1TuILc8uOo/Uz6r6DxbL6I/AAAAAAAACdE/SD3mHCPVpTs/s1600/070.jpg" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mary Harding</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stories
They Tell & Christine Damm announce </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Art
on the Farm: A 3-Day Polymer Clay </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Intensive
Workshop</span></b> </span></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>New
Ways with Construction, Texture & Color</b></span></span></em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bonnybrook
Farm – Braintree, VT</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>May
27-29, 2014</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
course was created to teach my signature techniques but also to
provide insight into my method of working, with an emphasis on
nurturing each participant's exploration of their own artistic
expression and development of an individual creative voice. We all
want to make art that is meaningful, emotional and that tells a
story. My intention for this course is to facilitate that ability. I emphasize the teaching of ideas, not just techniques.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; widows: 129;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We'll
begin this 3-day intensive class using my multi-stage method of
working with polymer clay. Starting with a discussion of form, we'll
use layering and other construction techniques to make our jewelry
elements, then introduce texture, utilizing molds and everyday
objects in unique ways as tools for impressing designs onto polymer. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Color
will be considered using a wide variety of surface-coloring
techniques, demonstrated on the completed polymer forms using oil and
acrylic paints, chalk, texturing media, pencils and inks. In addition
to studio time devoted to instruction and demonstrations, students
will have ample time to apply the coloring techniques to their own
pieces. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then
we'll explore innovative ways to use wire and other metal findings to
create integral connections and explore different stringing
techniques and designs. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
consultations with individual students we'll discuss personal style
and how the techniques taught can enhance and broaden their work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
intensive is suitable for beginners in polymer clay, as well as
advanced polymer users, as the technique I teach involves a
completely different approach from traditional color blending-based
polymer applications such as cane-making and mokume gane. Artists
from any discipline may benefit from this class-- mixed media and
collage, painting and watercolor, stoneware clay and jewelry arts, to
name a few. All that's required is curiosity and a well-developed
artist's or crafting skill-set. Class size will be limited to 8
students. </span></span></div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; widows: 129;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Participants
will have access to all my personal coloring supplies and my
extensive collection of handmade silicone molds. Basic supplies--
clay, blades, scalpels, heavy medium, heat-set oil paint for
antiquing, sanding pads and molding putty-- will be available for
purchase. Upon receipt of class fees a list of useful tools and items
needed for the class will be sent. </span></span></div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; widows: 129;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For more
information about tuition, registration and all the other fine
print, e-mail me at <a href="mailto:cdamm1@myfairpoint.net">cdamm1@myfairpoint.net</a>.</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The class
size is capped at 8 students so that everyone will receive the
maximum of personal attention and instruction. I'm very excited to
invite you all into my studio. I think we can do great things
together.</span></span></div>
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Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-75924447102605308662014-03-07T12:37:00.002-05:002014-03-07T12:37:49.870-05:00Voids<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's an interesting feature of the English language that so many
words have both positive and negative connotations, depending on
their context. “Void” is one of these.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“The Void” is used to describe the endlessness of Space, the
trackless nothingness between the planets--at least in the language
of sci-fi and PBS Nova specials.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<br />
But a void can also be an opening into a mysterious universe not
easily seen from the outside; for instance, the space within a geode
that's a fabulous interior crystalline mini-world. Or the multiple
voids between the cells of a honeycomb, their totality an amazing
geometric insectoid palace. It suggests mystery, the unseen, the
hinted-at possibility.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<br />
Design has an affinity for voids. I hesitate to call them spaces,
as that reminds me more of a defined and enclosed human-made entity,
like an empty spare bedroom. No, voids are special and organic, not
mere holes and when used in design they help to define texture and shape by their very lack of content, which is the potential for
