Lesley Delia

Location

Huntington, New York
United States

About the Artist

Before devoting full time to creating “clayntings”, paintings in polymer, Lesley Magaril Delia, practiced law for 38 years and was the Director of a statewide public interest legal services program serving individuals struggling with mental health challenges. She has no formal training in art. Since retiring in 2014, she has been learning, creating, and teaching others to use this remarkable modern artists’ medium. The first $1,000 of sales each year are donated to “A is for Africa”, a 501(c)(3) supporting education in a Massai village in Tanzania where she has volunteered time with her husband, teaching computers skills to teachers. Lesley is a member of the International Polymer Clay Association, the Art League of Long Island, the Long Island Craft Guild and the BJ Spoke gallery, an artists’ co-op in Huntington, NY where she lives with her husband.. They are members of The Friendship Force International, a cultural exchange program started in the 1970’s by President Jimmy Carter, designed to forge international peace, “one friendship at a time” and her travels inform her polymer work.

Website

https://downtheroaddesigns.net

2021 Exhibition Images

In the African Fabric Market

In the African Fabric Market

8 x 10"

Premo on glass panel

Cane slices have been places beside one another to create faux fabrics. During the polymer clay shortage, I found myself having to use the mismatched cane ends in my stock when I couldn't buy colors I needed. The many colors and patterns reminded me of the African Fabric markets.

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Two Dimensional Work

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A Black woman in a colorful dress and headwrap examines colorful fabric which completely fills the background

The Ladies

The Ladies

8 x 10"

Premo on glass panel

Cane slices have been places beside one another to create faux fabrics. During the polymer clay shortage, I found myself having to use the mismatched cane ends in my stock when I couldn't buy colors I needed. The many colors and patterns reminded me of the African Fabric markets.

Related Gallery

Two Dimensional Work

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A line of six Black women, two only partially visible, holding hands and balancing pots or bundles on their heads; they wear colorful dresses, necklaces, scarves, and headwraps

In the Moroccan Rug Market

In the Moroccan Rug Market

8 x 10"

Premo on glass panel

Cane slices have been places beside one another to create faux fabrics. During the polymer clay shortage, I found myself having to use the mismatched cane ends in my stock when I couldn't buy colors I needed. I had just enough left to create these rolls of rugs as I was reminded of the Moroccan rug markets.

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Two Dimensional Work

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A Moroccan woman with gold jewelry and a colorful hijab is surrounded by colorful rugs stacked in front of her and hanging behind her

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2020 Exhibition Images

Sing and Whisper

Sing and Whisper

Materials and description : Pardo on underside of 10" glass plate

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Two Dimensional Work
Pele's Gift

Pele's Gift

Premo and mica powder, druzy beads and titanium coated pyrite chip, 5" pendent. I created this piece after returning from Volcano National Park in Hawaii and discovering the hidden beauty of lava.

Related Gallery

Jewelry and Wearable Art
Tranquility

Tranquility

Materials and description: Premo on underside of 10" glass plate

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Two Dimensional Work

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Lenora Kandiner

Location

Princeton Junction, New Jersey
United States

About the Artist: Lenora Kandiner

Lenora Kandiner has been working in polymer since 1991, when she accidentally walked down the polymer clay aisle in an art supply store. She is a past board member of the NPCG and the International Polymer Clay Association. Her work was on the cover of the Polymer Clay 2000 Calendar and is included in 400 Polymer Clay Designs published by Lark Books.

Website

http://www.lenorastudio.com

2021 Exhibition Images

Copper, Green and Gold Ginkgo Neck Piece

Copper, Green and Gold Ginkgo Neck Piece

10 x 11" closed with hidden magnetic closures; 27" end to end

Kato Polyclay, Cosclay, mylar foils, Genesis paint

Another piece in my ongoing work inspired by the survivorship of the ginkgo tree.

