The Party is in Full Swing. Come join us!
May 31, 2023
Polymer community news, The Polymer Arts magazine news
What party is this? The latest project from little ol’ me, Sage. The Sage Arts podcast is more than up and running… I have 25 episodes up as of this posting, ready on your favorite podcast player (New to Podcasts? Click here to find out how easy it is to enjoy them!) and a new one coming out every week.
What’s This Podcast All About?
This podcast is all about feeding and exciting your muse. By enlightening or reminding you about important and maybe unconsidered aspects of creating and living as an artist, I hope to help you find more joy and satisfaction in what you do, sharing ways to create with authenticity and fearlessness, while supporting your uniquely defined version of success.
Now what the heck does that all mean? Well, let’s look at what this is and what this is not…
It IS…
… a way to consistently feed your muse
… all about you. Myself, my guests, and my guest co-hosts speak to the issues, curiousity, and hurdles that you as a creative deal with on a regular basis.
… focused on creating a more fulfilling, joyful, and meaningful artistic journey.
… a conversation that goes both ways with lots of opportunities for you to be heard.
It is NOT…
… all about polymer clay or any one medium, as it’s important stuff for all artistic folks.
… focused on “how-to” or the latest tools and materials.
… just interviewing successful artists and talking at you. Rather it is like a coffee house chat or other friendly gather and I include you, the listener, in every way I can.
I created this podcast to supercharge your creativity, motivation, and artistic style through novelty, story, conversation, and community. Everyone has how-tos and ways to increase your sales – valiant and necessary stuff, of course! But what does your muse need? What does your work and your love of your art need to thrive? That’s where I want to help.
I aim to give artists ways to further hone their unique voice, increase their joy and productivity, and create a version of artistic success that is meaningful, satisfying, and anything but ordinary.
Come Join the Conversation
If you have something to share, would like to be a guest (for a chatty interview), or be a guest co-host (you and I banter on a particular subject) drop me an email me via my contact page on the show website: https://thesagearts.com/contact/ or send a voice mail (use the red button on that same site, bottom right corner of any page.)
And join me on social media!
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesageartspodcast/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSageArtsPodcast
And don’t forget to click “FOLLOW” or that little arrow on your favorite Podcast player so you get notices of new episodes. New Episodes come out weekly on Friday evenings, barring natural disasters or other bits of interference, of course. I hope you’ll join me there, on The Sage Arts podcast!
There are new artists and creatives joining every day with tons of great things to say…
“Just what I needed!”
“I just binged-listened … and I can’t wait for more!”
“There is so much validity in your presentation…”
“Looking forward to all the thinking and creating that they prompt.”
Taste test on my RSS website: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesagearts/
Or on the podcast home website: https://thesagearts.com/
Or start with this episode:
A Moment with Art Dolls
March 19, 2013
Inspirational Art
What are art dolls? And why aren’t all handmade dolls considered art?
Art dolls are expressions of the artist’s philosophy, aesthetic ideas, stories, or interpretation of their world. They are intended, as all art is, to be contemplated and to impact the viewer in some manner. There is no particular set of rules for what an art doll must be, other than they should be reflective of the human form or personified creatures of some kind.
Jessica Hamilton creates fascinating art dolls – although of the human form, her dolls are often missing limbs or are reduced to simply a head and a base adorned with polymer and mixed media. Even without limbs, the dolls seem quite complete due to the richness of the images and textures, not to mention the expressions on the beautiful faces.
I’m still a bit tired from the full week and all of the traveling, so I shall leave you with a bit of encouragement to look through Jessica’s beautiful work here on Flickr, where I first discovered her.
Success by Working Together
March 18, 2013
Inspirational Art, Polymer community news
My apologies for this being late today. Travel plans were a little more hectic than expected, but I am safely back in Colorado after a most energizing week. Now that the majority of the fun is over, the hard work is about to start. I’ll be going through all my notes and recordings soon, putting together a picture of what Synergy was about. There were numerous important discussions, but they were only discussion – taking action is the important step and we’ll be doing our part here at The Polymer Arts to ensure, in whatever way we can, that discussions continue and the material we love is raised to higher ground.
We did have two extremely successful fundraising efforts at the show. The primary one was for the IPCA, and a good number of well-known artists donated to the auctions. This beautiful piece was donated by Julie Picarello who was not able to attend but sent this to be auctioned to help raise funds for the IPCA’s efforts.
