Goffin Sculpture

http://virginiegoffinsculpture.daportfolio.com/

I really like the work of Virginie Goffin, her work is simple and unique, and inspiring too. I always find it irritating that polymer clay artists and sculptors tend to stick to the same thing. Polymer clay is a very versatile medium, but it's often used either for simple fairy dolls, or for sculpting maquettes. Once you've seen one fairy, you've seen them all, so it's cool to find artists exploring the different uses of this new medium.

Virginie's characters are theatrical, with an animated feel, but also look strangely alive. They are detailed, but not overly so, and always have wonderful expressions on their faces!

Pond creatures

Recently I've been making a big batch of Pond Creatures. I still need to think of a better name for them, but I love the idea of these bloated little critters flying around the pond, eating flies and plopping into the water. They're obviously inspired by Brian Froud, who's quirky fairies and goblins inspire all my work. They're also my own invention though, creatures that have been flying around in my imagination for a good few years.

 

It seems like every time I have a spare moment, i'm doodling these critters. Because I suffer from CFS, I don't have much concentration or energy to sculpt and make my creatures, which can be very upsetting and frustrating. But when I do have a good day and feel up to making a creature, it feels like I'm taking these valuable sketches and bringing them to life. It shows that magic can come from the most ordinary or horrible situations, and that even the most difficult illnesses cannot suppress creativity and human spirit.

I have loads of these Pond creatures half finished, so as soon as I'ts a sunny day, and I'm feeling a little better, I'll be out in the garden snapping them to upload here :)

Gumdrop dragons

I have a new shop online, on the 'Folksy' website. This is a site for handmade art and craft items, similar to Etsy, but based in the UK. My first item is gumdrop dragons; small colourful dragons that come in a range of patterns and shapes. With stuff like this I think it depends on the photographs. If you get really colourful pictures, that capture peoples imaginations, you'll do really well.

http://www.folksy.com/items/652386-Gumdrop-dragon?shop=yes