All Entries in the "Latest Posts" Category

noriko ambe maps the land between physical and emotional geography

“Using the five senses, perceiving the natural qualities of the materials, I found that I am concerned less about the end, and more about “doing”. The process of creating is equally as important as the finished work.” Noriko Ambe

A Piece of Flat Globe Vol.9, Yupo, acrylic medium
6 11/16″ x 8″ x 3 9/16″

Drawing with an Exacto knife, Japan’s Noriko Ambe laboriously alters thick stacks of Yupo, a white paper made in Japan.  The resulting sculptures, rife with snaking curves and rippling lines, are meant to evoke not only the peaks and valleys of the earth’s landscape, but also the wrinkles and folds of the human landscape.

A Piece of Flat Globe Vol.6 (detail)

A Piece of Flat Globe Vol.4, Yupo
6 1/8″ x 8 5/8″ x 6 1/2“

Ambe’s art evolved from two dimensional drawings and etchings when she began to stack paper and work in three dimensions, eventually embracing the Yupo, a synthetic, translucent paper with an organic quality that makes it feel almost like skin. She also cuts books and catalogs from art exhibits as she reflects on the concept ‘what is art?’

Attention to Detail! 12 1/4″ x 14 1/2″ x 11 1/2″
Cut on catalogues of “Attention to Detail - Curated by Chack Close”
Flag Art Foundation

“When I am drawing or cutting lines, I am interested in observing the power of the changing growing shape. This dynamic shape becomes an entity in itself, “Another geography.” In a sense, the empty space is myself, and the materials represent the present world. Cutting book work is like collaboration for me. And it is important to choose the materials carefully because printed matter conveys a message automatically. The relationship between the linear actions and the materials is like the relationship between human beings and their restricted environment, a connection that is interested in me, too.” Noriko Ambe

alex gabriel bernstein explores glass

These bold cast glass, cut glass and steel sculptures look like glacial shards or crystal formations that have burst through their metal foundations. While North Carolina artist Alex Gabriel Bernstein grew up in the middle of the studio glass movement (his parents are glass artists Katherine and William Bernstein) he initially chose a career working with children in a psychiatric hospital after graduating from college.

Splintered Block, cast, cut lead glass, fused steel

Stance, cast, cut lead glass, fused steel

Compression, cast, cut lead glass, fused steel

Eventually Bernstein found his way back to the glass world, studying under Czech artist František Janák, and obtaining an M.F.A. in glass sculpture from the School for American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology. His website showcases an extensive portfolio - each luminous sculpture more exciting than the last.

Flesh Bridge, cast, cut lead glass, fused steel

Detail, glass

An explorer at heart, Bernstein describes his work in an artist statement found at Patrajdas Contemporary Art:

“I feel as if I am an explorer. With each piece I make I prepare for a journey, I have a general idea where I want to go, but I never know where the path will lead me. Each piece I work on I set out in the hopes of discovering something new and exciting. As any explorer my journeys are filed with ups and downs, disappointments and breakthroughs, however with each piece I am sure to gain knowledge and insight which is the excitement that brings me to my studio every day.” Alex Bernstein

make your own plastic sheet

Tory Hughes sent in a link to this cool video - make your own bioplastic with household ingredients: vinegar, glycerin, starch and water. You can even laser cut shapes from the plastic sheet.

New art material? If you try it let me know how it turns out!

Test sheets of bioplastic hanging to dry

via Shapeways

invincible summer

flickr find:

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was within me an invincible summer.” Albert Camus

Invincible Summer on Flickr

anna atterling’s pralines and bonbons

Who knew pralines and bon bons could look this delicious in metal?  Anna Atterling did. I didn’t find much on the web in English about the Swedish artist except that she makes jewelry and loves it.  That’s enough for me. The images of her silver sheet pralines are wonderful (click each to see a larger view) and a fine example of how good photography can enhance an artist’s work. Atterling’s portfolio is here.

hattie sanderson’s metal clay rings

These wild rings by Hattie Sanderson are part sculpture, part jewelry - and the combination works. Sanderson  lives on a farm in Illinois that is home to corn, soybeans, cattle, hogs and a metal clay studio where the certified metal clay instructor creates one-of- a-kind jewelry.

Somehow this busy artist finds the time to travel around the world teaching workshops (the Magnetic Pendant Focal Clasp workshop caught my eye). Look at the sketch above to see how she takes the seed of an idea and fleshes it out.

Thanks to Lorrene Baum Davis for the link.

alice simpson: portrait of the artist as…

Look closely at these whimsical busts by sculptor and book artist Alice Simpson. She’s got a grand sense of humor but the art is seriously good.  Each of these new sculptures are self portraits of the artist inspired by historical figures, history or great works of art.

