Arbutus Heading to Synergy 2

Yesterday I hauled out a big cardboard box and a few meters of bubble wrap to pack up "Arbutus", my mixed media polymer clay collage for her trip to Baltimore for the Polymer Clay Association Synergy 2 Conference Arbutus will be in the Exhibition which you can view online in case you aren't able to go to Baltimore. The package is laden with documentation and awaits Canada Post "FRAGILE" stickers and postage stamps. It's be hard to part with her into the hands of Canada Post and the USPS as she sets off on her cross continent adventure! Please handle with CARE!

the Island Artisan Wholesale Show- Polymer Clay BeachStone Jewellery

I was at the Vancouver Island Artisans Association Wholesale Show yesterday. I launched my new BeachStone jewellery collection for 2010 as well as my completely redesigned booth! It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new merchants, say hello to good friends and receive much valued feedback on my work.

Here's the BeachStone Collection! Here is the new booth.

One World One Heart #375

It's time for ONE WORLD ONE HEART! Artsy Bloggers from around the world are offering art giveaways in this inspirational event. You are invited to visit blogs from all over the world. Each one will offer a prize or prizes. You enter by adding a comment. The bloggers will have a random draw on February 15th.

All you have to do to enter for my three draws is to make a comment on this page of my blog. I will draw a name on February 15. Double click the logo above to see all the bloggers that are participating then visit their sites and enter their draws!

Here are my offerings for One World One Heart 2010

Fusion Bangle

Polymer Clay BeachStone Bracelet

BeachStone Pendant

Lead free Pewter and 16" Sterling silver snake chain

If you are an arty blogger or website owner you are eligible to enter , just make a comment on my blog and you are entered to win. Be sure to include a link to your email so I will be able to contact you if your name is drawn.

Check out the One World One Heart Blog and get your blog on the list- everyone is welcome.

THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY-COMMENTS IS 8:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME FEBRUARY 15, 2010.

THE RANDOM DRAWS WILL BE AT 9:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME FEBRUARY 15, 2010

WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL ON FEBRUARY 15, 2010


Good Luck!

Clay Daze- A polymer Clay Gathering in Victoria

My excuse for the quiet blog has been that I've been involved in CLAY DAZE- our Vancouver Island Polymer Clay Artists' Guild's gathering. Follow the link above to see what we're up to! This morning we'll be running the finale of our Silent Auction for Haiti. elbow pads and hockey helmets may come in handy1 in the final minutes!

New Style Polymer Clay BeachStone Bracelet

I've been making Beachstone Bracelets for a long time now and have been searching for a different spin on them- I found it! I've switched from using clear elastic and now I'm using thin buna and letting the cord become a part of the design. I'm layering beads on beads for even more colour contrasts and textures. The bracelets are still flexible and one size fits all.

Balancing Stones...polymer clay pendants

...the balancing stone sculptures led me to make some polymer clay pendants with a similar theme. I''ll be offering one of these in my One World One Heart Giveaway!

Stone Sculptures- Rock Balancing- Stone Stacking

On a beach hike this weekend I found these stone sculptures created by an anonymous artist. This phenomena has been popular here on the coast of BC for many years. I've just done some googling and discovered that the correct name is Rock Balancing (or Stacking). Some people like Bill Dan are professionals. It can be competitive performance art too- check out the Team Sandtastic Site.

I love these beautiful little surprises that people design and leave for others to enjoy.

And yes- I think I have a polymer clay BeachStone application in mind.....

A Weekend at Point No Point

I just returned for a few mistily blissful days at Point No Point on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We had a beautiful little cottage overlooking the surf. We spent hours time reading good books by a roaring fire in a beachhouse that sheltered us from the constant rain.

photo above- c/o Point No Point Resort`

I beachcombed and photographed shore themed compositions to play with here at home. Unlike all my photos from warmer and drier months these photos are all about wetness- the stones gleam- the wood is saturated and the colours are intense. I was particularily fascinated by the interplay of texture and colours of the beachstones that have been strewn on the convoluted chunks of driftwood that are piled on this stormy shore.

