March

It’s now March. I was delighted to have enough snowfall here this Winter that I could snowshoe in the woods, at least for a month. I tried to get out every day to take advantage of the snow while I could, knowing that this season is not what it used to be. We seem to be getting more and more rain and mud or ice and winds.

In the studio I am reworking copper enamel paintings I had previously set aside for not coming out the way I wanted. For every series I make I might end up with one or two mistakes. I’ve cut these up or hammered them, removed some enamel by chipping or sanding, reapplied and fired new enamel, reassembled, etc… I’m still working on them. It’s messy and I’m enjoying the exploration and collage like process of reworking these pieces.

pieces of enamel paintings, cut and formed, now waiting for more enamel

Enjoy the Fall

Leaves, leaves, and more leaves. Soon it will be snow, snow… Anywho, I am not gearing up for the holiday season. I am taking a break, well, sort-of. I have decided not to participle in any fairs, anyway. I have been keeping busy working in the gallery and coming up with new paintings/ideas.

I do have a variety of paintings at the C-Word this year. Cat runs her pop-up shop now through December for fun and interesing gift giving of crafts. I gifted myself a skirt from her shop last week. It is located in one of those little spaces in the black box building on Washington Ave.

And, as always, my work and I can also be found at the Hole in the Wall in Raymond. We will be having our Holiday Open House on Thanksgiving weekend with snacks and a drawing for gift certificates. We have some new craft items for gifting and are regularly updating the gallery of wall art.

Enjoy the Fall!

Almost Fall

The weather is beautiful, sunny and on the cool side. I finally got in the ocean last week for the first time this season. I’m going to try to get into the lake before Winter. I know, I’m starting Summer a bit late. I’m not a huge fan of Summer so I’m happy to enjoy the outdoors during the Fall.

I’ve probably mentioned this before… I’m taking a break from making jewelry. I have a lot already made up which is available only at the Hole in the Wall or on-line here. I am focusing on my paintings, although I’ve been busy with the gallery (and I’m not sure exactly what else) so I haven’t had a lot of time in the studio lately. This is one reason why I love Winter, everything slows down and you are shut in your studio with a hot cocoa and a hot kiln. I image I will return to jewelry making after I’ve worked out a few things with my paintings.

I do not plan to participate in any craft shows or fairs this year. I need a break from the schlepping. I will have paintings for sale through the American Craft Council pop-up on-line in September and at the C Word contemporary craft pop-up in person in Portland for the holiday season. More info on those under events.

I took a quick drive over to the farm today and bought some squash. I am so happy!

Still Summer

The weather has been great for about a week now, warm, breezy and sunny. We have a lot of rain on the way. I guess we need it, we always need it until it gets to be too much. At least we are having a break from the extreme heat.

I’m putting off making for the time being. I want to clear out some stuff, make some space so I can think and create. It’s something I’ve needed to do, really do, for a long time now. Then I plan to play in the studio. It might be some time before I make to sell again, or maybe not. I’ll see how things go. For now I’m also busy with the gallery hanging shows and trying to promote our artists. I have all my work available at the gallery and will be participating in the American Made POP-UP sale in September. Then we’ll see…

Hold Out

It’s now the Summer of 2024 and so far it has been lovely and cool. I don’t expect it to stay this way. We will soon be getting record heat and more threats of hail. For now I am enjoying the cool breezy weather. I am finding I am extra busy with things I feel I need to do around the shop and the house. Not a lot of time to make work. Maybe this is why I enjoy Winter so much when everything slows down and I can hibernate in my studio. I long to make something big from smaller pieces. This has been on my mind and I look forward to time for putzing around in the studio.
I was recently asked if I am still making my art. Yeah, I am and still by hand. Always will.

Fall

It’s Fall. It’s daylight savings time as of today. I’m sure my mind and body will be feeling the effects of that for the next few weeks, although it’s hard to realize what’s going on really. Fall is beautiful and also harsh. I do enjoy the absence of hot, humid weather and the arrival of local apples and squash. The leaves are everywhere, I try in vain to clear out driveways and walkways. The first snowfall will be a sigh of relief that I finally have to be finished trying to clear the leaves.

This is also the time of year when I realize I’m not only behind on getting ready for Winter but also the holiday season. So far, I am only planning on attending one, in person, holiday sale and it is at the Maine College of Art & Design. This is the first year it will be back at the Porteous building since the beginning of Covid. I also have an on-line pop-up sale and a few paintings at local galleries. And my work is also available at the Hole in the Wall.

Check my shop page and event page for more information.
HAPPY FALL!

Updating... please stand by....

I am finally updating my website! I’m moving info around trying to make it easier and more pleasant. I am also adding more details and work available for sale. It is a process and will take some time. I have already started as of 10/10 but my eyes need a break!

