Growing up surrounded by a family of artisans, J.S. Anderson devotes his artistic career to exploring the new possibilities offered by polymer clay. Working diligently forms of clay by hand into tubes that feature colorful and imaginative designs. Cross sections are cut from these tubes and carefully applied around the body of this tree frog sculpture. The small frog is decorated with elaborate designs and patterns that include the image of another tree frog on its back. J.S. Anderson has worked for 25 years to perfect this millefiori-style technique, which has allowed him to create intricate and amazing designs on his sculptures. Each pattern on this sculpture is diligently arranged by the artisans through a painstaking process to ensure perfection.

Product Features 

• Marked with artist's initials or trademark
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• Package Includes : Polymer clay sculpture
• County Of Origin : Indonesia
• Colors : Multi
• Material : Polymer clay
• Dimensions : 1.6" H x 2.8" W x 2.4" D

Story behind the art :The first piece I can clearly recall making is a terracotta pony when I was three years old. In Veracruz, Mexico, a girlfriend taught me how to make my own bamboo tools to work with clay. I take a lot of pride in working by hand and keep grinders and other mechanical tools out of my workshop. I learned from a book by Nan Roche titledThe New Clay" but have had no formal instruction beyond that. I drew on past experience more than anything. I began making jewelry components in 1991. I quickly developed my own voice through this medium and began making and selling my work on my own. Polymer clay is a post-war medium that is still being defined and finding its place in the art world. I can confidently say that I am considered one of the most innovative and accomplished practitioners of this medium. We also use it sometimes for small toys like yo-yos. Polymer clay has become popular and I think that at least 95 percent of it is made into jewelry while most of the rest is used in home crafts. I have 25 artisans who assist me. They help in blending colors, which is a huge undertaking that requires eight people at once. Four people push scrap clay into molds, others work on sanding, burnishing quality control and packing. It's like the Lucy episode in the candy factory every now and then, but we make things no one has ever seen or even thought possible. In 2005, I was infected with Japanese encephalitis, which has a mortality rate of 27 to 35 percent, so I have much to be happy about. Unfortunately, the disease causes severe side effects such a motor deficits, seizures and short term memory loss. It takes you from yourself. I've had to construct a new way of thinking about how we came to be who we are. It is terrifying to be, each minute. I was flat for almost a year. It was my therapy that helped the most I'm still learning from the disease as it can take the rest of your life to stop slowly changing your brain chemistry. It has made my art go into areas I never could have anticipated. Change what's under your feet and between your ears and make those places better in the most diligent frame of mind. As a polymer clay artist, I create artifacts of the mind, my visions and experience with other cultures, ethno-botanical art that will endure long after the oil has run out. I'm trying to create something that will leave a footprint of beauty rather than destruction.

The handcrafted touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen.

Imported