The Birth of My Blog

As a mixed media artist, I love the visual textures created in beading, the tactile movement in each piece and the infusion of color. I love juxtaposing hardware or steam punk against gemstones and pearls. Each tiny component necessary to complete the whole. Clays, whether polymer clay, air dry clay, paperclay or or the liquid polymer cloth provide instant gratification. The never-ending combinations of colors and textures that can be created using these mediums fascinate me. I worked on the following three pieces on and off for months before I finally decided they were finished. I usually have several projects going at one time, which is not a plus, quite the contrary. My studio is in our family room which is in the center of our home. We know this decorating choice is not for everyone. It took us some getting used to, but it was the only way we would be able to see each other. I sculpted "Tribes Woman" using PaperClay over Styrofoam. I beaded her head piece using crystals, Czech beads, delicas, vintage beads, gemstones, plastic and glass beads. Her collar is beadwoven in the "Lower Colorado River Stitch". It is also called the Netted Yuma Collar. I finished her face and body with two layers of gesso with acrylic over that. "Caned Mask" is individually made polymer clay canes, sliced and hand applied, then mounted on painted plywood for hanging. "The Garden Mask" is hand sculpted polymer clay over an aluminum foil armature. I "cured" each layer as I built up her face. The ladybugs, flowers and leaves are all hand sculpted and glued on. I then added acrylic paint and embossing powders after adding the painted plywood back. I am so blessed to have my family and friends and the opportunity to do what I love everyday. Thank you to my husband who just rolls his eyes everytime I say, "Do you think it would be possible to .........." I am so lucky to have his support.