Related Gallery

Jewelry and Wearable Art

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Necklace of striped, copper-colored ginko leaves the stems of which go around the neck

Copper, Green and Gold Ginkgo Neck Piece (Reverse)

Copper, Green and Gold Ginkgo Neck Piece (Reverse)

10 x 11" closed with hidden magnetic closures; 27" end to end

Kato Polyclay, Cosclay, mylar foils, Genesis paint

Another piece in my ongoing work inspired by the survivorship of the ginkgo tree.

Related Gallery

Jewelry and Wearable Art

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Necklace of gold-colored ginko leaves the stems of which go around the neck

Copper, Green and Gold Ginkgo Neck Piece (Detail)

Copper, Green and Gold Ginkgo Neck Piece (Detail)

10 x 11" closed with hidden magnetic closures; 27" end to end

Kato Polyclay, Cosclay, mylar foils, Genesis paint

Another piece in my ongoing work inspired by the survivorship of the ginkgo tree.

Related Gallery

Jewelry and Wearable Art

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Detail of a striped, copper-colored ginko leaf

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2020 Exhibition Images

Spring and Fall Ginkgo

Spring and Fall Ginkgo

These ginkgo neckpieces have become Lenora's signature. They are completely reversible and may be worn open or closed. They have hidden magnetic closures to allow them to be worn in various ways. The inspiration is being able to wrap a ginkgo branch around your neck. This particular piece has the coloration of spring ginkgo leaves on one side and fall on the other. Lenora is drawn to ginkgo because it is a survivor.

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Jewelry and Wearable Art
Spring and Fall Ginkgo

Spring and Fall Ginkgo

These ginkgo neckpieces have become Lenora's signature. They are completely reversible and may be worn open or closed. They have hidden magnetic closures to allow them to be worn in various ways. The inspiration is being able to wrap a ginkgo branch around your neck. This particular piece has the coloration of spring ginkgo leaves on one side and fall on the other. Lenora is drawn to ginkgo because it is a survivor.

Related Gallery

Jewelry and Wearable Art
Spring and Fall Ginkgo

Spring and Fall Ginkgo

These ginkgo neckpieces have become Lenora's signature. They are completely reversible and may be worn open or closed. They have hidden magnetic closures to allow them to be worn in various ways. The inspiration is being able to wrap a ginkgo branch around your neck. This particular piece has the coloration of spring ginkgo leaves on one side and fall on the other. Lenora is drawn to ginkgo because it is a survivor.

Related Gallery

Jewelry and Wearable Art

Back to the 2020 Exhibition Map

Layl McDill

Location

Minneapolis , Minnesota
United States

About the Artist: Layl McDill

Layl McDill grew up in Gillette, Wyoming where she began creating everything from dollhouses to marionettes and even an entire “Smurf Village”. Layl received her BFA in Illustration from the Columbus College of Art Design but after graduating she began to experiment with polymer clay using the technique of millefiori to create tiny images that appear with every slice. She has shown her sculptures all over the country at arts festivals, art centers, galleries and museums since 1994. She sells her canes as Silly Millies and loves to see her art becoming part of other’s art. During the pandemic she has started to teach classes on Zoom which has been a great way to connect with students all over the world!

Websites

Exhibition Images

Results of Closet Cleaning During Quarantine

Results of Closet Cleaning During Quarantine

8"x12"x5". Found shoe, polymer clay, wire, glitter, beads. I was literally cleaning out my closet when I came across these shoes I had meant to repair for years. I almost threw them out and then I thought- why not cover it with clay? Then as I added to the piece it got very random and started to show the way I felt- kind of on the edge of sanity- during this challenging time.

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Three Dimensional Work (loose beads, sculpture, dolls)
Some Kind of Mountain Royalty

Some Kind of Mountain Royalty

18"x12"x3". Polymer clay, glitter, wire.

The face is one of my drawings transferred to clay. Her dress becomes her setting and her relm she reins over. She seems serene and joyful nature and wildlife. She has many hidden millefiori details of tiny like a moon, flowers and butterflies.

