@wyrd_wand

Framed again I made another frame for a beautiful watercolor painted by @carolynjrobertsartist . Swipe for some in process pics. This frame was made in a similar manner to the one in the previous post. It’s all archival, easily taken apart, and much lighter than traditional framing. The logs are made from pool noodles and smaller diameter pipe insulation foam. The log and branch ends are from EVA foam clay. Acrylic products are used as the primer, as well as for additional texture and of course, for color.

I made a frame But First! Look at this incredible print of a watercolor done by @nicoleyvette_art . The colors and detail are amazing, printed on Hahnemuhle paper and the colors are luscious. I had to keep it in its protective shipping sleeve while I worked on this project so I didn’t drool on the print! It definitely needed something more than Michael’s could provide and frankly my wallet wasn’t up to that anyway. So! This is my first (but definitely not the last) foam build. Used @sksprops HD-Foam sheets and the fantastic free tutorials he provides (not for actual frame making, but all his working tips were relevant) for the “metal” frame. Used MDF for the backing sealed with GAC100 to protect the print from the board and then a little gesso to provide some tooth for the adhesive and then finally a PET sheet for some UV and dust, etc. protection between print and frame. Best parts: no permanent adhesives were used so it can all be taken apart without damage and it’s lighter and SO MUCH cheaper than traditional framing. Plus it’s much more creative, if I can say that out loud. This artwork deserves creative. Definitely going to see what else I can do with SKS Props HD-Foam as it opens so many new opportunities for artists, and please check out Nicole’s other watercolors because they are stunning (and sometimes hilarious).

The Artist The Artist archetype has been a constant presence in my life. There have been stretches where I turned my back to her, but like a supermassive black hole in the center of my galaxy, The Artist pulls at me constantly. At present, I can’t wait to rush past the event horizon. The fear is still there, but it’s softer and quiet; a whisper against the black hole’s call. And when I enter the dark of the unknown everything changes. Hours turn to minutes, all the noise and voices cease. I feel the light of a million suns on my face. Anything is possible. Flow. When I try to explain it in words I realize it’s the space where I love myself. The Artist Polymer clay, sterling silver and ~161 MYO pyritized ammonite (Quensted toceras) 73 x 80 x 10 mm Stainless steel chain The Artist is the last of my 12 archetypes. I am done with this series, but not with archetype explorations. #polymerclayjewelry #polymerclay #creativestrengthtraining

The Saboteur: Guardian of Choice The Saboteur is the fourth and final universal archetype in the format I use. Even though I still face the familiar fear of failing when I am starting something new, it is becoming a familiar presence, a small whisper, that just reminds me that what I am about to begin is important to me in some way, and not a reason to put it off. It’s a reason to begin, and begin again as many times as I need to. The voice of my Saboteur asks me to take responsibility for my decisions around change and direction. Being honest with myself about those decisions, swerving or steady on, is the act of taking responsibility. When the shadow side of my Saboteur is allowed to lead, I might let fear keep me stuck in the middle. This is also a decision, I guess, but a stagnant one. I can tell myself that it might be safer to stay put than it would be to make the “wrong” choice. But staying put is experience-less, teacher-less. Even a choice does that doesn’t work out the way I intend brings me new knowledge and understanding. It brings me to a place where I can make a new decision. The light side of my Saboteur urges me to look past the fear and towards the opportunities. Sometimes, right or left, up or down, doesn’t matter. It’s letting fear keep me at the fork for too long that isn’t the best choice for me. The Saboteur Polymer clay, sterling silver and labradorite/lapis/quartz triplet 53 x 76 x 15 mm Stainless steel chain, ~17” Thanks to @breo_aquamoon , Queen Curator, Collector, and Consummate Shopkeeper for the triplet (I think this cab is my favorite ever!) #polymerclayjewelry #polymerclay #creativestrengthtraining

