Beneath the Surface

It's March already and I've been out in the cold welding, melting and constructing a new piece for my show Beneath the Surface at APE Gallery that opens next week.  There's still a lot to do, but it is coming along and getting exciting!  The show opens next Friday, March 7, but the reception will be on March 14 from 5-8pm during Northampton Arts Night Out.

Carolyn, Scout and I have been meeting regularly to help each other think through our different pieces. Each of us is doing something very new within our practice, and though we make very different work, the similarities of layering, encapsulating and submerging are a common thread. 

Here are a few glimpses of my process and what's to come...

 

I hope you'll come see the show.  I think you'll enjoy it.

On another note, I'm hosting a beadmaking marathon day at the Yellow House in Palmer on April 5. This is an all day class where you can immerse yourself in melting glass!

Also, save the date for Local ARTery : Artisan Demonstration Day on May 3rd.  

Artisans of Western Mass is creating a large scale educational and fun environment to connect you to the handmade products you buy. Spend the day with us and learn how artisans create and produce their work. Come see over 30 artists and crafters with demonstrations on weaving, pottery, fused glass, metal working, silver clay, fused plastic, quilting, tie dye, upcycling, photography, and many more! AWM is taking over the Yankee Candle Fitness Center on Rte. 5 & 10 in South Deerfield and filling it with all kinds of interactively creative activities including make and take stations, demonstrations, and hands on learning. Admission is Free, all ages welcome. http://www.artisansofwmass.com/local-artery/

Amherst Artisans and other Holiday Events

Well its a holiday whirlwhind. Here's what's going on...

I have work in two small works shows this season, one at Easthampton City Arts, one at Hope and Feathers in Amherst.  These are both great opportunities to get some great small art pieces at reasonable prices.   While you're in Amherst, don't forget to stop by Freedom Trails Gallery and ArtAlive for more great art and gifts.

Tomorrow (December 7) you can find me at the Amherst Artisans Show at the Amherst College Alumni House from 9-4.  This is a new show for me, but I think it will be a really nice one.  Its a small group of Amherst folks who make really nice stuff.

 The exciting R(e)volve Pop Up Shop at Eastworks in Easthampton will be running throughout the month, and they have a bunch of really fun events planned.

Glass veggie earrings, pendants and bottle stoppers will be available at Atlas Farm's Farm Store starting Decmeber 9. 

Artisans of WMASS continues its online promotion for another 2 weeks, so if you can't make it out to all of these great local art events, you can still get a deal from your local makers online. Head here to check it out. 

Askew Installed!

On Friday,  I finished the installation of a commission titled Askew.  It was a great challenge to scale up this piece with no right angles!  Here's the original at 11 inches tall, built from 1/8" rod...

and here's the commission at 7 feet tall built from 3/4" rod. Thanks NAACO Gallery for organizing the commission. 

     

On November 23-24 I'll be at the Duxbury Art Association Craft Showcase. Come visit to get your holiday shopping started. I've been working on a new product line of candle holders and candlabras that would make great gift items.

This delightful holiday event featuring over 80 of New England’s most gifted artisans, gourmet food court, artist demos & portrait sittings & free parking. The show is a fundraiser for the DAA’s ongoing programs.

Where: Duxbury High School 130 ST. GEORGE ST., DUXBURY When: Saturday, November 23, 10pm- 5pm Sunday, November 24, 11am - 4pm Bring: $5.00* for entry plus lots of spending money to use when purchasing LOADS of awesome handmade crafts!

The welding shop is up and running, but not quite clean enough for a picture :) That will be coming soon. Since holiday production season has crept up on me quick and I'm getting really busy,  I'm going to postpone the welding class until January.   I've joined a new gallery called Oh So Pretties! in Wilbraham, MA, and I have to say the owner, Sherry, has an awesome collection of handmade goods. These are some bud vases I brought her.  Check out the Oh So Pretties! facebook here 

September News ~ Mattoon St Festival, Chilifest and more

On Saturday you can find me at the Mattoon Arts Festival, one of my favorite shows because of the great variety of high quality handmade work, the ambiance and friendliness of the people who live on Mattoon St, and the swarms of appreciative shoppers. I definitely recommend this one. I'm working hard to create this week so I can bring lots of fun things to the show including my spiral mobiles,  lots of cute bud vases and maybe some funky, new steel candelabras. 

But first, you can find me in Easthampton from 5-6 this Wednesday (9/4)  for the closing reception of my sculpture show, Sheltered, at the ECA's City Hall Gallery.  The work on display is a wall of sculpture including some new and old work along the themes of home and nesting, protection and exposure. 


And don't forget about the Chilifest! It is growing to a two day event this year, featuring all kinds of spicy fun.  I'll be managing the local art area where we'll have a shop of goodies from 10-15 local artists,  as well as seat weaving, glass beadmaking and blacksmithing demonstrations, and a make and take papermaking workshop for ages 8+ on Saturday all sponsored by Artisans of WMASS.  

