Outside Inspiration: Varied Strokes
We’re wrapping up this week with a little more series variation with artist Mary Karg who works in metal, beads and glass although I find her pieces like the ones here very inspiring for polymer related work.
These pieces are copper with colored pencil. Did you know that was a valid way of coloring metal? It takes a couple of steps of preparation and, of course, a sealant to set it, but it’s actually very much like coloring polymer with colored pencils. The technique, although central to the success of these pieces, feels so well-integrated. The strokes are texture that compliments the texture of the metal behind those layers, further meshed into the design with what looks like pitting of the colored pencil surface. Unlike Wednesday’s pieces, the variation here is fairly minimal but each change upholds the expert design and the choices of dangles, colors and contrast fit the slightly varied mood of each.
I found Mary’s website quite interesting, especially her About page. She’s comes across as a real down to earth person, with making art rather than making a name for herself being her primary focus. Here is a little snippet from her website:
“I consider myself a wearable artist rather than a jewelry designer. I seldom make the same thing twice, although I will get hooked on something I can’t quit until the itch is totally scratched (SERIOUS ART people refer to this as a series, I believe).”
Go explore her fun and varied designs on her website here.
Inspirational Challenge of the Day: Work with a fairly simply design but make three related variations to each. If you change the color, consider what that color says or represents then change the form to match and seeing those two together, change up the texture to complement that. Do this 4 or more times to see how far your little explorations take you.
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