Wearable Art- Polymer Clay Crackle Technique

I'm preparing for the upcoming Island Artisans Association's Wholesale Show on February 7th. I'm excited about doing a lot more Wearable Art this year and after spending time on "R&D" this week I have all sorts of wonderful goodies on order from suppliers. While I wait for the packages I've been spending time working on my "crackled "polymer clay Fusion Bangles. I found some buna cord and added a new little embellishment using a bead design I came up with last year... I think this might go off in some other directions!

This Fusion Bangle will be a second offering in the One World One Heart blog event.

HAPPY 2010 EVERYONE!

Ending the holiday season during a weekend is very civilised, there's a graceful wind down. This morning we took the tree down and got the house back to our family's version of "normal". My son is in a state of shock about waking up before noon to help take the tree to the recycling depot but he will thank us for helping jig his internal clock back to normal when his alarm goes off at 6:00 am on Monday morning. The cat seems to be sulking since his traditional bow was removed from his collar but he often has that look on his face so we're not completely sure about his state of mind. I have put the Shaw Fireplace on my PVR so I can have it on any time of year- it's a great background sound. The pine needles are swept up. The Seasonal CDs and DVDs are stored. The lights are still up outside just in case in snows... a sure sign that we're west coasters.

aMused Studio begins a new year in the usual state of mid-project disorder. I am serious about getting back to work- this morning I got out the nail file and filed my nails down down as low as they can go!

There's LOTS to do- I have a wholesale show coming up at the beginning of February so I'll be making a lot of Fusion Bangles, Beachstone Bracelets, BeachStone Strands and my new BeachStone Pendants. This one will be going in the One World One Heart event.


I'm going to be taking shoreline photos in Sooke this coming weekend and hope they inspire some mixed media canvases for the display. I have to redesign my business cards and have them printed, get a banner made and organise the booth.

The Clay Daze Gathering is set for the end of January here in Victoria and it will be a busy time too! I'm coordinating Sales Tables and the Polymer Clay Art and Craft Exhibition- looking forward to hearing from everyone who plans to participate!

So many people who I have met through this blog share my passion for reading and they have inspired me to develop a 2010 list of the books I've read or am reading to this blog... the list is in the column to the right. I'm curious to see how many I end up reading!

Clay Daze in Victoria BC

Inner Harbour at Dusk - Tourism Victoria Image Bank

The Vancouver Island Polymer Clay Artists Guild is hosting CLAY DAZE here in Victoria, BC, Canada from Frday January 22 to Sunday January 24th. It's going to be a lot of fun and very much organised in the laid back and congenial "Island Time" spirit. Everyone is welcome! Check the VIPCAG blog for registration details!

One World, One Heart 2010

I was so happy to see that One World, One Heart will be running again as an inspiring way to start 2010! I visited as many of the 911 participating blogs as I could last year and made many great new friends through the last event and look forward to making more creative connections this time around. Actually winning something was an unexpected bonus!

I'm hoping to see even more polymer clay oriented participants this year!

I'm heading to the worktable to get started on my offerings...

Considering the end of the year....

We had a great Christmas and Boxing Day here! I'm not a Boxing Day shopper, for me it's a day to light a fire, relax and read a good book- this year it's the new Dan Brown- The Lost Symbol.

I'm also in that reflective state of mind that comes at the conclusion of the year. As 2008 drew to a frantic close, the looming recession had many of us in a "circle the wagons" frame of mind. As a decorative artist/artisan I was very concerned about the effect of the recession on sales. I didn't want to spend 2009 making things with costly materials that didn't sell then having all sorts of extra work rattling around in 2010. I decided have an exploratory year- to experiment and to make several large pieces for exhibitions. I cut back any production work to a trickle. I'm very glad I did, 2009 has been a year of exciting discoveries for me and I'm happy with the direction I'm going.

