Tag: Shrines

Old is new again… rejuvenated shrines.

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February is short and speedy. I realized that I hadn’t blogged yet all month, and I have a lot to share. This month my show opened at the Palette and the Page in Elkton, MD. We had a fabulous opening on First Friday! So many friends attended, old and new, and I thank you all! 

The timing of this show created a challenge for me. The ceramics studio where I work and fire larger pieces was closed from early December until the third week in January. I had started quite a few shrines, and some large sculptural figures… but it wasnt meant to be. I couldn’t get them dry/fired/glazed/fired in time. So I turned to some orphans I had waiting patiently in my studio. These are pieces that were perfect; no flaws or faults… but they hadn’t ever been completed with their interior elements. I was waiting inspiration, and this year it came! So I wanted to share a few of these with you. 

“Hope springs eternal”

B/F Hope Springs

It all started with the hare, a carved boxwood netsuke bead. The polymer egg is the work of Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf. From the hare and the egg, symbols of spring in many cultures, the rest fell in place. 

“Into the Woods”

Into the Woods

This was loosely inspired by the topic of Red Riding Hood and a discussion that occurred on Terri Windling’s blog. Terri is a Muse of mine, a fountain of folkore knowledge. The piece was carved with trees, intending to have a woodland theme. I sculpted polymer bread and a jug to go inside, referencing the items Red takes to Grandmother… 

And so you see – pieces that were waiting for me. This altar (below left) was a blank slate. I decided I wanted to hang elements, but hadn’t drilled holes before firing. The solution? Fabricate decorate wire hooks, or course. The bright butterfly piece shown below – that was dates 2011. The intense colors are not my usual palette, and it languished. But a polymer moth, hovering in from of a floral collage? Really visually pleasing to me… 

New shrines

Making the links

This piece is a personal favorite, a successful blending of techniques. I have been happily seed beading and adding bead embroidery to my jewelry repertoire. I want to make the wearables and the sculptures cohesive as my body of work. Beading the bottle element in this shrine adds a level of detail and color. It also makes connections to jewelry pieces displayed in the show. 

I hope people do get a chance to see the exhibit, which will remain up for this month. I am represented by the gallery, and do have other ceramic and mixed media pieces on display. Patti Paulus, one of the artist/owners created this wall for me. I was giddy! 

Gallery wall

The Palette and the Page: 

120 East Main Street ~ Elkton, Maryland
410.398.3636
Tuesday – Friday 11am-6pm  &  Saturday – 11am

Stay tuned for the next February update: February FunADay! 

 

 

 

 

 

Entries and exhibitions – DCCA

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Today I have a few loose ends to tie up before heading to the studio. The deadline for the DCCA Altrenatives Holiday market/show is today! Time has flown… luckily I can deliver this in person. I am submitting a sampling of sculptural and wearable pieces – all perfect for gifting and collecting. 

Chelsea Monday

“Chelsea Monday” – copper, brass, lens, antique paper, image transfer, wool, gems. 

 

Homeland/heritage

“Heritage” – copper, antique key, resin, antique paper, image transfer, map, micro fasteners, gems. 

 

Buddha shrine

“Buddha Shrine” – stoneware, Buddha netsuke, shell, mica, pewter twig. App *” x 5″ x 2″. 

 

Selkie's Shrine

“Selkie’s Shrine” – stoneware, artist’s book ( includes suede, paper, image and text) shell, egg case, bottle, sand, bookcloth, beads. App. 9″ x 6″ x 3″. 

Catching up…and puppies!

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Its been a week of catching up. The house was a bit out of control – I needed to neaten and organize as much as clean. Laundry, groceries, restock after the fridge died… And get back to the studio! I have a collaborative piece freatured on my now blog with Cooky Schock Coast 2 Coast Creative. ( And you could win it… Go take a look!) I also have a very exciting piece on the table for tomorrrow’s History Blog hop...

Until then a look back. Last weekend was Art on the Avenue in Alexandria; my last arts festival of the year. (FaerieCon not included!)

Old friends

Great to see Jaime and Christina! 

New friends

I know its blurry. Marina kept dancing in her stroller. 

Display 1

Lovely to be able to bring shrines, tiles and jewelry – to show my cohesive body of work!

My set up

The overal set up… 

Ganesh and Buddha

Ganesh and Buddha…

New collars Old collar

On the left: the purchase of the day. On the right: the old and new collars. 

