It was an innocent time when humanity’s apparent path of forward progress was most purely symbolized by it’s inevitable arc upward and outward to the stars. Sleek and stylish rocketships carried our imaginations in soft force fields of anti-gravity cushioned comfort to a future where space dogs spoke accented english and robots did the dishes.
Looking back to that time of innocent future vision I am drawn to re-examine these pieces by Dan Cormier. Beautifully crafted, colorful, and personal, they remind me of my childhood and make me yearn for the life of astral leisure once held forth as the promise of tomorrow. Is it something that only a child could believe in now?
Fiji Mermaid 2000
Astronaut Inro: Self Portrait
I just got an email from Canadian Cormier, who reports a successful and enjoyable month long teaching trip to the Southeastern U.S., where he taught eight polymer clay workshops in five cites. He sends this photo of his son Griffin watching a launch of the Space Shuttle from the comfort of the beach in front of their hotel. It all comes full circle.
See more of Dan’s work on his website, as well as in my book.
April 16th, 2009 | Tags: Inspiration, Polymer Clay, Raygun Gothic, Sculpture, Space | Category: The Artists of "Polymer Clay Beads" | Leave a comment
If only I didn’t have to do my taxes now.
April 14th, 2009 | Tags: Inspiration, organic, travel | Category: Musings | Leave a comment
It’s that time again folks. The makers that brought you the Steampunk Treehouse have been busy imagineering. An incredible community was built around the construction of this piece of art and now it’s time for us to build something new. Something big. Something sleek and shiny. Something to carry us to the next level. Where are we going? The future, baby.
More »
March 11th, 2009 | Tags: DIY, Raygun Gothic Rocket, Sculpture, Steampunk Treehouse | Category: collaborative projects | Leave a comment
I’m happy to announce my first teaching tour of Europe, coming this June. I’ll be teaching workshops in Switzerland, Spain and France. I’ve given major workshops in 20 cities and towns across the United States and Canada but this will be my first overseas tour.
I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to travel to such beautiful places and want to thank my workshop organizers for the hard work they are doing to make this happen. I look forward to seeing some familiar faces as well as meeting lots of new people. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a little bit of time in France, and it has been a dream to return. This will be my first visit to Switzerland and I can’t wait. I only made a small border stop in Spain while spending some time in the French Pyrenees and am very happy to have a chance to spend quality time there (I’ve always wanted to visit Barcelona especially and see Gaudi’s work there).
It is interesting to see the DIY movement and the home craft movement gaining stronger ground in Europe and elsewhere in the world, where polymer and metal clays are exploding in interest. I feel priviledged to be among the early teachers to be bringing these new material techniques to the old world. Registration is already almost full, so if you want to join us, do it now!
The details:
- June 6th and 7th in Switzerland (actually right across the border in Schaan, Lichtenstein). I will be debuting my Recursive Beads workshop. This exciting new technique combines elements of sculpture, die forming, and mold making with a bevy of unique and original approaches.
- Cost: Class incl.
- Material: 216,00 Euro
- Accommodation (cost per night):
- Room (6 beds): 21,50 Euro
- Room (2 beds): 28,00 Euro
- Single room: 37,00 Euro
- Lunch and dinner: 9,50 Euro
- Youth hostel fee: 3.50 Euro
- For more information contact :
- June 13th and 14th in Madrid, Spain. I will be teaching the Recursive Beads workshop here as well. Contact Natalia at Tatana for details or to sign up.
- June 27th and 28th in Verneuil sur Seine in the Yvelines (Department) near Paris, France. I will be teaching my Textured Beads workshop The workshop is being organized under the newly formed Association Lez’Artgil, a newly formed group whose aim is to promote education in polymer and metal clays in France. Visit their website in French or in English. The following information comes from their News page and includes a link to sign up for the class.
- The workshop will take place in the Base de Loisirs Val de Seine 78 . You are welcome to join us Friday evening in order to meet, to share our treasures and to chat…
- The price for “members“ is :
- 265€ for full board in 2 rooms for two,
- 258€ for full board in 2 rooms for four,
- 237€ for half board, saturday evening meal included.
- The price for “non members“ is :
- 270€ for full board in 2 rooms for two,
- 263€ for full board in 2 rooms for four,
- 242€ for half board, saturday evening meal included.
- The price includes the workshop, room and board (breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner in case of full board.)
- The clay and other material are not included in the price.
- Register here
- For questions on the Lez’ Artgil workshop use the contact form here.
- Extra thanks to Sylvie at Maniguette’s Blog for making this happen!
March 10th, 2009 | Tags: Classes and Workshops, Europe, Grant Diffendaffer, Polymer Clay, polymer clay beads, recursive molded beads, textured beads | Category: Classes and Workshops | Comments (2)
