Head Pieces

I've been playing around with a new way of attaching head ornaments. Basically just using a copper rod that slides through two holes on either side of the low fired ceramic head and then brazing other copper pieces to it. A pretty strong way to support other structures without a lot of fuss. Yes! to no-fuss.

A Real Vacation!

I just got back from a 10 day vacation to Italy. I haven't taken a "real" vacation in quite a number of years (like 15), so this felt very, very precious to me. I unplugged my iPhone. Didn't even turn on a TV. Just immersed myself in a different culture and took in the sights. I took a few pictures on my iPhone, but mostly trusted myself to remember the emotions of the daily journey and wrote about it in my journal. I think this might be a first to not worry how I might be inspired, or how I might 'incorporate' this into my work. Honestly, I have no idea!! And that's OK. I am refreshed and ready to dive back into the studio. That seems like a major gift.

In Venice

Sirmione

Group Show!

A very happy me to have gotten a piece of my work on the cover of the SADA (Seattle Art Dealers Association) Magazine this month! I have a group show titled "Adaptations" at the Patricia Rovzar Gallery in downtown Seattle that opens tomorrow. 8 pieces of mine in the show.

There are 7 other fabulous artist showing with me: Tracey Adams, Susan Freda, Jan Hoy, Rachel Brumer, Rebecca Szeto, Chris Maynard and Brenda Mallory.

Artists' Reception: Thursday, July 2, 6-8pm. The show is up July 2 - August 3, 2015
Looking forward to the opening and I hope to see you there!

Back to Figurative

I've moved back into the figurative after my experimentation with tiling recently. My first figure out of the gate is "Type A". It is a wall hung piece, rich with a lot of detail, mostly due to the etched brass surfaces. I'm definitely liking this direction, and "Type B" is in the works.

Copper, torch-fired enamel, glass, mixed media.
22x7x3"

The Tile Experiment Update

Last week I finished the second of my 2 tile pieces. I've decided that I like them, but there are so many repetitive actions needed to create even one piece that the process doesn't thrill me. Lots of cutting of the squares and drilling of the squares….then there's the jump rings one needs to make in (what seems like) massive quantities. However I'm glad that I gave it a try. Maybe in the future I'll pick up where I left off, but for now I'll move on.

The first set of pictures is the piece "My Creative Well". Representing how I feel that creatively I draw on everything: the emotional, physical, nature, the universe, the intuitive, the subconscious, my ambitions. There's a small hanging bucket that attaches to the well tower.

31x22x4"

This second piece is "Good Under Pressure 2". Instead of using a fair amount of color transfers like I did in the first piece, I fired up all the red, orange, yellow enamels and used the iron-based fired transfers exclusively. This piece is about my awareness that under stress I really want my physical body to hold up - I'm holding the thought that it is! Hanging from the top cross beam is a mini submarine, the best icon I could think of for good under pressure while going into the depths of me.

25x23x4"

Upcoming Class: Constructed Narratives

Next month I'm excited to teach another class at Pratt Fine Arts Center, April 18-19. The class description is as follows:

This unique workshop will blend technique-rich demos with discussion of concept and design in small dimensional work. The instructor will share her sculptural and narrative focus in ways that will appeal to enamelists, jewelers, mixed media and multi-disciplinary artists, and others interested in stretching in new directions. Learn braised copper construction, unusual assemblage options, torch firing of enamels, surface design and patina techniques, and use of found objects in your work. This is an opportunity to work on a new scale, with new materials, and to make a new kind of statement in your work. Make samples or design a new piece.

Registration


Also I created an e-book to entice you further! Click here to view.

Grid Exploration

 When I first started doing my artwork full time about 17 years ago, I never dreamed I'd have to work at keeping passionate. But now I know that boredom with myself and my metal work will creep in if I don't take time to nurture myself. So every year I usually take January/February and do some kind of exploration, just to see what pops out.

I love grids and squares and have used them in my work previously, but my short little detour last year into jewelry-making made me want to treat those squares in a looser way. I struggled for a couple weeks (my good friend told me after hearing me complain, "Walk away! Walk away! Let you subconscious chew on it!"). Finally about a week ago a structure that would allow me to hang the squares versus attach them to a board came to mind. I roughed it in and instantly got excited. Here are some photos of my explorations so far. I know the whole concept needs some refinement, but I'm excited! (and for me that's half the battle).

First piece prototype. Torch-fired enameled copper squares with either inkjet color decals or iron-based fired decals that turn sepia. Many jump rings!

First piece prototype. Adding an outside frame of brazed copper pipe that lets the squares hang 2" off the wall.

Same, from the side. I'm thinking a bit over-built at this point.

New piece with the concept of it representing my 'creative well'. It will hang in the same manner off the wall.  Still working on refinement to the outer structure.

Close up of tiles.

One of the other thoughts I've had is to hang or braze letters/words off of the support structure, or even branches or other small dimensional pieces that relate to the piece's concept. Onward! Excited!