In addition to being an artist Michael Armstrong is also a martial artist and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Black Belt and instructor at Redback BJJ Canberra Australia. Like art, martial arts has been a key component in his life since he was a child and has led to the achievement of several black belts, Senior Unarmed Combat Instructor in the Australian Army, and the coach of thousands of students over a three decade instructing career. Michael was recently invited to be interviewed on a Podcast called Behind the Black Belt and spoke at length about his art and martial arts journey. If you're interested in a behind the curtain look at my upbringing, family and the key moments that led him on his journey, please check out the podcast on all the major distribution applications or via YouTube on the link below.

In the interview Michael discussed the following topics:

• His upbringing in Papunya, Alice Springs and Melbourne Australia
• His Grandfather Jack Armstrong, Father John Armstrong and Mother Lynne Armstrong
• His wrestling experiences growing up
• His siblings
• His early forays in art, exhibiting, life drawing, art school and the role of the figure in his art
• His early Karate experience with instructor Shihan Frank Dimarco
• Joining The Australian Army
• Training with martial arts instructors and fellow students such as Wayne Williams, Chris Haseman, Bill Turner, Colin Crosby, Rob Williams, John Donahue, John Will, Tony Morris, Eduardo Diaz, Danny Weir, Declan Redman and Travis Faure
• His motivation and beliefs around martial arts training
• The impact martial arts and art making has had on each other
• The role of the Warrior Monk or Yamabushi in his life and art
• The role of martial arts and art in his current life

If you are interested in following up or interviewing Michael for your own podcast or blog please contact him through the CONTACT tab on this website

Oil based clays and plastilina like Monster Clay, Chavant and Roma are popular alternatives to natural clays for sculptors, artists and industrial designers. It’s ability to hold fine detail, its resistance to shrinking and the fact it can be worked and reworked for many years without cracking make it a medium of choice for many creators. Unlike natural clays, oil based clays cannot be fired in a kiln, their wax and oil content would cause them to melt. Instead a mould of a finished oil based clay creation is formed out of plaster or silicone which is then used to cast a bronze or resin art work. 
 
Oil based clays are commonly made from a mix of oils, waxes and natural clays; although the exact recipe of commercial clays is a closely held secret. Depending on the ratio and type of wax and oils, a firmer, waxy clay like Monster Clay or a more pliable clay, like Chavant, can be created. Because of the addition of expensive waxes, oil based clays are commonly more expensive than their natural clay counterparts. Australia doesn’t have a big market for oil based clays, which means they’re expensive and hard to find. After spending hundreds of dollars on importing expensive oil based clays I decided to try making clays myself. This particular recipe resulted from mixing and testing over 60 combinations of clays, oils and waxes, and is my favourite quick and easy recipe when I need inexpensive bulk clay in a hurry. It's consistency is softer than Monster Clay, feeling very similar to Chavant Le'Beau Touche. If you would like a waxier clay like Monster Clay, increase the volume of Hard Moulding Wax in the recipe until you achieve the consistency that you need. I've even created a video to show you the process as well as a complete list of instructions below.

Let me know how you go in the comments below.

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Ingredients:
550g of Hard Moulding Wax (I like the red, hard moulding wax from www.barnes.com.au)
1100g of Bees Wax (bulk beeswax can be purchased for around $23 kg (AUS), but with so many people taking up home bee keeping I’m finding I can source bees wax quiet easily for less)
550g Vaseline (supermarket Vaseline is easy to find but if you’re serious buying bulk will save you a lot of money)
275g Baby oil (supermarket baby oil is fine and cheap)
2060g Powdered Ball Clay (the cheapest ingredient and easy to find in pottery supply stores)
 
Equipment:

• Heavy based saucepan
• Silicone slotted spoon
• Induction cooktop with temperature control (I purchased a cheap one from KMART for around $50 AUS)
• Silicone cake tins (miniature loaf)
• Electronic scales
• Pyrex jug or bowl

Method:

