First, I'd like to thank you for being the first featured artist on the Random Access Design blog.
Thank you Ardie, for giving me this opportunity.
Maybe we should start with a little background information first. Please tell us a little about the life and times of Malathy.
I am from India, living right now in Israel, married to an Aeronautical engineer and mother of a 10 year old. I am a biotechnologist and teacher by profession, currently enjoying a break from my day job.
The first time I saw your work I couldn't believe you're new to the medium. How long have you been claying?
I got introduced to polymer clay last year, and started working at it last September, I would say 10 months ago.
What do you feel your rich cultural heritage brings to your art?
The colors and patterns that I come up with are I think always an expression of our rich culture and tradition that is full of color.
Were you artistic or a crafter as a child?
Yes, I was always inclined towards arts and crafts, but as a child I didn’t have much time or opportunity to try a lot of it.
Do you work in any other crafts?
I do a lot of color pencil sketching. I used to do airbrush painting on etched glass and also a specific kind of Indian art called Tanjore painting. I also do a bit of ceramics.
Why did you decide to try polymer clay?
I first saw polymer clay jewelry on display at a fair and I could kind of figure out how it was made. That day I picked six colors of polymer clay, got back home and searched the internet for polymer clay, found some tutorials and that is how it all started.
What is the first thing you ever made with polymer clay?
A very simple flower cane is what I first tried out.
Who or what inspires you to create?
I would say the first inspiration is from nature. As I walk along the road my eyes never miss a beautiful flower. Also, there are many people whose work inspires me. Starting from Donna Kato, the list is endless. My son and husband have always been a great source of inspiration and encouragement. I get a lot of ideas and feedback from them time to time.
How does your creative process work? Do you dream your designs? Do you see pictures in your head? Do you draw your designs first, or do you sit down and let the inspiration come?
The creative process is almost continuous; I am almost all the time thinking of ideas for clay. At any time I have enough ideas for at least another 10 days to go. I do draw my designs at times. For example, when I recently did the bumble bee and lady bug cane, I drew the pictures and then started working. Same way with my first peacock feather cane, I looked at some pictures of peacock feathers and then planned out how close I can get to the colors and shape and planned out the blend and then started caning.
What is the one technique you think is invaluable for any clayer?
In my opinion, it is the millefiori, or the caning technique.
Is there a clay tool, other than your pasta machine, you use more frequently than any other?
I use my clay gun, bought one recently and it is a great tool.
If you could improve your artistic talent instantly; what would you improve?
My technique at caning is what I would like to improve.
Do you have any advice for others, new to polymer clay?
All I would say is keep working and keep trying as polymer clay is a great medium where you can see your work getting better each time you make some thing and just enjoy the bliss.
Where do you want to be in the craft of polymer clay in a year, in five years?
I want to do a lot of complex caning and have a name and place in the polymer clay world. I also want to try out all the available techniques in polymer clay and find some new ones if possible.
In e-mails we shared earlier; you wrote that you're thinking of offering your jewelry pieces for sale. Can you tell us when and where we'll be able to purchase one (or more) of your pieces?
Yes, I have plans to start an e-shop very soon. Until then you can contact me by e-mail for any requirement.
malathykumaran@yahoo.co.in
Last, but not least: Why turtles? How many have you made, now?
I have a passion for turtles. I had a pet turtle years back, and now we have a pet tortoise. The first time I made a polymer clay turtle was just by accident. I cut out the end of a cane that I had just made and was toying around for a while till it started looking like a turtle shell. Then I just added the head and limbs and that is how it started. From then on, almost every cane that I make, I have turtles from the ends. I have about 125 different types of turtles now and I love each one of them.
Thanks again, for sharing your talent and your fresh artistic vision with us, Malathy. We'll be keeping an eye out for new creations on your Flicker album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malsarts/
and looking forward to the possibility of owning one of your pieces.
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