The Music of Color

I have been away from posting for a minute, but I am still working my way towards sanity. Angaza is keeping me focused, helping me get back on track.

I spent about a week totally immersed in the wonderful world of color. I studied the tutorials on color scales by Maggie Maggio after being inspired by a fellow polymer clay artist, Betsy Baker, of stonehousestudio. She had the opportunity to take a workshop with Maggie in Italy. Betsy wrote about it on her blog and I was inspired to dive in heart first. I certainly learned alot. The color scales are wonderful to look at, even if I don't do anything else!

How will I use these wonderful new color mixing skills?. We shall see, won't we. (BTW, thanks to all who asked about my arm. It is healing nicely. No, I will not post a picture!)

It's All About "Angaza"

This past week I decided to work on a new project. I wanted to create something I had not tried before. I had not finished anything in the past couple of weeks, and I needed to get the juices flowing.

Of course, this would be a week full of distractions. It started on Monday with second degree grease burns on my left arm. It's okay now, I'm starting to have a good relationship with my blisters as they heal. On Wednesday, when the temperature here in Atlanta hit 100 degrees, my air conditioner went out. I had family coming to town on Thursday to attend a wedding on Saturday, and my home was inhabitable. But the gods were smiling down, and the air conditioner was up and running on Thursday, just a few hours before my family arrived.

Somehow, in the midst of these events, I maintained my resolve to work on something. I found a few moments here and there to focus on my project. While browsing through books recently at the craft store I saw a doll necklace. I believe the book is by Maureen Carlson, a well known and respected polymer clay artist. I didn't buy the book at the time, but I decided to figure out how to make the project just from the picture I remembered. Sometimes, my work flows better without instructions anyway.

So with a little focus here and there I found some peaceful moments to try making a doll necklace. She's not quite finished but I am pleased with this first attempt. The word "angaza" in Swahili means "to be focused on". So my little lady kept me focused. She will be called Angaza.

Finding My Note

I am a crafter/artist with a million ideas in my head. I thought maybe blogging might help me sort this thing out. What am doing? Where am I going? Does it matter?

My current passion is polymer clay. I have worked in a few mediums in the past (more on that another time) but right now polymer clay has a grip on me. I feel like the possibilities are infinite with this medium.

I have been at it for over two years and I'm still trying to find the "expression" that feels right to me. I call it "finding my note". Like a musician, hearing beautiful music in my head, and seeking the endless possibilities that it promises. I'm trying to find my voice, to find my note. The note that excites me, makes my spirit sore, and leaves me longing for more. I can immerse myself deeper and deeper into it and grow with it as it grows me. I can hear those "poly-mer rhythms" now! Sounds like a real love affair, doesn't it?

Well anyway, that's what I'm searching for. You wanna come with me?