Judy Belcher - Polymer Clay Master Class Exploring Process, Technique, and Collaboration with 11 Master Artists

My greatest collaboration is with my ever-patient husband, Greg: our children, Maria and Max, to whom I dedicate this book. And to Tam, for our special friendship and her great command of words.
Judy

Dedication and heartfelt thanks to Rich, my husband, and our boys, Kevin and Ryan, for their never-ending love and support. And to Judy, for her energy, friendship, and for inviting me to the party.
Tammy

Our deepest appreciation goes to each of the artists who participated in this adventure; their ability to share, explore, and trust humbles us. Great thanks to Rich Honaman for the hard work and long days he put in to make the images fantastic, and for his ability to whip up a mean cocktail. Jeff Devers belief in us and the support he offered, both during the planning of the book and during our weeks exploration, were critical to the success of this experiment. His help during our time together on the Outer Banksspurring conversations, stirring collaborations, and providing great topics for discussions at dinnerproved invaluable and added so much to the experience and printed word. All of us felt spoiled by the never-ending supply of delectable meals and snacks that Jim Glass provided. What a delightful surprise it was for the artists to open box after box from companies who generously donated polymer, supplies, and tools for the artists to use; grateful thanks to Polyform Products; Van Aken International; Staedtler; Viva Decor; Ranger Industries, Inc.; and Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. As we embarked on this journey, Joy Aquilino understood our vision and gave us wonderful guidance and support. Alison Hagge, our project editor, took our manuscript and crafted a page-turning story that brings you into the house with us. Betty Wong, Caitlin Harpin, and La Tricia Watford from Random House all helped to turn it into a beautiful book.

Collaborations between artists may be one of the most powerful catalysts to revitalize, refocus, and redirect ones workto infuse your vision with a jolt of energy. In one week at the beach, eleven talented artists created five spectacular collaborative projectstestaments to the synergies born out of this bouillabaisse of personalities, aesthetics, and temperaments. Some of these artists are seasoned collaborators, well versed in the dance of self-expression and negotiated compromise; others were newbies, collaborative virgins on an artistic quest.

As our artists discovered, collaboration is not a one-size-fits-all journeythere is no road map, and no two paths are alike. To work successfully with another artist requires honesty, communication, artistic self-confidence, and, most of all, trust. One should be neither a diva nor a doormat, and embrace an open mind and heart. Every collaborator receives directly in proportion to what they invest, and commitment to the process is key. Whether the path is smooth as glass or strewn with pitfalls, no artist remains unchanged. We discovered that all who enter will grow; even if their work appears unchanged, they will forever be informed by the journey. Ultimately, the test is not the final piece of work but our evolution as artists, born of collaboration.

Most artists work in isolation in their studio. Historically, there is near reverence for the image of the solitary individual, lonely and suffering. Yet most artists desire to have creative discussions with others. That is why retreats and workshops are so popularits why we join organizations, participate with online groups, and follow each others blogs. Collaborations, bees, and workshops in the creative arts not only provide a mixture of fun and friendship, they also offer the perfect setting for learning.

As longtime friends and colleagues, we have always been fascinated by the interplay of artists at work. Having mulled over these ideas for years, we were delighted when the specific plan for this book finally hatched: Polymer Clay Master Class investigates the creative process of eleven polymer artists, each of whom was carefully chosen because she or he has a unique style as well as a keen eye that is able to discern what is relevant and exploratory in polymer today. We wanted to see what would happen if we paired up these artists, strong individuals with articulated aesthetics and refined working methods; challenged each team to create a collaborative work; provided lovely shelter, hearty sustenance, and stimulating conversation; but oh yeah gave them a firm deadline. Would creative synapses fire, unanticipated alliances form, and exciting collaborations ensue, or were we setting ourselves up to fail, to jeopardize some of our most cherished longtime contacts in the polymer community?