Oxford graduate Kim Cochran has always loved arts and crafts but little did she know her hobby would turn into award winning artistry.
Cochran sculpts 3-D animal portraits from polymer clay, a compound vinyl dough.
‘I just started out experimenting by sculpting a portrait of my cat,? said Cochran.
‘I love sculpting the animals because they come alive as they become replicas of a loved pet,? she said.
A dedicated cat owner, Cochran’s logo and business name of K.C. Redcat reflects her love of animals.
As her sculpting skills developed, Cochran created a technique of capturing the personality of each pet she duplicates. When the pieces are finished she turns them into lasting keepsake pins, necklaces and hair decorations.
‘People have me sculpt their pets that have passed because they say it looks just like their animal.?
Through the Metro Detroit Polymer Clay Guild Cochran said she has the distinction of being the only artist who sculpts animal mementoes and won the first contest she ever entered with a dragon enwrapped in a snake. She won another first place with a 3D portrait of her cat.
Through the guild, pieces are judged on line by clayers around the world at Polymer Clay Central.com.
She has also been recognized as the polymer guild member of the month with a best creation in a fantasy bug contest.
‘Now I do just about anything,? she said.
Not limited to animal art, Cochran has won recognition for her faux images, taking first prize for her replicas of antique-looking ivory and turquoise inlaid arrowhead pieces. Cochran said the necklace is often mistaken for the real thing.
Since beginning her craft eight years ago, Cochran has perfected techniques to simulate millefiori glass (Venetian glass), Mokume Gane (Japanese layering), leather, wood grain, basket weave, and glass.
‘From covering medicine bottles to cigar boxes, no object is safe from a clayer,? Cochran said, adding she creates hair ornaments, jewelry, pill boxes, bugs, Christmas decorations, pen holders, and most recently, leaf-laced humming bird feeders.
Polymer clay was originally manufactured for the electronic industry as an thermal transfer compound.
Although Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) failed in its electrical applications, European doll makers scooped up the flexible vinyl as a valuable material for molding plastic faces.
Because it can be endlessly sculpted, carved, stamped, buffed, and textured, artists refer to polymer clay as the most versatile, durable, and colorful form of sculpting material available.
Cochran said polymer clay is the artist’s choice of material because it is easy to use and the creative applications are endless.
In addition to her awards, Cochran’s whimsical pieces have been featured on Fox 2 News and helped her meet her longtime crafting hero Carol DuVal of HGTV.
Meeting DuVal was a special honor to Cochran because it was an episode of the HGTV where she first heard about the polymer clay that has become her prized creative medium.
‘To me it’s an addiction,? she said.
While she continues to sculpt mementos of beloved pets on a commission basis, Cochran will be displaying her crafts for sale and giving technique demonstrations at Laura Lee’s Salon at 4 W. Burdick Saturday, Dec. 4 from 12-5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5 from 12-4 p.m.
Meeting DuVal was a special honor to Cochran because it was an episode of the HGTV where she first heard about the polymer clay that has become her prized creative medium.
‘To me it’s an addiction,? she laughed.
Polymer clay was originally manufactured for the electronic industry as an thermal transfer compound. While the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) failed its electronic potential, European doll makers swept up the flexible vinyl as a valuable material for molding plastic faces.
Because it can be endlessly sculpted, carved, stamped, buffed, and textured, artists refer the polymer clay as the most versatile, durable, and colorful form of sculpting material available.
Cochran said polymer clay the artists choice material because it is easy to use and creative possibilities are endless.
‘From covering medicine bottles to cigar boxes, no object is safe from a clayer,? she joked.
While she continues to sculpt mementos of beloved pets, on a commission basis, Cochran will be displaying her crafts for sale and give technique demonstrations at Laura Lee’s Salon at 4 W. Burdick Saturday, Dec. 4 from 12-5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5 from 12-4 p.m.