Fritillaria meleagris and Fashion

May 14th, 2010

One of my favorite spring plants…
If I were a fairy, I would wear the petals as a skirt.

Posted in inspiration, just for fun, observations | No Comments »

The Diptych Project, part one

May 12th, 2010

I’ve been invited to participate in this years Diptych Project. The Diptyich Project was started a few years ago by New England Wax. This talented group of encaustic artists has been organizing this project for a few years now. Here’s how it works: Artists are paired up and begin making a painting. The paintings are given to their partner who will create a response painting. Each artist will create two paintings. There is only one rule: the size must be 18 x 12. This year, New England Wax has invited mosaic artists to join in the fun. My partner is Kimberly Curry. She lives just over the bridge in Portland, but we’ve never met before. She and I will be switching pieces this week and will begin our response pieces. There are 36 artists (18 encaustic and 18 mosaic) involved in the project which will tour new england galleries later this summer.

This is the piece I will give to Kim. I found inspiration while on a trip to Damarascotta to watch the alewives run. May is spawning time for alewives here in Maine. The fish, which spend most of its life in the ocean, crowd into a narrow fish ladder to make the long journey (for a fish) from the bay up to Damarascotta Lake to spawn. I was mesmerized by the moving pattern of crowded fish. It also happens to be when the poppies bloom. I loved the warm and bright poppies floating in a spring breeze in contrast to the dark layers of wriggling fish in the cold and bubbly water. Good stuff.

Poppy and Alewife, 2010

I look forward to seeing what Kim has made and to start my response piece…

Tags: alewife, alewives, ceramic mosaic, damarascotta, maine, poppies
Posted in goings on in the studio, inspiration, just for fun, shows & exhibitions | No Comments »

intricate tile in the william morris style

May 4th, 2010

I love William Morris’ wallpaper designs, though I admit, an entire room would make me feel like grabbing the hedge clippers. His wallpaper patterns have a certain quality of texture, line and downright coziness to them that intrigues. Here is my attempt at enhancing those qualities: wax line method to create real 3D texture; the use of matt and gloss glazes to add depth; enlarged and cropped sections to draw attention to motifs and line-work. At this point, I think one tile, simply framed would be lovely to hang on a wall or for use as a trivet. It’s my first go-round with this series and I’m happy enough with the results to keep experimenting. What do you think?

sections of black and white wallpaper, enlarged, transferred onto 6″ bisque tile then overdrawn with black wax (see technique on my hand painted tile page)

crow and flowers, glazed and fired. I captured this photo at an angle to show the use of matt and gloss glazes.

crow and flowers.

grapes and foliage, glazed and fired.

grapes and foliage.

Besides wallpaper, William Morris (and protégé William De Morgan) also designed tile for the home. Here are a few samples of their work.

Tags: art tile, crow, tile design, william morris, william morris tile
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asian inspired ceramic tile mural: update

May 4th, 2010

Just thought I would load the final installment of the mural I worked on this winter for the Tea Room at Hara Massage and Wellness Center in Falmouth Maine. Visit my recent post of the project in progress. Here are the images of the final in its custom frame by Phil at Shininglass Studio and the mural installed in the tea room.

Tags: custom tile, hand painted tile, tile design, tile mural
Posted in goings on in the studio, inspiration, surface design | 1 Comment »

SoPo Art Studios Opens Its Door

April 9th, 2010

I’m kind of in love with my new space. It’s pretty perfect and getting more so every day. This week we were interviewed for our local newsweekly, The Forecaster, about our venture.
Maggie (my most excellent studio-mate) and I are having a grand opening of sorts this Saturday from 4 to 7. 855 Sawyer St. in South Portland. You should come by and check it out. We’ll have our work on display and will each be donating a piece to a thanks-for-stopping-by-raffle. We’ll also be unveiling a community room for local artists to work, play and teach.
When you come by, be sure to visit The Sandpiper Jewelry and Art Gallery just next door. Owner/jeweler Michael Hofheimer will host an opening for sculptor Allen Ponziani at the same time.

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