Polymer clay art inspired by colours and textures of nature
Trina Costello says, since Covid, people are now more inclined to pay more attention to their health and what they surround themselves with in the homes.
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Polymer Clay Artist Kate Lee Foley
Nambour artist Kate Lee Foley uses her love of colour to create beautiful, unique art in polymer clay. Her works, which range from jewellery to small vessels and objects, draw inspiration from the intricate colours and designs found in nature.
“Polymer clay has captured my imagination and held my attention in a way no other art material has managed to do. I have always been creative, but had not ventured seriously into fine art previously,” Kate said.
“I had experimented with porcelain and other ceramic clays but when I discovered polymer clay I was blown away by the vibrancy of the colours. With polymer I can give form to pure colour. It feels alive in my hands.”
Kate’s first career was as a performance auditor, assessing Government systems and processes. When she and her husband moved from the ACT to Nambour in 2014, Kate embarked on her current career as an artist.
“From the outside, my experiences seem like they are worlds apart,” Kate laughed. “But in reality, both require meticulous attention to detail, an understanding of good design and clear intention. So I have been able to transfer those skills to my work.”
Polymer clay is a very versatile material that holds fine detail and can be used to create in almost unlimited ways. Due to its lightweight nature, it is perfect for making jewellery.
While Kate has been greatly influenced by nature, she has been particularly drawn to butterflies as a source of inspiration.
“Butterflies have so much meaning to so many people for a whole range of reasons,” said Kate.
“But they have captured my imagination because they symbolise transformation. When you contemplate the colours, delicate patterns and beauty of butterflies it is easy to forget the change and growth they went through to become such exquisite creatures.”
Kate has been involved with Arts Connect for a number of years, and last year curated an exhibition of small objects for Studio on Brunswick in Fortitude Valley, titled Simple Pleasures.
“It was a lovely exhibition to be part of because I think it is so important to stop and appreciate the little things in life that bring joy. It is also wonderfully uplifling to create beautiful objects that simply make you and others feel good about the world,” Kate said.
“My preference is for colourful playful pieces that express feminine beauty, transformation and connections. I often begin with colour and draw inspiration from personal experiences and anything that makes me smile. Flowers feature strongly in my work, as they allow me to explore whimsical patterns and vibrant colour combinations. I think it is good for the soul to be surrounded with beauty.”
Kate’s work can be viewed on instagram at kate.lee.foley or her website www.kateleefoley.com. You can also discover discounted work at the Handmade Exchange’s online markets via Facebook. Kate will be participating in Open Studios in May 2023 and accepts commissions for specific pieces. You can contact Kate on kateleefoley@gmail.com.