Pal Tiya: Dragon Castle

Posted on 12th July 2018 by perfectly4med

Once upon a time, on a screen in front of me, there appeared an advert for a new non-fired clay that promised to be weatherproof when cured. That clay was called Pal Tiya, and it was new to the UK having travelled far from New Zealand (via manufacture in USA, but let’s not mention its carbon footprint). And that advert caught my eye, more than once (ah, the joys, and effectiveness, of placed ads). And so it came to pass that I joined Bob and Joe at a workshop to make my very own castle. Continue reading →

Altered Art: Powertex figurines

Posted on 25th May 2018 by perfectly4med

It’s been some time since I have had my Powertex and old t-shirts out. This week, however, saw four new figurines completed. For the uninitiated, Powertex is a pigmented liquid textile hardener – add to absorbent fabrics/surfaces, squeeze out, drape and allow to dry. With the addition of varnish and more pigments, it is possible to create faux-bronze finishes.

A bit more detail

Ranging in height from 16½”/42cm to 23″/53cm, they stand on faux-granite wooden bases. The heads and shoulders are pre-cast plaster. Everything else is either a wooden dowel, masking tape, foil or an old t-shirt. I also raided my button box for suitable buttons to make brooches.

Powertex Stone Art

Posted on 8th August 2014 by perfectly4med

As I was teaching my Powertex workshop last weekend, I was also able to make a piece as we went – after all, one of the best ways to learn is to see one, do one… So this was the result of my Stone Art playing. It’s yet another piece that hasn’t made it to a stock list as it’s now taking pride of place in the newly decorated hallway. However, if you’d like a copy, please get in contact 🙂

Powertex sculpting with Harry

Posted on 28th August 2013 by perfectly4med

I had the pleasure of a request to tutor one of our friends’ sons over the summer. Harry is 12, and has joined me in the studio for two hours each week and for his final two sessions we decided to make a statuette of his favourite video game figure – Link from Nintendo’s Ocarina of Time.

This statuette stands just shy of 50cm/19″ tall and had a wire frame, foil and polystyrene structure covered with masking tape to bind it all together before covering with Powertex bronze. The next layer was Powertex soaked fabric before piecing the tunic, cuffs and belt/bandoleer combo. We made the shield from Powertex ‘clay’ and dried it over a jam jar to set the curve. The same clay was used to form the sword and both hands, with the sword supported by a wire centre. The shield was connected by using Powertex to glue to the fist and elbow and a supporting fabric structure in the centre, supported while drying.

Harry preferred to not use the metallic pigments which would have given a more bronze-like feel, and we’re both delighted with the outcome! I’m impressed with the versatility of Powertex and the flexibility of the fabric really lends a sense of moment and dynamism in the final piece.

Two new workshops added

Posted on 13th August 2013 by perfectly4med

I’ve just updated my workshops page with two new sessions:

Make Your Own Embellishments – Saturday 5th October (£25)

A day of demonstrations and practical hands-on experience making your own embellishments for card making or scrapbooking: includes tips and tricks for colouring, moulding, shrink plastic, customised ‘metal’ tags, paper and fabric flowers, colour coordination and embellishing die cut lettering. If you have a layout in mind, bring your photos and make your own bespoke embellishments to match.

Painting with Powertex – Saturday 2nd November (£50)

In this session we’ll be using Powertex (a specialist pigmented liquid fabric hardener) as a paint. You’ll explore building up layers and texture on canvas and on a frame, making a complementary air dry clay to create figures or shapes to embellish your piece, and learn techniques to colour your pieces further with powered pigments.

For more details, pictures and to book online, go to my workshops page. Full terms and conditions are also available using the link at the bottom of the same page.

Now Level 3 Certified Powertex Trainer…

Posted on 2nd August 2013 by perfectly4med

I spent a day with the fabulous Brit once again, learning how to paint with Powertex. Here are the results of a few hours work. Workshops are destined to follow fairly soon as these techniques are fast and great effects easily achieved:

Powertex frame example

Both techniques concentrate on building layers and texture, with pigment powder highlights. The figures and stones are made from Stone Art/Powertex clay. With practice I think my figures will be a little more uniform – I was going for the slightly more abstract elongated appearance, honest! Sizes – ‘African scene’ – 40x50cm, ‘Stones’ – 40x40cm.

Stone carving… with a scalpel?

Posted on 10th May 2013 by perfectly4med

As previously mentioned, I’ve just completed my level two training in the use of Powertex and their Stone Art product. I was considering what I’d learnt, and decided to attempt another piece to test a concept I’d had an idea for…

Carved stone studio sign in situ

And I think the concept works really well – I just need to tweak the colouring a little, but the carved lettering was really quick once the outlines were traced on to the ‘stone’ and with a sharp scalpel, there was minimum effort and mess. The pencil and brushes were added as an afterthought and were just as easy to ‘carve’ into the stone. I’d love your commissions for carved signs and just about any shape and size is possible! And postage shouldn’t be prohibitive… the sign is stuck on with double sided tape!

Powertex Certification continues…

Posted on 29th April 2013 by perfectly4med

I spent yesterday getting more training in the use of the versatile fluid hardener, Powertex. This time we concentrated on ‘Stone Art’. Given that there isn’t a single grain of anything even vaguely resembling stone in the project below, it’s a very impressive product!

The base is the heaviest part of the project, and also likely to be the only part that isn’t weatherproof. I took the opportunity to get a stack of materials into stock (and find somewhere in the studio to store them!) so I’ll be playing some more as I get some samples ready for workshops later in the year. Thanks to Brit for another cracking training session.

I’m a Certified Powertex Trainer!

Posted on 18th March 2013 by perfectly4med

Yesterday, I had a very pleasant day workshop with Brit from Powertex British Isles. Powertex is a range of products based round a liquid fabric hardener. Having completed the workshop, I’m now certified to train you how to make figurines such as these:

They are 19 inches high, and constructed from wood and plaster formers, foil, masking tape, pressed mulberry fibres and old t-shirts all coated with Powertex and pigments. Let me know if you’re up for a training session in my new studio later in the year!