Winter Powertex Newsletter

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The PowertexT - the newsletter for Powertex Canada.

WOOLGATHERING
Musings and ruminations from Brigitte

Welcome to the winter edition of the PowertexT ... the newsletter for Canada’s most versatile art product, Powertex sculpting medium.

Recently I have been pondering where and how we draw inspiration to produce unique works of art. I know that many people surf the net, viewing other people`s creations and adapt that to their own interpretation. Some people... heaven forbid!... will plagiarize another artist’s designs. While plagiarism is the lowest of the low in the art world, being inspired by another person’s creation and using that spark of creativity to ignite your own passion is more than acceptable provided you do not copy another person’s work directly.

Occasionally I find myself “burnt out”... lacking ideas, or simply without inspiration. It seems like the slump will last forever and I have even thought that maybe I should consider another medium or giving up totally. Thankfully that is about the time that events usually conspire to spark my imagination.

Recently, a random visit to a gift store while traveling on business was one such occasion. I had not been in the studio for weeks; feeling bereft of passion and lost for ideas. But that day when I wandered about this quaint little shop, looking for Christmas gift purchases, I found myself drawn to a variety of rusty, iron items. From a door knocker shaped like a tractor to a deer’s head and finally a little, rusty bunny door stop.

I should mention here that I am not into “steam punk” nor do I collect antiques. (The only ancient, rundown relic I have in my home is called a husband.) Who knows why those items, at this particular time compelled me so strongly, but they did.

I could hardly wait to get back into the studio, break out the Rusty Powder and exercise my creative muscles. It wasn’t long before three new projects graced my work table in various stages of construction. Not only was I thrilled with the result, I also learned some new techniques and challenged myself to try something outside my comfort zone.

So look around you and keep an open mind. Maybe a colour or a texture can inspire you. Or possibly it is a smell or a memory. Practice your powers of observation and remember that our best art is the work we create with passion and joy... “Art from the Heart”... after all, isn’t that what’s really important when we create?

UPCOMING EVENTS

POWERTEX RETREAT 2016

So the retreat this year was, once again, a wonderful experience filled with fantastic participants and very interesting projects. It was held in Barrie, Ontario in October and was a resounding success. In attendance was an immensely talented group and, as you can see from the photos, they definitely learned a great deal. Over three days, the group created mermaids, dragons, herons, mixed media canvases and tarty torsos! From PowerPrint to Easy 3D Flex, we experimented with it all.

We now have newly Certified Instructors in Newfoundland, Manitoba, and northern Ontario... from Sault Ste Marie to Gore Bay and Verner.
Southern Ontario, from Peterborough to Kitchener was well represented as well.

These annual certification retreats offer a chance to connect with other artists, discuss techniques and share experiences using the Powertex line of products. It's amazing how much we can extract from each other by spending hours building sculptures together. Participants, students, and instructors walk away from the retreat with a renewed passion and replenished arsenal of ideas and skills.

So if you are looking for someone in your area to teach a class or provide you with product, contact me and I will connect you to one of these talented artists.

ARTIST PROFILE: PAUL HOPKINS

     Paul Hopkins of Haunted House Creations, located in Toronto, discovered Powertex at Sculpture Supply, also in Toronto.
     He was intrigued and pondered how he could incorporate this new textile medium into his line of creations. Although Paul has been in business since 2001, he only began his journey into the world of Powertex about a year ago. After lengthy conversations with our fearless leader, Brigitte, from Powertex Canada, Paul dove right in and made these fantastic ghosts!

     When speaking with Paul, he indicated that some of his projects require the ability for the finished piece to remain outside and Powertex was a perfect fit for this type of figure. He admits that there is a bit of a learning curve when using Powertex for the first time and getting the "hang" of how much product to use to get the draping to work for the desired look. For the shape of the ghosts, Paul used a mannequin covered in plastic to keep the Powertex from sticking to it. Once the fabric was set, he used a metal stand base to support the ghosts and some resin reinforcement inside to ensure they had the strength to support the full weight since it's a large project.

