Been smooshing some clay

Lately I've been doing a lot of sculpting and have been inspired by Boris and Dinko Tilov.  I've created several fun pieces, and have really been in a good creative groove.  The Dragons I sculpted for Mother for Christmas were made with guidance from the Tilov's book Sculpting Mythical Creatures in Polymer Clay.  The projects in this book are so much fun, and the possibilities for variations are limitless.

My Griffin sculpture was created as an entry in the Polymer Clay Smooshers guild Mythology Challenge.  This was another whimsical project from the same book.  He was also the first griffin I've sculpted, but certainly not the  last!  I like the way he came out.  I think he's got a lot of character!

My best friend's birthday is coming up, so I sculpted a lighted Mushroom Gnome house for her.  I included a funny gnome based on Tilov's gnomes.  I've sculpted several lighted houses, but this was the first lighted mushroom house in my repertoire.  Right now I'm putting the finishing touches on another lighted mushroom house.  The first turned out so well, I just had to make another.  This one will have a gnome and a halfling sharing his garden vegetables.  That would represent my longing to get back out in the garden- LOL!  My next sculpture will be another project from Tilov's book.  I'm sure I'll create several versions of just about all of the projects in this book.  They're so much fun to create, and while I'm sculpting the story of the piece plays itself out in my mind.
So that's what I've been up to lately. ;)
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

The Polymer Clay Smooshers Mythology Challenge

I've completed and entered my sculpture for the first Challenge of the new year for my Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild.  The theme for this Challenge was Mythology.   Of course this gave me all sorts of options for creatures to make.  Last year I got the book "Sculpting Mythical Creatures out of Polymer Clay" by Boris and Dinko Tilov, and had been planning on sculpting the griffin for months.  There are all sorts of great projects in this book, and I've done several already. As usual, the Smooshers challenge gave me an excellent reason to start this particular sculpture.  This was also my first sculpture of 2011 (so you know it had to be a good one!)


I love the Tilov's style and sense of whimsy, and the fact that they encourage you to make the creatures your own and get creative with them.  They usually have several different versions of each creature at the end of each project, so you can get an idea of the possible variations.  I added a bit more detail and texture to this guy.  The feathers on his head were all individually textured, and his mane has a nice furry texture as well.  I gave him furry ankles too, just for fun.

I also used glow in the dark clay for his eyes and claws, which always adds a magical touch.  Eventually I plan to do all the projects in this book (with my own style, of course).  This is one of those books that will be referred back to quite frequently.  Don't forget to check out all the entries in the Challenge (the Smooshers are a very talented bunch!), and vote on our next Challenge theme.  Just click The Polymer Clay Smooshers guild Mythology Challenge to view all the entries and vote for what you want to see us create next.  The results never fail to amaze me!  Thanks for joining us in our smooshing adventures! =)
-Michelle of CreativeCritters