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Two Dimensional Work (Wall hung art, polymer paintings, etc.)
Birds on a Wire Teapot

Birds on a Wire Teapot

13"x8"x6" Polymer Clay, found teapot, wire

I love to find teapots and transform them into scenes, animals or other worlds. The teapot tells me what it wants to be as I create. This piece has millefiore bricks with tiny faces and animals around most of one side and tall grass of green millefiore designs on the otherside. The lid has telephone poles with tiny birds

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Three Dimensional Work (loose beads, sculpture, dolls)

Laurie Mika

Location

Encinitas, California
United States

About the Artist

Laurie Mika is an artist, author and instructor. Over the last two and a half decades, Laurie‘s mixed media mosaic and assemblage work using polymer clay has evolved into an original and easily recognizable style. Her unique approach combines handmade polymer clay tiles with beads, jewelry pieces, charms, glass tile and found objects.  Laurie has enjoyed teaching and sharing her techniques the past fifteen years at home and abroad.

Laurie’s work has been published in countless magazines and books. She is the author of “Mixed Media Mosaics”, published by North Light Books in 2007. Laurie has appeared on both HGTV's That's Clever and on DIY's Craft Lab. Recently, Laurie was featured on a new PBS series, Make It Artsy. Laurie’s work has been shown in galleries in San Diego, Laguna Beach and Los Angeles including La Luz de Jesus and the Hive Gallery. She is currently represented by Pop Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has also exhibited many times in the prestigious Mosaic Arts International juried exhibition winning Best in Show at Mesa Contemporary Arts in Arizona. Laurie's work hangs in private collections here and abroad.

Websites

http://www.mikaarts.com

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LaurieMika

2021 Exhibition Images

Life Resplendent

Life Resplendent

20 x 24"

Polymer clay, Apoxie Sculpt, napkins, tissue paper, jewelry pieces, beads, charms

Life Resplendent is part of a new body of work using a technique I have termed "clay appliqué". This is a process where I have created image transfers on polymer clay that are cut out and "sewn" onto the collaged background. The background was created using hand-stamped tissued paper and napkins. The deer and all of the appliquéd pieces are image transfers on polymer clay. The antlers were created using Apoxie sculpt that was embedded with beads, jewelry and charms to create a jewel-like look. The idea for this piece came about during the first year of the pandemic with the "pause" in human activity where nature rebounded.

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Two Dimensional Work

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 Stag having a multitude of animal and floral images around its antlers

Time is Precious

Time is Precious

11 x 14"

Polymer Clay, resin pieces, jewels, beads, glass tesserae and found objects

Time is Precious is a wall piece that was inspired by an antique lithograph of a saint. I created an image transfer on polymer from a photo I shot of this piece. The central figure is adorned with a halo that was purchased in Mexico. In his hand is a vintage watch face that speaks to the theme of time passing and just how precious time is. The border tiles that surround this piece are polymer clay that have been stamped, painted and embedded with jewelry and hand-cast resin pieces. The palette of blues, reds and golds was inspired by Colonial and Spanish art.

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Two Dimensional Work

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 Multi-colored mosaic with rectangular tiles painted and embellished with found objects around the figure of a saint also embellished with found objects.

Saint Corona

Saint Corona

4 x 9"

Polymer clay, resin, jewelry pieces, bezel and glass dome

Saint Corona is part of a series created during the last two years of the pandemic. This small gothic shrine was created using polymer clay and resin. The central figure is Saint Corona, believed by many to be the patron saint of pandemics. This figure was created using an image transfer that was then hand painted. A mask was added to her face to remember and reflect on these challenging times in our history. The side panels are polymer clay that was stamped with a quatrefoil design and then embedded with gold spacers and pearls reminiscent of medieval art.

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Two Dimensional Work

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 Image of a praying saint with a face mask bordered by silver-colored textured bands

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2020 Exhibition Images

Tree of Life

Tree of Life

20 x 16 inches. Polymer clay, Apoxie Sculpt, beads, charms, souvenirs, jewelry pieces and found objects. As a continued exploration of a theme, My Tree of Life, incorporates traditional iconography presented in a new way using modern materials. Using both polymer clay and Apoxie Sculpt, I am able to fabricate works that incorporate the many found objects, bits, pieces and souvenirs I gleaned while traveling the world. This is a tree that symbolizes my life’s wanderings through the tiny tokens, amulets and treasures embedded throughout the branches, each with a story to tell of a particular time and place. As such, this narrative mosaic serves as a keeper of my memories of the past few decades.

