Masks are a popular theme for artists because the creative options are so wide open. That made it a perfect theme for my guild, the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy, to do for of our February Challenge.
Vote in the Masks Challenge: Voting is open Feb. 1 through Feb. 7 and everyone who votes is entered in a prize drawing so head over to http://www.pcagoe.com and choose your favorite three entries. There are some really clever takes on the theme. Many of the artists even let you see the behind the scenes of their process on their blogs.
About Marcelle, the Masked Mardi Gras Fox: You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been creating a lot of critter characters lately. I really didn’t want to loose that momentum so I came up with an idea for the Masks Challenge that would allow me to incorporate the mask theme into an animal sculpture. The result is Marcelle, the Masked Mardi Gras Fox. (Thank you to guildmate Betsy of PolyClayCafe who answered my Facebook call for ideas for the perfect name for her.)
She’s sculpted from a blend of mainly translucent polymer clay with a little orange clay coupled with paprika (yes, from my kitchen). It makes for a warm, whimsical orange. Her body is a hollow egg shell. Small confession: she’s not finished yet. She still needs legs and some kind of festive base, but for the purposes of this challenge, we are focusing on the mask anyway so I chose not to rush things and just work on the face and torso.
About the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy: PCAGOE is a global group of polymer artists united through Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade, supplies and vintage. Members create amazing things using polymer clay, including jewelry, supplies, art, sculpture, functional art and home decor.