More Early Images: Cynthia Toops and City Zen Cane

Posted on Posted in Artist Spotlight

Cynthia Toops, 3 People BeadsAre you hooked on Kathleen Dustin’s presentation about the work done by the early polymer bead makers? Then, you’ll want to see even more images by those pioneers. After each of Kathleen’s installments, I have been providing you with an expanded view of those artists’ early work.

In the gallery that follows you can put Cynthia Toop’s and City Zen Cane’s (aka Ford/Forlano) work into context over a decade.  Click on each image to examine the pieces more closely.
Cynthia Toops, 2 People beads and Rabbit bead, latter 1 1/4″ h

Cynthia Toops, People Beads, process Cynthia Toops, making People Beads, step-by-step

Cynthia Toops in her studio Cynthia Toops in her studio

Cynthia Toops, Early necklace, 1986 Cynthia Toops, Early Necklace, 1986

Cynthia Toops, Early Necklace, circa 1987 Cynthia Toops, Early Necklace, circa 1987

Cynthia Tooops, Anemone Necklace, 1997 Cynthia Toops, Anemone Necklace, 1997

City Zen Cane, 2 early brooches City Zen Cane, 2 Early Brooches

City Zen Cane, early earrings City Zen Cane, 3 pair of Early Earrings

City Zen Cane, early necklace with earrings City Zen Cane, Early Necklace with Earrings

City Zen cane, 4 early necklaces City Zen Cane, 4 Necklaces, 1994

City Zen Cane, Polymer Clay Egg, 1991 City Zen Cane, Polymer Clay Egg, 1991

About

I cannot remember a time in my life that I wasn't interested in looking at art, talking about art and the making of art. In 1990 I earned a Phd in art history at the University of Maryland. My first experiences with polymer clay were in 1992, but I consider my real work with the medium to date from 1999.