A recent trip to the National Gallery of Art started with a walk through the Sculpture Park and then a quick trek over to the West Building, where I lost track of time studying the paintings in a special exhibit of The Chester Dale Collection. Imagine Monet, Manet, Renoir, Picasso, Degas and van Gogh all in the same room. I was speechless (that doesn’t happen often). Historical. Humbling. Necessary.
Barefoot headstand on the way to the Sculpture Park
The slideshow below features a few of the pictures that I snapped on my way to the Sculpture Park (best viewed full screen). Hope you enjoy it.
Retired architect Vicki Grant’s mixed media vessels and wall sculptures incorporate unusual objects with clay. Knobs and lids of the porcelain vessels often sport porcupine quills, fossils, stones, wood and shells. Sketching out each piece in advance, she usually makes work in a series.
Grant’s hand thrown vessels are carved, beaded and colored by the artist using oil pigments rubbed into the surface. Still thinking like an architect as she works, she is concerned with how the pieces fit together, how they “fold into each other.” Her love of shape, pattern and texture is evident in each piece.
“I have always felt that the most amazing forms, structure, color and textures are found within nature and that exposure to these elements have been my inspiration and teacher.” Vicki Grant
“After firing, oil pigments are hand applied, layer after layer, until the final patina of rich hues is achieved.” Vicki Grant
To find out more about the artist and how she works, read this post about her on the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery blog.
It’s hard to believe that tomorrow will mark one month since I arrived in DC to begin my 6-week internship here, working with artists to develop a deeper understanding of the day-to-day life of a professional artist. Only two weeks left and then I will leave this unique artist’s haven. But wait! I have been invited to extend my stay until the end of March to continue my work with this truly special group of artists.
You can help me extend my stay. Tim Tate has very generously donated four of his cast glass hearts to give as donor perks to the first four people who make a $200 donation. As I mentioned in a previous post, the 4″ x 2″ hearts are elements that Tim makes for his larger glass sculptures. He does not sell these elements. Mr. Tate is well on his way to being a part of glass art history – if you are a fan, this is the only way you can own a Tim Tate that doesn’t cost many thousands of dollars – Don’t. Miss. This. Chance. A HUGE thank you to Tim for his donation to the apprenticeship project.
To make a $200 donation and receive one of Tim Tate’s luscious cast glass hearts (4 available):
{UPDATE 2/27/11: Only 2 hearts left!}
If you prefer to make a donation in a different amount, click on the button below:
Later this weekend I will post a summary of what I have done/experienced/witnessed so far on this journey. Want to see all of the project posts? Right here. Stay tuned – next week I will be adding audio to several slide shows. Very cool.
For those of you who guessed that the object in my teaser post the other day was a Tim Tate heart, you are correct. The hearts, which measure approximately 4″ x 2″, are cast glass elements that Tim makes for his cutting edge reliquaries.
When the light hits the diminutive hearts just so, they look like they are lit from within – lovely.
Are you a fan of the artist with the heart of gold? Then don’t miss Friday’s post – I will tell you how you can make one of these yours. (P.S. You won’t find an opportunity like this again!)
