Search Results for 'Cormier'

keith lewis’ mica jewelry

Today is the second day of Dan Cormier’s The Cutting Edge Evolved workshop in Baltimore. Yesterday one of the things Dan demonstrated was a mica shift technique and he talked a bit about the mineral (mica) during the demonstration.

Mica and Pearl Bangle

Dan’s enthusiasm about mica reminded me of Keith Lewis, who I met last year at a show in New York. When I first saw the work I was immediately intrigued, in part because I’ve never seen anyone use mica the way he does. Lewis laminates sheets of the mineral to create the structure and insets pearls or other precious stones, applying 23k gold leaf to complete the shimmery surface.

Layered Amber Mica Pin, Black Pearl and Ruby

After a childhood spent living abroad in Europe and the Far East, Lewis earned a Master of Fine Arts in Goldsmithing from SUNY New Paltz during the tenure of  Kurt Matzdorf and Bob Ebendorf and has been living and making jewelry in the Hudson River Valley since that time.

Redstripe Pendant

“In my work I explore the line between accident and control, manipulating the inherent qualities of natural materials. I contrast formal construction with serendipitous surface treatment such as my version of a very old Japanese patina; I heat copper to bright red, expose it to wood particles, and then plunge it into boiling water which creates an organic and unpredictable “Raku” effect. I strive to capture not only the beauty of the natural materials themselves, but the surprises that arise from working with them.” Keith Lewis

This afternoon I will head home and let it all sink in…the conference and Cormier’s workshop. Look for upcoming posts about both once I’ve had a chance to unpack my suitcase. See you soon!

torolf sauermann: evolution of genius

The conference wraps up tonight and I will stay on for a post conference workshop. While I finish up here, I have some homework for you. Torolf Sauermann is new to me. Dan Cormier referenced him in his Synergy seminar and there was a collective ‘ahhhh’ from the group. The work is full of undulating waves, geometric lines and patterns and…well, you tell me: What is the material? The process? Do you like it?

Torolf Sauermann (there are eleven pages in his gallery…take your time).

Video clip that shows the work from different angles.

The Synergy2 conference is fast paced and exciting and I will write about it more in depth after it is over, but if you are looking for pictures as the conference unfolds, Polymer Clay Daily has plenty of Synergy eye candy.

Be back soon!

high5 polymer clay: news about synergy2 and the polymer clay collection

This post marks the last installment of this month’s High5 Polymer Clay series. I hope you enjoyed it. I am taking the rest of of the week off to regain my strength and stamina now that the virus has finally loosened its grip on me. The archives are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so feel free to browse while I take a break. See you next week?

In this High5 Polymer Clay series we took a look at jewelry, sculpture, dolls, objects artists and books that resonated with me in recent days – new work from established artists and work from emerging artists. This morning I shared a suggestion for how you can continue your exploration of the medium and this afternoon I want to tell you about two more important events coming up.

Synergy2 Conference

Ford and Forlano, flower brooch

In 2008 the National Polymer Clay Guild made history with the first Synergy conference, which brought together leading artists in the field and individuals aspiring to bring the medium to a higher level to talk, share, explore ideas and plan for the future of the medium.  A resounding success, the conference sparked lively debate that carried farther than the polymer clay community and continues to help us move the medium forward.  In February 2010, the newly renamed guild, now known as the International Polymer Clay Association, will do it again with Synergy2 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Synergy2 will feature presentations that explore the theme ‘Expanding Connections’ and the highlight is expected to be a celebration honoring the 22-year collaboration of renowned studio jewelers Steven Ford and David Forlano along with a special presentation by the artists.

Ford and Forlano, necklace

Ford/Forlano, two of the top studio jewelry artists working today, “have developed a body of work that has changed the way we look at studio art jewelry.” At Synergy2 they will take us into their working process and discuss how collaboration has shaped their work over their career. A question and answer session will give attendees a rare opportunity to get to know the acclaimed artists.

New!  Pre and Post Conference Hands-On Workshops

In addition to more than 45 presentations, the Synergy2 team recently added pre and post conference hands-on workshops from some of your favorite artists working with the medium today.  The workshops are conveniently located in the same venue as the conference. I am looking forward to the Synergy2 conference in February – will I see you there?

Polymer Clay Collection Project

Racine Art Museum, Racine Wisconsin

In other news, Elise Winters and her team at Polymer Art Archive have recently announced that the Racine Art Museum in Racine, Wisconsin will establish a permanent collection of polymer jewelry, beads and sculptural objects.  In addition to assembling a world-class collection of polymer art, the museum will establish a library “to protect slide, print and catalogs for academic research”, a hardcover catalog of the collection and an exhibit.  Elise Winters, the force behind the Polymer Clay Collection project and Bruce W. Pepich, executive director and curator of collections at the museum, will also speak about the collection at Synergy2.

Dan Cormier’s Fiji Mermaid (2000) is one of three Cormier ‘Tin Toy’ vessels heading to a permanent home at the Racine Art Museum

[click on the image to read more]

Winters is also the driving force behind a fundraising effort to secure money for the project. She will be announcing donor levels, naming opportunities and fundraising goals as soon as the details are complete. You can donate by following the link at the end of this post.

