We All Start Somewhere
Iterations in polymer clay, white stoneware clay, white archival cement. The beginning of any journey begins with a single step.
And sometimes we start over…more than once. ;)
After such a long time away from being busy in my studio it feels a little difficult to get started again. Its a little confusing and my confidence is lower. But the thing I’ve learned to nurture and lean into is my curiosity.
Curiosity will do fine as a motivator to push through the brambles of the unknown. Curiosity is my constant companion, more reliable than confidence, more foundational than focus. In fact it is the area of curiosity that leads to my hyperfocus.
Currently my curiosity is drawing my back to sculpting and exploring some different media as well as methods for casting in metal.
I’ve sculpted in polymer clay and precious metal clay both of which I love. I especially love that the finished piece in fine silver metal clay is permanent, of highest quality and will last lifetimes. This is a deeply important part of my goals and desires. That the finished piece should last a lifetime or more, creating an heirloom and touchstone for love throughout generations.
I am beginning to explore sculpting in a white stoneware clay. Pottery and ceramics are also heirloom quality media. After all, archeology unearths so many pieces of pottery, whether functional things or sculpture, that write the story of lost cultures in clay.
Small horse head sculptures: from right to left a) original polymer clay b) unfired stoneware clay c) white archival cement d) archival cement with patina
I’m normally an “overthinker” of epic proportion. It’s been a crippling mental cage at times, coupled with other anxieties and gremlins. I’ve found curiosity to be the best key to unlock the overthinking and anxiety cage and I believe it to be an incredible gift.
Currently my curiosity is leading me to explore various sculpting media to create a collection of jewelry for the body and for the wall.
While I adore metals - fine metals like silver and gold as well as base metals like bronze and copper - the price and process is not contributing positively to me just getting started.
Thus I’m interested in polymer clay, white stoneware and archival white cement (which looks like plaster but is not vulnerable to water in the same way). I think these materials will help create a beautiful Intaglio Collection to celebrate our loves, to collect and cherish.
This should prove to be an interesting journey.
Are you curious? Are you IN?
Follow along to watch the progress, highs and lows, and see how this curios journey grows :D
~ Renée
Small horse head sculpture, inspired by ancient coins. From right to left a) original polymer clay sculpt b) unfired stoneware c) finished .999 fine silver pendant (my own)
Two tiny horse sculpture Intaglio. Top: black polymer clay. Bottom: Archival Cement with hand painted patina. Both require a setting to be worn or displayed. Settings are still in development!