Introducing claycatshop

claycatshop

What got you interested in polymer clay as a medium?
17 years ago I came across a package of plasticine, I decided to play with it and my first "painting" came to life. A couple of years later I discovered Polymer Clay. Once I had the chance to work with this medium that allowed me to express my creativity in a more permanent way, via 3D paintings and sculptures, I was hooked on for life.

What inspires you to create?
My daughters are my source of endless inspiration, but anything and everything can inspire me, depending on how receptive I am at the moment. I find myself taking my sketch book everywhere. Anything could trigger a new piece, from a nice song, a fun trip or just a book.


Do you have a favorite technique?
I am a self thought artist, so my techniques are very basic, what I know I have learned from experience, and my art is very much my interpretation of how I see life. I just play with clay, use my needle like tool to work on details, and after I bake my pieces, I always add more details with acrylics.

Of everything you have created which is your favorite?



I have a couple of pieces that hold a place very close to my heart, but if I had to pick one up, it would be my latest illustration "Harmony, the girl that found her bliss" :)

What do you prefer to make out of polymer clay and why?
I love to illustrate with clay, or as I call it "paint with clay", in doing this, I get to express my soul and heart in each piece, I love doing women and picture them as mothers, daughters, sisters, adventurous woman, I can make anything really, I have done mermaids, real people, girls like Little Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland or even Cleopatra :)

How do you decide what to make?
I am influenced by the time I have to work and develop a piece, I dont like to have to stop and take care of an errand, to come back 2 hours later. In a perfect world I would be able to clay non-stop until a piece would be finished. If I have errands to run I go for quicker pieces, such as lockets, or pendants, if I get the weekend for myself then I go for complete illustrations or more complex art sculptures.

Is there something you wish you could make in clay that you have not yet?
Back in the Caracas Design Institute, (Venezuela) students were asked to create huge paintings to convey movement and perspective, I developed a way of doing this that got me the admiration of teachers and artists alike. I'd like to make one of these in clay and see how they come out, but they would require lots and lots of time... so let's see maybe one day, I have already done the sketch for one piece already.


What makes polymer clay a better fit for your products than other mediums?
Polymer Clay its fun and flexible! It allows me to work on my pieces graphically and physically.

What is your best advice for someone starting out in polymer clay?
Try it, if you like it, follow your heart and explore new horizons! If you are like me, then just do what your heart tells you to do and make, and if you are looking for classes and some directions you could join places like craftedu.com and find some of the best instructors there. Do some social networking, there are many many great polymer clay artists all over the world... and just have fun!

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