After great sales with BeachStone bracelets at the Sooke Fine Arts Show I did some jewellery production work for the holiday season and sales have been very good! I plan to launch a wholesale line for 2010, mostly with the BeachStone concept but the mixed media photographic work may introduce a different twist on colours! Fusion Bangles will be back too. Most importantly, I'm going to continue on the path I'm taking with photography, clay and 3D canvases- I'm hoping very much to be able to submit work to more exhibitions in 2010.... enough meandering for now.... back to my book....

Christmas Eve....

International Polymer Clay Association Synergy 2 Online Exhibition- Arbutus

Earlier this year I was honoured to be invited to submit a "collaborative" piece for the Synergy 2 Exhibition. It was particularily exciting for me because it led to the new direction I took with the multi-media approach to my work. I didn't actually collaborate in person with another artist but, I considered the Forgetting Room by Nick Bantock that deals in a wonderful way with the creative process. Like the character in the novel, I ended up on a treasure hunt and ended up discovering things that I hadn't actually expected to find.

Here is Arbutus. The Synergy 2 link has more details on the process and on purchase price.

Twigging Mixed Media Approaches

I shipped the last order yesterday, I've tidied my worktable and had time to add a background to my blog. Now I'll be able to do some daydreaming, beachcombing and sketching for when I return to "hands on" mixed media work in January.

Today I saw a link for a lovely twig lamp by Wildwoodpapers on the Daily Art Muse that reminded me of a project I did in 1998 or so when I was working with gourd art. The twigs are blueberry twigs and have held up very well through the years! They are a beautiful burgandy colour. I think I'll buy up a supply fron my local florist for mixed media projects as I know the durability of the material.

Legacy Interactive Series- Polymer Clay Beach Stones

If you are in the downtown Victoria area this Saturday, December 12, drop by the Legacy Gallery between 1:00 am and 3:00 pm. I'll be doing a Polymer Clay BeachStone demonstration. There will be BeachStone Bracelets and Stemware Charms available for sale along with my mixed media canvases and Fusion Bangles. Hope to see you there!

Mixed Media Canvas- After the Storm

I finished the canvas.

It's titled "After the Storm" 5"x7" polymer clay, digital photo on silk & found objects on canvas.

It's heading to the Legacy Gallery tomorrow.

Mixed Media Canvas- day two

Here's my newest canvas on day two. Thanks for inspiration goes to the Daily Art Muse on this one- the post on Connie Ulrich's Road Kill Series reminded me of my stash of beachcombed and occasionally road-killed rusty-stuff. It's the perfect addition... I also used a section of cabling that had printing on it that was worn by the waves and shore to create a calligraphic effect.

I'm not done with this one yet...to be continued...

Starting Picture for new photo/clay collage...

I'm going to be doing some collage canvases, muses and beachstone bracelets as I do the table top. It's a good way to multi-task. I have a muse underway and yesterday I went through my Salt Spring Island photos for a photo base for the next collage. Here's the one I chose. I did some photoshopping with filters for a bit of a surreal effect.

Polymer Clay Beachstone Table Top

The project is underway and this is going to take a while. The table obviously won't fit in my oven so I'm using a picece of glass to position sections of beachstones. My plan is to place a second sheet of glass on top of the raw clay stones to flatten to a uniform height then I'll fire the section. Here's section #1 underway.

Polymer Clay Beachstone Project- the before picture

Sorry, usually I try to have some eye candy for my blog picture. This *was* once a much-treasured coffee table that my husband and I purchased as a Christmas present to ourselves ten years ago. Time and most especially a certain son have taken a toll. The surface is ruined. In a wild moment of insane inspiration I have decided to resurface the table top with polymer clay beachstones!

I'll document the process here..... step one- how to fit the table in the oven!

(joking!)

