Medium:

Polymer Clay

Style:

Contemporary

Inspiration:

Morrocan and Turkish tiles, the great outdoors.

Education:

Boston Museum School; School of the Worcester Art Museum

Biography:

As a child Sandra McCaw would watch the family's black and white television set and inform the rest of the family what the colors were on the screen. Color is what first attracted Sandra to polymer clay. "The possibilities are endless! I buy only red, yellow, blue, black and white polymer clay and mix all my own colors. It's all about color and pattern for me, and the way subtle shifts in color can change the entire emotional temperature of a piece."

"My inspiration derives from a fascination with the interplay of color, line and form. In working with polymer clay, I'm able to create complex patterns where lines seem to lose their distinction and blend, and where colors bloom and merge. Polymer clay, with its richness of color and flexibility, allows me to create the intricate patterns that I love."

With a background in the graphic arts and photography, Sandra worked in the corporate world for several years. She discovered polymer in 1994 while working as a stay-at-home mom, and soon developed an original technique which now bears her name, "The McCaw Method".

Acknowledged internationally as an innovator and leading polymer clay artist and teacher, the hallmarks of Sandra's creative style are precision and exactness. Attention to detail, masterful use of color and intricacy of pattern distinguish Sandra’s work.

Sandra's polymer clay jewelry has been highly published, including being a featured artist in the Lark Books 500 series on polymer clay. One of her flower brooches graces the cover of "The Art of Jewelry, Polymer Clay". She has been a juried member of the prestigious League of NH Craftsmen since 1996, serving as a juror for 3 years.

Sandra's work was selected as a Niche Awards finalist in 2009. Criteria for this award are technical excellence, both in surface design and form; market viability and a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought.

Sandra's most recent work mimics leaves floating on a breeze. Sandra pairs the tight geometric canes for which she’s known with shibori-like washes of color.