Returing to Sun Gallery's Holiday Boutique

Sun Gallery in Hayward, CA is having their fund raising Holiday Show. The show this year runs from November 5 to December 13. Please check their website for the hours of operation .

Last year there were ceramic pieces of all sizes and styles, textiles and wall pieces, two talented photographers, beaded and glass jewelry, fused glass of all colors, and many styles of paintings. There were a variety of wonderful gift items with a full range of prices to fit any budget. Come see this years offerings when you are in the area and or want to support their children's art program come on by.

Over the years they have added many more children's art classes, for the home schooled, regular after school programs, and summer art camp. Money raised during the Holiday Show helps fund these art activities. My connection to this gallery dates back to when we lived in Hayward 32 years ago. My daughters and I went to see many exhibits and often made a happy stop in their gift shop. Sara still has some jewelry she bought with her own money.

Glass Exhibit of Kaus Moje

Here I am in the heart of the Oregon Glass World, Portland. Sunday 8/31/08 I visited the Portland Art Museum especially to see the fantastic exhibit of kiln formed and wheel-carved glass by artist Klaus Moje. He started with blown glass more than 50 years ago and evolved and pushed the glass boundaries over the last 30 years. This 68 piece retrospective of the work of this world renowned artist from Australia illustrated his latest style of fused glass. His current show focus is on pattern design, so precise and vivid many looked like a mass of colorful bar codes. His work reminds me of the abstract designs by the renown Israeli artist Agam. Using the Bullseye Glass Factory in Portland, Kraus Moje created a massive four panel work "The Portland Panels" which were debuted from May 31 to September 7, 2008.

In fact, they are the reason I knew about this exhibit. Here is the description that Bullseye sent out. I knew I had to find a time to go to Portland to see his work.

"NEW Klaus Moje 2-Book Bundle With the recent publication of Klaus Moje by Portland Art Museum, there now exist two volumes devoted exclusively to the life and career of this innovative artist, teacher, and father of the contemporary kiln-glass movement. Bullseye is proud to offer both books, bundled together in an attractive slipcase, at a special bargain price. Klaus Moje documents the thirty-year Moje retrospective that was mounted by and is currently on exhibition at Portland Art Museum. The 68 pieces in the retrospective trace the progression of the master's work and his unparalleled contributions to expression and technique. The book features essays by Dan Klein and Bruce Guenther and a technical perspective on the Portland Panels by Ted Sawyer."

Of course, I bought one of the books at the museum. I needed to save some money for shopping at Bullseye. I went on Tuesday to see what's new and exciting that I could not live without. Yea, I found a few exciting packages of cut up patterned glass rods to use as accents in my work. On the plus side I did buy some basic supplies I really did need.

Surpising Art Glass Finds

I traveled to Oregon with my daughter Sara at the end of August. One of our stops was at the Newport Aquarium. The Oddwater was their current exhibit. We went to see fish and this time they took back seat to the beautiful blown glass. Yes glass!! The fish were exhibited in tanks that also displayed beautiful glass sea vegetation. There was coral, seaweed, barnacles, shells and tubes for fish to swim through. I even saw real swimming seahorses. The glass pieces still took center stage. The blown glass was provided by a local studio, "The Edge Art Gallery" you can see their work on the website.

Before we left I went to the gift shop and found that their fused glass was too expensive for me. One 5" glass coaster was more than $20. I sell a set for $25. Maybe I need to raise my prices. This stop turned into a terrific surprise.

While in Portland I planned to stroll through "Art in The Pearl" over Labor Day weekend. We had a beautiful day for the event. Lots of interesting and different art. The styles presented are very different from what I see down here. It 's more organic, quirkier, and less commercial. I found some interesting techniques that I would like to try. Without directions I will wing it and see what happens. Maybe I will have something for my holiday shows in November and December. My studio awaits.

Fine Arts at the Fair Update

Had a good summer. The high point was the San Mateo Fine Arts exhibit. I did not win anything and there were very few other fused glass pieces. I found out that to get a separate category for glass compitition at least 15 people need to submit. So now all the glass, wood, and mixed media are competing against each other. I will take part again next year.

I sold the "Icy Threads" after the fair. The buyer saw it at my Open Studio in May while I was working on it and wanted to buy it. That was very nice.

Lake Tahoe

The multi colors of North Lake Tahoe were my inspiration. This beautiful round art piece is designed with hand made marble styled bars. These bars are sliced and arranged with the original solid colors used to make the bars.
This one is NFS, but I will take orders in your choice of colors for $225.00

Oregon Irises

This 10" painting is composed with fine glass powder, small grains of frit, and glass liquid. This technique produces texture and highlights after 3 kiln firings.
Including a square black metal stand, it is available for $155.00 .

Whatever

This multi-layered 10 inch square sculptor piece can be set in the black metal frame in any direction. Thereby creating 4 different looks to reflect your mood. It is available for $180

Icy Threads

This fused piece traps copper threads between 2 layers of crystal clear glass and then formed in a hand made mold. - Sold
Yes, this one sold, but, if you are interested in this style I can design a new art piece with your specifications.

Photos and Fair website are here

I added the San Mateo Fair website for you. Look in the links section. The 4 pieces submitted in the Fine Arts competition with description and prices are shown here for your enjoyment and because I am so happy to have a record of this accomplishment.

Catch Up Time

WOW !
A lot has happened while I was away from my blog. First of all I forgot how to get back on to write about my musings. I should not have said that, but that is better than being too lazy to bother.

Recap: I had good feed back on my work at the May Silicon Valley Open Studio. Then I started this blog and set up an Etsy account. During that time I waited the delivery of my small table top Paragon Glass Kiln. Got it!! Have not used it yet, because the shelf used for firing my glass was not shipped. Waiting for it now.

Did not waste time while waiting. Applied to the San Mateo County Fair's Fine Arts Division to exhibit 4 new art pieces. I was accepted. It will be the first time my work will be officially judged and perhaps be recognized with some sort of award. I have had my glass judged for participation in street festivals to see the quality and type of work I do.

Last Friday the 25th I stood in line and dropped off my works. Everyone around me had framed paintings and photographs. The art work is sent for judging and then it is set up by fair staffers. By the time the fair opens on August 8th all will be displayed with any awards attached. It will be exciting to go and find my art pieces. I do not know how or where in the Fine Arts Building they will be. The fair is open until the 16th.

I will post pictures sent to the fair today if I figure it out. And do it correctly.
There are 2 designs for sale and if they are not purchased at the fair they will be for sale directly from me.

I will try and add the photographs of the submitted art pieces and a link to the fair.