Polymer Clay Pieces- memory lane

Yesterday I went through my storage boxes and selected 22 items to send along to the Too Good For the Scrap Heap Sale. There are lots of memories here. Some pieces use techniques that morphed into something completely different, some use one technique that was combined with another to become a mainstay of my current focus. It's interesting to look at all the pieces together like this and do a little reminiscing as well as considering a re-visitation of an idea or two!

I'm really looking forward to going to the sale, hoping to get a selection of Christmas gifts!

Island Artisans Association- Too Good for The Scrap Heap Sale

What a terrific concept! I have a huge stash of pieces that are from old lines or are "just not where I am these days" so I'll be dropping off a box full of contributions. It's a fantastic way to clear out studios, possibly make a bit of money for purchasing supplies and help a good cause! If you're in Victoria I'd appreciate it if you could forward this info to people that may be interested as the event has been put together with short notice and limited funding and could use extra promotion!

Polymer Clay BeachStone Strands & an Interview

Today I'm putting together BeachStone Strands. These are 40" long strands of my polymer clay faux beachstones strung to be worn as a single strand, doubled as a choker or if you're into funky looks, a multi-strand bracelet. I have a few OOAK variations in mind but these basic strands are in my aMused Shop in etsy for $45 and come in a gift box.

Speaking of BeachStones, I've been invited to do an artists' demo at the Legacy Gallery at Yates and Broad Street on December 11th from 1-4. I'm planning to be making BeachStones - I'm looking forward to it- the beach stone demonstrations are always a lot of fun! It's a great gallery with an excellent giftshop and cafe. A nice place to catch your breath during the chaos of Christmas shopping.

More news- Lorrie Grainger Abdo has begun a monthly Artist Spotlight Series and asked me to be her first featured artist! She's posted our interview and a selection of my images. Thanks Lorrie!

The Oak Bay Community Artists' Society

It's a very gloomy and damp day here on southern Vancouver Island and I'm in need of something to brighten my day. What better than sharing some local art! Here's the link to the Oak Bay Community Artists' Society Website. It's a great group that welcomes all disciplines from mixed media types like myself to stained glass artisans, potters, painters, felters and on and on. The group hosts fall and spring studio tours, the next one is scheduled for April 17 & 18, 2010. The group also presents the very popular Bowker Creek Brush Up (August 8, 2010) The group displays work at the Oak Bay Municipal Hall through the year.

If you are an artist residing in Oak Bay we hope that you'll join us!

The beautiful painting is by one of my favourite painters in our group, Marion Morrison who recently was honoured with "Best in Show" at the Sidney Fine Arts Show! Congratulations Marion!

More Polymer Clay Pieces in Etsy

I listed these three pieces in my Etsy Shop today!

Funky Fish 4"x4"x1"

$65

Four Pears in July 5"x7"x1.5"

$120

Salmon Run 4"x4"x1"
$65

Upstream in Etsy- Polymer Clay Collage

I'm gathering some pieces to ship out to galleries. I've decided to put some items up for sale in Etsy for a few days before mailing them out. Here's "Upstream"... it's approximately 7"x11". It will be up for sale in my Etsy Shop through the weekend.

Polymer Clay Fusion Bangles

I'm spending the day making polymer clay Fusion Bangles! These "crackle technique" bangles are made in two sections held with elastic so the bangle stretches open then the sections "fuse" together for a nice above-the-wrist fit. I present them in a nice little gift box which is very handy for gift-giving. I am filling orders for four galleries here in BC and have posted the ones shown here for sale in my Etsy Shop.

No. 5 Gallery- Oak Bay Avenue- Victoria BC

Today I delivered several pieces to one of the newest galleries in Victoria- The No. 5 Gallery on Oak Bay Avenue. I had been planning to submit my portfolio to this intriguing new space so when the Ngs introduced themselves to me at the Open Studio Tour and invited me to display in their gallery I was delighted!
Their gallery is beautiful and showcases the work of a talented collection of local artists in a relaxed and airy space. There are many exciting exhibitions planned for upcoming months, particularily Angels Among Us in December which will be a fundraiser for "Angel Flight".
No.5 is well worth a visit if you're in Victoria- it's located close to Richmond and Oak Bay Avenue.