The Child: Guardian of Innocence The Child archetype is the third universal archetype and has many aspects or subtypes; nature child, magical child, abandoned child, and spiritual child to name a few that have been written about. It may be the most confusing or the easiest archetype to explore depending on your relationship and openness to your past. Although The Child is very much present and active throughout life, I have found that my relationship to The Child aspect of my personality began earlier than many other of my chosen archetypes. When I began studying archetypes, The Child was buried deep and it was only by “finding” and looking at my other 11 that allowed me to start unbinding my Child. This piece, which was made during those very first steps into understanding, reminds me that the best way forward when we are trying new, unknown, and let’s face it, scary things, is with the most self-forgiveness and patience we can muster. And writing about this now, several months later, I can see that self-forgiveness was the present my Child had to offer me. I’m still learning this lesson. One baby step at a time. The Child Polymer clay, sterling silver and aluminum 65 x 65 x 12 mm Stainless steel chain, ~18” #polymerclayjewelry #polymerclay #creativestrengthtraining

The Seeker Exploring archetypes can be a life long process if you choose to follow all the ways we change and grow through time. This will be especially true for me for The Seeker. Some writers have described The Seeker as our search for a spiritual path, which can certainly be one part of the story. But I think there are other faces to The Seeker. My Seeker has been with me for a long time. I had thought that her search was for something that would make me “better”, more courageous, more self-assured. Something that would silence the inner voice that was fond of pointing out where I was lacking. It was a lonely search. And the voice often noted my floundering, my lack of direction and my lack of success. When I was exposed to this theory of personal archetypes and the new lenses they brought to explore my inner world, I was able to name The Seeker and that feeling I’ve have always had that something was missing and that I should be looking for it. Now that I have been playing with the idea of archetypes as ways to understand and get to know myself better, I realize that the feeling of searching is not gone, but it has changed from one of discouragement and failure to one of anticipation and discovery. And that maybe, what I had been lonely for all this time, was simply myself. The Seeker Polymer clay and sterling silver 67 x 83 x 10 mm Stainless steel chain, ~17.5” $250 US includes shipping #polymerclayjewelry #polymerclay #creativestrengthtraining

The Poet Some emotions and experiences are better shared through the condensed or comparative wording of poetry than the more voluminous and guided wording of narrative. To my Poet archetype poetry allows me more space for interpretation of the ‘meaning’, and sometimes the rhythm of the words feel like they are keeping time with my own pulse. The Poet archetype shares a love of words and spoken rhythm with The Storyteller (previous post). It can be hard to come across poems that carry lightning for us. But the hunt is worth it for me. Both William Stafford’s The Way It Is and Jane Kenyon’s In The Nursing Home can make me cry, but for very different reasons. And they may likely do nothing at all for you. Poems are universal and they are very personal. When I am told a story, I make up pictures in my mind of the landscape and the characters, and I am entertained. But when I read the “right” poem my intuition and my creativity have room to dig much deeper into my own emotions and experiences and I find both a sense of newness and expansion on a past memory or feeling, and also a connection to the outside world, to know that yes, someone else feels this, too. And I am not alone. The Poet Polymer clay and sterling silver 66 x 55 x 10 mm Stainless steel chain, ~16.5” $200 US includes shipping #polymerclayjewelry #polymerclay #creativestrengthtraining

Ways I made success not the goal (Part 3) My Explorer (previous post) is good at encouraging me to try new things. When you are constantly practicing to be a beginner in any way (medium/technique/goal) then you are also practicing to silence the harsh, inner critic. Or at least moving her to another room so you have space and freedom to play. Mastering the “new thing” is hardly ever my endpoint. Playing and learning and growing are. I recently became enamored with the work and processes of @carolynjrobertsartist . But instead of trying to use similar supplies and techniques, my Explorer whispered where she wanted to go instead. And this is how I started painting with rocks. My homemade watercolor making experience was like playing with mud pies. The purpose of the time I spent was exactly the same purpose that shone in my 6-year-old eyes. Powdered rocks. Liquid. See what happens. Will my homemade watercolors suddenly make me a great watercolor painter? No. Only painting practice will do that. But the whole experience did make me a better beginner. The blank page holds little fear for an experienced beginner, and to me, that is a huge step in becoming a better artist. And quite possibly, a happier person. Ceramic paint pallet by @sullenwhimsy