The Great Wave, partially glazed stoneware, 9″ x 6″ x 5″

Inspired by the print, The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, by Kastushika Hokusai

Sarah Palin

In 2007 I wrote about Simpson’s Abundant Beauty collection of clay sculpture portraits. She just keeps getting better. You can find her whole portfolio - which includes figurative clay sculptures that range from operatic characters to ballroom and tango dancers in addition to her handcrafted artist books - on her website.

Marie Antoinette, partially glazed stoneware, 11″ x 6″ x 6″

“Imagining myself, as the whim touches my imagination…from history, fantasy, art and style.” Alice Simpson

Oh, what a wonderful imagination - now I want to see Simpson make a self portrait for her Hip Hop series - figures from the New York Hip Hop scene.

jeremy may: bookish gems

Littlefly’s Jeremy May repurposes old books by laminating hundreds of sheets of paper together and then cutting the pages from each book in the shape of  rings, pendants or pieces to be used in a bracelet. After the “Literary Jewels” are carefully finished, many of them go back into the space carved out of the book. The book becomes both packaging and material for the product.  Love it.

via carrotbox

claudia poser celebrates nature’s drive towards growth and change

Simple shapes altered, grouped together, wearing universally appealing textures and patterns - all add interest to Claudia Poser’s ceramic pods. Poser, who has a PhD in Polymer Science, explains that she uses “an abundance of repetitive, organic shapes to explore nature’s instinctive drive toward reproduction, adaptation and survival that thrives in spite of human efforts to impose order.” Many of her pod arrangements are large wall pieces. Click on the images to see them larger - Damage has my wheels spinning.

Kinetic Energy, terra cotta, 41″x21″x3″ as seen on Flicker here

Damage, terra cotta, 41″x22″x4.5″

“The tension between order and emotion, the rational and the organic intrigues me. I find beauty in both natural and manufactured detail. My pods grow out of my fascination with nature’s instinctive drive towards growth and change.” Claudia Poser

Contained Energy, terra cotta and monotype, 12″x12″x2″

Bounce, terra cotta, 48″x24″x3″

Holy, terra cotta, photographs, hardware, and finished wood, 9″ x 22″ x 1.5″, 2009

See more of her most recent mixed media work like Holy [pictured above] here.

“My sculptures evolve from a glimpsed shape, a scrap of clay or a half-remembered dream. I’m motivated by those moments of fusion with the clay when time and judgment drop away and there is only touch and shape, light, shadow, and the beguiling chocolate texture of wet terra cotta.” Claudia Poser

salima thakkar: exploration as inspiration

Some artists put their ideas down on paper in a sketch or words as a way to capture the idea for possible use at a later date. When Salima Thakkar has an idea she skips that step entirely, choosing instead get to work immediately by exploring, experimenting and exploiting materials. The Belgian jewelry artist finds inspiration in the process of trial and error.

Modular Bracelet, patinated silver tubing, 18kt yellow gold

Bracelets and necklaces in Thakkar’s Modular collection are meant to suggest animal scales. When worn on the body the small, angular chunks of silver tubing that connect in repeating patterns wrap around a wrist or neck like a second skin.

Ring, black rodium plated silver, diamonds

Ring, patinated silver with inlay of 18kt yellow gold, green tourmaline

I’m also intrigued by the distinctive style of  the rings in her Grid collection and the way she sets the precious stones. Thakkar, who holds degrees from both The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp and The Royal College of Art, London, has a portfolio that includes ten different collections - take a look here.

Modular Bracelet, patinated silver tubing, 18kt yellow gold

Ring, ebony wood, 18kt yellow gold, from the Sweets & Treats collection

john brickels celebrates the hidden beauty of entropy

Dilapidated barns, rusty old trucks and cars, factories on the brink of collapse - all are fair game for John Brickels who is inspired by “the hidden beauty of entropy.” The Vermont artist rescues rusted pedal cars and trucks, rebuilding the guts of the cars in stoneware. The tires (flat tires too!), dashboards, chassis, steering wheels, engines - even old tools strewn on the car’s floor in his Claymobiles are all made from clay.

Green Mountain Barn, clay, 23 x 18 x 12

Old Betsy, bicycle body, clay, 32 x 24 x 42

Garton, pedal car body, clay, 36 x 18 x 36

Murray,  pedal car body, clay, 36 x 18 x 36

Passaic Paint, clay 28 x 20 x 20

Brickels’ work is informed by architecture, automobiles, machines, nostalgia and all things that show the effects of time and weather. Before creating one of his buildings he takes photos of old barns and gathers images from the internet and libraries.  Next, he cuts walls from clay slabs, inscribes bricks, adds texture, boards and shingles (extruded from a clay gun).  Each building takes a month or more to dry before being fired. The attention to detail on Brickels’ buildings, claymobiles, robots and machines is astounding.

