Friday, July 22, 2011

A Frame is Worth a Thousand Words?































Geeesh! It's been since May 1st since I posted. I better get on the stick or I will lose the multitudes (well... the 200 plus) who follow this blog.


I have to say I have been busy at least. I took a 16 day cruise which started in Rome, went around Spain and ended in France. Had a wonderful time and actually got inspired. (not hard to do) Here is a picture of a cathedral in Florence, Italy. I was inspired by the many layers/moldings. Not sure what the architectural term is. I thought that I would give them a try for some of my mosaic faces. I like the way they turned out. It took several steps to make them.



First I had to make some canes. Now I wanted them to be detailed but I knew I was going to reduce them down so it was a challenge deciding the right amount of detail so that all the work could still be seen at the tiny size. Of course some of it is lost but I think of it like my eyeballs in my faces, I know it's there and I convince myself it adds to the cane. I have some books on renaissance designs and borrowed from there for some of the designs. I need to add to my stash of canes if I keep this up.


I made each "frame" separately so that I could sand them before putting them together. I put them together (another baking) I added canes along the sides of last frame. (another baking)


Added the back (another baking) and then sanded again.



As I said I liked the way they turned out. They are a little thick and I may try to scale them down some more.











I have to go condition some clay for a face cane class I am giving my local guild this weekend.











Until next time.

27 comments:

  1. Wow, these are amazing! Definitely worth a thousand words, but I am nearly speechless. The work you put into them...well worth it, beautiful.

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  2. They look fabulous Julie! What a perfect framework for your mosaic faces. And it's fun to see your inspiration. Great idea!

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  3. Wonderful inspiration and result!
    Bravo!

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  4. Thats amazing. Im in <3 with the top one.
    *thumbs up*

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  5. Love the frames and the faces! Beautiful!

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  6. Of course we look at your blog! At least when you post something for us to see. These are wonderful and you are an incredibly talented and patient artist!

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  7. I am stunned, what beautiful intricate work. You are a Master Artist.

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  8. Gorgeous, simply gorgeous! I'm thrilled to see a new post. I check it often to see if you have added any new nuggets.

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  9. Your intricate work with such amazingly meticulous designs is awesome. She is lovely....not to mention well framed! The whole piece is perfection.

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  10. I saw you piece on polymer clay daily and your work is fantastic. I'm a quilter and sometimes it is hard to see the whole design because you cannot get far enough away. My quilting friends and I use a 'reducing glass' or the door peep hole you can get from the diy store, but look at the piece from the opposite side. They both give a distant view of the object you are studying. I hope this helps.

    Emanda

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  11. Wow on the frames! Those are a whole other work of art in themselves!

    I always read your blog when you post...please keep sharing with us. You have provided some great motivation for me, and I'm sure countless others.

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  12. Your work is nothing short of amazing and completely inspiring!

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  13. Glad to find the history of why you chose this way to frame your amazing mosaics. I love the frames. Your work is truly some of the best and you are still noble enough to share with those who want to learn.

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  14. Your work is just inspirational. Mosaics and polymer clay are such an amazing combination and you have really done such a great job. Saying it is great is like looking at the cathedrals in Italy and saying, "What a pretty church". Your work is beyond that and I hope you keep on creating.
    A former Clay Carnival fellow clayer,
    Deborah Groom

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  15. How cool to see someone I personally know on Polymer Clay Daily! Congratulations! Your work is awesome. Your framework was so fitting and now I see why, after seeing your inspiration! I am proud to say I am the owner of a number of your pieces and appreciate the amount of work you put into them. You certainly don't charge enough for your work because it is truly one of a kind ART!

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  16. My friend Lisa, in Richmond, has raved about your work forever; now I see why! If you ever do a class near Lexington (NC), I'll be there!
    Joy

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  17. Your work is wonderful. Ever come to the Charlottesville, VA area?

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  18. The frames are absolutely gorgeous, they complement your amazing mosaics beautifully.

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  19. Absolutely spectacular - the perfect frame for a completely astounding "cane". I am in awe!

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  20. I love Emanda's "reverse looking glass" idea; I'll be using that one.

    Julie, your work is stunning. You put a ton of work & thought into your projects, AND IT SHOWS! Amazing clay work!!

    Tif B
    Kentucky

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  21. Julie -- what a perfect match for your Renaissance looking face cane! Just spectacular!

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  22. These are gorgeous!! Wish I was a cane maker, just can't do precision work. Love the last one with the picture recessed!! Wonderful thanks for sharing.

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  23. Beautiful, stunning work! Love it all.

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  24. Julie, You always inspire me! Keep sharing the inspirations that move you as it adds to the awe of your pieces. Just when I thought I'd seen the best you come up with something more. You're simply amazing! Laura

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  25. The way this beautiful architecture inspired you is amazing. These are works of art.
    I hope you had a good time during your holidays ! (I believe being inspired is a sign that the holidays were good !)

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  26. The work of the old churches and the old monuments in very intricate and detailed and very nice.The influence of these on your artwork looks very impressive and of course very novel.

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