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Two Dimensional Work
Our Lady of the Pandemic

Our Lady of the Pandemic

20 x 16 inches. polymer clay with image transfers, collage, jewelry pieces, charms and found objects. Lady of the Pandemic is part of a series of artworks called During the Pandemic that I began back in March when Covid was just taking hold as a way to “mark” this historic time. These pieces address the issues of isolation, staying home and mask wearing. Inspired by both Spanish colonial art and Medieval art, Saint Corona figures predominately into this body of work. I used the now-ubiquitous imagery of the virus in both the background behind her halo and also on her cloak. She is holding a crown (corona) in her clasped hands, a symbol of the coronavirus. Below this is a banner that says Memento Mori, an artistic reminder about the inevitability of death and that death comes to us all regardless of our station in life. In my work, Saint Corona is invoked as a symbol of protection.

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Two Dimensional Work
The Tarot Card, Justice

The Tarot Card, Justice

12 x 9 inches. polymer clay, handmade jewels, and found objects. This piece was created in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the subsequent social justice movement that aimed to address the systemic racism that has plagued our nation for centuries. This polymer mosaic presents this contemporary theme about racial inequality but the imagery is juxtaposed with Medieval iconographical elements. Using the tarot card justice, this female figure holds the scales of justice in one hand and a sword in the other, a symbol of balance and fairness in dispensing justice. When viewed upright, tarot cards have one meaning, in this case that justice will be served. When viewed in reverse, they have the opposing meaning which in this case would mean unfairness, bigotry and bias. As a symbol of hope and “justice for all”, my image is facing upright.

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Two Dimensional Work

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Laura Tabakman

Location

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
United States

About the Artist: Laura Tabakman

I was born in Argentina, where my family and I lived until we moved to the US. I currently live and work in Pittsburgh. After exploring several media including photography, I discovered fiber arts and later polymer clay. I began working with polymer clay in 1995, making jewelry. The attraction to polymer clay comes from the versatility of the material. My current work integrates all my interests into jewelry, digital printing, mixed-media sculptures and installations. An award-winning studio artist, my work has been shown in exhibitions nationally and internationally and has been featured in books and magazines. I have been teaching in the US and abroad since 2005.

Websites

http://lauratabakman.com

Exhibition Images

Marked field brooch

Marked field brooch

Polymer clay, steel wire, embroidery floss. 2.5" x 2.5"

Related Gallery

Jewelry and Wearable Art

Flower Field

Flower Field

Polymer clay, steel wire and thread. Individual flowers around 4,5"x 1.5" x 0.5"

Related Gallery

Three Dimensional Work

Mobile

Mobile

Polymer clay, steel wire and thread. Individual flowers around 4,5"x 1.5" x 0.5"

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Three Dimensional Work

Laura LePere

Location

Tucson, Arizona
United States

About the Artist

Studying archaeology and geology gave Laura a love of the outdoors. After college, she spent nearly 10 years living overseas and traveling, being immersed in other cultures. Always fond of animals, she more recently became a birder—now having seen over 800 species. With these varied experiences, it's no surprise that Laura has worked with many creative media. Professionally, she spent 8 years hand-drawing maps and 16 years as a website designer. Creativity for fun included textile arts, jewelry design, and mosaics. In 2008, she discovered polymer clay thanks to Christi Friesen and Laurie Mika and was hooked.

Later, she studied traditional 2-D art media—receiving a Certification in Nature Art in 2019 from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute. She now teaches polymer clay classes there (currently on hiatus due to the shortage of clay). Her recent work is often low-relief, polymer clay and mixed media wall pieces. Laura belongs to the Tucson Polymer Clay Guild, the International Polymer Clay Association, and the Southern Arizona Arts Guild. Her work has been exhibited in juried, invitational, and solo shows at diverse venues across Arizona and as far afield as Germany. 