Thrilled to find Persnickety Pup again! These are the best collars ever, well made, gorgeous, and so sturdy. The worn collar – is 4 years old! Daily wear, rough and tumble! And yes – I bought the same pattern. I loved it. They have a great selection, and are really helpful in sizing…I recommend them. 

Zoey fashion plate

Zoey in her new collar. Oscar loves his simple tribal design, but refused to be interviewed for this post. 

Autumn

And I got to meet Autumn! The new furry kid at my friend Beth’s house. This show gives us a mini reunion, and we had so much fun!

Alright. More coffee, off to the studio, I have polymer to cure!  Yes – I said polymer. Stay tuned!

 

Bethany. Beach. Boardwalk. Beautiful…

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Bethany1

The day dawned cloudy and a little hazy, but that did not last long. I had a great spot on the boards, at the top of the main drag in town. 

Bethany2 

The dunes and the beach as my backdrop!

Bethany3

For this show I was in the “Mixed Media” category. So my jewelry display had to be limited, just ceramic components. But they were very popular…

hat

I never wear hats. Thank heavens I had borrowed an umbrella from Betsy!!!

Bethany5

reunion

Pleaseant surprise! Kim was a student of mine whose Grandparents live in Bethany. I was thrilled to see her, to catch up and to meet…

Jack

Jack! (And her husband, of course!)

 

Sorry this was rather brief. This is a big week. Today is my birthday, and I had a productive studio day – mixed media collages are in progress for this weekend at Artsfest. Tomorrow I have to finish earrings for a blog swap, and the infamous Bead Soup! Bead Soup posts will go up on Saturday – stay tuned!

 

 

A to Z: E is for Eclectic

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1: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles
     2
: composed of elements drawn from various sources;
Greek eklektikos, from eklegein to select, from ex- out +legein to gatherFirst Known Use: 1683

Its a word I like. Eclectic. There is an artistic air there, a little bit left of center, not the norm. And I really like the synonyms: Magpie, motley… When I was in college, studying art and education, I was already taking a more diverse path than many of my fellow art students. While they were concentrating on mastery in one medium… ( not to get philosophical, but do we ever achieve mastery? Then what else would there be to do, if not grow, learn and evolve…) I was developing proficiency in many mediums. (My words, not the college’s.) I was headed to the classroom – what better breadth of knowledge than a plethora of skills and experiences? Yet being such a Jack-of-all-trades was frowned upon. It was implied that I lacked the requisite focus or skills needed to make it “out there”. The jester, in his bells and motley tunic often juggling many balls – the artist, working in different materials, tending to many projects at once. I like the Jack of all trades metaphor, and while I continue to strive to be  a master… I think I am making progress.
Artsfest booth
( My booth set-up for Artsfest 2010)

This entry was going to be “D is for dilemna” but it is resolved now, and “Eclectic” is a better fit. I recently applied to one of my regular festivals, in the fall, in a city where we used to live. The entry categories, always a dilemma at festival time…Am I a ceramics artist? No. That brings to mind functional wares when seen in the event program. And I am definitely NOT a potter. (No offense meant. I just am not into function.) So I write in “Mixed Media” if it isnt already a listed category. I have tiles to bring, shrines, maybe clay, maybe in tins or boxes. Could bring collages… Then there are the pendants. Clay really is the unifying element in my work. When you see my booth all set up, decaorated, ready for business – clay is 90% of my offeriengs. Many pieces are not purely clay, but incorporate found objects, mini books, collages – hence the Mixed Media moniker. My pendants are clay. They are partnered in motif with my tiles. I work in symbolic images and icons – would you like to wear that raven? Or hang it in your house? 
ravens in kiln
pendants
This show tightened up their guidelines. Unless you are juried into the jewelry category, you may NOT bring any jewelry. I emailed for clarification. And sat with the dilemma for a while. Do I take only tiles and shrines? Or do I apply for jewelry? If I apply for jewelry, the competition is stiff, but I could possible have an opportunity to take earrings, stamped metal, resin, some of my new work. Here is the deal-maker: If accepted for jewelry I CAN bring tiles and shrines as well. (But not the other way around) SO I went for it. And as I write this I haven’t heard back yet if I am accepted. Please think good thoughts for me, lets put the idea out there in the universe  – the first show I ever did will also be the show at which I debut my jewelry officially. There is a karmic balance to that, don’t you think? 
wishing well
I have made a wish. Here’s wishing you well, also!

