Polymer clay artist: Isabelle d’Hauterive

Isabelle d’Hauterive makes incredibly lovely figurines from polymer clay.  Just look at the faces on these beautiful pieces!  Based in Quebec, Isabelle has made her website available in both French and English.  I highly recommend a visit, whatever language you speak: these beauties will have universal appeal!  Isabelle writes:

I was born in Charlesbourg in 1957, my parents had recently immigrated there from France. Two years later, my parents bought a farm in the quaint village of Frelighsburg, hidden in the Easterntownships of Quebec. In the setting of my childhood, sheep, goats, geese and chickens shared my everyday life and flourished in my imaginary world.

When I was twelve, a neighbor ceramist introduced me to the art of modeling clay. This was a revelation. Creating, giving life to the inanimate, awed and enchanted me, thus giving rise to my passion for sculpture.

At the age of eighteen, after a year of studies at l’ecole de Poterie Bonsecour, I headed for France to perfect my apprenticeship. In Toulouse I did an internship with Denis Vene, a reputable ceramist and architect.

Back in Quebec, I paralleled my work as a ceramist with obtaining a degree in teaching, which began a career in that domain. Between work and family little time is left for creativity, and thus the fading of my passion. For years I left the arts behind, until the discovery of polymer clay, a material of infinite creative possibilities. My creativity has since been reanimated along with my passion. In time I learned to adapt to and master this new material, discovering a new identity for myself and finally leaving the world of teaching behind.

For twelve years now, still in the setting of my childhood, I have the pleasure of living my passion everyday.