Elise on Jan 02 2009 | Filed under: Uncategorized
This week we celebrated the first anniversary for Polymer Art Archive and I’ve been thinking about what we might call the “most pressing needs” for a New Year’s update to this website. Number one on my list for 2009 was a Bibliography page, recommendations of specific books that may be of interest to committed readers. Please check out the new page if you’re looking to add to your 2009 reading list. It is not a comprehensive list by any means, but a number of my personal favorites.
Elise on Dec 19 2008 | Filed under: 2003, Ford, Forlano
Ford/Forlano, Low Tide, 2003
wall sculpture with removable pin
This wall sculpture called Low Tide is another favorite of mine from the Ford/Forlano NINE series. It measures 18” x 17” x 5”. In addition to polymer, the piece incorporates copper, flocking, sterling silver and magnets. Continue Reading »
Martha on Dec 12 2008 | Filed under: 2001, Adams, Balombini, Bernstein, Bishel, Cormier, Crossen, Dever, Dewey, Dustin, Fago, Ford, Forlano, Gibson, Haunani, Hughes, Hyde, Illuminating a Medium: Polymer Retrospective, Laurin, Maggio, McMillan, Mitchell, Muse NPCG 2001 Conference, NPCG, Regan, Roche, Scott, Shriver, Toops, Voulkos, Winters
Courting the Muse: Enhancing Creativity and Artistry in Polymer Clay
In 2001, the National Polymer Clay Guild sponsored it’s second conference in Bryn Mawr, PA. Courting The Muse was a week long conference filled with classes taught by polymer clay masters, thought-provoking and inspiring evening lectures, creativity seminars, and a retrospective exhibit entitled Illuminating a Medium, a Retrospective on Polymer Clay that showcased important works of polymer art from the past 20 years. Continue Reading »
Elise on Dec 05 2008 | Filed under: 1997, Allen, Breen, Kato, Liska, MIPCES Exhibition, Roche, Yamashita
Six remaining artists participated in the MIPCES exhibition. If you are a new visitor to Polymer Art Archive, you can find background about this event in the 2 posts, Past, Present Future and All About MIPCES.
Nan Roche, CUP, 2” x 3” x 2” Continue Reading »
Elise on Nov 28 2008 | Filed under: 2003, Ford, Forlano, Philadelphia Museum Craft Show
Steven Ford & David Forlano, Figure, 2003
wall sculpture with 2 brooches
13.25″h x 12.25″w x 2.25″d
We all know the old phrase, “to raise the bar,” which first described high jump and pole vaulting competitions at track meets. A new definition can be witnessed each November at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) Craft Show when you visit the Steven Ford/David Forlano booth. Each time they exhibit, they seem to surpass some previous artistic limit.
In 2003, for opening night, they arranged their booth as an exhibition gallery rather than a sales environment. Instead of displaying the expected, their normal expansive collection of necklaces and brooches, they presented just nine pieces, each a dazzling wall sculpture with inlaid jewelry in a project they called NINE.
Figure is one of those sculptures. Can you find these two inlaid brooches hidden within the piece? Continue Reading »
Elise on Nov 21 2008 | Filed under: 2007, Micromosaic, Toops
Cynthia Toops, Bird Watching, 2007
polymer micromosaic, 3.5″ x 3.25″
On Broadway in New York, one or two outstanding shows every year gets tabbed as a “Must-See” performance. This year the polymer community has its own “Must-See,” a book self-published by Cynthia Toops and her husband Dan Adams, beads & more, which has drawn rave reviews. My own copy, graciously inscribed by Cynthia and Dan, will be a lasting treasure in my library.
The book has its own website, offering fifteen preview pages. Most of those pages show Dan’s wonderful glass beads – belying the fact that the book is chock full of amazing polymer work as well. My favorites are Cynthia’s micromosaic pieces, typical of her work, like the one pictured above. You’ll find 14 equally incredible miniature masterpieces in the chapter on Mosaics. Verde, pictured below, is a new type of “sampler” necklace which balances Cynthia’s inventive polymer beads with Dan’s glass creations. Continue Reading »
Elise on Nov 14 2008 | Filed under: 2008, Art Jewelry Today 2, Kuskin
Judy Kuskin, “Round Midnight” Necklace, polymer, silver
While I am on a short leave, feast your eyes on more polymer art jewelry featured in Art Jewelry Today 2.
Judy Kuskin’s Necklace is prominently positioned opposite the title page as a full page image.
Judy writes about the inspiration for her work, saying:
Continue Reading »
Elise on Nov 07 2008 | Filed under: 2008, Dever, Function+Art, SOFA, del Mano
Jeffrrey Lloyd Dever, “Nestled Repose” teapot, 2008
11″h x 12.75″w x 11″d, polymer, wire
Function+Art is showing this fantastic teapot form at SOFA in Chicago this weekend. You can often find Jeff’s work in del Mano Gallery as well.
Here’s what Jeff told me about this piece:
Continue Reading »
Elise on Nov 04 2008 | Filed under: 2008, McCaw, Niche Award, The Art of Jewelry
Sandra McCaw, Persian Cuff, 2007, polymer, gold leaf
Today Sandra McCaw announced that she is also a candidate for the 2009 Niche Award.
Here’s what Sandra just wrote about her work:
Continue Reading »
Elise on Oct 31 2008 | Filed under: 2008, Dever, Niche Award
Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Summer’s Opulence, 2008
5.25″w x D 3.75″d x H 1.5″h, polymer, various wire
Jeff Dever’s lush bracelet, Summer’s Opulence, will also vie for a 2009 Niche award.
Here’s what Jeff recently wrote about this pieces:
Continue Reading »
