Why Metal Clay?

Last spring the discussion came up about the validity of metal clay as an art form.  As with any new medium, this question always comes up.  The "traditionalists" deny the validity of the new medium.  Acrylic paint was boohooed because oil paint was the traditional choice for painting.  Silk screening was a commercial process and could not be a valid technique for "fine art." Sculptures had to be carved from stone.  The list goes on and on.

And now, it is metal clay's turn to be scrutinized and ballyhooed as unworthy.   I have personally felt the snub of the traditional jewelry making world.  There are many, many traditional silversmiths who are using metal clay but this is not enough to quiet the nay sayers.  Even the big guru of silversmiths, Tim McCreight works with metal clay.

The question has been asked...... Why do you work in metal clay instead of using traditional silversmithing techniques?  We all have different reasons for our choice.  One of my students chose it because she could create designs with it that she couldn't create with lost wax casting.  A fellow artist chose it because she had a bad experience with a silversmithing instructor.

I took a silversmithing class in college that I absolutely loved (although the professor could only talk to your chest.  He didn't seem to know that the female students had faces.) I have talked about this in a much earlier post, so I won't go into the details again.

First off I don't believe that technique or media make something a piece of art.  Art is communication.  Any media can be used to get an idea across.  Secondly, design is one of the first things we notice when confronted with art.  Good design is not indigenous to the material.  Effective communication and good design make art.

So why do I use metal clay as my main medium of choice?   I became an art teacher because I like to do it all.  Metal clay affords me the opportunity to still do it all.  It's a medium that is so flexible and open to a variety of techniques.

Sculpture....... I can sculpt it with traditional carving tools.  Both the additive and subtractive sculpture processes are achievable with the clay.

Printmaking...... Molds can be created from my own drawings using the printmaking technique of photo polymer plates.  Block printing directly into the clay is another printing technique that can be used to create designs.

Drawing....... The clay can be drawn on directly or indirectly.  Using hatching, cross hatching and stippling add dimension and texture to the clay.

Painting........ Adding color through enamels, inks and beads satisfy my painting desires.

Fiber Arts.......The clay can be draped or woven like fabric and yarn.  (My advanced degree was in fibers.)

Design and patterns...... Textures and forms can be explored with the surface of the clay.

Ceramics .......... I don't throw on the wheel but all the other hand building techniques of the ceramic world are available for the metal clay artist's use.

Yes, metal clay doesn't require fancy (and expensive) equipment and tools.  The learning curve for metal clay is much shorter than learning traditional methods.  But in my book it all comes down to design and the message communicated by the piece.

I know this won't change anyones mind but it gets it off my chest.  Thanks for letting me vent!

Got Rocks in my head

    I stopped in the Appalachian Rock Shop on Route 19, north of Pittsburgh yesterday.  Haven't been there for a while.  Not sure why, as it is such a neat place for geology and art lovers.  They carry lots of Geodes, fossils and gems; along with finished pieces of jewelry.  And, they offer classes in silversmithing, beading and wire wrapping.  (And, if you are a dog lover, have two adorable dogs!)

    My daughter and I have taken a couple of beading classes there, (probably nine years ago.)  The class was fun and I learned some things I use with my metal clay pieces.  One thing I remember when taking the class was how little I knew about rocks and stones.  (I did take a geology class in college and did very well.  But, like my silver fabrication class, that was so, so long ago that I don't remember much. Except that if you bite sandstone it will be gritty and don't build your house downhill from the neighbor's outhouse.)  Anyway, during those classes the other ladies were all talking stones and they could tell just by looking at it what kind of stone it was.  I felt very stupid and tried to crack some kind of joke about the stones in my driveway, but they didn't see the humor in it.  

     Now that I'm into jewelry it is probably a good idea to get to know what certain stones and gems look like and what their properties are.  (There is just so much darn stuff to know!)  So, I bought myself "The Crystal Bible" which will be my new bathroom read.  (Sorry to share that with you, but that is my favorite reading spot.)   Did you see the Seinfeld show where they wouldn't take back George's library book because it had been read in the bathroom?  Funny show.  Guess I'll have to keep my new book.  

   Hopefully this book will make me more knowledgeable.  For now, any stone I don't know I usually classify as a jasper.  I can't even remember which stones my CZs are representing.  Now that is sad.