Sat 5 Apr 2008
Who inspires you?
When I started working with polymer clay, a friend had mentioned to me that a pendant I made reminded her of Gustav Klimt. At the time, I was using metallic canes and playing with values. I’d always enjoyed his work but never made the connection. I love the shards of light and metallic fabrics that just seem to glow in his work. I’m also inspired by Henri Matisse. Not so much the colors he uses, but I enjoy the shapes. And M. C. Escher is another artist who inspires me. When I took my color theory class, I learned to look not just at the objects, but the negative space created between them. To this day, I consciously try to see that.
What inspires you?
I love color and texture so there are many things that inspire me. Fabric for one, is probably my earliest recollection of my first inspiration. When I was young, my mother was a dressmaker. I can still remember some of the fabrics from back then. The colors and textures were amazing. There was an abundance of fabric in our downstairs as that’s where she worked. I used to go around and touch a lot of the fabric. I especially loved the ones with the “bumpy” texture. And of course, nature inspires me. When I’m starting a new project, I pull a lot of color schemes from nature – but sometimes exaggerated. As I go for walks, I love looking at the cracks in the road. The texture is mesmerizing. And I also find music very helpful. I think what music does for me is to help me release my preconceived notions as to how to proceed and just “be”. 
Where do you create?
About 10 years ago, we finished our basement complete with an additional bedroom. That bedroom has become my “metals” studio. The craft area that was made for the kids has become my polymer clay studio. I have taken pictures and they can be seen here: http://libzoid.net/blog/2008/03/31/studio-snapshot-janice-abarbanel/
How long have you been working with clay?
I started working with polymer clay in 2003 when I wanted to add color to a pendant. All of my learning has been either on-line or through books. I find it very stimulating everyday when I go online and see all the wonderful things being done with this material! My intention was to add polymer to my metal work but I feel I got totally absorbed in the polymer. I hope to bring more and more polymer back into metal. Over the period of a year, my beads have gone from mosaic, to yin yang, to madras and now to abstract landscapes. Who knows what the future will hold . . .