The IPCA auctions broke records, which is fantastic considering all of the whispering about big plans for the IPCA. On top of this generosity, individuals and the IPCA itself, as well as Ron LeHockey (each putting in $1,000; and Ron was matching funds … not the first time he’s done that!) pitched in to help raise the rest of the money needed for the Samunnat project. Not only did the group manage to meet the project’s goal, but it was actually surpassed by nearly $2,00o. Now, the women in Nepal who benefit from this can get the building they need, as well as furniture and other things that will make their lives and efforts easier and more impactful.
We’ll get out a bit more news this week along with some pretties but right now, I need to catch up on some sleep. Until then …
The Criticism We Need
March 17, 2013
Polymer community news, Polymer issues, Ponderings
A large part of the conversation this week at Synergy had to do with our avoidance of constructive criticism. The consensus was unanimous – criticism is necessary to our growth and improvement as artists and community, but the hurdles we have to overcome to change a culture of “Like” into a supportive culture of thoughtful examination are huge. According to surveys conducted for this convention, the vast majority of polymer artists create because it is a source of enjoyment, not because they are trying to make a living off of it or get into galleries or museums. With such a base and the pervasive nature of our internet dependent community, it will be difficult for us to get even a fraction of our folks into a habit of giving and graciously accepting criticism of our artwork.
However, avoiding criticism does reduce the effectiveness of our efforts to grow the polymer image from hobbyist craft medium, to a serious fine art form. More so, we still need our hobbyists, and the criticism is not going to be – and should not be – an integral part of their process. Sometimes we should just enjoy the process of creating. But for the serious artists in our community, criticism needs to be seen as essential and, someday, common. Because the inverse of the quote above is true … what we do will mean next to nothing if we avoid criticism and the opportunity to improve our visual communication with the world we present our work to.
Okay … I got all kinds of serious. Perhaps its because last night was so not serious. Our closing banquet was fraught with silliness, innuendo, and wonderfully warm camaraderie. Our sides and faces hurt from laughing but the conviviality assisted the auction raising efforts. I don’t have the numbers, but I hear we raised a record amount to help the IPCA continue its efforts and changes we are hearing about.
Now off to the American Craft Council show to see what else is going on in the craft world.
The Broken Telephone Project
March 16, 2013
Inspirational Art, Polymer community news
Another amazing day at Synergy yesterday. My brain is so full, details are falling out and left scattered behind me, as I amble from one session to another, from one spontaneous and passionate conversation to the next. I’ve been trying to stop to make notes throughout the day, but even going from my head to the computer, some information is incomplete or probably a tad skewed from how it was presented.
We each filter information differently due to our own personal preferences, emotional reactions and connection to the world, so the ideas and facts we relay are not always precisely what we were told. A fantastic example of how information is filtered and changed was illustrated yesterday through the “Broken Telephone Project”, an experiment in inspiration and reinterpretation that Dan Cormier put together for Synergy. If you ever played the ‘telephone game’ as a kid, you might remember how a simple phrase whispered into the ear of the first person in line would become something completely different (and often quite hilarious) after being passed down the line, changed and reinterpreted by each person as it went.
In Dan’s version, the ‘message’ was sent via art work through a line of eight artists. Each artist was asked to reinterpret a brooch made by the artist that came before them in line, into a brooch of their own. Dan started it off by creating a piece inspired by imagery in the Mexican town he is presently living in, and then he sent it to the first artist on his list. This is Dan’s piece that started things off …
The ‘message’ was sent down the line, each artist making a new brooch based on a prior artist’s brooch. The end result was a series of eight completely different, but also amazingly connected pieces of art. Unfortunately, I can’t say too much more, as the whole project was done beneath a cloak of secrecy (the artists only knew of the one artist that came before them in line, but were unaware of who participated in the project after them.) And Dan still has to reveal the line-up to the artists who weren’t present here at Synergy. But several things could be taken away from the project, including the value of working with or allowing other artists to influence one’s work as a challenge, which can push an artist in an unexpected direction. There was also some iconography that disappeared in some reinterpretations but then reappeared in later brooches, making us all wonder what kind of creative or cosmic connection there might be in the art work that we can’t see.
