Meet Amanda~Lily

Meet Amanda~Lily!
Unlike my other masks based on characters from Amy Herzog's play 4000 Miles, this one is all glass.

Lily is Leo's sister. Amanda is a young woman he picked up for a one-night stand. I won't spoil the play by sharing all their similarities, but it became clear to me that they couldn't be ignored.

The logical approach was to create a mask depicting both characters. Both characters are drawn in intimate ways , yet occupy very little space in the play.

I am a committed Amy Herzog fan. She is masterful in using dialogue to create her characters and bring out plot rather swiftly. There are no wasted words.

I saw Belleville (another of her plays)  a month ago....and was equally mesmerized.  I'll see any play she has written...You should too!

Vera: Fused Glass Mask

In the play 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog, one of the main characters is Vera, the grandma. She is a card carrying communist and progressive thinker (91 years old). She has challenges hearing...so I made hearing aid earrings for her. IN fact there is a story about those hearing aids that I will share later in this blog post. Vera may be developing dementia...she is always losing her words so I made glass blobs with her lost words as her curly hair....right there on the top of her head. The sickle and hammer eyebrows are glass and of course reflect her once staunch devotion to the Party. Scrap metal rings and a key make her glasses. Keys are a significant piece of the play (both actual and metaphorical!)

And now for the story about the hearing aids! A number of years ago I had the pleasure of knowing an elderly woman named Sylvia. She was from New York originally and had a thick Bronx accent. She was in a convalescent home where I volunteered. She had a magnificent sense of humor. She had a pair of old hearing aids converted into earrings. Whenever a new care giver or visitor saw her they would usually say in a very loud voice..."SYLVIA, YOU FORGOT TO PUT YOUR EARS IN TODAY!"  and she would loudly reply...."DARLING, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHOUT! I GOT MY EARS IN....THESE ARE MY NEW EARRINGS!"

The use of  hearing aids as earrings on Vera is in fond memory of dear Sylvia.I love the character of Vera...her dignity, her humor, her absolute "real-ness." And I believe Vera and Sylvia would have been good friends!

The show continues at A.R.T through the end of May! See earlier posts for more details!

Another Plate in my Journeys Series

This one is called "Each of Us Has A Journey". It was designed after I read the play "4000 Miles" in anticipation of the art show supporting the performance of it at Artist Rep. Theater here in pdx.

There are 4 characters we actually see on stage...and a 5th that appears on Skype.

The base glass is more "vanilla" in color than it appears in this photo...

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Geezer for curating the show. It's pretty exciting to  see my work displayed on pedestals and on a wall!

The exhibit is open daily at 1515 SW Morrison in Portland. It is open Tues-Sat noon-6....and when it's play night!

My Masks

The Play 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog was the inspiration for these playful and colorful masks. These are a departure from my more traditional work and represent not only an exploration of each of the characters but also a journey into mixed media . Only one mask is pure glass. The rest involve bike parts, computer keys, keys, hearing aids, metal, and more.

They are on display and available for purchase at Artist Repertory Theater  through the end of May.  

It's a colorful display curated by Patty Goodlund with Geezer Gallery. Separate from the main lobby exhibit, these masks and other character portraits are located on a wall between the theater and the bar.

Closeups will follow in a few days.

another sneak peak!

Nope....I won't post pics of my masks or glassware at A.R.T. until this weekend.
First Thursday is tomorrow night. Free champagne, noshes, and the opportunity to meet the artists. Learn more about our hosts: Geezer Gallery & A.R.T.

Tonight I will go see the play 4000 Miles that inspired our art! You  should too. I read the play. It is awesome!

Come see us tomorrow night!!!!! You are invited!

Artist Rep. Theater
1515 SW Morrison
Portland, Oregon

4,000 Miles: Glass Mask

                         This is a sneak peek!

Meet Amanda~Lily! She is one of my new glass masks that will be on display at Artist Rep. Theater in Portland through the end of May.

I made 4 character masks based on the play 4,000 Miles written by Amy Herzog. These masks are a new adventure for me and I had a delicious time imagining them! This is the 4th and final mask I made for this production. She is actually 2 characters...or is she?.... but you'll have to see the play to understand my thinking.