discovery of something beyond the obvious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<br />
I went back through my <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stories_they_tell/">Flickr gallery</a> to find examples of
voids for this post and I'm amazed at the number of times I've used
them without actually being consciously aware of their power.</span> <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-37TJus16H9E/UxnwG4OrbpI/AAAAAAAACbI/V8E77lQ2hRg/s1600/050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-37TJus16H9E/UxnwG4OrbpI/AAAAAAAACbI/V8E77lQ2hRg/s1600/050.jpg" height="433" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Bad Moon Risin' " earrings</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Q7mLpt2lvs/Uxnyw4IIEhI/AAAAAAAACbU/RIxO6HGxqbk/s1600/DSCN0296_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Q7mLpt2lvs/Uxnyw4IIEhI/AAAAAAAACbU/RIxO6HGxqbk/s1600/DSCN0296_1024.JPG" height="640" width="578" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "Imaginarium" earrings - polymer with resin-filled voids</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mdEIzwt8k1U/Uxn4dcUFjUI/AAAAAAAACbs/nCos3pw7qOg/s1600/DSCN0706_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mdEIzwt8k1U/Uxn4dcUFjUI/AAAAAAAACbs/nCos3pw7qOg/s1600/DSCN0706_1024.JPG" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Distortion" earrings</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-2AOX3h75I/Uxn5h_Qzs0I/AAAAAAAACb0/GZU-vQNSbIk/s1600/DSCN0729_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-2AOX3h75I/Uxn5h_Qzs0I/AAAAAAAACb0/GZU-vQNSbIk/s1600/DSCN0729_1024.JPG" height="350" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Roots" necklace - pods with voids</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hy0R8WsQRGE/Uxn8peiBwUI/AAAAAAAACcA/YRfHbJLiGSk/s1600/051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hy0R8WsQRGE/Uxn8peiBwUI/AAAAAAAACcA/YRfHbJLiGSk/s1600/051.jpg" height="610" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "Delineated" earrings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxJ-OiGbX90/Uxn9-5HexQI/AAAAAAAACcI/kyoVtMcDwJU/s1600/052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxJ-OiGbX90/Uxn9-5HexQI/AAAAAAAACcI/kyoVtMcDwJU/s1600/052.jpg" height="526" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Kali" necklace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtgdlEf1f-w/Uxn_QAgUo-I/AAAAAAAACcQ/HV7vj_nRMsw/s1600/053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtgdlEf1f-w/Uxn_QAgUo-I/AAAAAAAACcQ/HV7vj_nRMsw/s1600/053.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Tuareg" necklace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I did consciously use voids in this last piece, submitted for this
year's International Polymer Clay Guild's Progress and
Possibilities competition, called "Midnight in the Temple Garden". I don't know the
results of the judging yet-- it's one of those voids in life that
holds possibilities. I'll keep you posted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrhNTJxZ8qY/UxoAiyV_vuI/AAAAAAAACcY/kmgpJqgrN_A/s1600/2014_c_damm_01b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrhNTJxZ8qY/UxoAiyV_vuI/AAAAAAAACcY/kmgpJqgrN_A/s1600/2014_c_damm_01b.JPG" height="640" width="486" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Midnight in the Temple Garden" - detail</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yT9ZzgvhjPw/UxoBErequpI/AAAAAAAACcg/DzhEJyiz_qI/s1600/2014_c_damm_01a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yT9ZzgvhjPw/UxoBErequpI/AAAAAAAACcg/DzhEJyiz_qI/s1600/2014_c_damm_01a.JPG" height="640" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Midnight in the Temple Garden" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Polymer clay-- vintage chain, brass button, and Japanese glass beads</span></div>
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Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-76225418020477015622014-02-11T09:03:00.000-05:002014-02-11T16:29:49.021-05:00There's No Magic<span style="font-size: large;">The process of making art is a lot of work. There's no magic in
it. I'm not saying that imagaination or the source of inspiration
isn't magical, I'm saying that the day-to-day, getting up and going
into the studio, cleaning up your bench, putting in the hours, doing
the research-- that's work. Even though it's work you love, your craft is not going to improve by
posting on Facebook what you had for breakfast,or by spending hours
on Pinterest. Nope.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When people take a class from me that they will be learning from
someone who has put in considerable time in the discipline of polymer
clay, someone who knows a lot about what techniques are out there and
what resources are available. For example, after last year's ArtBliss
retreat, I put together a very comprehensive color resources chart
for my students, listing all the media we used in class, and
appropriate uses for each. I don't simply teach a way to use a
technique-- I teach a way of thinking about that technique, a method
that-- hopefully-- will lead you to your own artistic way of using
it, of expanding your skill-set as well as your imagination.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The person that's copying my workshop (see previous posts this
past week) has no idea of the thought process behind the technique.