Oak Bay Artists' Studio Tour- A Marvellous Weekend!

The Studio Tour was a terrific experience and I hope that the people that visited my home had as much fun as I did! Artists who work in solitude and send their work away to other venues for display and sale very rarely receive direct feedback. For me the most frequent means of positive feedback is a computer generated cheque from a gallery for sales at the end of the month so meeting the public and receiving encouragement first-hand is wonderful and really re-charges the inspiration batteries!

I was very pleased with sales and was thrilled when I was invited to display my work in a new Oak Bay Avenue Gallery! (More on that on Wednesday)

I set up my dining room to be an open space and (after checking I still have paint to repair the nail holes) I used the walls rather than setting up screens. The art was divided with my work from the first half of the year on one side and the newer clay & photo collage Galiano series on the other. "Arbutus" had a spot of honour as she was the turning point piece. My dining table turned into a little store for small items and art cards. My funky old 1911 house was in direct competition with my art for attention which didn't bother me at all as I am completely in love with the place!

Oak Bay Artists' Studio Tour

The blog has been quiet lately- I was on a wonderful vacation in Europe, visiting Paris and Dublin. What a delight!

I'm home again and am getting prepared for the Oak Bay Artists' Studio Tour which will be held this weekend. If you are in the Victoria area I hope you'll drop by to say hello. I'll have "crackle technique" work on display as well as my new mixed media canvas clay and photography work. there'll also be a selection of small gifts including bracelets, stemware charms and art cards.

Polymer Clay Vesuvius BeachStone Bracelets

I put together some of the first Vesuvius Bay BeachStone Bracelets. I'm really happy with the distinctive squared-off chunky look. I re-opened my Etsy Shop to offer one for sale!

Squared Beachstones from Vesuvius Bay...

I've begun what will be a long process of mixing clay to match the photos I'm using for a large mixed media canvas. When I'm in the mixing phase I like to make selections of BeachStones from the different coloured clays I come up with. I'm going to do a series of Vesuvius Bay BeachStone Bracelets and necklaces with this wonderful chunky squared effect as shown in the collection I gathered from this beautiful Saltsping Island Bay.

Vesuvius Blue Pool- Completed

Here's the finished version! I'm going to use a few of the most recent 4x4" and 5x7" pieces as designs for two larger canvases.

Mixed Media Canvas- in transition

This one surprised me... the photo of a tide pool went on as a background and my original plan for the piece went astray when these blue characters emerged on the right side... the story unfolded from there. I don't think the piece is finished yet....

I have a plan for phase two but I'm really liking the section where I added gold foil as a surface treatment!

The Weather, New Mixed Media Collage & Firing Canvases

Fall arrived here on the west coast and rain is in the forecast. Perfect weather for creativity! I think the overcast skies are reflected in this mixed media canvas. It's 12x10"- currently untitled . The rock formation in the foreground is textured polymer clay and backfilled with black Liquid Sculpey to get the the dark shadows. The stones are all polymer clay. The background rockface is a digital photograph printed on silk.

I have had several emails lately asking about firing canvases in the oven. Polymer clay fires at 275 Fahrenheit. Paper, fabric and wood all ignite at much higher temperatures so there's no problem putting an entire canvas in an oven. I highly recommend good ventilation.

Vesuvius 1 - mixed media collage

...it's incredible how the photos from Vesuvius Beach and the ones from Galiano Island give me such different colour palettes. Here's the first of my Vesuvius Mixed Media Series, "Vesuvius 1", it's 4x4". Digital photography on silk on polymer clay on canvas with found objects.

(The hydrangea project is on-going)

Another wonderful beach- more mixed media explorations!

I just returned from our annual Thanksgiving vacation on Saltspring Island. We stayed at Vesuvius Beach and I beachcombed photographs of the very inspirational rock formations on this geologically fascinating shore. I' m beginning a new mixed media canvas today, there'll be a new calligraphic element inspired by the amazing scores and scrapes in the stone and is there a way to incorporate hydrangeas? Stay tuned....

