Bonafide

I'm still working on prying some time into my new schedule. Thanks to some day job juggling I get a "new" schedule every 6-8 weeks. If this doesn't forestall dementia, then I don't know what does.

Still short the necessary rubber to complete the new neckpiece so I'm only allowing teasers still. Finally some liquidity in the bank account, so I can get it moving along. Things have backed up in the studio, and I'm trying to get back on top of it all. Lots of deadlines in the near future that have to be worked in between other things. Some of those being an upcoming workshop in April at the University of Northern Iowa thanks to the help of Professor Erica Voss, and a workshop in May through MASSC thanks to Corliss Rose. Both have been so helpful in getting me started in the workshop scene! Everything about workshops sounds wonderful--show up, do the fun stuff, get the students wound up, then leave before the late nights and real problem solving. That last bit gets saved for their real teachers.


Along with all that, have you caught the most recent issue of American Craft? That image was mercifully sent by Sharon Massey as the East Coasters got it before I did, and I am terribly impatient. It's still a little odd to open it up and see my work. Beth DeBoom did an amazing job, and it was so much fun meeting with her and talking about my work.

Because I've had some new galleries added to my roster, and because there was only so much room in the article, I just wanted to include some links here as well. I am really lucky to have a lot of amazing galleries out there with great people representing my work. The article did mention Velvet da Vinci in San Francisco, and Friends of Carlotta in Zurich. Also, I am always excited to mention the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia--I have work in their Museum Store.

Additionally, I have work at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft in the Asher Gallery and recently sent work to Fancy Gallery in Seattle.

And of course I would never want to forget Quirk in Richmond. Those ladies are awesome!

Signs of Mental Illness

Nearly there. That's the last in a series of elements that will soon come together in a neck piece I've been slowly toiling on for too long. Hopefully after everything is done, and I've resolved the format a bit, I can get rolling at a more efficient pace.

I thought the dots on the long, thin spoot elements was crazy. But know, I devised a new torture for myself with this circle painting. After the last piece is painted I move on to what will hopefully be the last layer of resin for the larger elements.


The hand painting on these is brutal.

Nomen Dubium

"Capsicia" 2010, fabricated and electroformed copper, polymer clay, epoxy resin, paint, ink, 8" x 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Nomen Dubium—“doubtful name”

Our natural tendency to seek out patterns results in a sensitivity to the congruities in biological forms. Deliberate exploitation of these phenomena results in objects that are both ambiguous and evocative. Some are organs removed from the body in which they once belonged, revealing structures with unknown functions. Others are complete specimens tagged with labels. Signs of dissection as well as taxonomy provide evidence of attempts to demystify these new organisms. However, this approach leaves many unanswered questions and highlights the inherent ethical compromise in these methods of understanding.

I choose materials and techniques that are transformative, resulting in objects that do not readily reveal the processes of their making. Copper may be hidden under layers of paint, the only exposed metal oxidized. The electroforming process allows for wax forms to be coated in copper leaving a hollow shell with textural encrustations--evidence of the accretive nature of the process of building copper on a molecular level. The resin pieces are light in weight, built on a core of carved foam that is strengthened by successive layers of an opaque, water-based composite resin. The clear epoxy resin is then layered with paint to create a depth of surface typically expected of glass work. The slick gloss of the resin further mimics biology.

Solo exhibition on view at the Appalachian Center for Craft from January 6th through February 10th.

...If It Kills Me

It's the last day of 2010, and I'm trying to stay optimistic as the next year lumbers in.

I've been trying to make a go at this working artist thing since I finished my degree in 2008, and although I haven't figured out how to survive, I haven't failed yet either. For the record I've defined failure as any of the following: having the utilities switched off, eating my cats, having my house forclosed on, burning extraneous doors for heat, or having to work a full time day job thereby sacrificing invaluable studio time. Those are in no particular order.

I had some surprises that got me through this year in the form of blogging. I will never be able to fully articulate how grateful I am to Brigitte Martin at Crafthaus and Mike Holmes, Susan Cummins, and Damian Skinner at Art Jewelry Forum. Not only did they all take a chance on my writing, they helped me attend the SNAG Conference in Houston and SOFA Chicago. When living as a studio hermit, these rare social events are important opportunities to recharge my batteries.

And I'm starting 2011 with a solo show--Nomen Dubium--at the Appalachian Center for Craft, so there's a reason to put my best foot forward. Though progress has been slow, sometimes painfully so, I seem to have had a general uptick as time passes as sales trickle in, exhibitions come along, and writing opportunities bubble up.

I'm going to grit my teeth and get through this year and hope that things continue to be marginally better by the end of it.

The First Fruits of My Labor

A couple of new electroformed pieces--one sculptural object, one brooch. Made the LEAP Award Finalist deadline last week by the skin of my teeth.



Neotenia--7” x 3 ½” x 3 ½”, electroformed and fabricated copper, paint, ink



Spriozan--brooch, 2” x 3” x 1 ½”, electroformed and fabricated copper, paint, ink

I managed to finish two larger foam/resin brooches as well. It was a loooong day.



Orificium--brooch, 8” x 3 ½” x 2 ½”, foam, composite and epoxy resin, fabricated copper, paint



Organella Monstruosis--6” x 5 ½” x 2 ½”, foam, composite and epoxy resin, fabricated copper, paint, ink

I've also been cranking out small pieces for holiday sales. Check out my Etsy site as things slowly unload there...

2 Sales, 1 Month

Lots of bits and pieces in production. If you're in the Iowa City area, here's some info.

-Saturday, Dec. 4th from 10am-5pm, A Jewel of a Show at Modela, 323 E. Market St.
My work along with Penny Adrishok, Kathy Edwards, Satomi Kawai, Susan Shinnick, and Laurie Moore (no relation, but a lovely and talented lady!)

-Saturday, Dec. 11th from 11am-7pm, What a Load of Craft 7 at Johnson County Fairgrounds, Building C4261 Oak Crest Hill Road SE in Iowa City , a list of artists and performers too long to include so check out the facebook site!


Oh yeah, and don't I have a show coming up?

SOFA Chicago

For anyone who missed it, please check out my blog post over at Art Jewelry Forum about SOFA Chicago!