Tag: texture

Heart of the Forest: the April COM reveal for AJE

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 When Rebekah of Tree Wing Studio posted these hearts – I was smitten. But silvery grey? Or copper? How to choose/ I am usually not so into hearts, but the wood texture on these appealed to my “woodland” inspired self. 

Tree Wing Studio hearts

Copper it is! So its a dryad inspired piece. That was a given. This popped into my head, almost complete: 

first stages

That is a stoneware cab of mine, with a polymer leafy surround. I wanted to create a tangle of vines to hang the heart. Should it be wire wrapped or seedbeads? Branch fringe? Seed beads won. 

Heart of the foret

It was all a bit freeform – in other words, I winged it. A drop here, a flower there… It IS a bit off center, but as her face is tilted it didnt bother me too much. 

And the back- I drilled small holes along the bottom edge so I could stitch and loop. As of right now she is a focal only, but I have a show this weekend and HOPE to have her finished to take along… 

Forest back view

Thank you for stopping by, please let me know what you think! And  take a tour of the other blogs – we have several guests and AJE team members participating this month! 

 Guests

 

 

Polymer Clay Collective Conversation: my interview

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Polymer Clay Collective, a Facebook group, is devoted to Polymer. Canes, sculpture, whimsy, jewelry, skinner blends, etc. Its a fun group of people willing to share and discuss a medium that we all have in common. In an effort to get to know each other there is an interview series – and here I am! 

 

Tell us a little bit about where you live:  I live in Newark DE – a decent sized college town in Northern DE. I love that I am within 2 hours drive of the beach, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia! I grew up in this region and am a big fan of four distinct seasons. 

 

What do I do when I am not “polymer claying”?  – well – I am a full time working artist… I used to teach art full time and now I have gone freelance, teaching ceramics classes on weekends and summers. I also teach workshops in the region. I divide my studio time between the ceramics studio and the mixed media studio. My “Mythic Nature” series is comprised of ceramic sculptural tiles and pendants. I also create ceramic shrines and altars, incorporating found objects, hand bound books and the like. My mixed media work ranges from jewelry to collage. A diverse array, I know, but I love the having the freedom and the skills to incorporated so many different mediums! 

 

What did you want to be when you were little/do you think you will ever be? I wanted to be a florist. I wanted to be my own boss, have my own storefront, and work with flowers. Will I ever? NO. I have brown thumbs. But I do get to run my own business, work with lovely materials in all colors and textures… Oh – then I wanted to be an archaeologist… 

 

Tell us something about yourself that we dont know. Hmm. I spent a semester of college living and studying in London. Its the single most transformative, influential experience on my adult/artistic life. I went to Art History class in the Tate Gallery once a week. I traveled to ancient sites and museums every spare moment. London still feels a bit like home… 

 

Tell us your polymer clay story: What made you first try polymer clay and how long has PC been part of your life?  I first tried polymer in… 1989? Kathleen Amt, Kathleen Dustin, Tory Hughes… the pioneers where my  inspiration. I taught polymer at a fine arts Summer camp. Then I put it aside in favor of earthenware/stoneware clay for years! In more recent scope, I was inspired to try it again when I had a chance to take a class or two with Christi Friesen. I started to apply my earthen clay sensibilities to PC and love the immediacy and the option for inclusions… 

 

 

What’s your favorite PC technique? My current favorite is image transfer onto PC, but my work ( PC or stoneware) always has texture… 

 

What are your art/design inspirations? So many! Thematically my work is inspired by mythology, folklore, goddesses, and nature. Keith LoBue is a friend and a mentor who has influenced my found object sensibilities. Lana Wilson is a ceramic artist whose textural language, use of symbols and hand carved stamps, and slab construction methods has been profoundly influencial to me. I have had the good fortune to work with both artists in a classroom setting. If we open an Art History book – its the Pre-Raphaelites that come first in my heart for their narrative works, incorporating myth, folklore, and fairy tale. But I could  mention Brian Froud, Andy Goldsworthy, Sulamith Wulfing, Joseph Cornell, William Morris… 

 

Show us something you’ve made with polymer clay. OK! 

 

 JDR PC transfers

As I mentioned – I love PC transfers! For bead embroidery, as shown here… or mixed media pieces – I love having another layer of meaning in my work. 