Ridgeview #1- mixed media

I really felt as if I was in "the zone" when I did this mixed media piece which I've titled Ridgeview #1. The foreground and background are from one photo which I cut into two sections laying the green background directly on the canvas and putting the foreground on a raised section of polymer clay to give the 3D effect. The photo is printed on organza instead of silk and gives a more lighter and more textured effect with the appearance of the photo.

I like this one a lot and the best part is that I came up with some ideas that I'm excited about trying with the next one!

A Cup of Tea with Coffee

I started my day as usual with a cup of tea and a check of the google alerts that came up for polymer clay yesterday and I was delighted with Lisa Clarke's Monday Morning Coffee Chat which features a terrific interview with Polymer Clay Daily's creator- Cynthia Tinapple- check it out!

Today is a 100% clay day. Here's a photo of I finished the piece I started last week for the next few days I'm going to do a series of small photo rockface landscapes including figures- I'll be making a lot of beachstone clay- and BeachStone Bracelets and necklaces as I go.

5th Annual Multi Media Fine Arts Exhibition- Ladysmith BC

I'm delighted to announce that three of my pieces have been selected for the Multi Media Fine Arts Exhibition in Ladysmith from October 3-25! The Exhibition is at the Waterfront Arts Centre in Ladysmith. Here's a link with further information about what promises to be a wonderful event!

Mixed Media Process 2

Here's the second stage. I've matched colours in the photo with clay for textural sections and I cut a hole in the canvas to create a "subterreanean" layer.

Mixed Media Process

Here's step one of one of my mixed media collage canvases. The photo is placed on the canvas, I'm using waterslide paper for this one.

Variations on A Theme- Galiano Rockface Series- mixed media collage

I took a lot of photos on Galiano Island but this one really has fascinated me with it's combination of lines and textures. I've used sections of the image in larger pieces now and the entire image was usedi on all three of these versions. The next step will be to do a larger canvas. I'll have to do two printouts on 8 1/2x 11" waterslide or silk - each one with one half of a double sized version so I can "jigsaw" together an image that's at least 16x22"

Community- mixed media sculptural collage

I did this 4x4 canvas last month and it was on the wall looking just wrong somehow. This morning I added the community of little people and now the whole thing makes sense.

It's a busy time! I've been getting calls from various galleries asking for new work, I am planning to enter the Oak Bay Artists' Studio Tour in November so I am getting current photos set for my application and then I'll need work to display! In the middle of all this my husband and I are planning a short but amazing trip to Paris and Dublin at the end of October- It's a business trip for him but we've added a few days and we're incredibly excited about it!

A little discovery on the way...

I was noodling around with some photo-silk and some of the wonderful little clam shells I used for my Shoreline Muse Series and came eup with this dimensional twist- a concaved face using a photo-shopped image of a face of one of my sculptures. The shell interiors have amazing shades of indigo and there's a serendipitous colour effect. This has some interesting possibilities- doesn't it?

Thanks for all the input!!

I was overwhelmed by everyone who took the time to send a comment or email helping me to choose the third piece. THANKS EVERYONE!! Input is still welcome but it looks as if Among Friends will be packed up for adjudication. I didn't go into details on the other two pieces I'm submitting as I'm very superstitious when it comes to juried shows.

Please Help Me Choose!

I am submitting three pieces for adjudication in an upcoming exhibition. The first two pieces were easy choices for me but I'm stuck on deciding which should be the third submission. Which of these three should I submit? Please leave a comment with your vote and I'll go with the Bloggers' Choice!

Moontide

Among Friends

She Could Only Choose One

Spiral in Stone

This little 4x4 Mixed Media Canvas is titled "Spiral in Stone". I have begun using beaten copper wire in some of these projects and I am brewing some ideas to go further with this with dimension, texture and attachment applications....