From the PAA website:

“For those of you who have shared my dream over these many years, that polymer art be given an honored space in museum collections throughout the country, I now ask for more than good will. You can help turn our collective dream into reality today, by making a donation to the Racine Art Museum.” Elise Winters

Links:

2010 Synergy2 website and registration

A Collaboration Celebration – Ford and Forlano Synergy 2010

Hands on pre and post conference polymer clay workshops at Synergy2

Read about the 2008 Synergy conference here

Ford and Forlano’s website

Polymer Art Archive post about how you can support the collection

Polymer Art Archive posts about the Polymer Clay Collection here and here

Read the rest of the High5 Polymer Clay Series here

cormier & holmes introduce new work and the great white Sh.A.R.K.

We are dedicated to evolving polymer clay through creativity without boundaries, quality without compromise, design with intent, and innovation with integrity. And we want to have fun doing it. Dan Cormier & Tracy Holmes

Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes have been busy sprucing up their website - adding new work, making cool videos, sharing exciting news about the Sh.A.R.K. family of tools (see below) and refining a mission statement (that’s it above, but read more here).

Polar Pin, 2009, polymer clay

When Cormier has a new idea for a piece and discovers that it requires a tool he doesn’t have, he gets to work making the tool and the whole community benefits. He has been sharing his Cutting Edge line of precision tools with us since 2005 when he introduced the Peeler Collection, adding the Sh.A.R.K. in 2008 and now the Great White Sh.A.R.K. and more to come later this year.

The Sh.A.R.K. is “a magnetic ‘moveable wall,’ a sheet adjuster that turns your single-width pasta machine into a versatile ‘any width’ tool for sheeting, mixing, blending, and reducing polymer clay.” The original Sh.A.R.K. was made to fit the Atlas 150 pasta machine, but now everyone can enjoy the benefits of this little fin-that-could with the new Great White Sh.A.R.K., which fits the Amaco, Makins, and Atlas 180 machines.

The video below is a comprehensive look at what the Sh.A.R.K can help you accomplish in your studio.  Beautifully executed, it takes the concept of a ‘brochure’ to a whole new level. Fun, informative and enticing.  I have a Sh.A.R.K. and while I love the way it adjusts the size of the sheet of clay, I admit that it wasn’t until I saw the video that I truly understood that I had a powerhouse sitting on my pasta machine!

Want your own Sh.A.R.K. ? You can purchase a Sh.A.R.K. Kit here.

For me, my tools and what I do with them have always been intertwined. It’s not about the latest gimmick or trick. It’s more fundamental, evolving organically out of some need I find through my dialogue with the clay. A new idea requires a tool I don’t have. So I make that tool. Once I have it, I can usually do the thing I wanted to do, which is great. But even better, it continues the conversation. Suddenly I see something I couldn’t see before, something I hadn’t even imagined. Like cresting a hill, I get a new view, a new perspective, a new take on my medium. Dan Cormier

Congratulations to this dynamic duo – it certainly does look like they are having fun (see mission statement above) while elevating the medium with their innovative tools, work and techniques – a win/win combination for all.

dan cormier is peeling polymer!

Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes are winding down a stellar Southeast USA teaching tour with one more weekend workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina this coming weekend.  There are a few spots left in the 2-day Cutting Edge, Decorative Veneers in Polymer Clay class, and if you hurry you can snag one!  For more information and to register, click here.

This will be the fourth and final Cutting Edge workshop on this trip – workshops in Tampa, Orlando and Atlanta sold out and were a resounding success.  One student, who has been working with polymer clay for more than 20 years said that she learned more in two Cutting Edge days than she has in two decades!

Join Dan and Tracy  in Raleigh, won’t you?
Where: ArtSpace, Raleigh, North Carolina

When: Saturday & Sunday, March 28 & 29 10am – 5pm each day

What: The Cutting Edge

Why: Learn how a peeler can become your favorite new tool for this medium, and see why students in eight countries are calling this workshop “fabulous… fun… awesome…inspiring…a revelation… mind-blowing… truly Cutting Edge.”

cormier and holmes: spring break!

Like all the cool kids, Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes are flying south for Spring Break. This is the first trip to our warm and wonderful southeast border for the Vancouver, British Columbia based polymer clay artists. Although the globe-trotting couple has taught their original techniques in eight different countries and across most of the United States, somehow they never managed to make it to the southeast corner of the U.S…until now!

They begin their visit in Tampa, Florida with back to back 2-day workshops and if you hurry you can still get a seat in the March 5-6th class, The Cutting Edge.  But please hurry – the Building Better Beads class on March 7 and 8th has already sold out!

