Textures, textures, textures!

With all the carving on the Night Circus teapot....I was on a roll. Decided to take that energy and create some customized texture sheets for my other works. These were all carved polymer clay sheets and their 'stamped' mates. I'm looking forward to putting these to use!

Damask Cane

For part of the teapot, I wanted a damask wallpaper pattern. This black and white pattern took me almost an entire day to create.

Poppet's Face Cane

Just a few pictures featuring my face cane process. I've been making millefiori canes for over 18 years now and people still believe my work must be painted!

It's that time of year again!

For me, that time of year means creating my first piece of art. This has become a new year ritual for me.....after all the fall shows and holidays are over, I create a unique piece that makes me happy!

During the fall shows, I read the Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. The book took me to a magical world that conjured up imagery that were very Tim Burtonesque to me. I knew a teapot had to be created from it. And for some of you who knows me, I have a 'few'....about 2 dozen teapots in my possession, just waiting for me to cover them! I knew the exact set that would be perfect for the job.

For most of January, I created component canes and refined my design for the piece. Alot of thought went into it.....constant revisions. Most of this is done in my thoughts...without sketching it out too much. Other than the full length view of Poppet, which was transferred...all other details were drawn and carved directly on the teapot.

What I found fascinating is how much time simplicity takes. For me, this teapot is graphically simple, but technically complex....a combination of canework, carving and inlaying..and a new one for me, carving and revealing. This seems to be the case in most of the pieces I make.

I'm very pleased with my results...this piece makes me happy and energizes me creatively. It motivates me to produce my art for the rest of the year for others to enjoy!