Ice Resin Play: Rings & Things

Welcome to my world of ICE resin with rings and other things!

Resin Druzy Experiment

If you haven’t played with ICE resin you need to get your keys and head for the nearest craft store to pick up a package of it…right now!! (also available in my shop) The cup above photographed a touch yellow in the light of my studio but it isn’t. It is perfectly clear. Those few bubbles all went away with a blow of breathe through a straw passed over the top.

Resin Tray Set-Up

 My set up is on a tray for several reasons. A tray allows for many projects to be set out at one time, it’s easily moved if i need the space at the table, and simple to level if my work surface is wonky. It’s lined with a silicone mat so drips don’t mess up it’s surface.

At the top of the tray are some faux druzy experiments using the chunky German glass glitter from the Iced Enamels line. Moving right a skull and enameled (Iced Enamels of course) ring that i made from scratch…meaning that i actually made the metal ring base. A new skill i’ve been working on (read obsessed over).

Coming clockwise along the bottom there are six skully bezels. Lots of Ice Enamels plus a layer of yummy opal mica flakes…my favorite! Under those are some polymer clay transfers coated in resin and almost ready for beading into earrings.

Last but not least an open back ring that resembles the outside frame of a pocket watch. The lady’s face on the left is a tape transfer for that circle. Hopefully it will come out the way i want it. See through and a memento of my clients Mother.

Art In Rings

And then there are these. Giant copper trays that i soldered onto etched rings bands. Filled with huge artsy fartsy paper colages…and more enameling. They are just waiting for resin.

Next time i’ll show you how the resin changes them…

Always,

Susan

My Messy Studio Table Courtesy of Seth Apter

A couple of weeks ago Seth Apter’s blog was recommended by a friend as a “don’t miss out” blog to read. Upon arriving the first post I read was one about allowing the world to see us, we as artists, in our true habitat. (you can read the post here: Seth’s Call for The Studio Table)

Also known as the cluttered studio and messy worktable!

Seth Apter messy worktable 2

 

This is my main work table area. Normally this is 4′ X 3′ but, as you can see, I’m working in about 1′ X 1′.

Why are we always worried about cleaning everything up? What’s the deal? Isn’t it true to form if you’re a working artist then you have a messy work area?

I know for me that this is completely, without a doubt, true almost everyday.

So here goes…here’s your MESSY tour. And believe me it is. I’m in the midst of working at the stocking of several shops and three shows plus two classes in about 6 weeks time. Oy!

 

Seth Apter messy worktable 4

 

This is the opposite side of my main work area, also the same size, but now covered in resin supplies plus some other things.

I know where everything is…it appears normal to me.

 

Seth Apter messy worktable 1

 

And this is another work area usually 8′ X 3′. Not sure there’s even an inch there if I wanted it to be.

I have two more full lengths of counter space that I’m not showing off. They look pretty much the same just serve different purposes.

So…what does your space look like? Are you productive? I may be have a messy space but I can crank out some artsy stuff!!

Lots of good things happen over on Seth’s blog!

Until next time!

Susan
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Photo Booth

Have you ever tried out Photo Booth? It comes with your Ipad or Mac computer….It can provide hours of laughs!

Mom

Can I just tell you that my Mother would kill me if she knew I was putting this picture here…?!

Dad

…and not sure my Dad would be too happy either…

Son

My son, on the other hand, would like to be seen like this every day. Because he’s just that goofy.

If you have a chance give it a try…you’ll laugh yourself into tears!

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Artsy Fartsy Almost Fail

On the ever present train ride that is the artistic journey one tries to do things that are different…intriquing…maybe with a twist…?

Whimsy Sculpture

 Forgetting that the universe includes something called the K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) principle i seem to forge ahead most days achieving close intimacy with the complicated. Seems i needed to come up with a class proposal. A new idea, a fun idea. To say i labored over this would be a gross understatement. I pulled out all the supplies, drew a bunch of templates, created a couple dozen pieces of God knows what, resin’d, shrunk, journaled, sculpted, painted, trimmed, and cut. For about three weeks. Everyday. The pictures are the result of my efforts.

Sculpture Back

Lets see if i can explain what these would be in a class situation. First, what i hope would be, a group would learn how to do some doodling to come up with a template which would then be cut out of shrink plastic. One side we color the other we journal on…random words. While these are in the oven we pull out the pictures or, my original idea, was to have the group take selfies (the black and white photos are me, i was about six), which we would cut to fit the shrink frames. Then we glue, then we resin…then we play with polymer clay for bases, bake again, paint them in funky patterns, insert bunny eared and crowned semi sculptures of shrink with selfies…and admire. Maybe not quite that fast but….

More

So…once finished i submitted the class proposal and thought, “ah, good work done!” About two days later i got a “thanks but no thanks” note. (Not really that abrupt but they let me know it wasn’t an idea their clients would enjoy) At first i was upset…all that work and an end product i thought was quite fun. Ahhhh….back to the drawing board.

And another 24 hours, i re-arranged the class practicing the K.I.S.S. principle and the second one they liked. All was not lost.

The moral of the story…stop overthinking, obsessing, hyper-focusing about your artwork. Let it flow…go with it…allow it to run freely from you. Stop doubting your ability and over doing your work. Everything you do is worthy and wonderful.

And always apply the K.I.S.S. Principle…

(Anybody want to take a crazy class? I have some ideas…)

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Creative Overload with a Side of Geek

Say hello to Dr. Evil…and my slightly bemused son. 

Dr. Evil

The last Sunday of July we had the privilege of participating in one of the largest geek, nerd, science fiction, super hero conventions in the world. San Diego Comic Con. Wow…what an enthusiastic crowd!

Predator

Of course there were super celebrities and super heroes but the unsung “hero” of this show are all the super, super talented artists through out the show floor. The drawings and paintings were extraordinary. Comic characters drawn right in front of our eyes…amazing! Caricatures, pencil drawings, sharpie marker sketches…it was all there.

Markiplier

Then there were the “you tubers” and my daughters latest obsession…Markiplier.  She watches him all the time. These young guys are an entirely new form of “celebrity.”

Artist drawn Batman Cape

Ben Affleck’s new Batman cowl debuted alongside these two artwork cowls. Handpainted and drawn…pretty amazing!

Artist Cape

For next year i intend to do some homework and research some of these talented artists.   Really soak up some inspiration.

Did you attend this year?

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