In other news, my welding studio is in the drywall stages and should be opened for business soon! I'll be offering an introductory welding workshop in the fall, as I've heard lots of interest from folks in the area that would like to learn. More soon.... 

NAACO Show and Spark! 2013

Spring is here! The magnolia tree in front of my window is about to bloom, and its been warm enough for me to ride my bike to my metal shop (since my new one is still under construction). Luckily this all meant spring break too, which is great because I'm busy preparing for a sculpture show at the North Adams Artist Co-op Gallery which will open this Thursday.

Also, now is the time to get your Spark! Art Share for 2013. The first pick up will be Thursday May 2, right around the corner!  The art share can be picked up at our quarterly art parties, delivered locally by Valley Green Feast, or shipped anywhere in the US.  It would make a great mother's day gift because it keeps giving all year long, but of course it can also just be a treat for you! Its an awesome way to get beautiful art and handmade housewares all year long. Check it out.

In other news, I'm working on my show schedule for the coming year, and thinking about a proposal for an outdoor sculpture at Art in the Orchard (hosted by Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton). 

 I'm also beginning to think about a far off collaborative show at APE Gallery in Northampton with Scout Cuomo and Carolyn Clayton. If you haven't seen their work, its definitely worth looking at. Carolyn is in the midst of a project called HOARD, that is being shown as part of the regional REACH Art Festival. She has constructed a mountain and is excavating ad cataloguing it with scientific precision. Scout makes stunning paintings that play with depth and light through a resin layering process that is truly intriguing.  I can't wait to see what we create together. 

Grace by Scout Cuomo

House Cut by Carolyn Clayton

Winter Warmtimes this Friday and Spark! Art Share 2013

If you are looking for great ideas for those last minute hard to figure out people, I might just have you covered.   This Friday, I'll be joining a few friends in Northampton for a small gathering and art show.   See the cute cat flyer below for details. 

Second choice, which is really the coolest gift I can think of, is a Spark! Art Share for 2013. If you give someone an art share, they'll get beautiful handmade things throughout the next year- it keeps on giving. If your recipient lives locally, they can pick-up their treats in Amherst at our quarterly Art Parties,  but you can also have a share shipped anywhere in the US! And this year we are offering one for just $250.  If you order a share as a gift, we'll email you a gift certificate that you can print and have ready for next week. Voila!

If you are looking for something in particular, but aren't sure who makes it, head to the Artisans of WMASS website to find local makers and shops that carry our work. Remember to support all the wonderful artists that are your neighbors.

Wishing you peace and happiness this holiday season, and looking forward to what the new year brings. 

Holiday Handmade

I hope everyone had great turkey times, quality time with family and friends, and some much needed relaxation this Thanksgiving. With the holidays coming quickly there are lots of opportunities to shop local and support the artists around you. Here's a taste of some of the things I'll be involved in during the next month. 

Spark! Art Share Update

We've just finished jurying the artists for next year's Spark! Art Share, and are busily working on updating the website, finalizing details and getting ready to sell next year's share. Based on feedback from our surveys, we've changed the structure of the share to include more choice of artwork, a lower priced share and fewer (but more fun) pick-ups for customer convenience. We hope these changes will keep Spark! accessible and exciting and work well for artists and customers alike. Take a look, let us know what you think, and sign-up today!  Consider giving a Spark! Art Share to someone really special this holiday.  (Earrings from a new Spark! Artist, metalsmith Heather Beck)

AWM Online Sale

Artisans of WMASS is hosting an online promotion throughout the next few weeks. Participating artists will have free shipping from 11/25-12/8 and 15% off from 12/9-12/15. Check out the Artisans of WMASS website to find out who's participating, and find us on facebook.  Snag some veggie earrings or other gifts during this sale from my etsy page. 

Holiday Pop-Up Shops

There are lots of holiday pop-up shops popping up. You can find my work at the Artisan Gala Shop in Greenfield, along with many other beautiful items such as this blue dragonfly set  from Good Dirt Pottery.  There's also the Hilltown Christmas Place in Williamsburg, and Spencertown Academy's Handmade Holiday Shop in Spencertown, NY.  For a list of more pop-ups and other local stores that carry handmade items, check out the shop local page compiled by Artisans of WMASS. 

December Shows

This Sunday, December 2,  I'll be at "A Classical Holiday" at the old Classical High School in Springfield from 12-5. Tour the renovated condos, check out artwork made by 20 local artists, and enjoy music and refreshments. 

Local art galleries are hosting Small Works shows for those of you looking more for fine art than functional art. Freedom Trails Gallery at Valley Frame Works Amherst and Easthampton City Arts are two that I can recommend. 

Last, I think, but possibly the most fun (for me!) so certainly not least, I'll be co-hosting a last minute shopping event and holiday party in Northampton on December 21st, from 5-8. More details coming on this one soon, but it'll feature work from Katie Ray Arts, BMW Ironworks,  Carolyn Clayton, Taylor Ceramics, and Heather Beck.  

Hmmm... I'm sure I'm missing something but I'm sure that's plenty for now!