Home

SuDu Art

Biography

Susan Duxter Art
Windsor, Ontario
Canada N9G2M8
PHONE: (519) 969-3159

A former elementary school teacher, artist potter, graphic designer and computer expert, Susan works on the computer, reading, creative writing, photography and garage sales. A professional speaker and author of two books, Susan is passionate about exploring creativity and in embracing its many forms. Beginning painting has been a joyful experience. Susan graduated from Windsor Teacher's College, attended Michigan State University and the University of Windsor. She studied at Pewabic in Michigan, computer software programs and web design at New Horizons and St. Clair College and has taken watercolour courses and workshops that are offered locally through continuing education, at Michael's, plus workshops in Mississauga with Doug Mays and Marianne Broome. Recent teachers also include Art Cunanan, Linda Kemp, Pat Percy, Sheila Hill, Dennis Smith, Colleen Castonguay and Arial Lyons. At the age of 70, Susan began to work in polymer clay. Her passion for clay work has prompted her to donate all of her work to the Metropolitan Hospital fund raising group in order to assist with purchases necessary for those who suffer from cancer.

duxter.susan@gmail.com
Main art web site http://susan-duxter.artistwebsites.com/

www.suduart.com

FIRST TWO YEARS WORKING IN POLYMER CLAY

I began exploring polymer clay almost one year ago and quickly put aside my watercolour paints and brushes. I gave up my easel for a six foot table. With no plan of what to do with finished pieces I dedicated myself to learning how to let this medium become the vehicle through which I would express my creativity. This fascination began after having seen a picture of a mosaic piece on Pinterest. I simply had to know how it was done. I began to watch U Tube tutorials and became even more determined to learn how to do this in polymer clay. Ten months ago in July of 2018, I purchased my first blocks of clay, a roller, a tile and a cutting blade. My journey began. At the age of seventy, I became dedicated to using clay to express my creativity in the future.