The presentation of the project this week at Synergy is not the end of this experiment. Dan will be finding a place to share this with all of you soon. The project also spurred a number of conversations about variations and similar projects that could be instigated – not only because they are fun and fascinating – but the collaborative work is another way to get the polymer community working together, with the possibility of more exposure at a high level within the global art world.
If you aren’t familiar with Dan and his partner Tracy Holmes, they work together to not only bring Dan’s incredible art to us all but they also design and sell unique polymer tools along with Dan’s intense master class book, Relief Beyond Belief.
Outside Inspiration: The State of Craft Art in the Age of the Internet
March 15, 2013
Inspirational Art, Polymer community news
Its Friday … the day we blog about something other than polymer. But its been all polymer 24/7 here at Synergy! Or has it? In actuality, the talks have been more about art than just polymer, and the first talk yesterday was by a non-polymer artist, and it was the most inspiring conversation up to this moment.
The talk’s theme? The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (complete with theme music from the movie) presented by Harriete Estel Berman, an innovative mixed media artist and blogger. Harriete had fantastic insights and opinions on the state of craft in the internet age, and some really important points that you all should be aware of … and can be! She posted a version of this talk on her blog, Ask Harriete. She’s also posted a PDF version of the presentation. Take some time to read this. I promise it will be very influential for you.
Here is the jist of it … the internet has allowed us to share, learn and disseminate information at an amazingly fast rate in great volume – that is the good part. The bad side – there are no checks and balances on the validity of information, or much care being taken to properly credit artists and the originators of important ideas and techniques. The ugly has to do with the copying of material, derivative art work being passed along as original, and the commandeering of work with claims of it being one’s own. Yep, that is pretty ugly.
The point that made me want to get up and cheer was the part of the discussion that pointed out the handicap that comes from the dependence on copying as a method for learning, without there being much of a push beyond that to find one’s own voice. If you read The Polymer Arts magazine, you know that our articles are crafted to get you to think for yourself and grow as an artist, not just as a crafter. It was great to hear that affirmation.
After you go through the talk, treat yourself to a couple minutes on Harriete’s website and sign up for her blog. Here’s a charming piece from her Symbol’s bead collection. There is some rumor that I am into ‘dark’ stuff, and apparently I have surprised or maybe disappointed a few people here (as well as a lot of people saying they had not realized I was so tall … I’m not crazy tall though. Does my editor’s head shot make me look short?!)
I thought I’d share Harriete’s “Scary Girl in Subdued Colors.” I promise I’m not scary but yes, I do like deeper darker colors. Nothing wrong with that, right?!
This bracelet is primarily reclaimed materials … “constructed from recycled tin from post consumer recycled tin cans. Tins include Cinnamon Altoids tins, and my Scary Girl Lunch box with olive/green colors, browns, black and orange. Bronze Plexiglas center, brass tubing, black polymer clay spacer beads, clear stretch cords.”
Okay, off to learn more from this fabulous group. I’ll have more for you tomorrow!
Set-Up Day at Synergy
March 14, 2013
Polymer community news
Being the first day, it was primarily dedicated to getting set up (and getting tons of hugs, and meeting people I e-know but haven’t yet meet in person.) It was a wonderful, crazy, whirlwind of a day. I didn’t get shots of eye candy yet– that will be done over the next few days for sure–but to give you a taste of who is here and what is going on, here are a few shots of the vendors and guests.
LeAnn Armstrong, creator of the Simple Slicer (which we reviewed last issue) was the first person to ‘hug attack’ me. She’s a little thing with a HUGE personality and a big heart. What a great person to greet me those first few minutes after I arrived!
Barbara McGuire, my hotel roommate and my saving grace (she came to my airport hotel to pick up me and my 100+ pounds of magazines and ‘stuff’ to got me to the conference!) is standing next to her very unique table of mixed media items that attendees were oh-ing & ah-ing over!
Iris Weiss of Polyform (Premo, Sculpey, etc.) teased us with new, not-yet-available products that will be rolling out next month. She was teasing, but I did get promised that we’ll get the new items to review. Yay!
Okay … more tomorrow but I’m going after the pretty pieces being worn and shown today.
The Inspirational Process
March 13, 2013
Inspirational Art
Traveling all day yesterday has drained me a bit, so I’m going to let another artist speak today.
