All 58!

Round Crystal Brooch, sterling silver, spray paint

You can now view my solo show in its entirety on my website,  Flickr, and Facebook! There are two bodies of work: "Fabricated Memory: Jewelry Box, 1980," which includes 24 pieces in sterling silver, 18K gold vermeil, spray paint, and diamonds and "Collected Memories: 1974-Present," 34 brooches and necklaces in a variety of found objects and mixed-media.

 Brooch No. 6

 Necklace No. 12

 Lavender Pearl Necklace

Oak Leaf Brooch

Thanks for reading.

The Installation

Yesterday morning I went to Velvet da Vinci to install my exhibition. I took the above photo moments before I walked in the front door. Then I spent several hours displaying the work with the help of Mike and Emma. It was a fun day and a wonderful experience. It made the show finally feel real instead of just an abstract concept in my mind. The work looks beautiful in the space. "Collected Memories: 1974-Present" hangs on a wall, while "Fabricated Memory: Jewelry Box, 1980" is arranged in a series of vitrines. You can view most of the work on the Velvet website now and next week I will post all 58 pieces on my website, Flickr, and Facebook. 

More on Flickr.

Somewhere over the Midwest

I have a fascination with aerial views and got lucky with clear skies when I flew to Seattle in early October. (Yesterday's flight to San Francisco was also clear and I saw so many incredible things, but my camera is not working.) I took lots of pictures during that Charlotte to Seattle flight and got a great idea for a new series of brooches which combines my embroideries and privacy envelopes/graph paper. When I look at these landscape images I see the gridded patterns in privacy envelopes and graph paper and shapes reminiscent of my embroideries. I like the mix of opposites here and feel these scenes are the perfect inspiration for new work. You can see the series-in-progress on Flickr.

I also created a new set on Flickr with aerial views and hope to add even more when I return to North Carolina in 10 days.


Thanks for reading.

61 Hours in Seattle

About two weeks ago I flew to Seattle to work with my photographer, Hank Drew, as he took pictures of my solo show jewelry. The shoot took two days and in the evenings I spent time with some dear friends. I also ate at some of my favorite restaurants (Thaiku, Hi-Spot) and got a new tattoo. It was truly a whirlwind adventure!

I am especially happy that I was able to work with Hank. The shoot was a fascinating process to be a part of. Each image has to be just so: the lighting, the position or styling of the work. Plus, there are props to hold things in place and other tricks to make each piece look its absolute best.  As soon as the shoot was over I headed to Fedex and shipped a giant box to the gallery. I was on my way to the airport just a few hours later.

Thanks for reading.

Show Postcard, Reality Check

I got a stack of postcards for the show yesterday and they definitely make it all feel more real. I've spent so much time thinking about the work that I haven't actually thought about the show as a reality. It's hard to describe...I think as the opening gets closer (November 4) and more show-related things happen (like flying to San Francisco tomorrow and installing the show a few days after that) it will all settle in and become concrete.

If you would like a postcard, please send me an email (amy@amytavern.com) with your mailing address.

You can read more about the exhibition and see many of the works here.

Thanks for reading.

Open House...Now with Privacy Envelopes

My last open house as a resident at Penland was this past Friday. I spent part of the day rearranging and curating my collections as a way to both honor my studio and process the many thoughts in my mind about leaving. I also hung part of my collection of privacy envelopes on a wall. (I've been collecting them for about two years.) I have a new series in the works that will incorporate embroidery and privacy envelopes with metal. These works-in-progress are hanging next to the envelope collection.

I enjoyed spending time with my objects in this manner and even added some of my work among souvenirs from trips, family heirlooms, and found objects. Arranging is a big part of my process and always inspiring for me to do. When I was done I sat on my sofa and relished my space.

More on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

It's Starting!

 

Images and information about my upcoming solo exhibition at Velvet da Vinci are starting to be posted online. You can now view many of the 58 pieces on the Velvet website as well as read my artist statement and get details for the opening. Velvet will continue to add photos over the next few days.

 
This is How I Remember It
Solo Exhibition
Velvet da Vinci Gallery

2015 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

415.441.0109

November 2-30, 2011
Artist Reception Friday, November 4 from 6-8pm

I will be getting postcards any day now. If you would like one, please send me an email with your address to amy@amytavern.com

More soon...

Thanks for reading.

Pins for the Core Fellows 2011

For the third year in a row, I made pins for Penland's core fellows for their annual exhibition. This year I quizzed them about their favorite colors, patterns/textures, and numbers. Then I used this information in whole or in part to create personalized shadowbox brooches filled with things they like and that remind me of them. Each piece also features a teardrop to symbolize sentiment and how important they are to me.

I worked on the pieces all week and assembled them on Friday. Around 2pm I only had four done, and with five left, I was terribly worried that I would not finish. In fact I was sick to my stomach! Somehow I did, though, and was able to present them to the group at their celebration dinner at 6pm. 

More images on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

The Barns On Line

You can now see the The Barns 2011 online via the Penland website. You can also check out my fellow residents work at the following sites:

Daniel Marinelli
Tom Shields
Robin Johnston
gwendolyn yoppolo
Jeong Ju Lee
David Eichelberger

Thanks for reading.