........these things I have learned in no particular order

Always use plastic over the clay piece before cutting with a cutter as it nicely rounds the edges and looks much more professional. I cut around 5”X 7” baggies and get two sheets from each.
Remove the plastic and cut deeper to be sure the shape is cut all the way through.
After cutting a piece gently wipe the edges with 99% alcohol to smooth them.
Use a flexible blade to skim under the piece to remove it from your work surface.
Pick it up carefully so as not to distort the shape and use your finger with a touch of baby oil or alcohol to smooth the edges again before placing on a tile to cure in your toaster oven.
I buy large exactor knife blade replacements at the Dollar store so I always have a new sharp blade for cutting canes.
Break your goal into small parts. I wanted to create a mosaic cane. In order to do that I first needed to learn how to make many other canes as they would become part of raw material necessary for a more complicated mosaic. Make a list of canes and methodically learn and practice each one until you have gained mastery of at least half a dozen although there are over thirty different canes.
Watch one YouTube video each day to build your knowledge base. Become committed to this discipline. You will be surprised at how much you learn.
Make absolutely certain that the width of the clay you rolled out is even - thin or thick, the depth must be consistent and must not change in this respect.
If you use the thickest setting on your pasta machine but it feels too thin, double two pieces of clay together and carefully roll out air bubbles without using too much pressure.
If you have prepared a thin veneer with cane slices, etc. be prepared to lift the piece and lay it on top of a backing that is the appropriate depth. Run it through the pasta machine on the thickest setting under a sheet of parchment to reduce distortion or roll gently with your roller.
When a piece is almost ready, place a piece of parchment over it and smooth gently using your finger, the back of a soup spoon or a coffee tamper. Never skip this step unless there are three dimensional adornments you cannot disturb. This is called burnishing.
Avoid burn spots on your clay. Always tent your pieces. I like the square aluminum baking pan from Dollarama. Place it upside down over the pieces which are cured on an 8” tile. Works perfectly! Use parchment under the pieces on top of the tile to avoid shiny spots on the backs. You can buy 8” square tiles for under 50 cents each at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
Never cook at a higher temperature than recommended by the clay manufacturer but you can safely bake much longer without worry. I usually bake 45-60 minutes.
Keep your art studio work place meticulously neat, clean and organized. Use a labeler to assist you in remembering which drawer has what. Purchase a small second hand dresser to store materials and label each drawer.
Arrange four medium sized bins marked: to be sanded, to be varnished, to have findings added, and completed. Set aside time to devote to moving pieces to the final finished bin.
Do not begin a new project until the present one is cured and in one of the bins above. A project might be one piece or a series of like items. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
When your bins start to look full, it’s time to take a day off and sand, varnish, add findings, finish what you started before moving ahead with a new project.
Keep all canes wrapped in parchment, in a lidded container and labeled so you can find what you want quickly and efficiently. I like to keep different canes in separate containers which are clearly labeled.
Never skip the conditioning process. Use your clay machine to get each colour equally softened. If one sheet is too wet, place it between two pieces of bond paper with a book on top for an hour. If a clay is too hard, use softener or baby oil in very small amounts until it matches the others.
Never throw out your scraps or cane ends. There are wonderful things you can do with them such as making a stroppel-cane, Natasha beads and many more projects. You can also blend to create new colors.
Invest a little in organization and storage. Buy some multi drawer units, a label-maker, some medium sized bins for each stage of clay progress, plastic lidded containers for your canes, a large white tile for a work surface and a garbage can.
Try shopping at thrift stores for useful additions to your clay studio. Substitute old eye shadow for mica powder.
Pre cut 4-6” squares of parchment paper and plastic sheets - place in two 4-6” square plastic containers easily found at the Dollar store, label them and keep handy on or near your work surface.
Keep a small notebook to record ideas for the future, urls of favourite U-Tube tutorials, suppliers of clay products, names of Facebook friends as you establish relationships, to do lists, etc.
Keep all your supply receipts in a box in the studio.
Trust that you can mix and make any colour of clay. It isn’t necessary to buy them all. Sparkle can be added to clay to create special effects.
Don’t be side tracked by every new product for clay that shows up. How much can you really do and do well? I’m interested in alcohol inks, mica powders, metallic mica shifting, colour shifting paint, sparkle, interference paint additives, resin, mold making, collecting textures, and more. One thing at a time will help keep you focused and allow you time to become an expert at one technique before pursuing another. Too many supplies like too many projects can lead to inactivity and depression. Forget mold making and two part resin until you have established a good routine.
Learn to make your own texture sheets. Once baked, make another of the reverse for your files.
Less is more. Quality not quantity. Find your niche and stay focused.
Build your skills. Watch as many tutorials as time permits, read books on polymer clay and subscribe to clay blogs by people you admire.
Google information on the right glue, the best resin, the differences in clay brands, necessities verses extravagances, comparison of suppliers and prices online, where to buy specialty tools. Keep the information in your notebook. Watch for regular sales.
Decide who you are and write a statement of intent. Are you selling or are you creating for pleasure? Have you figured out what to do with finished masterpieces as they begin to accumulate? There is no need to compete with other artists. What you decide is exactly right for you. Stick to that and have confidence in your decision. Let family and friends know this is your journey and ask them to respect your choices and decisions.
No one is finished. We are all on a journey that includes constant learning, change, growth and refinement of our core artistic intentions.
I love using my extruder but my hands are not strong enough. Solution. I purchased a tiny vice from AliExpress.com for under six dollars. It holds the extruder firmly to my table so all I have to do is spin the handle...this is a great product.
Sanding a finished piece can be soothing. I sit with my four squares of sandpaper and a bowl of water. Piece by piece I use 400, 600, 800 and 1000 wet/dry paper purchased at the local auto store to bring out the brilliance of my work.
If you can afford it, purchase a poly sander tool to make the job of sanding easier. Later you may want to acquire a small drill.
I like the look of a shiny finish using gloss coat (Future was, two part resin, water based varathane, specialty products, etc. but have come to realize that I find clay is most beautiful with some Renaissance wax and buffed. These pieces glow, never fingerprint and feel smooth to the touch.
Finger cots can be ordered online by the thousand and are quite inexpensive. They are useful when working on projects when you wish to eliminate the fingerprints and they are much easier to wear than gloves.
Take pride in your work. Keep working on a single piece refining and perfecting it to the best of your ability. Use a critical eye to measure your success. Take a picture and study it for flaws that you can correct. Photos show what the eye refuses to see. Once satisfied, sign your work or order a stamp to use on the back.
Finishing touches make all the difference between a beginner and a more experienced artist. For example, add a thin veneer of clay to the back of a piece of jewelry. In most cases texture it and add a neat border to enhance the piece.
A day of preparation for a week of pleasure is well worth the effort. Use your clay machine to condition numerous colours of clay. Cut each slab neatly into squares and place between plastic sheets in a binder so you have ready access to them once you begin a new project.
Organization is key to your success. Never finish your clay day without putting everything back in its place. Wipe down your work surface, roller and blades with baby wipes. Put all scrap clay and cane ends into a zip lock bag. When tomorrow comes and you enter your studio space you will be so glad that you did.
When using a texture stamp always spray lightly with either water or mold release. Sometimes brushing the surface with cornstarch keeps the clay from sticking. Clean your cutters with warm water and soap.
Never press a texture sheet into the clay! Lay the sheet texture side up, put your conditioned clay on top. Use your fingers to make sure every bit of texture has transferred to the clay, then use parchment paper and a burnisher to smooth the surface of the clay before lifting it off of the texture sheet.
Take a slice of every cane you make or a sample of each veneer and glue them on to a background for easy referral.
What you give out comes back to you ten times over. As often as you can donate a piece to a local charity silent auction to help others.
Create a simple website or at the very least open a Pinterest account where you can store photos of all your work year after year.
Design a business card on publisher or any simple program. This will allow you to print ten cards on a sheet and always have art cards with you in the event the someone needs to get in touch.
Find a fellow clay artist and plan to spend one day a week working together. Allow your friend to guide you through a morning project and after lunch be prepared to lead him or her through some work in clay that you find challenging. You will bring out the best in each other and always be learning new things.