Websites

https://www.3larts.com

2021 Exhibition Images

Just Floating

Just Floating

7.5 x 9.5 x 0.75"

Polymer clay, acrylic paint

My entry into the "Sunset Suites" collaborative project organized by Philip Weigard shown at HKW in Berlin, Germany. I was excited to be a part of the project that challenged artists to use Philip's "Polymer Clay Sunset" tutorial as a starting point for their own creation. In addition, my piece was inspired by the work of nature artist Andrew Denman who sands down multi-colored layers of textured acrylic paint creating a mokume gane effect. The only paint I used was for shadows and highlights on the duck. The piece is thicker at the bottom than at the top to add to the sense of perspective. The bird is a Ruddy Duck and, yes, he does have a brilliant turquoise bill in the breeding season to attract the ladies.

Related Gallery

Two Dimensional Work

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 Duck with a turquoise bill, reflected on water with ripples

Avocet Reflects

Avocet Reflects

5 x 7 x 0.5"

Polymer clay

Before starting on "Just Floating" I did this small piece of mokume gane water as a test of colors and impressing tools. Although I liked it, I felt the water didn't have enough contrast, so I made changes for the larger piece. I later finished this one, creating contrast with the bird focal point, for a local show entitled "Reflections." American Avocets are one of my favorite birds. Despite their crazy long legs and funny, upturned beaks, they look so elegant and delicate.

Related Gallery

Two Dimensional Work

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 Black, white, and rust-colored bird with long legs and long beak, reflected in water with ripples

Western Tanager Portrait

Western Tanager Portrait

7 x 5 x 0.25"

Polymer clay with pastel powder & acrylic paint on a watercolor & colored pencil background

I enjoy combining polymer clay with traditional 2-D media. My goal is to create a seamless composition. This piece is the prototype for a class I teach at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute. These beautiful birds visit the Tucson area during the warmer months. They aren't common though, so it's always a treat to see one.

Related Gallery

Two Dimensional Work

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 Yellow, red, and black bird sitting on a branch

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2020 Exhibition Images

Monster Emerging

Monster Emerging

Polymer clay, wire mesh, acrylic paint, glitter, and oil pastels over acrylic ink painting on clayboard; 14 x 11"

This Gila Monster lizard used to visit our house. He was a little over a foot long and the piece is close to life-size. Gila Monsters have bumps all over their bodies. Each bump was individually cut out with a micro cutter, applied, and shaped by hand using custom tools I created from silicone molding material. There are over 2,000 bumps on the clay part of the lizard. The back half of the lizard and of the background are a 2-D acrylic ink painting with details scratched into the ink using an X-acto knife. I wanted to create the effect the lizard was coming out of the painting.

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Two Dimensional Work
Giant Hawkfish: Sea of Cortez

Giant Hawkfish: Sea of Cortez

Polymer clay, wire mesh, mica powder, Micron pen, gel pens, acrylic paint, oil paint, embossing powder, seed beads, microbeads, seashells, fossil coral, epoxy, wire, and MDF board; 8" x 10"

Hawkfish are so named because they perch on their fins on top of rocks waiting for prey. This fish is called Mero Chino (Chinese grouper) in Spanish because its markings look a bit like Chinese characters.

Related Gallery

Two Dimensional Work
Horny Toad

Horny Toad

Polymer clay, mica powder, pastel powders, acrylic paint, glass beads, glitter; 5.5" x 4" x 1";

The sculpture is approximately life-size, but the colors are a bit intensified. Most Regal Horned Lizards, their proper name, have more subtle coloring to blend into the sandy ground where they live. They do have the lighter spot on their heads, the lighter stripe down their backs, and the lighter spines on their sides. Their horns are not shiny though; that's my artistic license. These animals live in some of the driest areas of Arizona and eat mostly ants. I think they are adorable.

