Meet paper clay experiments Michelle and Antonina. (Forgotten treasures from 2017).
Michelle and Antonina are two experiments with paper clay I published a while back. Long ago I had a box full of Fimo clay that had to be hardened in the oven. I couldnt stand the smell of the clay as it cooked.
The paper clay I used for these figures comes in a small slab from Michaels and air dries overnight. It does present some challenges as it can crack but with a little water and more clay, the cracks are fixed in no time at all and the air drying begins all over again.
Michelle (Bonjour) and Antonina with her flowers, Mixed Media brooches.
My art work room is cluttered with experimental projects in different stages of completion. And as I am moving once again (last move was in 2020), I will soon have to pack all my art supplies and bring them over to the new art room which will be at the front of the house. I will have a large window with lots of light in the room. So while I am packing, I am discovering lost treasures such as these clay brooches.
It is easy to get sidetracked when there is an unpleasant job to get done. Packing is no fun. Thankfully, we do a little each day as we have the benefit of some time before the actual move.
When I made Michelle and Antonina, I had never worked with papier mâché.
The really exciting part of the process for me was painting the hardened paper clay and wondering what quirky character might show up.
As often happens, I was excited about this new project and started asking myself what if?.
My art room looked like a production line with paper clay brooches in various stages of completion spread out all over the counter and the worktable.
As time consuming as these brooches are, (I need to refine the process), they are also very satisfying to finish. Each one is unique and I have a few dapper men to add to the collection as well.
Michelle wishes you a good day but something is troubling her. She has a very concentrated look on her face as though she is sizing you up very carefully before telling you more about herself .
Antonina, on the other hand, is an old-fashioned woman. Shy and retiring, she surrounds herself with her flowers rather than participate in idle gossip. Each clay brooch has a story to tell. (See Walter and Millie, two other brooches I created in 2017.)
As you can imagine, there is never a dull moment here. Have you tried paper clay? What were some of the challenges you had working with it? Do you have any suggestions for making it easier to handle?
Have a great weekend.
I’m glad you found a paper clay to use with your creative papier mâch artworks, my friend – they’re wonderful! Best wishes with the upcoming move, Louise, and I hope that your weekend is pleasant!