maureenthomasdesigns.com blog

Recent challenges with my local polymer clay guild (Clayville California), my local arts guild (PlacerArts), and various Flickr photo groups have taken me in art directions I hadn’t been before. Art challenges can get you out of a rut or pull you out of an “art block” and encourage you to try colors or techniques you’ve never used before.

I’ve really been enjoying my weekly mini photo safaris. My photography skills have definitely been improving and an extra bonus is viewing the pictures on the computer. A snapshot will often provide a better appreciation of an interesting color combination or an intriguing texture. Great for art inspiration!

The IPCA introduced a new photo challenge. I am thrilled that they chose my closed sunflower picture as the first “inspiration photo”. Please check it out and see where the clay takes you. I’m looking forward to seeing the entries!

My local polymer clay guild, Clayville California, issued a challenge to create something “stackable” from polymer clay for our May meeting. After several ideas failed to pan out I decided to make some pendants from polymer beads that ended up looking like a cross between stones and sea glass. I love playing with color and this provided the perfect opportunity to mix and match and come up with some unusual combinations. I had so much fun that it resulted in the Stakt Series.

I likely wouldn’t have made these pendants had it not been for the challenge (and the deadline). Lesson learned: if feeling creatively stuck, bored, or stifled try challenging yourself or your guild. The challenge can be very specific or as broad as a shape or color. Hopefully, you’ll strain your brain a bit and explore a technique you’ve been meaning to try or perhaps you’ll come up with something totally new!

Thanks, Clayville!!!

Today was the day for 100 artists to turn in their completed boxes to PlacerArts. Here are a few pix of my box as it progressed over the past few weeks. I have always claimed to work best under pressure, but I think that’s just an excuse for procrastination! I was touching up and removing tape that was holding the flowers together while the epoxy set a few hours before the deadline.

Every project seems to have at least one technical problem to work out and this one was no exception. I wanted the polymer flowers to look casually piled up in the basket, which required them to be attached to one another at barely-touching points with tiny dabs of epoxy…a definite test of patience as they flexed and slid around!

I’m happy with my Flower Basket, but I was blown away by a number of the other entries of which I caught a glimpse today. Can’t wait for the show to open and my fingers are crossed that all the submissions bring high auction bids. The arts are taking a beating these days and PlacerArts needs all the support we can give.

OUTSIDE THE BOX show: April 8-May 22, 2010
OUTSIDE THE BOX live auction: May 22, 2010
PlacerArts – Auburn, CA

Maureen

Well, the box has been staring at me for the past 6 weeks. Drop-off day is fast approaching. I’ve changed my plans about 3 times, but I won’t divulge as perhaps there’s a good idea in there for next year’s challenge. I finally split the thing in half, sanded and smoothed it and I’m assembling some parts and pieces. I hope I’m not giving myself away!

Maureen