1. Place the waxes, vaseline and baby oil in a large heavy based saucepan and gently heat the mixture to 80C/176F, stirring until melted and combined (Do not heat the mixture over 80C/176F otherwise the waxes will burn).
2. Place the powdered clay in to the saucepan with the melted waxes and oils being careful of creating dust as you pour in the clay. Leave the temp.
3. Stir the clay into the wax and oil mixture until smooth and free of lumps.
4. Pour the molten clay into the silicone moulds.
5. Once the clay is firm enough to be moved, place the full moulds into a fridge or freezer until completely set. The now set and cold clay will easily and cleanly be turned out of the moulds.
6. The clay bricks will be very firm when first created especially in cold weather. Gently heating the clay in the microwave in a pyrex jug will make the clay easier to work with. Be careful the clay can be very hot when first taken out of the microwave. 
7. Condition the clay by kneading small amounts of it until it is smooth and slightly elastic before use. 

SAFETY POINTS!!

• Work in a well ventilated environment to minimise risk of exposure to fumes and dust.
• When melting the waxes and oils together, do not heat the wax and oil mix above 80 degrees Centigrade or the waxes may burn releasing fumes.
• Wear a dust mask when handling powdered ball clay as the dust can cause damage to your lungs. 
• Be careful of hot clay when heating it in the microwave. Heat it gradually and test it regularly. 

This article was written by Michael Armstrong and cannot be reproduced in part or full without attributing the work to the author.

After a busy and successful exhibition period in Toowoomba, Michael Armstrong has moved to Canberra, Australia, and taken up residence in the Australian National Capital Artists studio complex in Mitchell. With no exhibition plans currently, Michael is instead focused on finishing off his Masters of Creative Arts and exploring his art practice in his new environment. 

Media Interview: Michael Armstrong conducted an interview with the Chronicle News in Toowoomba leading up his exhibition in December 2016. It provides an insight into his thought processes at the time and some footage from the show, for those unable to get to it Check it out here:

  I attended the Marie Ellis OAM Prize opening night gala as a finalist and was fortunate enough to be awarded the 2016 Prize for my work 'Traits of the Living, Dying' 2016. I recorded some footage and photos on the night and cut a quick video to share the other works.

Michael's Armstrong's work, Traits of the Living (Dying), 2016, was awarded this years Marie Ellis OAM Prize for Drawing. The finalists exhibition is currently on at the Jugglers Art Space Brisbane, and contains a fantastic array of contemporary drawing from across Australia. The 25 finalists were selected for the exhibition came from over 200 entries and demonstrates the prizes continued maturing as one of Australia's premier drawing prizes. 

Michael Armstrong's graphite work, 'Traits of the Living (Dying)' 2016, has been selected as a finalist for the Marie Ellis OAM Prize for Drawing 2016. The award aims to encourage excellence in drawing as an important foundation for any arts practice. 25 finalists have been selected with the works scheduled for exhibition at Jugglers Art Space during August 2016. The exhibition will be running from the 2nd to the 30th of August with an opening night on Friday the 5th from 6pm til 9pm. Details of the exhibition and other finalists can be found here. 

​The link below is to an article and photos from my exhibition on 1 July 2016 in the Toowoomba Chronicle. The night was a great success with a good turnout and some wonderful comments from the attendees. Unfortunately it was a 'one night' show; my study commitments preventing me from holding it over a longer period. I am currently looking at some other venues for options to exhibit the show again later this year. Follow me on Facebook to find out when the next show will be held and other news and images of my work.

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/life-as-a-soldier-explored-in-art-exhibition/3058827/#/0

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After finishing the first version of this artwork, I decided to revisit it and add a third pose into the composition. The following is a time-lapse video covering the production with music supplied by Kevin MacLeod. Traits of the Living (Dying) II 2016, is part of a series of work, Death of the Bystander, discussing experience, trauma and the decisions we make to accept or deny our 'story'. The manner by which we define ourselves draws upon many sources, some healthy, some damaging, yet all powerful mediators of identity. This particular image speaks of the externalisation of our beliefs and hopes beyond ourselves. 

My latest time-lapse video, a recording of my work to create 'Traits of the Living (Dying) 2016, a piece scheduled to be exhibited in my upcoming exhibition 1 July 2016. The clip is heavily edited as the actual drawing took several weeks and even when in time-lapse form resulted in almost 15 minutes of video footage. Hope you enjoy it, 

​Michael Armstrong