Creating whimsy is the most fun of all. I’ve made quite a few fairy gardens and their inhabitants over the years. Fairy doors and fairy houses came in all shapes and sizes, and often spoke to children young and old. Mushroom, flower, pumpkin, gourd, and tooth themes have been some of the most popular ideas....
This is what I love about art: taking something ordinary, randomly destroying it by doing the unexpected, and realizing it’s the perfect possibility for a role in a larger, magical masterpiece, only I could envision… True art appreciation. To some, it’s merely trash. Wet paper that becomes a sticky, gooey mess. To me, there are a...
So, it is no surprise (if you have read any of these posts) that I love making art. I love being able to bring a subject to life, adding my own unique spin to things. After years of making art to sell in various venues, while also teaching some of my techniques, I have learned...
Every now and again I try another “crazy” idea. Some are amazing. Some only “work.” And, some really don’t. Adding clay to light switch covers actually turned out pretty cool. I made several of these covers. Each one was unique and was a custom order. I made one covered in flowers for a little girl....
I guess maybe it’s one of those innate characteristics that my genetics blessed upon me, but I have a weak spot for art of all kinds, especially illustration. Dimensional illustration is something I have always loved, taking the subject off the paper and bringing him to life. Polymer clay is a great medium for this...
Each holiday season I attempt to create a number of special gifts from polymer clay. I spend numerous nights sleepless from about Halloween, until Christmas Eve. This special request was one of those last minute sculpts, finished just in time for Christmas Eve delivery. The initial sketch was child-made. His alter-ego in the superhero and...
My first-born, Max, is a fierce computer nerd, with a love of all things fast. He rarely whispers, rather, he lives life very loud (which feeds into his mama’s “whine,” as you’ll read about soon enough. *giggle*) His vocal decibels are somewhat hypocritical, as he loathes hearing loud sounds. He has a huge kind heart, and is...
As an adult, I’ve dabbled in various projects such as soft sculpture (sewing), knitting/felting fibers, and various forms of clay. I traveled the northeast United States, selling my creations, known to many as “Chickpea.” During these early show years, I embarked on a quest to get healthier. After some health scares in my early 20s, I...
I guess maybe it’s one of those innate characteristics that my genetics blessed upon me, but I have a weak spot for art of all kinds, especially illustration. Doesn’t matter if it’s my own or someone else’s, or a random doodle by a child (especially my child!) I am not prejudice about technique, either. It...
In the winter 2017, an idea was hatching from numerous family trips: a family-run studio space for painting canvas and earth clay. This would be my second art studio, a long-awaited rebirth of all the things I loved about my previous art studio in Ohio. Cr8tive Clay would have classes, parties, and fundraisers. A Saturday...