Customer Reviews

Five Artists - Five Directions: In Polymer Clay

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A lovely compendium of pictures worth looking at, but don't read the commentary! While the artists may be doing noteworthy work, there was too much whining and self-congratulations to suit my taste. A book such as this is no forum for scolding others who are influenced by their techniques. After all, didn't the millefiori technique come from the Venetians? The writing, I thought, was amateurish and poorly written. As I said, if you buy it, look at the pictures, but avoid reading it.

As an avid consumer of books about polymer clays, I was extremely disappointed in this one. It was basically a self- indulgent exploration of the writer's opinions. The artists discussed do NOT go in 5 directions at all. I have numerous books on the subject, every one of which is superior to this one. DON'T buy it!!!

This is a wonderful showcase of polymer clay art & great source of ideas. There is a detailed biographical sketch of each artist & gallery of work in each one's own unique style.

There are Pier Voulkos' intricate polymer clay pictures using conglomerated colors full of surprises. Then Martha Breen uses colorful millefiore to decorate objects from clocks to a toy VW Beetle.

Ruth Anne Grove captures motion & expression in her jewelry featuring whimsical characters. Michael Grove creates abstract vessels, pins & mirrors with unusual shapes & rich colors.

Finally, Jamey D. Allen shows how folded clay beads can be patterned after ancient glass beads. These are all masters of this modern medium, executing their work with the utmost skill & imagination.

This is a good book if you are into knowing clay history and seeing good retrospectieve off clay artists work. It has fairly good pictures, and you are able to see details clearly. However this is not a project book, and it does not have hints and tips. This is more "admire me" book than "learn from me". Good book, but now for you if you search for a book with projects.

PöRRö

This is a beautifully illustrated book...a nice compendium of work by a diverse group of artists. Some of the criticism here seems a bit unfair. The book is explicitly biographical. To criticize it for NOT being something else, surprised me.

I found this book to be encouraging and motivating. If others can accomplish such beautiful results, maybe I can too.

... IF YOU WANT TO KNOW "WHO'S WHO" AMONG THE ARTISTS WHO WORKS WITH POLYMER CLAY, NOW YOU'VE GOT IT.
I JUST GOT CHARMED WITH THESE PROJECTS! I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH BRILLIANT WORKS OF ARTS WITH POLYMER CLAY
THIS PIER VOUKLOS IS AWESOME!
AND OF COURSE, IF THEY ACHIEVED SUCH A GREAT LEVEL IN THEIR WORKS, THEY SHOULD SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE WITH US; BUT I DON'T GIVE UP. I'M VERY GOOD WITH MY WORK THITH POLYMER AND MAYBE I'LL BE THE NUMBER 6 AMONG THESE SPECIAL PEOPLE.

I was intrigued using clay to make the clock that is on the cover. There are no instructions inside but I understand much more how diverse this medium can be with imagination.

Quite inspiring and each artist was unique. It is one of those books I will look back at over and over again to get the creativity going.