Happy Marriage!

A newly wed couple commissioned this plate after seeing a wall piece with a similar design.

Traveling the banks of the river is a statement drawn from their vows. Blessings to you both.... I hope you enjoy this tray!

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.

Branching Out!

I've been asked to manufacture 75-90 leaves for a very special project.  I am not at liberty yet to disclose more information.

What's pretty exciting about all this beyond the specialness of the project is that I get to :
a. work with a remarkable artist
b. work with a water jet company and learn more about that process
c. be a part of this wonderful project.

Stay tuned...more info coming soon!

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!

A Big Shout Out to Brooklyn Hardware Manufacturing!

This is a photo of REAL CUSTOMER SERVICE!

I know....it looks like a hand holding some metal and some wood.

Here's the story:
I have made some wall masks for the TRIFECTA Art Show at Artist Repertory Theater and Geezer Gallery. My problem was how to hang them in the gallery. I knew I needed to use something called french cleats but have never worked with them. The problem is that French cleats aren't compatible with the hanging system at the theater.

The folks at Brooklyn Hardware Manufacturing were unfazed. They make a product called panel clips. They problem solved the dilemma of how to adapt the clips for use in the gallery while retaining the original pieces for mounting in someone's home.

Friendly, helpful, and willing to problem solve.....I am so impressed with the product...and especially the customer service.

Now all I have to do is pray the glue dries in time!

Thank you Brooklyn Hardware!   http://www.panelclip.com/

Let me tell you about GEEZER!

I just got word that my art submissions have passed muster and I will be part of the TRIFECTA: A Feast for the Senses show at Artist Rep. I am very excited to be part of this wonderful effort. I love, love, love Amy Herzog's play 4,000 miles and hope that my art work crafted for this event will sufficiently honor the show.

In this post I want to honor Geezer Gallery and its founder Amy Henderson. Tomorrow I will share some information about Patty Goodlund, their curator. 

The Geezer Gallery aka TGG is a fabulous concept that honors a segment of the population that is often overlooked.... senior citizens.

Just a few years ago I was able to display/sell some of my art at their Multnomah Village Gallery (they have since moved!)
At that time I dubbed myself a "geezer in waiting." I am officially a Geezer and proud of it!

The face behind TGG is a most innovative and tireless soul, Amy Henderson (pictured above.) I chose this picture of her on the phone because she is always on the move...always doing something energetic to benefit TGG!

TGG isn't just a gallery ... it is a movement! TGG seeks to empower aging artists to continue pursuing their work. TGG wants to empower every senior to have experiences in the arts and in conjunction with medical researchers is exploring the ways in which engaging in the arts impacts the aging brain. I bet you can guess what they are learning!!!!!

No need for me to get into the details...you can discover that for yourself at   geezergallery.com . I just want to sing their praises!

Go to their website and get your tickets while they last! See you at the show!

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!!!!!!

FUSED GLASS CLIPS! Chamsah!

A most beautiful Bat Mitzvah Girl with a most beautiful tallit! Her request was for hot pink chamsah clips! Not only was it my joy to be her teacher for the upcoming celebration, but I was able to grant her request and make the clips.    MAZAL TOV!!!!

FUSED GLASS JOURNEYS BOWL

Here's a blast from the past....2012
Its a 15" bowl with dichroic blobs....
Such a fun bowl.

The Dali Museum....Brilliant!

Back from our Florida trip. One of the highlights was visiting one of my favorite museums: The Dali in St. Pete. This visit was extra sweet because they had a Picasso/Dali exhibit. Two quotes stood out for me: 

• Dali: "We all know that art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth." Picasso: "Painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war against brutality and darkness."

Industrial Journeys #3

The final and remaining piece in the journeys set is this one. It is a fragmented journey with many starts...and only one journey that reaches an endpoint. A bridge arches over the glass....where does it lead?

The glass is mounted to some glass chads which help the glass look as though it is floating about the inch thick mounting board. Metal bits and pieces were scavenged from a construction site dump pile.

Industrial Journeys Series #2

This glass is so expressive in this piece. The journey appears rambling and  confused but it covers a lot of territory. The glass floats on some glass chads which are mounted on a herringbone embossed piece of metal evoking that "grunge" feel. Other found objects complete the effect. Are they tools of the journey or destinations?

The Industrial Journey Series....#1

Okay, I'll admit it....I love going to the scrap yard! I love finding stuff on the ground....yup, I love scavenging. This piece was so fun to make.

The industrial feel is quite  purposeful although my search for parts was quite random. I made these while doing battle with the "crud."
Each time I emerged from that fuzzy, yucky, spacey zone I found myself trying to construct something positive from the mass of toss-away stuff I had found. 

I made 4 glass panels (one sold) and then chose different mountings and different "accessories" for each in response to the hot/cold flow of the glass. This piece of glass is mounted to black lucite plastic which "floats" on top of a piece of hand-polished scrap aluminum.

Journeys Tray #2

This is the second tray in my most recent exploration of Journeys. 
Journeys #2 features an iridized finish on the base creating a lovely but subtle rainbow effect in the background.

Journeys #1 is sold. #2 is available for purchase. If you are interested, just contact me! Prefer the design in some other colors? Just ask!

Below is a close up of the lataccino I mentioned in my earlier post.

Journeys Series- Tray #1

Every year I make a few new plates working from a theme of "journeys". 

The diagonal line is a pretty strip of latteccino .... stringers that have been pulled and twisted in an open flame. Unfortunately my camera skills fell short of capturing the pretty orange/red/blue/black colors in that rod.

I'm happy to report this piece sold. I have one more with different colors....more photography tomorrow and then I will post.

There are still many journeys to explore. I will continue to play with this theme!

New Tallit Clips

These really sparkle in the light! Fun, light-weight, silk safe! 
Silver or copper chain available! Other shapes, patterns, and colors available for commission!

My booth shot ....Celebration of Art '14

I have to admit I'm pretty camera shy.... grateful this photo came out pretty well.

It was a great show... thank you to our supportive community for coming to the show and recognizing the value of purchasing one-of-a-kind art work in the season of big box store mass-produced "stuff".