MELANIE DILDAY
 |
Truth be told, it took me about forty years to finally find 'my thing'…clay!…blessed grace! I was interested in ceramics initially, studied three-dimensional studies and wheelwork at TAFE, exhibiting my work in 1995 and 1996 in the Moores Building, Fremantle. I then expanded into polymer clay and precious metal clay and jewellery making became my main focus. |
I am a senior instructor for the Contemporary Clay Instructors Program, offering certificated courses, have taught at TAFE colleges in WA, the Fremantle Arts Centre and Grafton Artfest and travel extensively throughout Australia holding workshops as well as running clay retreats in my home studio in Mullumbimby NSW.
The bigger picture: I say I am an artist and a teacher and yet…I also know full well that art and teaching comes through me. Claying to me is a wonderful way to hit the zone…an alert state of awareness…where nothing is going on but the feel of the clay, the stroke of the brush, the blend of colour, the adding of texture, the play of design… This is my work and my meditation both - I teach and share and create because I am overflowing.
Melanie (www.polymerandmetalclay.com.au) will be holding two workshops during the festival. These are detailed below.
WORKSHOP: Polymer Clay Contemporary Jewellery Workshop (Code MD1)
DESCRIPTION:
Explore and delight in the new artists medium of polymer clay to make your own unique beads, pendants and earrings. You will learn:
- How to use gold leaf, inks and translucent clay for vibrant effects creating beautiful landscape pendants.
- How to mimic the look of Japanese lacquer, synthesizing aspects of the ancient mokume gane technique to create rich time worn effects and making beads, pendants and earrings.
- How to transfer printed graphics onto clay to make picture pendants.
TIME AND PLACE: July 19 to July 20 (2 days), 8.30am to 4pm, Studio 2, Community Arts Centre.
WORKSHOP FEE: $140
ART MATERIALS LIST:
Download Material List. Will also be supplied on registration.
WORKSHOP: Precious Metal Clay Contemporary Jewellery Workshop (Code MD2)
 |
Workshop fully booked, but please still register for this workshop as you will be put on the waiting list. We will contact you if a place becomes vacant. If we have sufficient interest, we will try to arrange another workshop after the Festival. |
DESCRIPTION:
Explore and delight in this revolutionary new medium used to create intricate fine silver beads, pendants, findings, and components without the need for casting with molten metal. Learn how to texture, mould and form PMC, fire with butane torch, patina and burnish to a professional finish. Create fine silver birdhouse pendants using dry construction methods and basic sculpting techniques. Make fine silver earrings with 24k gold foil using Korean Keum Boo method.
TIME AND PLACE: July 21 to July 22 (2 days), 8.30am to 4pm, Studio 2, Community Arts Centre.
WORKSHOP FEE: $140
Download Material List. Will also be supplied on registration.