I just returned from a most wonderful weekend spent with the Pittsburgh Polymer Clay Guild. Thanks to the adventurous artists who joined me for our weekend of creating Messengers and Storytellers. You all were so joyful, inspiring, talented, enthusiastic, caring and fun!
We made so many figures that the table was a full village. I estimate there were at least 50-70 Messengers and Storytellers- fantastic figures who seemed to pair off into couples and small groupings before our eyes- haha.
Check out the website for the guild at www.polymerclayintheburgh.org (sorry cannot get links inserted today) and there is a Flickr page link there also with some pics from the workshop.
Thanks again ladies!
I’ve had a good time here in Arizona, drinking in the physical beauty and savoring studio time exploring new directions. I’ve added new pics on my Flickr page (click on sidebar) in both sets- New Work and France. And a new page of recent work here on this site- click on Portfolio. (thanks to my web fairy for all her help ).
I’m off in a couple days to go home and after settling in, I’ll share some work from the last couple weeks. Fabric and polymer clay are passions right now.
I’m offering an “early bird discount special” for France summer 2011 -a year from this summer. If you’d like the details, please email me.
I’m here in Sedona on a retreat – this is golden time for me- studio time to just experiment and time to let my brain relax.
Focusing in on what I want to pursue has been a bit slow but I feel my hands moving towards the clay. Today may be the day I actually start claying.
Yesterday I did sew two small purses, experimenting with design and wrapping my head around how linings go in (thanks Jan). I want to add polymer clay to them in some way.
While I contemplate my path towards that (first make sketches? or choose colors? or make millefiore designs?) I’ll leave you with this pic of the buffaloes I came across on the way to the magnificent Bryce Canyon.
I’ve had a most wonderful and inspiring time at the CFCF conference and Synergy II. I appreciate all the adventurous participants who took my classes and seminars- you all were so inspiring and great fun to be with.
And thanks to the Synergy Team for their hard work and to Kathryn Ottman for the same for her CFCF gathering!
The exhibit at Synergy on Connections/Collaborations was very inspiring. I mad three vessels out of polymer clay and fabric that each contained a polymer “bloom” that was also a brooch.
Another highlight for me was be able to attend the ACC Baltimore show and see the best of the best of crafts up close and personal. I had an epiphany of sorts about a direction I hope to go. More on that as I go forward!
Bonne Annee and Bonjour! I’ll be teaching my workshops in France for my seventh summer. It’s pure delight with instructed studio time, inspiring field trips, visits to local artists studios, great food from our personal chef and lots of Open Studio time too. I strive to make it the perfect mix of art-making, seeing the sights of this special part of France , great food (and wine) and new friendships.
We’ll go to flea markets, the regional Saturday market (which was recently voted one of the 100 most Beautiful in France), Albi- home of the Toulouse Lautrec Museum and a jaw dropping cathedral and other fun places for treasure gathering and inspiration.
I’ve had a couple cancellations and am offering a special New Years discount. Please email me at dayledoroshwo@hotmail.com if you woudl like to join in this summer!
Many creative opportunities abound in Maryland in February. First is the CFCF gathering in Laurel- there is still room in one of my workshops so please visit www.polymerclayfests.wordpress.com for full details.
Right after is the international gathering at Baltimore for Synergy. Info at www.npcg.org. I’d love for us to meet and explore creative ideas together.
I hope 2010 brings all of us wonderful creative opportunities : in studio time, focused creative energy, travel and other inspiration, and a collaboration/ connection of hands, mind and heart as we work.
I hope I’ll be seeing some of you throughtout the year. My 2010 calendar is now posted here on the calendar page.
First up for me is studio time in January, then back east in in February in Baltimore for a week of teaching at CFCF and Synergy.
Here’s a picture of my piece for the Synergy exhibit- Exploring Connections.
I explored the connection and sculptural possibilities of fabric and polymer clay. I also wanted to make a piece that was both decorative (the fabric vessels are 8-15″ high) and wearable. Each flower lifts out and is a brooch. The flowers are polymer clay, fabric and metal parts- wire, metal beads and antique metal parts from the French Flea markets.
PS Come join me in France for 2010 or 2011 and we’ll explore the markets together!
It’s that day after, when as good as the food was, I regret that I had no portion control. This month will probably see a lot of that.
My workshops are over for the year (but hope to see you in 2010- see my recently posted 2010 Calendar) and I have a number of things on my ToDo List for December.
Many family visits, time to regroup and think and a number of creative projects.
Right now I’m working on my Synergy seminar- From Seed to Blossom: Nurturing the Creative Idea. It will be a fun and informative seminar to help you brainstorm, develop and bring into “blossom” those initial flashes of inspiration. I hope you”ll join me in Baltimore in February.
January brings hopefully more personal studio time to work on the new work I am excited about. Hope you have a lovely week- I’ll check in again next week with more news.
I’ve just posted my 2010 teaching schedule and also expect to add a few more classes in the fall of 2010. I hope you’ll join me for a workshop!
On the creative homefront, I’m hard at work on my Synergy Exhibition piece exploring Connections in a number of ways. As soon as I get pics I’ll post some and the full exhibit will also be online starting in January on the Synergy website. You can see the real thing and view all the pieces at the Synergy II conference in February in Baltimore. Please consider joining us at Cabin Fever Clay Festival Feb 21-25 and Synergy Feb 25-27. All the info is in the previous post.
This picture is from my new series: Flowers of Versailles. I’ll be showing the whole series at next years shows and teaching events.
It is a component of my exhibition piece!
Now’s the time to think about coming to Baltimore in Feb 2010. The wealth of classes and seminars to take is astounding and the ACC Fine Craft show will also be going on while we are there.
Please join me at CFCF for my class in polymer clay books (see previous post for full info)- Fold Books:10 Variations on a Theme
Then come to SynergyII right after- it’s just 30 minutes away.
Join me there as we explore- From Seed to Blossom- Nurturing the Creative Spark. You can register for that here.