     Paul uses a vast range of products for his creations and said that Powertex is a useful addition to his repertoire. If you want to explore some more of Paul's creations, and there is a wide range, go and check out his website www.hauntedhousecreations.com.

NEW PRODUCT

Just arrived ... Silk Paper

These high quality images will give a professional look to your mixed media graphics.
Simply attach silk paper to your canvas or other surface using Powertex transparent medium or water based varnish, allow to dry then attach a variety of textures or build surface design and texture with Easy 3D Flex, powdered Bister or Stone Art.... the sky’s the limit.

Available in four unique designs (14” x 11” ) $7.95 per sheet.
Images clockwise from upper left - Cherubs, Postcards, Woman, Travel.

PHOTO GALLERY

Here are a couple photos submitted by Barb Simard of her latest works, Holly and Joy!

In this section we will feature our reader’s creations. If you create with Powertex ... anything from sculpture to mixed media, jewelry or home decor.... we would love to see it. Please address your submissions to:

Reader’s Gallery and email to: info@powertex.ca

Don’t forget to include your full name and where you live.

CONTEST WINNERS!

The results are in... We have a winner from our last newsletter contest. Actually we have three winners. There were so many wonderful entries from our talented and creative readers that I truly had a hard time deciding. So I didn't pick one... I picked three! Of all the submissions, these three tickled my fancy for one reason or another.

"Dan and Danni", made me smile and remember the innocence of childhood and the sheer joy of a wheelbarrow ride. Technically well done and executed in the non traditional and sometimes difficult colour, red, "Dan and Danni" makes me smile every time I look at it. Congratulations Sandy... well done!

I chose "Stairway to Heaven", primarily because it makes me think. This sculpture tells a story and each time you look at it, something new comes to mind. Is the figure climbing up and why is the climb difficult? Or is he hanging on and in fear of falling back to earth? Is that a stormy sky behind him? And if so, does it represent the turmoil he faced or is facing in life. I love the use of texture and the fact that it is a bit dark in mood. Bravo, Henny for making me ponder the back story behind this evocative work.

And last, but certainly not least, we have the untitled sculpture that I like to call "Delivering Flowers". Again, the artist has used a non-traditional and challenging colour, green. This sculpture has a beautiful, soft, graceful, Victorian style and great body proportions. Congratulations Cat... beautifully rendered!

Congratulations to all three artists. They will each receive a gift
certificate for $25.00 from Powertex Canada.

Images below:
1. "Dan and Danni" by Sandy Marion.
2. "Stairway to Heaven" by Henny Roest.
3. "Delivering Flowers" by Cat Forbes.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Why not join our Powertex Canada group on Facebook?

We are a family of Powertex artists from all over the world who like to share their work. Learn about events when they happen, view inspired creations from around the world and be inspired to create something new and unique.
Simply go to Facebook and search groups for Powertex Canada.Don’t be confused with our webpage... this is a “group” where people make comments and share photos. Once you find us, ask to join. (Due to the amount of spammers using Facebook we have this set as a “closed group”.) But that’s not a problem. Once you ask to join, I will make sure you get a warm welcome.

Hope to see you there.

DISTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Distributors contact:
Looking to buy Powertex in your area? Contact one of these provincial distributors below and they will put you in touch with a store or dealer close to you. If you are interested in becoming a certified Powertex dealer/instructor, they can help you with that too. Don’t see a listing for your province? Contact Brigitte at info@powertex.ca
British Columbia
Delphine Hayes: www.powertexbc.ca
Alberta
Adele Sather: powertex.alberta@gmail.com
Saskatchewan
Holly Sadler www.yourartsdesire.co
Ontario
Brigitte Thompson www.powertex.ca
Quebec
Pin – So (Carole Majeau and Bruno Clouthier) www.pin-so.com
Nova Scotia/PEI
The Violet Unicorn (Leanne “Leo” Schmidt) www.violetunicorn.com