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Since I was a little girl decorating mud pies with tulip petals I have loved being creative. Creating art is an essential part of my life. So much a part of my life sometimes it feels like art is my form of oxygen. In 1997, I discovered polymer clay by viewing the Carol Duval Show. My son’s elementary school art class introduced me to the more pliable Sculpey polymer clay. During the past 25 years my exploration of creating polymer art has evolved from jewelry and home decor items to sculptural paintings created with polymer clay.

Painting with watercolor was my first artistic background and over the past 7 years I have been excited to dovetail painting with polymer clay.   My  intention in the paintings is to delight and inform the viewer of my message and the versatility of Polymer Clay used as paint.  The pigmented clay offers boundless possibilities to entice viewers to touch, look closely and be surprised by the medium. The dimensional properties of polymer allow for exploration into creative designs spotlighting the manipulation of color within the clay.  Often the designs and patterns are thought to be painted on the work, when in fact the clay is the paint.  As my journey working in the medium progresses so do my areas of interest. Currently  my work is exploring the uses of mixed mediums to accentuate my art and push the limits of the use of polymer in larger and moveable art. 

Publications:

Culture 2017 magazine published by Keys Arts. Key West Landmarks II

Culture 2016 magazine published by Keys Arts. Azur Pescar

From Polymer to Art "Fire"  2013 Edition 4

The Polymer Arts Magazine Summer 2013 “Mixed Media Polymer Wall Art  

The Polymer Arts Magazine Fall 2013  "Fundamental Structures in Wall Art"

Polymer Cafe Magazine October 2010 Gallery Runner Up  

Polymer Cafe Magazine August 2008 Vol. 6 No. 5 - Study of Shapes 

National Polymer Clay Guild 2008 PolyInformer article “The Cure”

Polymer Clay Creative Traditions by Judy Belcher image

Exhibitions: 

The International Polymer Clay Association Second Annual Global Exhibition

The Studios of Key West “Play Ball” exhibit 2022

Anne McKee Artist Fund Key West, Florida 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Transit Fine Art Gallery  - Featured Artist August 2013                                                                          

The Gallery in Saxonburg - April 2012

Fein Art Gallery Holiday Show 2011  

Art from Around the Corner Saxonburg Artist Co-Op, Oct. 2011

Planet Art Gallery - Polymer Clay Journey Nov. 2008

Fein Art Gallery Opening Show - April 2007

National Polymer Clay Guild Progress and Possibilities 2007

Pittsburgh Area Art League and Guild Shows - Award winner 2001, 2002, 2010  

Television:  

HGTVʼs “Thatʼs Clever” - Episode HCLVR-404 2007

Bethel Park Community Television Art Exhibition - Bethel Park, PA

Digital Presence:     

The Daily Polymer Arts Blog - Polymer in Flight - June 20, 2013                                             

Polymer Clay Daily - Back to School Polymer - August  20, 2012

Viola.eu.com Polymerista of the Week - February 14, 2010

Polymer Clay Daily, Grahamʼs Polymer Clay Watercolor - June 30, 2009 

www.etsy.com/shop/denisegrahamcreates                     

http://www.flickr.com/photos/denise_graham/               

Classes: CraftArtEdu   http://craftartedu.com/instructors/index/view/id/42/