 

 JDR PC/resin

Resin! Layers of meaning… you see the theme? The “Language of Flowers” pieces incorporate vintage illustrations from a children’s encyclopedia. ( from my choldhood!) The text pieces  were features in January as the “Component of the Month” over at Art Jewelry Elements blog. Both will be available at Beadfest this August! 

 

JDR PC/mixed media

Tarot card inspired shrine pendants and my Athena piece from Diana Ptaszynski’s Waxed Linen blog hop – this was a hollow focal and has started many new ideas brewing! 

 

JDR PC Beadfest

Last, but not least! Mixed media amulet pendants – the class I will be teaching at Beadfest Philadelphia ( August 20-24th) Tab set cabochons, textured PC and all matter of paint finishes! 

 

 

 

 Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my PC work – Leave me a comment if you feel so inclined! 

Until later… 

 

I can be found: 

FB – The Art of Jenny Davies-Reazor

Twitter – JDRshrineart

Etsy – Jdaviesreazor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many meandering paths… coming together!

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MM amulets

BEADFEST 2014! 

I am thrilled to be taking the next step in my teaching career and offering a mixed media workshop at Beadfest Philadelphia this August! ( Information can be found here.) These mixed media amulets bring together metals, ceramics and polymer in a unique and colorful way. Students will design, saw, texture, and create their own personal amulet. Acrylic paint is used to accentuate the impressed designs. Whether colorful or rustic, bold or subtle – they will be gorgeous. 

The work I am am doing now is truly the culmination of many years of experience in the arts. From studying painting and metal smithing in Art school, to early experiments with sculpting polymer in the early 1990’s. I have painted and sculpted my entire life, and as my full time job for over 24 years. I was fortunate to work with Lana Wilson at Penland a few year back, and she really opened my eyes to texture. ( My Penland posts are here and here.) I am thrilled to share the things I love with a new crop of students in the Beadfest environment. 

Thanks to all who have supported me along the way, I look forward to this new exciting chapter! 

A few more pictures, you say? I value the diversity of polymer: 

Dragon transfer

Testing out polymer transfers. (Original post on Art Jewelry Elements blog)

Celtic Amulet

My Celtic amulet – contains sand and amber from the Baltic Sea.  

And just for fun: Dont laugh too hard! The early Art History inspired polymer – from my days as “Jewelry Jenny” at Appel Farm Arts and Music camp. Teaching polymer over 20 years ago… ( Munch’s “The Scream, A Klimt woman, and Medusa…)

AH polymer

Thanks for stopping by! 

 

 

 

 

Clay camp and a kiln unloaded…

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Argh

Welcome to clay camp. 

Well – its my primary focus for the next 5 weeks. I have up to 24 students in 2 age groups. Ages range from 6-17. They are with me for 2 weeks – one of creating, sculpting, wheel throwing, hand building; and another of finishing, glazing, decorating. 

And in my off time – I am making things like mad in preparation for Beadfest in Philadelphia in August… 

Last Friday I did a post over at Art Jewelry Elements blog about the loading of the ^10 high fire reduction kiln. We unloaded today! It was a great firing. Not a ton of reduction – so out copper bearing glazes flashed more green then red. Simply beautiful in my opinion!

The big reveal

The first thing I saw this morning!

kiln pix collage

Taking it apart – shelf by shelf. 

porcelain components!

I am so happy with my organic porcelain charms! There are coral prints & sea urchin, in 4 colors. And I didn’t “Lose” any stuck to the shelf or chipped, etc. Many of them have 2 holes. I want to make earrings with dangle, and bracelet links… 

Coffee is done. Headed to the studio. I’d love to hear what you think!

 

The fire is SO delightful…

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The weather outside IS frightful – in the 30’s with wind chills in the teens at certain parts of the day. Blustery, breath-stealing wind gusts. And today – the fire was so delightful: 

kiln burner

Kiln

 

And to finish the song reference – Let is snow, Let it snow, Let it snow…

Now this kiln load is eagerly anticipated. (SPOILER ALERT if you are my sibling, or in-law!) I have many gifts inside, firing away to the neighborhood of 2400 degrees. I wont go into more detail, as I know some of my siblings read my blog. ( As well they should, ahem.) Since FaerieCOn, all thoughts have been geared toward the holidays. J and I are heading west, to Austin for the family festivities. We are driving – who doesnt love a road trip? And I can pack anything I want! since I dont have shipping concerns or airline restrictions. That helped inspire my gift-giving and gift-making this year! Now you get a sense why I havent posted too much lately? 

