Monday, October 14, 2013

Art on the Farm: A Calling to Explore and Create



I have just been home one full day since I attended Christine Damm's Stories They Tell Intensive workshop.
I felt called to Art On the Farm by Christine's vibrant, creative and distinctly original art work which I have been following for some time.  She is a strong voice.  I wanted to spend time learning from her.

And so I packed up and went to Central Vermont at the peak of the Fall LeaF season and had a wonderful experience.



Christine arranged for us to stay in this lovely 1830's home.




View of the landscape in  Full Fall Color in Vermont

Christine's medium is polymer clay. Mine is ceramic clay.  I had never had any experience with polymer before I entered the doors of her classroom.  It was my thought and Christine's too that her teachings can be transferred across many mediums.  

We learned about FORM


work created by me in Christine Damm's workshop

Form in polymer is much more spontaneous than in ceramic clay due to the fact that the curing is so fast and the ability to add on is so easy.

AND COLOR


pendant colored by me in Christine Damm's workshop

Polymer is a color lover like myself's heaven
All these colors were added to the surface of the polymer. 

supplies table at Christine Damm's workshop

Christine demonstrating color applications to polymer
at her Art On the Farm Intensive Polymer Clay workshop

AND Assembling

Polymer is so easy to add on to that it really appeals to my way of thinking.   None of what is here in the picture was pre-planned.  I added on the loop to hang to the pendant by affixing it to the back after it had been cured and colored.  I then decided it needed the flower in the center so I made that and added it by drilling a little hole and affixing it with a balled end head pin I had brought along to the class.  The bead and tassle at the bottom, also an afterthought, as well as the colorful silk tie.  I liked the fact that I could build on and change directions at almost any point in the process.

How do I plan to transfer all this new knowledge to my ceramic clay work?  I am not sure.  Am I going to switch mediums and give up ceramic clay?  Not that I know of.  But  I do know that this workshop has been a very freeing, eye opening experience;  that I see ceramic clay differently than beforehand; and that I am artistically richer for having  been in Christine Damm's Intensive Polymer Workshop. 
Christine encouraged us to keep a journal of ideas and I know that I have been busily writing down and drawing out new ideas spawned by the workshop. I am excited to try them out soon.

When the workshop was over, we spent some time hanging out.  We visited  a charming cafe in the old train depot for breakfast where we could have talked for days and then went to some of Christine's favorite antiquing spots.
             
I love this wall of rust at one of the places 



And then it was time to say  "Goodbye."

Thank you Christine for everything!!!!


I highly recommend Christine's tutorial in Cynthia  Tinapple's Polymer Clay Global Perspectives.  Her work is cutting edge!!





















18 comments:

  1. Beautiful post. Love all those fiery colors, both in the landscape and in your surface designs. Gorgeous! Can't wait to see what you do with those fresh visions!

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    1. Thanks so much for commenting. The workshop and Vermont were breath taking. I hope to share how I have been changed!!

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  2. Looks so fun !! :-)
    and those creations You made are gorgeous and playful..
    Polymer clay is fun and nice to play with but I think if You start ceramic You will never leave that medium...
    looking forward to see what You come up with more after this class !!

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    1. Thanks so much for writing in Birgitta!! I know what you mean about ceramics. I will share what comes from the experience but it may take awhile...our studio tour coming up soon.

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  3. Sounds like you had a wonderful time and learned so much.To be able to spend 3 days with her is awesome and that it was in the middle of the fall is even better. Christine is so amazing. I was lucky enough to take a class from her at ArtBliss and my head is just crammed full of ideas from her!! She was so inspiring and passionate. I can't wait to see what you do.

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    1. So great to hear from a fellow student of Christine's. It was awesome. I plan to share what comes from the inspiration!!

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  4. I looks like a very informative workshop. I love the bracelets and pendants and all of the paint!

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    1. It surely was informative and so inspiring. Those colors are truly fab. Thanks so much for commenting.

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  5. Isn't Miss Christine the best!? She is a marvelous soul. As I do work in Polymer Clay (the dark side - bah!) and I just came back from a one day class at ArtBliss (three days would have been so much better!) I can tell you that I am examining the way I work with Polymer Clay as well! I am so happy that you went there, I am sure that it was a charming place to visit filled with fresh air and great vistas and wonderful new friends. Thank you for sharing your experiences! Enjoy the day. Erin

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    1. Erin, I am so happy we have this shared experience!! It was all you imagine and so much more. I love all my new ideas buzzing around. Now to get them into clay. Thanks so much for leaving your great comment.

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  6. This class is on my list of ones I want to take. Everything I've seen come out of the class is stunning and it sounds like great fun. I hope I get the chance one of these days!!

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    1. Yes, Kristi, I think you would love it. I was fortunate to live fairly close by but it would be worth traveling across the continent to be there. Hope you get to do it.

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  7. Yes! SO glad you had a wonderful time! I too am a fan of Christine's and a former student. That three day intensive sounds like it may have to happen for me someday. There is never enough time in her classes! I look forward to seeing where this new work/new ideas takes you!

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  8. Thanks so Jennifer for writing in. I am glad you have had some time with Christine and yes there is surely room for more. I plan to share where these new ideas take me.

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  9. I love how Christine uses polymer clay - the colors and the textures. I know one day I will dive into the polymer world. I cannot wait for her book. And some day would love to be a student.
    Thanks for sharing. Your pieces are beautiful and the location looks like Fall heaven!

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  10. I'm looking forward to seeing how you translate this experience into your work! I met Christine last year at ArtBliss. She's a lovely lady. So glad you got to do this.

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  11. Wow! Mary, you are always showing me the better way. I must admit that I held polymer clay in disdain.... shame on me! I am going home tonight and get my toaster oven out!! Were those Pan Pastels? This is the last day of my 50th year on the river. (If we can get all the gear in the car!) So, off to winter..... and I feel this may be my winter to play with fire.... toaster oven, propane torch, butane.... lol....
    I'll be warm! Stay in touch! lInda

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  12. Wow! Mary, you are always showing me the better way. I must admit that I held polymer clay in disdain.... shame on me! I am going home tonight and get my toaster oven out!! Were those Pan Pastels? This is the last day of my 50th year on the river. (If we can get all the gear in the car!) So, off to winter..... and I feel this may be my winter to play with fire.... toaster oven, propane torch, butane.... lol....
    I'll be warm! Stay in touch! lInda

    ReplyDelete

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