Related Gallery

Three Dimensional Work

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Suzie Sullivan

Location

Westport, MO

Ireland

About the Artist

Suzie Sullivan's lifelong passion for craft work began as a child in Cheshire in the UK, with stitching, knitting and crocheting. Throughout her life she has always had hobby projects on the go but could only have dreamt where it would lead. She has always had a fascination for Ireland and all things Irish and moved to Mayo in 2001 with her husband Steve. She loves what Ireland has to offer - music, culture and the wide open spaces - and all of this is reflected in her work. She is now known throughout Ireland and beyond for her work in fibre art, especially felt and silk paper making. She has achieved several RDS national craft awards and has had her work exhibited in solo, collaboration and group exhibitions. She has also shared her knowledge by giving innovative workshops in a wide range of craft skills from her studio. Suzie is a self-taught artist and embraces the challenge of working with new materials and disciplines such as flame worked glass, polymer clay, wire, bead and copper work.

Website

https://www.derryauncrafts.com

2021 Exhibition Images

Pookas

Pookas

13 x 8"

Premo clay, glass, silver leaf

This sculpture was inspired by ancient Irish folklore. A Pooka is a shapeshifter and can take any form it chooses. Usually, it is seen in the form of a horse, dog, hare, goat or a bird, they have the power of human speech and often make great sport by embellishing the truth. Pookas are the most feared Faerie in Ireland, possibly because they only appear at night-time and enjoy creating havoc and mischief.

Standing at 13 x 8 inches this sculpture was made with Premo clay, built around a wire armature, using various canes, glass eyes and silver leaf.

Related Gallery

Three Dimensional Work

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 Sculpture of a rabbit wearing clothing and holding a bird and a flower and sitting on a mushroom with leaves and birds around its base

Ayana

Ayana

4.5" high

Premo clay, glass jar, pearls

Inspired and fascinated by nature's symmetry and structure, I built this exotic flower around a small glass jar. Using Premo clay l applied simple manipulated bull's eye canes and handmade shapes. The process was like designing a 3D jigsaw puzzle, where all the shapes had to fit together in a precise symmetrical way. The piece stands at 4.5 inches high with a removable pine-cone stopper, making a perfect place to store small treasures.

Related Gallery

Containers

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Vessel covered with raise blue-green leaf shapes edged in gold and salmon-colored seed shapes

Clew Bay Nightfall

Clew Bay Nightfall

13 x 8"

Premo clay, mica powders

This is my interpretation of the evening sky over our local coastline, the mountain featured is called Croagh Patrick and is an important site of pilgrimage where St Patrick is believed to have fasted for 40 days in 441.

I used Premo clay, mica powders and subtle cane work on the crow. The sky and sea are made from 'stretched' mokume-gane, a technique learned from Philip Wiegard.

Related Gallery

Two Dimensional Work

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 Sillouetted crow on a grass-covered mound set against a lake, shoreline, mountains, and sunset

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2020 Exhibition Images

Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty

This s a decorative/functional sculptural work that is an expression of my love for all things whimsical and my fascination with children's toys and illustrated books circa 1900. The work is intended not only to raise a smile, but to reawaken in the observer childhood memories of the private world of books, nursery rhymes and poems. The little bowls are intended to hold small items of jewellery.

Size 6 x 7 x 6 inches Materials – polymer clay and wire

Related Gallery

Three Dimensional Work
April Fool

April Fool

This is a decorative/functional sculptural work that is an expression of my love for all things whimsical and my fascination with children's toys and illustrated books circa 1900. The work is intended not only to raise a smile, but to reawaken in the observer childhood memories of the private world of books, nursery rhymes and poems. The little bowls are intended to hold small items of jewellery.

Size 8 x 7 x 6 inches Materials – polymer clay and wire

Related Gallery

Three Dimensional Work
Twilight

Twilight

This s a decorative/functional sculptural work that is an expression of my love for all things whimsical and my fascination with children's toys and illustrated books circa 1900. The work is intended not only to raise a smile, but to reawaken in the observer childhood memories of the private world of books, nursery rhymes and poems. The little bowls are intended to hold small items of jewellery. Size 8 x 7 x 7 inches Materials – polymer clay and wire

Related Gallery

Three Dimensional Work

Back to the 2020 Exhibition Map

IPCA2016 Horiz

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