The Explorer This archetype may be active in those who don’t/can’t specialize in only one medium for very long, or those who do specialize but morph their work often in new directions such as color palette, composition, forms or functions. My strength in crisis lies in The Explorer. This archetype takes the reigns and pulls me forward without looking back. The Explorer says “The future is in front of you, not behind you.” In the future there are no mistakes. It is still a blank and perfect canvas that I am walking towards. It holds a multitude of possibilities. The shadow side of the Explorer can also drag me away from joy and rest in my accomplishments with a relentless dissatisfaction in what I have already done. The unseen horizon is always waiting and time is not the Explorer’s friend. Balancing both sides of The Explorer can take some work for anyone, not just artists. Can you see other ways this archetype might be influencing your direction? The Explorer Polymer clay and sterling silver 50 x 82 x 10mm Stainless steel chain, ~17” $325 US includes shipping #polymerclayjewelry #polymerclay #creativestrengthtraining

The Victim: Guardian of Self-Esteem The second of the four “universal” archetypes is about my inner survival. The shadow side of The Victim encourages me to give up personal empowerment because I might make a mistake. Making mistakes means I am unlovable (shadow side’s point of view). But personal experiences and the power they can bring us can’t be “wrong”. They are ours alone, no one else’s. They are our “right” even though they grow and change over time. Personal truths speak with our Voice. They stand tall. And the more of our lives (and our art) we can create from of our personal truths, the more confident we become in being and showing ourselves (mistakes and all). Personal truths should never be forced upon others, but the light side of The Victim urges me to share mine. It is my hope that there will always be at least one person within earshot who needs to hear them. What is one of your Truths? Create from that perspective and you are many steps closer to finding your Voice and your Self-Esteem. Because your art believes in you. The Victim Polymer clay, sterling silver and copper wire NFS #polymerclayjewelry #polymerclay #creativestrengthtraining

Tools (part 2) Color is an important part of many artists’ toolboxes. Like any tool, you get to choose exactly how you want to use it. Learning more about how to mix/match/combine color is also a personal choice as there are lots of options. Some people are married to CMY and some to RBY. I say learn both if you want to improve your color skills. No arguing is needed about which is right and which is wrong. Fall in love with both theories as they will expand your toolkit with different application choices. Besides, the “homework” is filled with self-discovery and invention and no pressure to create “artwork”. I use my color homework as inspiration on days where I am a little down or not sure where to start. If you are interested in knowing how to create your own colors, learn definitions to communicate about color, or what your color preferences are, and you like the option of interactive learning instead of book learning then Tracy Holmes’ BreakThroughColour Colour Academy (CMY) or Jane Dunnewold’s A New Approach to Color (RBY) are two that I can recommend first hand. There are many more as well, but it’s more helpful to actually be “doing” color rather than be reading about color, so my suggestion is to find a way to learn that is hands on.

The Prostitute: Guardian of Faith The Prostitute can be seen as one of the four “universal” archetype shared by everyone. If you can get over the reaction to the name, The Prostitute is a fascinating area for self-discovery. This archetype’s concern is our Faith and Integrity; what do we put our faith in, where do we find security, and what are we willing to give up in order to feel “safe”? The light side of The Prostitute encourages honor, virtue and self-respect when I am about to “go with the crowd” in order to feel like I belong. The dark side will pull my faith away from where it should be and encourage me to reach for a false comfort instead, surrendering a part of me in the process. All that is “human minded”, all that is fearful in me, relies on the light side of The Prostitute to keep me from selling out to things or actions or beliefs that are not true to who I am. The light side of The Prostitute surrounds and supports the fears of my Ego who says I don’t have enough, or that it may not be safe to stand firm in who I am. She whispers, “You are searching outside in the darkness, but the light shines from inside you.” The Prostitute Polymer clay and sterling silver 66 x 85 x 12mm Stainless steel chain, ~17.5” $250 US includes shipping #polymerclayjewelry #polymerclay #creativestrengthtraining