Today’s post is a good example of why I ‘like’ Facebook.  As I was scrolling through my news feed this morning I noticed a post about Melanie Muir’s new work being featured on Polymer Clay Daily. I quickly clicked through to see Cynthia Tinapple’s post and knew immediately that I wanted to share Muir’s bracelets with DAM readers.

Rocks Cuff Spiral Cut Out

Muir has a degree in design from Glasgow School of Art and a resume that reads like a travel log, including years of retail in London, PR and marketing in Australia, an antiques shop owner in Scotland and before “returning to a more directly creative path”, a career as a china restorer. Whew.

Big Bangle Beach Rock Autumn

Segment Cuff “Mountain High, Valley Low”

Although you can see the influences of her teachers (to my eye, most specifically Dan Cormier, Donna Kato and Seth Savarick), Muir’s voice comes through loud and clear and these bracelets make a bold fashion statement.

Rocks Cuff Triangle Flame Teal

Rocks Square Cuff Cinnabar

“I am constantly inspired by the colours and patterns that surround me at my home near Nairn, in the Scottish Highlands. I also love Japanese and Chinese decorative art. My jewellery is deceptively simple in form, but the creation and application of pattern is critical. There are no hidden messages; I simply wish to create jewellery which is so beautiful that it speaks to someone else and inspires them to purchase and wear my work.” Melanie Muir

Melanie Muir’s website

A visit to Cynthia Tinapple’s blog led me to mixed media artist Edgar Hernandez. He incorporates low-relief sculptures into paintings.  An interesting concept beautifully executed with polymer clay.  Hernandez’s melancholy characters are endearing – perhaps because they stir the familiar universal feelings of sadness and loneliness.

Swimmer, polymer clay, acrylic, canvas, wood

Swimmer, detail

Remember the sidewalk scene in Mary Poppins where Mary, Bert and the children jump into Bert’s chalk drawings? In their own way, the paintings have that Mary Poppins effect. I want to jump into them and find out the rest of the story. Hernandez’s distinctive voice is evident in each sculptural painting.

Clown, polymer clay, acrylic, canvas, wood

Waiting Man, polymer clay, acrylic, canvas, wood

Flying Away, polymer clay, acrylic, canvas, wood

Edgar Herndandez’s website
On Etsy

Want To Learn More?

You can learn how to incorporate this versatile medium into your own mixed media art. In August Tory Hughes is teaching A Solid Foundation: Introduction to Polymer Clays for All Media in her Santa Fe studio. Hughes, a premiere polymer artist and innovator (she developed the now-widely-used imitative techniques for polymer) has been working with the medium for 35 years. You will leave the class with more than practical skills – she is a truly inspirational teacher.

There are limited seats available – more information here.