Crayola Air Dry Clay verses Paperclay and the fantasy art block

Moving to Bastrop has really been wonderful. I have met a number of really interesting and genuine people. This town is a community of artists and friendly people! I love it. I am running for a position on the board of the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild in September! How neat is that?!

Things are going a little better now, they were a bit crazy there for a bit..and a bit frustrating... the fantasy theme is a bit challenging for me and I must admit to struggling with it. It made me focus on what I have been having trouble with the most...getting things out of my head rather than referencing something else. The development of personal style and vision is something that I always desired but I just could not seem to get it right in the translation, if you know what I mean..

Well...I started thinking about it and I had a curiosity as to whether or not this was associated with the same problems that I had will life drawing...(I always had trouble with drawing from real life because I had trouble flattening the image..I know it sound weird but when you use a picture the image is FLAT...in real life..it is not.) So...what could I do but take it into a 3d media?

So I decided to test crayola air dry clay (thanks for your donations!) ...

Let's just say, that in comparison to paperclay...I like paperclay better. The crayola clay was not horrible..but it just was not as good as paperclay. Initially the texture feels relatively the same but it becomes difficult to work with after it starts to dry. Paperclay can become kind of rubbery where the crayola becomes more brittle and will crack easier and is harder to repair. Both seem to sand equally well, but if there are joint issues I would be cautious. I would be much easier on the Crayola clay after it has dried (if you are going to try it). With the dried product however, I feel that the paper clay feels more porous and light were the Crayola clay feels more substantial and similar to actual clay....toss up there..I guess it is what you are doing.

Anyhow... success!! The sculpting is going well and I am having an easier time manifesting art-ness in the fantasy genre! Yay! It does seem that the inclination of my natural style is to be cartoon-ish and sometimes slightly warped...hehehe..wonder why..lol!

Be on the look out for more art! Thanks for reading! Luv U!

Jac

Super Awesome! (April 2010)

So folks, here is the skinny... After much deliberation and strategizin.. I have moved to Bastrop Texas....Technically Paige..but just barely so. Out in the middle of the big beautiful pines and just LOVING IT! I have my own studio and the town is really neat. A real trip to the past. I went into town today to look at opportunities for business start up and look forward to joining the Bastrop Art Guild. Totally rockn! As you can tell I am super pumped about the amount of progress I have made on my business and my life. There are rough patches and I am sure more to come...but I look forward to the challenge with the ferocity of a lioness. I may even start to write poetry again... neato.

Speaking of poetry...my gran is going to send me some from my great granny...I am looking forward to reading them and seeing her drawings. I still have this little owl trinket, an unfinished quilt top, and a tin full of clothes we made together. I don't have a picture but sure wish I did..it would not matter anyhow because that is one face I wont forget.

I am still working on structuring my business model and writing my business plan. It is going to be AWESOME! Nothing in the world would make me happier than being able to do what I love.

Tomorrow I will be documenting more pieces to monetize my website for prints and merch and sell the originals. Gunna ship bug her pic of course but first...take a fantastic picture of it! That way those who liked it can also get a print if they want. But there is only one original! lol! Art is really human like that...you can copy but it wont be the same.

For those of you on this network who might be reading this...here is a sneak peak to the new fun thing coming to Custom Jac's fan page on facebook:

Do you know what an ACEO is? It is an original or limited edition trading card of the artist's work.
These little 2.5 x 3.5 cards can be a variety of medias and are highly collectible. I will be giving an original card away every time my facebook fan page increases by the 100... So...I will be giving one away when I get 100 fans and when I get 200 fans and when I get 300 fans and so on.. Random selection will ensure the game is fair and there will be only 1 of each card in existence. I will take a photograph of the card for my portfolio and display but that is all...no merch...no reproductions...just one card and it's owner. Should be lots of fun!!!

Well...I'm outta here for the moment..got more work to do on the business plan and such. Night all. Luv you guys.