These earrings are by Lynda Moseley. She wrote about these in detail on her blog yesterday, and I thought both the earrings and the explanation about their creation were just too good to be missed.
The earrings were created for the latest Art Bead Scene challenge, and were based on the color palette from a Franz Marc painting. Its fascinating to hear about someone’s inspirational process–how they go from being enamored by the elements of something, to creating work based on what moved them. I think you’ll enjoy her story.
You may already be familiar with Lynda from the Back Stories article in the most recent issue of The Polymer Arts. If you like her work, she has even more to share on her Flickr page , as well as process tutorials on her Etsy site.
Planning for Clay Immersion
March 12, 2013
Polymer community news
Well, today I’m off to Atlanta for five days of polymer & craft art inspiration and discussion. I plan on taking a lot of photos and notes, and have others who will be doing the same, so we can share as much of this once-every-other-year occasion as we can. I’ll actually be ending the trip with a day at the American Craft Council Show as well. Oh, the ideas I should have by the time I get back!
Stay tuned as I will be blogging from the show, and will post the best of what I see.
For those of you not making it to Atlanta, don’t fret. There will certainly be an upcoming event you can attend, where you can immerse yourself in polymer and creativity. Here are just a few …
Down under and in need of a good shot of inspiration? Pioneer artist and teacher Donna Kato is coming to Western Australia in May. She’ll be teaching classes May 25th-26th and May 28th-29th in Geraldton. If you are anywhere near the area, you really should plan on making this rare opportunity. Click here for a flyer on the event, or go to their Facebook page www.facebook.com/MullewaArtsDevelopmentGroup
Mullewa Arts Development group member Debbie Crothers’ symbol beads above. Deb and her cohorts bring polymer art to schools and hard to reach communities in Australia.
If you really want to get away from it all, perhaps a cruise would just the thing – this year the Polymer Paradise Cruise sets sail from Florida and is heading to the eastern Caribbean October 19th-26th. Lisa Pavelka, Christi Friesen and Maureen Carlson are on the docket to teach classes and (considering the group) have a riot of fun. You can get all of the details on the event website.
If either of these are too far or too far off, maybe one of these retreats will be closer:
3rd Annual OK Poly-Clay Twisters Retreat: April 11th-13th in Norman, Oklahoma. Three days of uninterrupted claying and classes.
Orlando Clay Fandango: May 2nd-6th in Orlando Florida. This retreat includes auctions, swaps, vendors, and a boutique along with five days of claying classes and demos.
There is certainly more going on later in the year and across the globe. You can go to The Polymer Arts Resouce page for the latest news. And if you know of an event anywhere in the world that needs to be listed, use the form on the resource page to let us know.
Pointing Towards Spring
March 11, 2013
Inspirational Art
After a snowy weekend here and throughout a good chunk of the country, I thought some visions of spring would be just the thing. Its not too far off – anyone excited?
This bracelet by Nataanata of LiveJournal got me a bit excited about the inevitable budding of spring, not to mention the beauty of this find. It’s similar to what is often referred to as polymer embroidery, but there’s also quite a bit of variation on impressing a pointy hand tool into clay.
Nataanata has more spring-like beauties on her LiveJournal scrapbook page for your viewing pleasure.
The Cost of Craft
March 10, 2013
Ponderings
I figured there’s probably nobody reading this that wouldn’t want to yell out, “Exactly!” at this sentiment. Being a plastic, polymer gets this attitude more than our comparable crafts such as metal work and ceramics. But the cost isn’t just the materials. It’s also the time it takes to make – the hours and years of learning and perfecting what we do, and the proverbial blood, sweat and tears we sacrifice as we build our name and business.
Here is one of my favorite stories about an artist truly valuing himself: I was at a Science Fiction show a half dozen years ago, and a well-known comic artist was asked by a fan to draw a picture. He proceeded to create what the fan requested in beautiful detail. When he was done, the artist showed the very excited fan the piece and asked for $300. The fan sputtered and said, “But that only took you thirty minutes to do!” The artist calmly responded, “No, it took me thirty years.”
Don’t you love that?!
We have a great article in the present issue about pricing your work, in helping you determine the true value of what you do. Get your copy on the website at www.thepolymerarts.com