Artist Rep. Theater has a gorgeous lobby dedicated to art. Geezer Gallery's Patty Goodlund has curated the show that will celebrate First Thursday on May 7th  between 6:30-7:30pm. A major shout out to Amy Henderson, Geezer's director for everything she has done to make this show a reality. There will be a free reception !

1515 SW Morrison is the place! Come see a variety of art (including mine!)...schmooze with the artists....and discover the themes of this amazing play. I hope you'll decide to get tickets to the play... and I hope you'll find a piece of art that is meant to be yours!

More info can be found at:  http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/trifecta2015.html

MY WORK @ A.R.T.

Breath Holding!

A sneak peak at VERA

The artwork is going up on the A.R.T. lobby walls, but my masks are grounded...temporarily.

The silicon adhesive I used to attach the french cleats require 15-21 days to fully cure.  Patty, Geezer Gallery's wonderful curator tried to mount the masks in traditional plate stands but that didn't work. I was prepared to withdraw the masks, but she kindly offered to put them up when they are ready.

The curtains go up April 28. My masks will go up May 4 or 5, just in time for the VIP reception (First Thursday,May 7). 

The masks are playful interpretations of the characters playwright Amy Herzog created. I'll talk about each of them in future blog posts.

I hope you will join me and my fellow ORA artists May 7th at A.R.T. for a champagne and hors d'oeuvres between 6:30-7:30 pm....and/or come see the art and play on another evening!

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friend!!!!

I was born with two hands but needed 4 today as I attempted to attach my first sets of french cleats.  Thank you dear Diane (ORA member, critique group member, and wonderful friend!)

I'm excited to see how this all works out.

The directions indicate a 7-14 day cure time with a 21 day expectation for a full cure. I had no idea it would take that long...so not sure how to display my work at the Geezer Gallery/A.R.T exhibit hall this Monday. Sigh!  

My technique improved by the 3rd mounting project, but there are so many lessons to learn! 

Wish me luck!

TRIFECTA in PDX!

Coming in May!

Why TRIFECTA? Because 3 amazing non-profit groups have joined together what they all do best....

ART!

Artist Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) , Geezer Gallery, and ORA Northwest Jewish Artists are in collaboration .....At the center of this is a fabulous play  called  4,000 Miles by Amy Herzog.

Geezer Gallery operates the lobby gallery at ART and were most generous in inviting ORA artists to create art focused on the themes of this theatrical Pulitzer finalist .

This is a juried show...so I'll let you know what happens....when I know.

What you should know is that a 4th entity brings the culinary arts into the mix! Jamison Restaurant has designed a most special menu to compliment the theater production and art work (some of the art will be on display at the restaurant!!!!) There is an exciting restaurant, theater , and meet the artists opportunity.

For more information  go to: 

http://www.artistsrep.org/learn-about-us/trifecta.aspx

I'll post more information soon!

Stay tuned!!!!!!

At the Geezer Gallery- March 2012

We had a lot of fun last week at the Geezer Gallery opening for ORA artwork. This exhibit will be up through March 27th. It is a Jewish Arts Moment!

My continuing lament...glass is tough to photograph. We had a healthy crowd which made taking pictures a bit of a challenge. Here's my newest circular platter.

Much gratitude to this amazing gallery!

Thursday March 8!!!!!!

Come see my new glass at the Geezer Gallery Thursday March 8th, 6-9 pm~!


ORA art works are on display and the set up is fabulous! Free beer samples by Ambacht Beer (Tom and Bobbie Kramer) will be the other art form on display!


The art will be available for viewing and purchase through the end of March but on Thursday evening ORA artists will be on hand to greet and meet!


Stop in!!!!!! You'll be glad you did!

I AM A GEEZER IN WAITING

The Geezer Gallery is an amazing place with a provocative name!




They are hosting ORA artists....some of the artists are 60 + years old and have crossed over into Geezer-dom. For a little while longer, I remain a Geezer in waiting! 


Friday March 1st we will welcome guests to see our art work as well as the art of a number of non ORA artists. SOme of us paired up with a resident of Rose Schnitzer Manor. My partner is a talented artist, Evelyn Hirsch. She created a beautiful pastel picture of flowers. Together, we translated that into a lovely glass serving platter. Photos will follow after the opening.


On March 8th we will have our official opening and will even feature free samples of Ambacht Beer.
Come on over to the Gallery....the art is fine!  


I am grateful to the Gallery for showing my work. I had fun making the glass pieces !