For the past 6 weeks I’ve been consolidating my in-town studio and home studio into a single studio (at home). I haven’t been able to touch clay. I sorted through every box, drawer and shelf and eliminated enough “stuff” to reduce the space requirement by half. This was a long, boring process; however, the upside was that I found things that have been hidden away for years.
Such was the case with the canes I used to make this butterfly.
The butterfly is actually about 2 inches across. The photo was taken using direct sunlight and the contrast was enhanced using Photoshop. Unfortunately, in ordinary light the butterfly is far less impressive. I made the canes about 8 years ago for a swap and to test an idea I had about caning with mica clay. The process takes a bit of explaining so I’ll save that for the next post.
I had stored the clay in very thin slices between sheets of plastic. I also kept some small chunks of the original canes. I was surprised to find that these old slices of Premo canes – although a bit dry – were still pliable. It was even possible to slice the cane chunks into usable slices. I applied some of the slices to a pendant core to see how that worked out. The butterfly was too large to fit in its entirety, so I just tried a collage of slices.
I think this technique shows some promise but the colors are just too dark to read well unless they are under bright light. I am considering trying this technique with pastel colors but the process is time-consuming. In the next post I’ll tell you how I did it.
STUNNING!!!
Thank you Laurie!
Wow! Really gorgous work:-)
Thank you Judy!
Your colors, design & execution are superb–just what I’d expect from you.
Thank you Leanna!
Carol, this is so very beautiful!
Thanks Ann!
It looks like a stain glass butterfly. The detail is meticulous and artistry…well that’s who you are.
Thank you so much Deborah!
That is GORGEOUS! Can’t wait for your post on how you did it! 🙂
I am in the process of moving my studio, too, to a house I just bought. What a job! I will still keep the studio, tho, and use it just for painting while other stuff like polymer will be in the new house. I relate to your comment that it is a boring and long job to sort and organize. The butterfly is so intricate and, of course, like all your work, lovely.
Thank you Nadine!
That’s a beautiful butterfly!!
Where do you get these shapes, ideas from?
Magnifique papillon ! on aimerait en voir de tel dans la nature 😉
Thank you!