The Barns 2011

Like Home No. 1 and No. 2

A new resident artist show, "The Barns 2011," opens at the Penland Gallery this Friday. I installed my Silhouettes on one of the walls last week and it's wonderful to see them in an offical gallery setting versus in my studio. They are accompanied by two new necklaces and a brooch. The silhouettes for the necklaces are among those in the installation so people can see the connection between my process and my finished pieces. I also turned a small silhouette into a wearable brooch by making a prong setting for it. This is an idea I have been considering for a long time and there will be more in the future.

 

a silhouette brooch

 uninstalling the wall in my studio

 a mock-up installation of a selection of silhouettes on the gallery floor

a process shot with title idea

Lots more pictures of the installation at the gallery, my process, and the finished works on Flickr.

The Barns: 2011

Work by Penland's current resident artists
September 27- November 27
Reception: Friday, September 30, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Penland Gallery

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This Was in My Mailbox Yesterday

I got my subscription copy of Metalsmith yesterday, probably one of the best and most exciting pieces of mail I have ever received. I think I may have said outload something like, "That's crazy."

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Rapheal Prize Finalist

I am one of 33 finalists for the Elizabeth R. Rapheal Founder's Prize, a $5000 award for excellence in contemporary craft. The 2012 exhibition, catalog, and award are for small metals and includes an incredible group of metalsmiths. You can read the press release and see the list of finalists here.

The exhibition "Transformation 8: Works in Contemporary Small Metals" opens on February 3 and runs through June 30, 2012. The prize winner will be announced at the opening on February 3.

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Chains Chains Chains

I contributed a project to the new Lark Books publication Chains Chains Chains by Joanna Gollberg and Nathalie Mornu. The book includes wonderful designs by Raissa Bump, Ingeborg Vandamme, Babette Von Dohnanyi, and many more.  I also love the softcover design of the book which measures approximately 7" x 11". The slim size gives this how-to a fresh feel.

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Auction in Two Parts, Part 2

 

Here are some more pictures form auction weekend, some of which were taken by my friend, Beth Schaible of Quill and Arrow Press. (Please be sure to check out her fantastic books and letterpress prints!) She also made the collage of images below, which I just love. Beth and my friend, Pili, helped me during the resident event and I am grateful to both of them--Coffee at the Barns gets very, very busy. Another highlight was the wonderful talk former core fellow, Wes Stitt, gave before the special "Fund-a-Need" for new core student housing. You can read more about the auction on the Penland blog.

top and below by Beth Schaible

Finally, I want to mention the flowers the residents get every year for our studios. The flowers all come from the gardens and fields around Penland. I was very excited to get a green bouquet this year. 

More on Flickr.

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Auction 2011 in Two Parts

During my hiatus the annual Penland Benefit Auction happened on August 12 and 13. This year my Bow and Tassel Pendant Brooch was featured on the invitation alongside work by Cristina Cordova and Anne Lemanski, both former resident artists.

 

For the resident artist event "Coffee at the Barns" on Saturday I focused on making chains and earrings, revisiting my Line Drawings/Borderlines series. 

More on Monday!

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New Teardrop Necklaces

Here are two new spray painted necklaces I made in July, one in red and the other in light blue. Both have many layers of different colors underneath.

 More detail shots on Flickr.

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ATTA Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand

Today begins a series of catch-up posts that I hope to squeeze in as I work on my solo show. (My deadline for that is early October!) I have lots to share...I have a new gallery in Bangkok, Thailand called ATTA Gallery. I'm excited to be in Asia and to be among some of my favorite studio jewelers like Christiane Kohne and Poly Nikolopoulou, plus fellow U.S. artists Arthur Hash, Emiko Oye, and Julia Turner.

 

Poly Nikolopoulou 

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Arrowmont Part 5

Joanna Merry - roller-printed and knotted pendant

The last day of my Arrowmont class was Friday. We began by talking about simple studio set-ups and essential tools. Then everyone had a chance to work all day until studio clean-up at 4. Things were bustling in there right up to the last minute. After clean-up we shared some wine and our work. Later after dinner there was an all-school show and tell. I said goodbye to my class then and drove back to Penland. I had a lovely time during the week and hope to teach there again. Here are a few examples of some of the things my students made:

Lea Donatelli - chased pendant

Carrie Crocker - cloud ring with silhouette

Sandy Osborn - textured and riveted cuff

Sarah Henry - roller-printed pendant with handmade chain

More images on Flickr.

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Arrowmont Part 4

Thursday was gold day in the studio--Keum boo and leafing. I love doing both demonstrations. This time I was really interested in the leaf packaging with its handmade bind and stamped labels. I won't demo anything new tomorrow, only review as needed. I know studio time is precious and I want my students to be able to work all day before studio clean-up at 4.

We also got to view the upcoming enamalist society exhibition that opens here on September 9. The work is not on display yet so it was a true sneak peak and such a treat. I especially liked the work of Alicia Boswell.

Alica Boswell, "Ossify" in copper, enamel, sterling silver, fine silver, 18k gold, sapphire, paint

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Arrowmont Part 3

Yesterday was a very full day for "It's the Little Things." I started by demonstrating how to make simple earwires, headpins, and clasps followed by drawing down wire, twisting wire, making wire rick-rack, and making jumps rings. I am so impressed with how my students can just roll with the amount of information I am firing at them. They seem so excited! Individually they are all focused on projects of their own in addition to trying everything at least once.

Later in the afternoon we walked to the artists-in-residence studios for their open house. As usual I loved seeing how other artists work. The current residents include Phil Haralam, Lisa Johnson, Chandra DeBuse, and Dustin Farnsworth.

 something interesting on the studio wall of metalsmtih 

Lisa Johnson

Then after dinner a few students piled into my car and we drove through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I worked alongside my students afterward, making paper models for pieces for the upcoming Penland Resident Artist show.

Lots more pics on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.