One thing I do want to share with you out there…

The Ceramics studio where I work and teach has an annual pottery sale. It is a diverse offering, featuring the work of novices, hobbists, experienced craftsepople and talented artists. ( I know that categorization treads on dangerous ground. Art vs. craft? What makes someone an artist?  Yadda Yadda Yadda. Thats another blog post, or a whole series.) There will be functional pottery, sculptural pottery, fused glass, jewelry, perhaps some fiber art. Diverse offerings, indeed. If you are in the area – please stop by: Monday to Wednesday, Dec 13-15 10am to 8pm, and Thursday, Dec 16, 10 am to 5 pm. It’s at the Art Studio, Ab Jones Bldg, 310 Kiamensi Rd, Wilmington DE 19804.

earrings in progress

packaging

These earrings are brand new, never before seen wee ceramic charms, with gemstones. The necklaces are simple, everyday pieces. Pendants and stones, as well. These will end up on Etsy sooner or later, if not this batch , then the next. They are fun to do…

This Sunday I also put together a box-o-treasures – ceramic pendants, that is…for the Shepherdess. I was thrilled to be invited to be a part of “Twas the Art before Christmas” open house/trunk show event this Friday. So if San Diego is where you call home – check it out. I am in amazing company there…


Art Bliss continued…

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So where was I? I had met and greeted, I enameled… Ooh the leaf charm swap… must take pictures of my treasures… The Trunk show was fun, sold a few ceramic components. My thanks to all my fellow Art Bliss-ers who stoped by! But it was a late night, and I wanted to be ready to roll on Sunday morning… (pun intended)

Forest Floor locket: in theory we were rolling textures onto copper via the rolling mill, shaping them into puffed rounded forms with a hydraulic press and using cold connections to create a locket. 

Forest Floor 2

Forest Floor  

As usual Melissa was a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration. I fell in love with the rounded sculptural form of the metal after it was formed in the press. And since I don’t have nor do I foresee getting a press – I made extra pieces. Each piece I formed, sparked a new idea. Windows cut away to hint at treasures inside, reversed forms filled with resin… So I have a few in progress:  

Forest floor in progress 

These two will have copper backs, and open in some fashion like lockets. I am thinking collage + resin inside…

Puffed forms 

These pieces are awaiting inspiration. It is just nice to look at them and ponder the possibilities, at times. Let me show you the details; I am in love with patinad (sp?) copper now!

 Detail1              Detail2

The leaf detail if truly incredible! 

So overall – Art Bliss was ….blissful. I know, you saw that one coming. But it was! Great location: the hotel had nothing nearby, so we were uninterrupted in our creative bubble all weekend. Food was brought in; coffee was brewed 24/7. It was just the focus on creating, networking, sharing…very much fun all around. I cant wait til next year!

 My only complaint: The crash. I rode my personal wave of euphoria and inspiration and excitement home and into Monday. Tuesday was all about reality and chores, and time NOT spent in the studio. Geez – if thats the only negative…. I have pretties to look at, and take me back when I do get into the studio… And my new tiny steel letter stamps have arrived. Later! 

Packed… and ready to go

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Well, packing and getting ready to go…

This Friday my new pendants and connectors and buttons ( Oh my!) make their debut at the Shepherdess in San Diego. I am excited, and a bit nervous – hoping they are well received. And hoping they sell. There is that.

Hi Fire pendants

Those are some of the high fire pendants pieces ( ^10r for you clay people). I also did similar pieces low fire – colorful designs on a white clay body.

And dont forget the originals – the pieces inspired by my tiles, only on a miniature scale:

pendants in tray

And I am taking classes with Keith LoBue – stuffsmith, jeweler… I plan to blog during my trip, and I will definitely post images on my “Art of Jennifer Davies-Reazor” Facebook page. Become a fan! Stay tuned!

(PS – decided not to take the mini laptop. So I hope to blog, but will definitely be posting pictures on my FB “Art of…” page. So tune in!)