J.S. Anderson draws inspiration from his family history of artistry, devoting his career to exploring the wonderful possibilities offered by polymer clay. Working on 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 sculpture of an iguana. The small lizard crouches in a watchful posture, elaborated with intricate motifs that depict flowers and dragonflies. 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 designed by the artisans through a painstaking process to ensure perfection.
 

Product features:

• Dimension - 1" H x 4.3" W x 2.8" D
• Weight - 0.17 LBS
• Color - Multicolor
• Marked with artist's initials or trademark
• Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
• Made in Indonesia

Story behind the art:

I'm Jon Stuart Anderson. I grew up all over the US, Mexico, Venezuela and Costa Rica. My father always looked to the horizon and was insatiably curious.I was exposed to a variety of arts and crafts as a boy when I traveled with my family. The influences that stand out in my mind are the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, Native American art, my mother's wildlife sculptures and the pre-Hispanic art of Mesoamerica.Each member of my family is or was an artist, potter, sculptor, painter — you name it; that's how we made our living. My grandfather was a fine jeweler. 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 now work exclusively with polymer clay and feel blessed to have found a medium I can honestly say I was born for. I learned from a book by Nan Roche titled The 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. A friend recognized my potential and set me up with a workshop in Bali in 1993.I usually create animal sculptures that are covered in a layer of polymer clay. We use all of our scraps to make the framework for my animal sculptures. 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 try to create designs so difficult to make that no machine could keep pace with my ideas.I design everything made in our workshop. 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. 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.