Maggie Maggio has studied and played with color for over thirty years. Trained as an architect and interior designer, Maggie discovered polymer clay in the early 1990′s and immediately recognized its potential for exploring color.
While playing with the clay she learned that most color theory is misleading and sometimes just plain wrong. She spent the last twelve years traveling the country teaching her unique “Smashing Color” workshops to polymer clay artists, painters, and fiber artists. A perpetual student of color, Maggie specializes in opening artists’ eyes to the miraculous beauty of color while explaining the difference between color theory and color reality. Her workshops are designed to transform students from color confusion to color confidence one exercise at a time.
Her early work in polymer clay was inspired by folk art and fables, and her recent work by landscapes and explorations evoking a sense of place. Her current work attempts to take advantage of the structural qualities of polymer clay while playing with the material as sculptural color.
The originator of the “Watercolor Technique” in polymer clay, she continues her personal exploration of colorwashing with polymer clay and encourages others to do the same by generously sharing this technique in workshops and on-line tutorials.
As a co-founder of the Northwest Polymer Clay Guild, she was a member of the four person team that created Ravensdale ’96 , the first national polymer clay conference. In 2000-2001 she chaired the National Polymer Clay Guild’s Courting the Muse conference at Bryn Mawr College, and as Vice-President of the International Polymer Clay Association she co-chaired the 2008 Synergy I conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
Maggie and Lindly Hanauni are co-authors of the book Polymer Clay Color Inspirations, recently published by Watson-Guptill/Random House.
With the polymer clay book behind her, Maggie is now focusing on expanding her circle, sharing her eye-opening approach to color with artists, designers, craftsmen and crafters in all media.
Maggie lives in Portland, Oregon – one of the most colorful cities in the world.
Work in Publications
- Masters: Polymer Clay, Lark Press, 2011
- Terra Nova: Polymer at the Crossroads, 2011
- Polymer Clay Color Inspirations, WatsonGuptill-Random House, 2009
- The Art of Polymer Clay , Watson Guptill, 2007
- Polymer Clay Creative Traditons, Watson Guptill, 2006
- 400 Polymer Clay Designs, Lark Press 2004
- Images on Clay II, Design Originals, 2002
- Ornament Magazine, Spring 2000
- Foundations in Polymer Clay Design, Barbara McGuire, Krause, 1999
Work in Museums, Galleries and Shows
- Mingei International Museum, San Diego, California
- Racine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconson
- Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Facere Gallery, Seattle, Washington
- Whidney Moore Gallery, Portland, Oregon
- Peters Valley Gallery, Peters Valley, New York
- Florida Craftsman Gallery, St. Petersburg, Florida
- Boston Society of Artists and Craftsman, Boston, Massachusetts
- Brookfield Arts Center, Danbury, Connecticut
- Sandusky Art Museum, Sandusky, Ohio
- Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, Washington
Ayanna – It was wonderful to have you in the class. Its fun to see things through the eyes of someone who is just starting! Have a great time playing with the clay. The possibilities are endless.
Hey Maggie!
I wanted to thank you so much for all I’d learned in your Friday class at “The Artway”. This was my very first time dealing with polymer clay! I was so excited when I got home, that I continue making more things up until about 12 midnight! You have truly inspired me!
-Ayanna
Hi Debra – Thanks! I am thinking about teaching the “Slinky” technique but am concerned that the conditioning and baking of the clay needs to be done just right. If its not – then the bracelet will fail. I did all kinds of testing on many kinds of clays and old Premo works best so far. (I wear those bracelets all the time and they are holding up well.) I still have to try Pardo so I’ll wait until those tests are done to decide about teaching.
Maggie, I took your class at CFCF 2010 and it rocked my world. I go to your site daily. Will you be teaching the “slinky” technique? You are so innovative and clever! Debra
Hi Wendy – Thank you so very much for all your appreciative words! I really do love sharing my passion for color. I will put you on the mailing list for the Smashing Color Retreats and hope you can come down to Portland for a visit sometime soon. In the meantime, have fun learning all about the great things polymer can do and I hope the cake topper comes off beautifully. What a lucky friend!
Hi Maggie,
I would like to compliment you on a lovely website! It’s clear that your vast knowledge and training have come together with your passion for teaching and sharing, and your wonderful site is a clear reflection of your passion for color.
I only just discovered you today. I am embarking on a project for a dear friend who is about to get married, and I am going to be making her a cake topper, unbeknownst to her. I have worked with the polymer clays only a little in the past, and as such was going for simple and straightforward in my approach, but my lovely husband, true to his nature, went on line and found me all sorts of great instructional videos and techniques for creating some truly remarkable works of art, yours included! My eyes have been opened, and it’s clear that my original intentions will never do!
I’ll keep you posted, if your interested, and send you some photos when I get my project finished.
In the meantime, I just read that you are in the Pacific Northwest. As it turns out, so am I. I live in Bremerton, WA, but was born and raised in the Everett area, north of Seattle and except for a 16 year absence due to military service, have lived most of my life there. I would very much like to be put on a mailing list, if there is one, for upcoming workshops you may have in the area.
Again, thank you so much for all your great information and for your passion. It comes through loud and clear!
Sincerely,
Wendy Ogden
wendygael55@yahoo.com