Boris Discovers the Workshop

By: ornamento.blog
Art, art, creativity, crafts, inspiration, Cats, inspiration, Polymer Clay, screen printing, , , , , Leave a Comment on Boris Discovers the Workshop

I have to admit that I was very sad when I wrote last week’s post.    But Boris is is coming out of his shell and worming his way into my heart.  There is nothing like a kitten to beat the blues.

Plumpton used to hang out in my workshop and Boris seems interested in doing the same. It will be nice to have company s long as Boris behaves himself.  But what are the chances of that?

 

He was fascinated with the pieces of baked polymer that I am playing around with for a wall piece I am making for a fund raiser for the Fleisher Art  Memorial.  Just the thing for a kitten to bat around.

Playing with the colors, shapes and textures inspired me to try a new earring design.

So it looks like Boris might be inspiring me! That’s good. I could use some inspiration right about now.

Transition

By: ornamento.blog
Art, , 8 Comments on Transition
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Plumpton Meowovich Baskin 1996 – 2016

 

“Remember our stories when fur and bones and tail of me are gone. Share them with some new mouser, who’ll need to learn where blue jays live, where rabbits hide. . .who’ll share your couch and bowls of milk, who’ll be your friend. . . though maybe not as good a friend as I.”

From Old Cat by Barbara Libby

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Boris Killmousky Baskin 2016-

The Katten Kabinet

By: ornamento.blog
Amsterdam, Art, Cats, museums, Travel, , , , , Leave a Comment on The Katten Kabinet

A charming side trip in Amsterdam is a visit to De Katten Kabinet, a museum set up in an old mansion that is devoted to displaying art depicting cats.  You’ll see everything here: paintings, prints, sculpture, movie posters-even a mummified pussy cat.  The Egyptians loved their cats, too.

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The story is that a rich Dutch banker wanted to do something to commemorate his beloved orange tabby John Pierpont Morgan (Tom for short).  So he turned his house into a museum and put J.P.’s image on a fake dollar bill.   This seems strangely appropriate cine De Katten Kabinet is located on Herengracht, a street in  Amsterdam that is home to numerous banks and investment firms.  On the other hand,  I have yet to meet a cat who gives a fig about money.

After we went through the museum, we went into a back garden area where two kittens were engaged in some serious play.  

And then out sauntered three chickens who were more concerned with sunning themselves than worrying about the kittens!

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Cat who Walked by Himself

The Cat Who Walked By Himself

If you are a cat lover, De Katten Kabinet is worth a visit your next time in Amsterdam.

Herengracht 497 – 1017 BT Amsterdam

Clay Connections in Connecticut

By: ornamento.blog
Art, Clay ConneCTion 2016, Polymer Clay Retreats, , , , Leave a Comment on Clay Connections in Connecticut

02.Conn Retreat

Patty and I headed up to Connecticut this week to attend Clay ConneCTion 2016, sponsored by the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild. We left Philadelphia and the Democratic National Convention behind us as we sailed up I-95 to the Connecticut  College campus, replete with beautiful trees and the occasional skunk.

03.Conn Retreat 1

We had a big work room with plenty of space to spread out.  Demos, and there were plenty of them, were held in a separate space.   Pasta machine motors are allowed at the Connecticut retreat which, although I didn’t bring mine, is fine by me.  The room was so large it hardly mattered.  Someone thoughtfully  provided ear plugs.  Another thing I love about the Connecticut retreat is the Oven Anarchy.  Anarchy does not mean no rules, only no government.  So there were no oven monitors, no baking schedules, and everyone was responsible for his or her own project.  I think this is the best way to handle baking at a retreat.  Some might disagree: I know that  ovens lose heat when you open the door, but oven heat cycles when the door is shut too.  But unless you are baking a temperamental soufflé or  a wedding cake, it hardly matters and it is certainly not mission critical to a successful polymer baking.  Besides, retreats are supposed to be relaxing and fun.  So, there.

I tried my hand at making a Bottle of Hope and I made some geometric cane tiles for the Left Right Center game on Saturday night.  I met some lovely new people, rekindled relationships and hung out with old friends.

Here are some pictures

 

Thank you Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild!