The Seattle Report!

On Wednesday, I left for a quick trip to Seattle. I went for the opening reception and lecture for the Animales Show, at the Facere Gallery.

The flight took about 2.5 hours.

As soon as we landed we could see how cold it was going to be!

We headed off to The Moore hotel, which was in a really old building downtown. It was super old complete with tiny elevator, all oak doors, and old style bathtubs with claw feet!

We headed off to the Facere Gallery fo check things out and get ready for the lecture! The gallery was located in this large building right downtown. The gallery space was super tiny, but everything was layed out so nicely! My work even had it's own case:)

The lecture went really well. Six of the nine participating artists spoke for about 10 minutes a piece. The opening was really fun and I got to meet lots of other jewelry artists and collectors.

The next day we were off to sightsee...

There were so many hills I felt like I was in San Francisco, but it was so much more cold! It never got over 40 degrees the whole time we were there.

Pike Place Market was one of the first stops we made. Lots of shopping and fish...

Friends told us that we just had to take the "underground tour." New Seattle was built on top of old Seattle, so there are all these tunnels underneath the city.

Under ground we went...

When they put in the new sidewalks over the old ones, they built skylights right into the concrete. Over time the glass turned a really pretty purple color. This is what the skylights look from the street.

This is how they look below in the tunnel.

The glass was prism cut in order to refract more light. The tour was tons of fun and we learned a lot about the history of Seattle.

We found this cute little Italian Restaraunt called La Vita Bella. The food was delicious, and they even had an accordian player!

Then it was off to the space needle.
The next day we hit the Seattle Art Museum. I loved the Hammering Man in front. I am pretending it is a woman. At the museum shop I picked up some Boris Bally Keychains. I love his use of color!We saw China Town on the map and walked like 2 miles to get there. When we got there, this was all we found. Dragons on streetlights. Bummer.

So, we headed off to Pioneer Square to check out the art galleries.

There was so much to see! I loved all the old buildings, and how every detail was covered in decoration. Check out the walrus! Even the grates around the trees in the sidewalks were beautiful!
There was also a lot of Native American Art that was really interesting to look at.

Everything was covered in moss. Very different from the green cactus we have here in Arizona!

I also thought it was really cool that most of the bus system ran underneath the city in tunnels.

They also had all these clear covers over the sidewalks. I guess to let the sunlight in. Just another way Seattle was very different from AZ! We try to stay out of the sun here:)

So, it was a great trip. Someday maybe we will go back, but for now, we are glad to be back in warm, sunny, AZ!

Be sure to check out my work, and the work of the other artists in the show here.

Off to....

Well, I am off to Seattle tomorrow. I am a bit nervous about giving my first lecture, but I know it will be GREAT! I've never been to Washington, so it should be really fun. I get to spend 2 full fays sightseeing. Any suggestions on what to do?

Bad Blogger

I know I have been neglecting the blog as of late. School started last week and this semester is my first time teaching. I am teaching Three Dimensional Design at ASU, and so far it is going pretty well. I have a new piece in the works and will post on that soon. Also, my trip to speak at the Facere gallery is 2 weeks away so I will have lots to post on that when I get back!

For now I just want to remind you about the Mesa Contemporary Craft show, where you can come see my work (pictured above) this friday! This piece is from my undergrad and pretty old. It is small rollerprinted and formed pillows with handmade books.

Details about the show to the right.

29th Annual Mesa Contemporary Crafts

I'd love to see you at the opening reception for the Mesa Contemporary Crafts show! The exhibition space is beautiful and the show is always very good. The reception starts at 6pm on January 25th. Come, come, come!

"Highlighting the finest in contemporary crafts from around the country, the 29th Annual Contemporary Crafts exhibition has become a benchmark for innovation and quality. This year’s exhibition showcases 58 artworks by 21 artists from 20 states. These artists work in traditional craft mediums including ceramics, fibers, basketry, metals, wood, glass, jewelry, papermaking, and book arts.

Guest juror for the 29th Annual Contemporary Crafts was Michael Monroe, who is the Executive Director and Chief Curator of Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, Washington."

Animales: Part 3

These are all the pieces I completed for the Animales show at the Facere Gallery. I have two more that are so close, so I will mail them separately when I finish them.

The show opens in Seattle on January 30th with a lecture and reception. I will be flying to Seattle to speak at the lecture and attend the reception. I am so excited about this opportunity I was given to participate, and I am looking forward to the lecture. I have never spoken at a lecture before so I am a bit nervous, but I know that it will be good for me. Wish me luck!

Animales: Part 2

Here are the necklaces for the animales show. Hopefully I can post the rest of the images within the next couple of days...

Animales: Part 1

Here are some images I took of the pieces I have completed so far for the Animales show at the Facere Gallery....

This one (below) shows the tracks of a white tailed deer...

The back...An Owl...
The Back...
A Big Horned Sheep... The Full View...
And my favorite piece, this one shows roadrunner tracks. I love the colors...

More tomorrow...I have so much photographing and editing to do before I mail these off...

P.S. The above pieces are hand fabricated using sterling silver, brass, copper, and embroidery floss, and have been treated with different patinas.

First Friday: Craig Randich and Jen Urso

On Friday, I went out to the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Phoenix. Friend and sculptor, Craig Randich, had a show at the Ice House Gallery, (iamge above taken from their website). The space is this really cool old warehouse downtown, and the entrance room has no roof. It is a really cool art space. A few of Craigs sculptures were in an adjoining room, pictured below. His pieces are constructed in wood with a tansparent fabric stretched over them. A light inside glows through the structure. His work is breathtaking and very quietly beautiful. I wish these images could do it justice, but they just don't. I think the show will be up until the third Thursday of this month, so if you get a chance, check it out!Also at the space was Jen Urso, a graphic designer and artist who was doing an interesting performance piece.

She was slowly chiseling shards away from a 350lb boulder, until it was nothing but a pile of small rocks. Explained in her words in the image above, I think the idea is interesting but would like to see her push it a little farther. It did get me thinking though. It is an interesting concept, and I'd like to see more of her work.

Animales...

The countdown has begun! I have exactly 16 days until my work for the Animales show has to be at the Facere Gallery in Seattle. The show will be, "Nine contemporary studio jewelers presenting a bevy of animal inspired sculpture to wear in metal, polymer clay, and found objects." Artists include: Ruth Altman, Lynette Andreasen, Melissa Calohan, Robert Coogan, Patricia Phillips, Jeanie Pratt, Gail Stefanek, Sarah Wilbanks, and Kristi Zevenbergen.

(The little red arrow is pointing to an image of my work.) I am SO excited and can't wait to send off my pieces.

Here is an image of a piece by artist Sarah Wilbanks who will also be participating in the show. Check back soon for images of the work I will be sending...