She merely sees the results and likes them-- likes them enough that
she wants to teach them too. She wants to use my work to enhance her
teaching reputation. But she's an impostor-- I originated the content
and I know the thought-process behind the technique. I put in the
hours and days and weeks of work it took to create the technique
that she will now go and blithely take perhaps 10 minutes to throw at
her students. After all, she's only got a few hours to teach what it
takes me twice as much time to do in my class. Because I know why the
technique exists, what it's really meant to do (besides color
polymer), the philosophy behind it, the reasons why it will enhance
your work, the best ways to use it, all the stuff that's listed on
the chart that my students get at the end of the class.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So workshop imposters aren't offering any magic, no matter how the
class description reads. What you're getting is diluted content, the
husk of the technique. The person that originated the concept, that
tapped into the magic of their imagaination to create it, the person
that can tell you why you're using it and how, that's the person you
should seek out. And that would be me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(Christine is teaching two new classes at ArtBliss this
September-- stay tuned to AB's website for the announcment in early
March)</span><br />
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<br />Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3337536192952816162.post-49716671622305873242014-02-08T12:05:00.000-05:002014-02-08T19:10:51.179-05:00Imitation-- Not the Sincerest Form of Flattery<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You may have heard the phrase
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. It's not. It's
unethical and usually illegal. I'm not talking about an individual
who sees something in a tutorial or on a website and tries a
technique or copies a colorway. That's how we learn, as we grope our
way to our own authentic voice. </span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm talking about an individual who
deliberately took original content she learned in my workshop and
then shoehorned into a mixed-media class that she then shopped to a major jewelry venue,
with nary a change in that content (right down to using the same
phrases used in <em>my </em>class description!) and most
certainly not the significant amount that the US Patent Office would
deem necessary to claim that a true innovation had been made. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And the thing that's most appalling
is that the way many people choose to deal with this is to let the
imposter get away with it. We are so averse to confrontation in our
society these days that we would just let people steal our ideas,
ideas which were so hard-won, that we birthed from our creative souls
and nurtured so they could grow to eventually inspire others. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Things people have said to make me
feel better: “Artists XYZ used to send “Cease and Desist”
letters-- now they just laugh” (really? What's funny about being
ripped off?) “Ms. Artist-Well-Known said people copy her all the
time so she's just decided to 'let it go'--the implication being
“better artists than you just 'let it go'-- why are you persisting?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because it has to stop. And it
won't by itself. It will stop because we, as a culture of artists,
demand that <b><span style="color: yellow;">original content cannot be used without permission. </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">If
I teach you a technique, you can use that technique for your own work
but you may NOT
teach that content, under any circumstances—not to your guild or to
your niece or to your neighbor and </span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">definitely
not </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">to workshop
participants at a national jewelry venue. I love that you were
inspired by my class but what are you adding to the content to make
it really yours? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As <a href="http://askharriete.typepad.com/ask_harriete">Harriete Estel Berman</a> cautions:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If
you haven't made a significant leap, not a stepping stone but a leap
onto a new path, then you're teaching derivative content and run the
risk of being a “workshop imposter”. And if you don't really
surpass the “workshop master” into new territory, everyone will
see you as a “workshop imposter".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here's an article from the American Crafts Council called "Ali Baba and the Copycat Thieves"</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><a href="http://craftcouncil.org/post/alibaba-and-copycat-thieves">http://craftcouncil.org/post/alibaba-and-copycat-thieves</a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Lots of food for thought here.</span></span><br />
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<br />Stories They Tellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10162254176855830546noreply@blogger.com4