I'm often called a polymer clay artist because I use this material for my artifacts, beads and buttons. But I'm actually pretty disconnected from the polymer clay world.
I use polymer because it does what I need--it allows me to make evocative, believable objects (bones, stones, animal totems, etc.) for my fiber artwork. In fact, archeologists and mineralogists have sometimes mistaken my reinterpretations of fossil bones and ivory, semi-precious stone beads and beach pebbles for the real thing.
I use it as a means to an end, where most other polymer clay artists explore it for its own sake. So I'm not up on who's doing what with it or what's hot in the industry. And because I don't teach my polymer techniques, I'm rarely in touch with other polymer artists or students.
So I am more than a little embarrassed to admit I've only today "discovered" Lindly Haunani's website, because she's been a giant in the polymer world for some time.
But I'm glad I did. Especially when I found her "Lindly Tells All" page on her website, which you can read here: http://www.lindlyhaunani.com/lindly/tellall.html
I see a fellow traveler on the journey of self-discovery and understanding, an artist who acknowledges the same self-doubt and reaffirmation I've been going through. She, too, rebuffed the tremendous pressure in the polymer clay world for novelty and change-for-change's-sake in her work, preferring instead to share her spiritual and artistic journey with her students and readers.
I know from other artists in the poly-biz that Lindly is also a delightful person, a warm and encouraging teacher. Take a little mental vacation for ten minutes today and check out her work.
