Who inspires you?
My family inspires me to keep creating. I am a SAHM and have been supplementing our income with my work. I constantly see sources of inspiration from my kid’s cartoons and books, to flowers in our yard and things inside our home. Clients inspire me when thay ask me to make something I’ve never attempted before. I love the challenge of matching fabric, characters in a story, etc. My husband gives me honest criticism, as do my children. This also inspires me to keep working harder to get better.
What inspires you?
I love color! I am forever looking at all sorts of everyday items and things found in nature with colors that catch my eye. I recently based a set of beads on sunflowers, since my daughter and I plan to plant some this year. We also live near the water and the ocean colors, things on the beach, etc. put images in my head.
Children’s clothing is a big source of inspiration – again – the color. I love to match items for clients who want to accessorize and create the perfect outfit!
Where do you create?
I create in my basement studio. The entire family uses is too. We call it the “craft room” – the room that’s O.K. to get very messy. A small area is dedicated to my work and houses all of my stuff. I work mostly at night when the house is quiet and I am alone in “my cave” with my clay and my thoughts.
How long have you been working with polymer clay?
I have been working with polymer clay for over 15 years. I always loved to string beads, but quickly ran out of money. My parents (the artisitc gene runs in my blood!) bought me a book, “The New Clay”, by Nan Roche, that demonstrated how to make your own beads (as well as many other things) out of clay. I was instantly hooked! Don’t ask to see my first creations – they were awful! I persevered and loved the instant gratification when a good piece would emerge before my eyes. Not until just a few years ago did I begin selling online. Back when I had the time to commit, I entered craft shows and fairs. Family takes center stage now. After all, that’s who I do it for!
Right now I create at home, but this summer I will be moving into a studio in a renovated mill nearby. It’s very exciting!
I was first inspired to work with polymer clay by Kathy, my good friend and a local Spokane artist. Kathy creates life-like polymer clay Santa’s. So, two years ago I went out and purchased my first block of clay intent on making my own Santa. The result was raw and somewhat flawed, but I was fascinated with this new medium. I am big on research, so googling up polymer clay artists on the internet introduced me to the versatility of clay. Donna Kato and Maggie Maggio have been my most recent inspirations as far as well-known clay artisans go. Although, I have to give credit to the unknown artist as well! I am equally inspired by many local artists and those whose talent has yet been undiscovered. I am so grateful that many clay artists are willing to share their artwork and more importantly, publish tutorials on the art of polymer clay. Reading books, magazines and tutorials then trying out different techniques keeps me busy beyond belief. More often than not, marveling at the end result. It is amazing how many different directions clay will take you; imagination is your only limitation.
Life in general inspires me. As I go about my day I am constantly aware of color, shapes, textures and the emotion evoked from everything visual. Staying in touch with my emotions, really examining what brings on a smile, a good feeling… Was it a color? A shape? How can I re-create that feeling with a work of art? Sometimes I need to reach out and touch an object, just to get the feel and imagine how to create that same feeling. I put my heart into all of my work and I would hope that my art brings with it some emotion to those who experience it.
