DEC ABS Captive Robin in Colors of The Storm by John Anster Fitzgerald

DEC ABS Captive Robin in Colors of The Storm by John Anster Fitzgerald, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Here is my entry for the December Art Bead Scene challenge. The focal Bead is made of polymer and acrylic and glass beads (mostly vintage) are used to echo the color palette of John Anster Fitzgerad's painting titled, The Storm.
http://faeriekeeper.net/faeriefestival1014.htm

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GJkZvvUPYxXi0hnLTRJrnpRa8D5iPw4Zmrn2DvA2D-XzcaQ1VfJD__VO5nXwQzQKRguEA5oEg0XkSSOb3yzg8AC11bthUeeOLul2473tXU-Ib4Avn48lJNh8DkXJ_6YZETj2oxXDv0U/s1600/Storm-Fitzgerald-L.jpeg
To see my process for making the focal bead, please see my sculpture from which I made a mold here: www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/5237213393/

My first inclination was to do something in the colors and scenery of the other Fitzgerald painting on the challenge, The Captive Robin. 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAxm34T8Kvx8ZzG8_UXZ_jsD1Cp1QfVMnZ_LYDEtA6QroMxW8fCQZY_vgmR3GDT3Ze43mU2dn9JSlvnT_AJLVtFQKKgR4cRqxJPMoL0idU-3I6uObBAFOW6iNlg-pp_M6gQ2_brPh68A/s1600/The_captive_robin.jpeg

I really love wild birds, and robins are a favorite of mine.  I noticed that the robin in the painting was not like those in my backyard, but I'd seen ones like him in the photostream of one of my dearest Flickr friends who lives in Britain.  If you like birds and excellent photography, please visit Janet's photostream.
Somewhere along the way I fell in love with the colors of The Storm, and decided to combine my robins and fairies with the palette of the other painting.  That is how I ended up with my entry.

I enjoy experimenting with a challenge in mind and I especially love the Art Bead Scenes challenges. The ABS writers pick a famous work of art each month and challenge bead makers and designers to use the colors, theme, shapes or textures of the original work as an inspiration. One important rule is to use art beads in the design, either ones you have made yourself purchased from another artist. If you have not read the Art Bead Scene Blog I highly reccomend it.  I find it a very creative, inspiring and helpful resource.

Expectations and Fulfillment... Art Bead Scene Challenge - Gustav Klimt

Also seen here on my Flickr Pages

This entry for the November Art Bead Scene Challenge  is titled Expectation.  It is inspired by the artwork of the Viennese artist, Gustav Klimt.  He titled this piece The Tree of Life. 



From the Art Bead Scene Blog

  When I made the focal beads I zoned in on the triangular shapes on the lady to the left of Klimt's painting.  In my mind, the sharp edges of these shapes symbolize pain as well as the movement toward this lonely lady's overwhelming goal to be accepted and loved. 

Attending to the importance of the tree itself, I had to make some flower and eye canes since millefiori is what I love to do most with my clay whenever I have a chance. 



Klimt Canes - The Tree of Life as inspiration



This specific mokume gane effect with textures and sparkly glitz (bits of tempered glass and beads) is borrowed from a polymer clay artist I've recently met on Flickr, Carme Garcia.  I just loved her golden pendant here... Thank you Carme for sharing your marvelous artwork.  Besitos a Carme :)  I send you hugs.   

My other entry, Fulfillment,  represents the embracing couple to the right of Klimt's work.

Fulfillment - ABS Challenge Entry

  The beads I made for this piece dwell on the repetition of round shapes, such a stark difference in the clothing of these figures when compared to the lonely woman on the left.  I used the same polymer clay palette as in the piece above titled Expectation, but this time I used molds inspired by the work of Grant Diffendaffer whose book I've been poring over for the last couple months.  I just love playing with textures and making molds and stamps.

I learned something new to put this piece together.  My dear sister, Nancy, also a polymer clay artist, came for the Thanksgiving holiday and we clayed and talked and had a wonderful visit.  She brought me a tool and taught me to make chain with wires! 

 I loved the effect and it was much easier than I expected.   Thanks, Nan!  I added some jump rings and a closure and my piece was finished - and how satisfying that each and every part was my own creation, my own focal beads, my own findings - right down to the signature on my closure piece.   

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.  I really appreciate comments too ;)  Thank you so much.