Tracy and Dan’s next stop is the 2009 Orlando Clay Fandango Retreat in St. Augustine Florida (March 13-15th) where they will teach The Cutting Edge and A Day at the Beach (Tracy’s really unreal polymer clay pebbles!).  Rumor has it that these classes are also sold out so I’m thinking a road trip might be in order.  Atlanta anyone?  Dan and Tracy will be in Georgia March 20-22nd.  Here’s what the dynamic duo has to say about this opportunity:

For the last weekend of our teaching schedule, we have just added three days in Atlanta, offering ’A Day at the Beach‘ and ‘The Cutting Edge.’ These workshops are sponsored by the Greater Atlanta Polymer Clay Guild, and will be hosted at Barbara McGuire’s lovely Art Estate Studio near Lake Lanier in Buford. Another debut destination (and one that likely won’t be on our schedule again for a while), this is a rare opportunity for anyone in Georgia or the neighbouring states to join us for one or both of these workshops.

Ready for some warmer weather? More details?  Ready to register?  Contact Tracy:  tracy[at]dancormier[.]ca.

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tech support and global warming

I’m still tweaking the software update, but everything should be working again – please let me know if anything looks/acts wonky on the site. I’m deeply grateful for tech support! If you need a really good hosting site with a super helpful support staff then please check out HostMySite.com. They rock!

Now on to global warming. No, not THAT global warming…I’m talking about the warm fuzzies I get when I read a post like this one on Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes’ website. Worldwide interest in Holmes and Cormier’s Gabriola Island Polymer Clay Immersion master class retreat reminds us just how quickly the polymer clay community has become a fully engaged global community.

We’re really thrilled with the idea of hosting this intimate-yet-international event, welcoming visitors from all over the map, being ambassadors for our part of the world, and for our medium. And with five of six continents represented already (not counting Antarctica, since we’re really not expecting anyone from there), the obvious question is… Who’s going to come ‘up over’ from ‘down under,’ put Australasia on our map, and make this a historically transcontinental summit for our medium? Coo-ee! With a cobber from Oz, she’d be a real ripper beauty!

The week-long class, scheduled for September, promises to be another eye-opening, creativity-packed event from this dynamic duo. All of the necessary details here.  Dan’s recent work here.

cormier on craftcast

Did you know that Alison Lee was a Girl Scout? I happily flunked Girl Scouts, but was glad to see it brought back pleasant memories for Lee. She covers this and a lot of other ground in her interview with polymer clay pioneer Dan Cormier.

Canadian charmer Cormier talks about being in love with the “Eureka!” moment, moodling and his dentist. Oh my…it makes perfect sense when you hear the whole interview…you really must listen to these two creative minds chat. Fun and enlightening – I love a good ‘fly on the wall’ moment when you get a glimpse into how a fellow creative thinks and works (think White Necklace).

From the interview:

I think we copy to learn. If you copy just to copy then you are never really earning the rewards and to me there are such rewards to developing your own ideas that really don’t come any other way and if I can help people pursue that, then that’s the best thing.

I like to think that I’m providing them with an alphabet that allows them to go and make their own poetry.

Another fabulous interview brought to you by best-girlfriend Lee with one of my favorite people, who also happens to be one of the leading artists working with the medium today.

happy birthday dancormier.ca!

They did it! They did it! I’m delighted to tell you that today, Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes launched their new website, dancormier.ca.

This is one to watch – the new site includes Dan’s exquisite portfolio of polymer clay art past and present (Tracy assures me that her wonderful work will be up on the site soon), information about workshops and retreats offered by the couple, photo galleries of their globe-trotting adventures, the exciting new tools developed by this dynamic duo and my favorite feature – their blog, Ideas From The Edge - where you will get a regular dose of Tracy Holmes’ belly- laugh-worthy wit (I can hardly write because I just read the first entry and I’m laughing so hard).

Cormier speaks about polymer clay in such a poetic, lyrical, and enticing manner that if I wasn’t already in love with the medium, I surely would be after reading his description:

The love-child of art and science, it’s a curious compound: easy to use, but difficult to master; accessible yet elusive; a complex material dressed in kid’s clothes. It’s a formless blob on which we can project our dreams. It’s colour in three dimensions, a brain-bending, morphing mystery in chameleon skin boots. Polymer clay is colour’s dream made real, the answer to colour’s ancient longing for a body of its own, to boogie through the physical world.”

Go sign their guest book and then please bookmark dancormier.ca – trust me on this one, you’ll be glad that you did.

polymer clay in full bloom

Cynthia Tinapple’s post this morning reminded me that immersing myself in the world of French polymer clay blogs often puts a smile back on my face when I’m deep in questioning mode. Flo’s delicate, life-like polymer clay orchid was indeed a salve today for this gardener-without-a-garden.

Cormier and Holmes are respected and applauded by the polymer clay community and beyond for their blend of dedication to pioneering some of the most exciting innovations the medium has seen in years, generosity of spirit as they share those innovations generously and undeniable talent that continues to take our collective breath away as we see each new piece of art. We know without question that their web-presence, the result of the same careful thought and skillful precision that they bring to all of their work, will be a beautifully executed, enlightening adventure into their art and life.

So pull up a chair my friends, when Cormier and Holmes launch their new site you are going to want to sit and visit awhile.

Spring brings possibilities for renewal and rebirth…to Spring!