Summer is almost here!

It is Spring time in Maine which means hot muggy days or frost… wait a minute.

I have five enamel paintings in the MECA&D Collect sale this year. The work is available to view and purchase on-line and in person.

My Anomalous series of enamel paintings is now available at the Hole in the Wall.

Also at the Hole in the Wall are some new pendants and earrings, black and red on white, very modern.

Winter's coming

It’s not winter yet. It is that time when winter is upon us. Time to make sure the firewood, shovels, roof rakes and windshield scrapers are handy. This is the time of year when I look around the house and see projects for later, for snow days. There are too many leaves to move back into the woods now to take time for those other projects.

I have been making as well. For brick and mortar I have jewelry and paintings at Maine Craft Portland and Hole in the Wall Studioworks. I’m also showing enamel paintings at Zero Station’s WANT/NEED exhibition and sale. For on-line events I have paintings at the Society of Arts + Craft’s CraftBoston Holiday and jewelry at the Maine College of Art & Design’s Holiday Sale.

I’m also taking workshops and teaching myself new things in the studio. The pandemic slow down was a good time to learn new tricks and a good way to ease anxiety, or at least distract from it. Maybe a snow day will be a good time to practice what I learn in the workshops.

Exhibition of new enamel work at Maine Crafts Association galleries.

I have a solo exhibit of my new enamel paintings at the Maine Crafts Association.

Maine Craft Portland: April 1 – May 1, 2021

Center for Maine Craft: May 5 – May 21, 2021

The new normal created by the pandemic allows more time and space to process thoughts and emotions generated from memories, events and interactions. So much time to think can create more anxiety as well as clarity and ease. In this series of paintings I set out to create visual diagrams of what equates to journal entries; rumination, ideas, mediation practice, rants…

I use vitreous enamel on copper primarily in my jewelry making and have carried that medium over to my painting practice. Building up multiple layers, sifted enamel is applied and kiln fired before the next layer is applied. Interspersed in these layers are various forms of enamel, some bleeding through to the surface and others revealing something beneath the surface. These bits and pieces are symbolic of various thoughts, feelings and ideas floating around and connecting or bouncing off one another. The finished piece is chemically etched and hand polished to give the surface a dreamy matte finish.

A quick video to highlight some, but not all, of the process involved in the making of Anomalous 4, an enamel painting for my show at the Maine Crafts Association.

DeMoN Container Rings

enamel on copper, copper 1.75”x1.75”x1.25”

The Default Mode Network (DMN) is called “the demon of ADHD” by Dr. Edward Hallowell, a leading authority on the subject. He explains that distinct areas of the brain show elevated metabolic activity when the brain is not engaged in a task that requires focus. There is another network of the brain named the Task Positive Network (TPN). This network is active when the brain is engaged in a task that requires conscious attention. As one network increases in activity, the other usually declines. In people who have ADHD the DMN remains active while the TPN is active. He adds, ”This competition provides a neurological explanation for what those of us who have ADHD feel so often — a persistent, magnetic pull away from the task at hand into distraction. When we are under the influence of the DMN, we ruminate.”

I ruminate often, probably all the time. I’m so used to it I often fail to notice. It can be a blessing and a curse. These demons keep me from sleep at night and wake me in the morning. They distract and frustrate me, yet also entertain me and are valuable to my creative process. I made these canisters to help contain my demons. I left a hole in the center so a few can escape.

Tree Rings

I submitted a pair of Tree Rings which were excepted by the Enamel Guild North East for their Under Fire 3 exhibit. This year the exhibit is on-line.

https://www.enamelguildnortheast.org/under-fire-3/#

Enamel on copper, copper.

7 Moody Rings: What Day Is It?

I've been playing with the idea of the mood ring, and the words “grit or gloss” in terms of personal characteristics. This has lead me to make a series of “moody rings” to portray thoughts and emotions during these uncertain and stressful times.

I chose bits and pieces of enamel and interspersed them between layers of white, some bleeding through to the surface and others revealing something beneath the surface. They are symbolic of various thoughts, feelings and ideas floating around and connecting or bouncing off one another. In this case the wearer decides which ring represents their mood.

As we shelter at home during this pandemic we start to lose track of which day it is. A friend jokingly told me she needs those underwear with the day of the week written on them. These were popular when we were kids. I thought of making rings with the days of the week written on them, only I find it doesn’t matter what day it is right now. I’ve created an abstract idea of days of the week by making a set of seven rings. The wearer decides which is which, and which one fits their mood for the day.

Show opens at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 11/9 - 12/8 and travels to Millersville University, Millersville, PA 1/21 - 3/4 2021.