I was doing some research on polymer clay as I'll be incorporating a piece into one of my mosaic murals. The new work will be based on the monarch butterfly and the Spanish word Mariposa which translates to butterfly. I sculpted a polymer clay chrysalis for the center of the piece and then painted it with acrylic paints. The finished work measures about 5 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. Under the chrysalis will be a light fixture so that it glows. I don't really care for the plastic look of it. I think I'll overlay the piece with another very thin layer of translucent polymer clay which is what I've been using for it so far. Then the painted piece underneath will show through and look more like an actual chrysalis does without, hopefully, looking so plastic as the rest of the piece will be glazed clay and glass. This is new territory for me as my work in polymer clay has been tiny to say the least. Just some fun stuff in the past with the kids. A couple of years ago I saw some work on the internet by an artist who makes lamp sconces out of the clay that were amazing. Can't find the stuff anymore.
While researching polymer clay I came across a Canadian artist named Marina Bychkova, http://www.enchanteddoll.com/,who creates incredible porcelain doll/sculptures. She's from Vancouver and is showing at the Dragonspace gallery on Granville Island during the Winter Olympics this year. I'd love to go up and see her work as I'm just south in Washington state. I hate to even call these dolls as they're each an incredible piece of art. She also has a blog, http://www.enchanteddoll.com/blog/, where she talks about her process. I'm not really into dolls in general but like I said these are pieces of art. Makes me want to try something like this.
