Conversations with Contemporary Clayers: Rachel Azulie

Today's Profile: Rachel Azulie

 

Why are you an artist and what drew you to clay?

I'm compulsed to create and always have done, ever since I can remember. I've sometimes struggled with the label 'artist', though less so in recent years since art has become my main income. I was drawn back to clay after my son was born 8 years ago and got hooked right in with the discovery of metal clay, something I've dreamed of for many years!

How long have you been an artist?

All my remembered life, though professionally, on and off since my early 20's.

 

What is your favourite clay?

Such a difficult question to answer! I love working with both the air dry clays (Makins and Epoxy) as well as the metal clays (silver and bronze).. but if I HAD to choose, then fine silver metal clay, for its permanence, beauty and the feeling that I'm an alchemist when I fire it! 

 

 

What other materials do you like to incorporate in your work and why?

Textiles, beads, ribbon, lace, feathers... mixed media is my kick. I love to sew, I collect and love working with antique textiles, and I've been a beadaholic since I was 7 years old.

 

 

What are you currently working on?

I've been working on some new masks and mixed media pieces, with a fantastical theme to them. I've also been collaborating with UK artist, Steven Fellowes, which has taken me in all sorts of unexpected directions.

 

What inspires your work?

The female form, flora, textiles, and sometimes, the macabre.

Is there a purpose to your artwork?

To externalise the visions that fly around in my head, to lose myself and sense of time, to develop new classes.. there are many purposes but all come from a need to create.

 

 

Which of your artwork pieces is your favourite?

 

My favourite piece is a metal clay face sculpture that went missing in transit, on its way to new owner in the UK. It's strange to think of it 'out there' somewhere but nonetheless it gave me great pleasure to create. I used a combination of wood clay to create the form and PMC paste to 'veneer' it. I intend to make another along the same lines soon and will be teaching a class focusing on PMC paste at the upcoming Contemporary Craft Retreat in Canberra.

 

 

For more information on Rachel:

AzulieSparks

http://www.azuliesparks.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/azulie/

 

 

 

 

 

 



Conversations with Contemporary Clayers:Kathy Geurts

Today's Profile:Kathy Geurts

 

Why are you an artist and what drew you to clay?

Ive always loved being creative and realised that my skills in this area would take me further in life than my academic abilities.

How long have you been an artist?

For most of my life from when I was a bub scribbling over my parents walls at home, then onto art at school, next design school, owning my own design business until I retired and found myself creating in mixed media.

What is your favourite clay?

Polymer Clay without a doubt. Its flexible, accessible and offers a world of creative possibilities.

What other materials do you like to incorporate in your work and why?

Love found, recycled objects as they have a past life and mixing it with other materials allows the artist to create a new story. My biggest love at the moment is textiles. Im totally fascinated with the variety of fibres out there now and the seemingly infinite treatments , an artist can apply for different effects. The tactile sensation of textiles combined with the kinesthetic nature of clay is a beautiful rhapsody in texture. The final touch is the inclusion of precious metals which in my view add an element of earthiness and further contrast.

 

 

What are you currently working on?  

Ive just arrived back from a 2 month overseas trip full of contrasts from the majestic buildings of Moscow to the lush rice fields, and crazy traffic ridden cities of Vietnam. I also attended a wonderful mixed media retreat in France with the talented American artisan, tutor, Dayle Doroshow. Here I broadened my polymer and mixed media skills while also learning the art of altered books and doll making. I have returned with so much creative inspiration, my head is bursting with ideas. I have several art shows and exhibitions coming up for later in the year where I intend to broaden my eco dyeing range of textiles, textile mixed media jewellery and create more art dolls and art books.

 

 

What inspires your work?

Everything mother nature has to offer, people and architecture 

Is there a purpose to your artwork?

I would like to think firstly, I bring joy to people viewing my work and secondly I create for personal challenge , growth and meditation.

8)Which of your artwork pieces is your favourite?

Wow, what a question. I cannot answer this instead I have enclosed different pieces I really like.

 

 

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

If you are passionate in what you do you will succeed in achieving your desired outcomes.

Why do you like to teach?

I love the sharing of minds and hearts which is what happens when you teach. Students are often my best teachers.

What would you like people to know about the upcoming Contemporary Craft Retreat in Canberra?

The contemporary Craft Retreat in Canberra is unique. It is the only retreat in Australia which brings together a highly skilled team of teachers versed in so many contemporary clays. Students have the opportunity to take master classes in a wide range of claying techniques whilst enjoying the company of fellow creatives in a relaxed, scenic environment.

View Kathy's website for more details:

http://www.studioamara.com.au/