Read some of Brickels’ thoughts about work, play, life and making a living making art in Ceramic Arts Daily

More at Lazy Pear Gallery

via Ronna Sarvas Weltman

karen searle: inspired by the feminine impulse to nurture

Fiber artist and author Karen Searle’s wire sculptures create lines, movements and shadows that “suggest the energy of a human presence.” Searle knits and crochets a variety of materials including wire, flax paper and linen, addressing the concept of women’s work.

How My Mother Dressed Me, detail, copper wire, hand knitting, dresses 6″ high

Flax Vessel, knitted and crocheted Japanese flax paper, linen; 36″x16″

Body Bag III, tote bag, knit linen, flax fiber and rope, 18″ high

She has even knitted together pieces of birch bark as a metaphor for women’s work and women’s lives - all of which the artist suggests involve mending and piecing together, scavenging and adorning.

Essence: Long Dress, life-sized wire sculpture and shadow

Bark Quilt, birch bark, rayon thread, glass beads  36″ x 60″

“My imagery is inspired by womens’ lives and womens’ bodies, and by the feminine impulse to nurture.” Karen Searle

Searle, who has an MFA from Minneapolis College of Art & Design, teaches and exhibits across the country and abroad and is the author of Knitting Art: 150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists.

pflipsen olivova studio: sculpture meets jewelry

Husband and wife team Katia Olivova and Steve Pflipsen have only been collaborating in art and life for a few years, but their work is already strong and boldly executed. Olivova, born and raised in the Czech Republic, comes from a family of successful glass artists.  After studying at the secondary school of glass making in Kamenicky Senov, she apprenticed for both her mother, jewelry artist Marie Olivova and her father, renowned Czech glass artist Ladislav Oliva.

Red Coral Necklace, metal, coral

Olivova’s technique of using solder to fill the negative spaces between the wires on hand-wrought wire frames allows her to create her pieces directly on glass, stone, bone and a variety of other materials. I particularly like the sculptural quality of the necklaces in the collection - and the droplet sculptures are stunning (see picture below - for more sculpture images go to the sculpture section of their website). Be sure to check out their Etsy shop.

River Drop, wall sculpture, glass, metal

Opal Glass Bloom

Marble and Pearl Neckalce

Pflipsen, who grew up in Minnesota, holds a BFA in glass from the University of Wisconsin. In 2003 he met his future wife when he spent six months in the Czech Republic studying Bohemian glass techniques. Today he blows the glass for their sculptures and jewelry.

Garnet Front Hook Necklace

Moonstone Spiral Necklace

Pearl Rosette Pin

Pflipsen and Olivova have an Etsy shop

gustav reyes: simply wood rings

Gustav Reyes salvages wood - from the neck of a violin, or a young boy’s baseball bat or the keys of a xylophone -  and skillfully transforms the wood into rings - wedding rings, engagement rings, anniversary rings, rings that celebrate nature, life, love. Sensitive to the history of each piece, Reyes’ strives to “bring out the warmth and the honesty of the wood.” He has two websites - you can find them here and here.

Come back late this afternoon for my final post of the week - see you then!

The Purple Key, Ash, Maple and Rosewood from a xylophone key

Ring, Bog Oak and concrete inlay

The Key, Ash, Maple and Rosewood from a salvaged xylophone key

david bennett’s glass sculptures: liquid motion

Trapeze artists appear to be flying through the air, horses galloping across open fields, and gymnasts look as if they are performing impossible twists and turns. David Bennett’s glass and bronze figures capture both the shimmering, liquid qualities of the glass and the motion of his subjects.

Tumbler in Amethyst

Welding bronze rods to create cages for his figures, Bennett blows hot glass into the metal molds, later embedding LED lights into the sculptures to enhance the luminosity of the glass.  Read more about the artist’s process here.

Dancing Stallions, blown glass and bronze, 39″ x 37″ x 16″

Red and Turquoise

Bennett gives new meaning to the idea of reinventing yourself, and hope to anyone who thinks it is ‘too late’ to begin again.  Almost twenty years ago the former Army-Captain-turned-lawyer was on vacation celebrating his 50th birthday when he met a glassblower who spoke to the litigator about his life - that conversation made Bennett question his own path and he set out to chart another course. Read this beautifully written excerpt from the 2007 American Style magazine article about the artist.

Brown Galloper, blown glass and bronze, 22″ x 36″ x 14″

Hoops Lady

David Bennett with one of his sculptures

“Artisans have been blowing glass into metal forms for two thousand years. We are pushing the technique. We can make complex forms in glass and bronze that we could not do in either medium alone. As we’ve stretched the technical processes of blowing glass into metal, I’ve had more and more artistic freedom. Our figures can be lighter and wilder in their motions, and we’ve become able to manipulate the glass around its armatures in increasingly playful ways.” David Bennett

See an out-of-this-world Bennett chandelier here (click on the images to view them larger).