Nancy Bolton-Rawles, Artist - N Bolton Art Studio

Fine Art, Website Design, Ceramics, Photography

Paper Clay

Another Mixed Media Piece for my Napping Kitty Series

I’m afraid I haven’t been creating a lot of art this last year, but on the positive side I have been creating web sites. A few months ago the Yachats Arts Guild (which I am a member) asked about having an online art show. With all the restrictions (a good thing) during this pandemic there we haven’t had the opportunity to have a physical art show in 2020. I got busy and create an online shop for the group and right away we decidec to create an online show for the holidays:  Small Treasures Holiday Art Show.  One member, Sherry was in charge of marketing (take a look at her wonderful jewelry) and I was in charge of the website. Sherry did a fantastic job and we had some great articles written here on the Oregon Coast. We have also had some good responses!

I sold two of my Napping Kitty’s which got me motivated to create another in the series. I purused the internet and saw a darling photo of a kitten asleep in a boot, like a soft leather Ugg boot.  I set to work to see IF I could pull this off and I did. I think it turned out really cute and now it is posted in the Arts Guild Shop for sale. Check it out.

Nap Kitten Bootie, by Nancy Bolton-Rawles

Driftwood Whale – Fun with Paper Clay and Driftwood!

I have been collecting pieces of driftwood since we moved here to Yachats, Oregon December 2016 from Colorado. I kept looking at this piece and it was whispering to me: “I’m a whale.”

This piece of driftwood sat on my worktable for quite awhile. I knew it would be a whale. I saw that even before I picked it up and is why I picked it up. It was time to give it life.

Recently, I made an eye for it out of paper clay, but it just didn’t look right. I decided it was way too small. So I made a larger eye, then I felt it needed a lid, a fin and fluke (tail fin) came next and of course, it had to spout some water. I made the wire “water” from an old wire coat hanger. Then I attached a fluke (tail fin) drilling a hole in the driftwood fin piece and in the whale body and attached the fluke to the body with a piece of wire running between them. I used a little Gorilla gel glue in each hole to make sure they stayed together.

First, I painted the driftwood with gesso and gave it a coat of polymer medium. The paper clay itself will attach to the wood as it is drying.  I also gave the finished piece coat of gel medium to help protect it.

This photo shows my finished piece. I was thinking it was a he but found another piece of driftwood that could make a fine whale calve. So, I think this is actually a mama whale. The calve can share her limelight and swim right next to her. I’ll post the baby when she is finished.

I am also creating a driftwood fish… I think it may be a salmon! All things Yachats. It’s a beautiful place and the beauty here tickles my muse.

Take a look at other pieces of bas relief I created with paper clay.

Interested in learning more? I found this step-by-step tutorial on making a bowl. Pretty cool!

And if you’re interested in learning more paper clay techniques, you might enjoy Artful Paper Clay by Rogene Mañas.

Driftwood Whale, paper clay - N. Bolton-Rawles, Artist(Sold)

Group Show – Drift Inn Gallery, Yachats Jan 20-March 4th of 2020

I am excited to announce I was invited to participate in a group art show at the Drift Inn Gallery here in Yachats, OR.

Paper clay is a new media for me. In the last 6 months, I worked many hours creating with the paper clay and it is very rewarding to see my new pieces now in one of our local galleries. I have also been asked to create more of my smaller pieces, which I call Milagros – because to me they are – little miracles.

My husband Bruce and I have traveled to Oaxaca and Guatemala over the years and I am fascinated with the art I have seen while on our visits. I am enjoying creating my versions and sharing my creations.