 

Artsfest 2010

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Artsfest booth Beautiful as always, my home away from home set amidst the trees… 

Booth detail Could I ask for a better place to exhibit – where my mythical tiles could be more at home?  

view wooded path

And at every turn, every crook in the path, magic abounds:

Faerie house 1 Faerie House 2 Faerie House 3  

Great weather, great location, great show, great company! Thanks to everyone who stopped by; it was great to see you!

 

Fortitude…

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Main Entry: for·ti·tude
Pronunciation: ?fo?r-t?-?tüd, –?tyüd
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin fortitudin-, fortitudo, from fortis
Date: 12th century

1 : strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage

A little dramatic, perhaps. I am not in pain, nor danger. I am four days from installing my first solo show at the local arts co-op – The Newark Arts Alliance. But have I mentioned I am out of town this weekend? So really two days away… Today is a day filled with lists: to do lists, lists of work to finish, clerical matters, newletters, blogs, price lists, artist statements…<sigh> So it is a day when I am tapping into my inner fortitude – where did I put that? Right…

Here’s the important info you need to attend my fabulous, inspirational show:

Ariadne collage

(Ariadne: Mistress of the Labyrinth, mixed media collage, 16 x 20″, 2008)

Myth and Nature; transformed

Mixed Media Artwork by Jennifer Davies-Reazor

Newark Arts Alliance – 276 E> Main St Suite 102, Newark De 19711

May 4 – 29th. Artist Reception Friday, May 7th – 6 -8 pm.

Hours: 11 am – 3 pm daily. Thursday 11am – 7pm. Closed Monday.

Really – must get to the next task on the list. Busy day, and I am prepared to make it a good one! Hope to see you next week!

Frenetic…

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Main Entry: fre·net·ic
Pronunciation: fri-?ne-tik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English frenetik insane, from Anglo-French, from Latin phreneticus, modification of Greek phrenitikos, from phrenitis inflammation of the brain, from phren-, phr?n diaphragm, mind
Date: 14th century
“Inflammation of the brain” – that discribes the state of affairs here rather well. I am in full on frenzied production mode finishing – well, starting AND finishing new mixed media work for my first solo show. I have clay drying – hopefully to be fired and glazed in time. I have shrines awaiting interior installments. I have lined up blank canvases primed (pun intended) for paper, paint and glue.
studio shot(You can just see the shrines in the foreground on the left. And two labyrinth themed colalges on the work table, very near completion.)
Please save the date: Friday May 7th at the Newark Arts Alliance here in town. The reception is from 6-8 pm. So there are finishings artwork lists, and reception/organisational exhibit lists…
And icing on the cake – my friend Cooky will be here from San Diego! WooHoo! She is the owner of The Shepherdess – bead and fiber store extrordinaire – in Old Town, and an incredible mixed media artist/jeweler in her own right.  Coming for her first East Coast visit to my humble abode, she is drafted to help hang my show! Hee Hee. But she is also here on business and she and I will be attending MD Sheep and Wool Festival over the May Day weekend. So lets get this artwork prepped early – there is fun to be had; wine to be drunk, fibers to be fondled…
I digress. More on the show in the coming days/week… I need to get back to the studio. “Inflammation of the brain” – yes, that does sum it up…

Camera vs phone?

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wheel view

This was my view yesterday. Now, I dont throw often, so when I get the urge – I go for it and throw many things. Yesterday, it was 2 bowls and 5 mugs. Still not a ton, I know, but I worked on other things too! I have a replacement mug to make for my friend Keith in Sydney, and a more local friend Amy, has begun hinting… oh so subtly.

Here’s another work in progress picture: shrines in progress

Two shrines, textured and distressed a bit, now drying. And yes, those are owl pendants peeking out from the right side! Too sweet, looking forward to glazing those!

So – the question of the day – are these pictures decent enough? Is the image quality acceptable? I was reading a post somewhere – mind like a sieve, cant remember, so I couldnt link to it… The debate was voiced by an artist who had a really nice camera, which stayed home for the beauty shots, and a point and shoot to be out and about, pictures on the go. It got me thinking. I have a digital point and shoot, which takes great pix. I never take it with me. Whenever I am out and about I take pictures with my phone. These studio pix were shot with my  LG phone yesterday. I am willing to sacrifice some picture quality for convenience and practicality. I mean, I am in a ceramics studio, I am usually covered in clay – which I do not want inside and all over my camera. So the phone, which is always with me – is the perfect tool.

What are your thoughts on the matter?