I am taking a 'Creative Break' this year (2019)

Refer to my earlier post of 8 March 2019 for more details.

Videos of my winning piece - Inspiration

Here is 'Inspiration' filmed in daylight

and here it is in the dark

2018 International Polymer Clay Awards - a winner

Just watched the live announcement of the 2018 International Polymer Clay Awards. I was thrilled to get an award for my sculpture, Inspiration, in the following category: Applicant Artists Members Choice for Non-Functional Sculpture and Hanging Art. So now I can reveal the piece.

Inspiration - in daylight and in the dark

Title: 'Inspiration'

Description: The meandering line of small glow in the dark tiles represents the initial inspiration or brainwave. I often get my creative inspiration in the dark of the night. The graded colors that ripple out from this brainwave represent the development of an idea into the whole concept. The choice of shades of turquoise reflects the restful, calm, contemplation that forms part of my inspirational process. Each mosaic tile that covers this sphere is like one small part of a grand plan, and it is very satisfying when they all come together, to create the whole thing. As I was making this sculpture, I was already getting inspiration for my next creation.

Materials: Polymer clay tiles and acrylic paste grout (over stainless steel sphere)

Dimensions: 17 cm (6³/₄ inches) across x 17 cm (6³/₄ inches) high


To view the winners of all the categories in the 2018 International Polymer Clay Awards click here

I am taking a 'Creative Break' this year (2019)

Sometimes there are just too many things vying for your time. You can only do so much and rather than spreading yourself thinly over too many things, it is often better to just concentrate on the most important. Whilst my creative art/craft work is my lifeblood, it is going to have to take a back seat this year, but it will be worth it in the long run.

I do not normally post personal information on my website but this might help to explain why I will not be doing any more creative work for the rest of this year. My post on 8 February 2019 was titled New Year, New Changes and 2019 is certainly going to be a big year of change for me. We (that is me and my husband) are buying a house in Whangamata, which is where we will ultimately retire to. The purchase has just gone unconditional and we settle on 21 March 2019. Unfortunately, because we both have to work in Auckland, at least for the next five years, we will only be able to go down at the weekends and for holidays. The whole house needs modernising and decorating, so plenty of weekend projects to do.

Back in Auckland, we are selling our current property and will then look to rent a small place, closer to where we both work, as a weekday crash-pad. The time-scale for this part of the plan is not definite. So with buying, selling, finding a rental, packing and moving between properties, there is a lot going on in the immediate future. It is definitely not conducive to my creative flow. Once everything gets sorted, it will take some time to get settled into the new lifestyle pattern. I am not sure yet how much time I will have for creative work, and where that will be located, but hopefully by the end of this year it will all fall into place.