This year, I returned to sculpting in polymer clay. As a kid, I spent many, many hours sculpting. Then, about 6 years ago I picked up some clay to make some fairies for one box in "The Take-Out Box Project", an art challenge I was part of with 16 other artists, and haven't played with it again until this year.
In my elementary years I created a lot of art. Sculpting was just one of the many mediums I was blessed to play in (thank's mom!). I made wee figurines and stuff for my dolls and toys. I loved dolls. But, I think I loved making things for them more. I used to make vingnettes all over the house (and get yelled at to clean them up - sorry Mom, creative muse and all!). I collected blocks, dolls, and then I figured out how to make doll furniture out of paper with origami techniques. A doll or faerie home always seemed better when made in a fresh corner. Still makes me giggle. I made food, plates, and cups. I sculpted heads. It was great fun, then I didn't know where else to go with it.
In my elementary years I created a lot of art. Sculpting was just one of the many mediums I was blessed to play in (thank's mom!). I made wee figurines and stuff for my dolls and toys. I loved dolls. But, I think I loved making things for them more. I used to make vingnettes all over the house (and get yelled at to clean them up - sorry Mom, creative muse and all!). I collected blocks, dolls, and then I figured out how to make doll furniture out of paper with origami techniques. A doll or faerie home always seemed better when made in a fresh corner. Still makes me giggle. I made food, plates, and cups. I sculpted heads. It was great fun, then I didn't know where else to go with it.
Dragon sculpted by Gwen Gyldenege. Norman says, "Hi! My name is Norman Rockswell. Wanna play 'melt the glass ball'? Cause I just figured out I can burp fire when I drink sparkling mountain lake water."
Fast forward to 2012. I had the great fortune to take classes from Patricia Hedegaard at FaerieConWest. She taught us how to make goblins and dragons. The flood gates just opened up and sculpting what ever I wanted became so much easier. I learned about fingers, toes, bodies, horns, and more. Above is a picture of my little dragon. Isn't he cute-a-full!?
Now when I pick up the clay, I just allowed myself to play. I find my greatest success comes when I don't try to create a vision or think long and hard on what I want the clay to become. Rather, I pick up the clay and start with a shape and let the clay tell me what it wants to be. I just fall in to my creative trance state (natural people, natural) and allow my hands to work. Think of it like walking meditation.
That's how Bald Mermaid was born. I started with a head and no eyes. Then, I decided to make a torso. The hands - oh gosh, they ended up being as big as her hips. Guess we all need to be a little handy. Lastly, I just created a simple tale. I decided that clamshells would be funny for a "bra". And who had the best cartooned clamshells that are easy to sculpt? The Flinstones. They're not an exact of clam bucks, but they're my idea of funny clam shells.
Bald Mermaid by Gwen Gyldenege
I didn't add any hair. In fact, it took me a while to settle on eyes. She's still a work in progress, but I'm not sure I'll add hair. There are many women who don't have hair by choice and not. Why not support a unique standard of beauty. For, how many bald mermaids really exist? At least 1 in my wonderland! Ya like her?
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