Actually, somehow, it's already the middle of March, which means it's time for our Gallery Picks Newsletter to hit the presses. For more information, click on the title of any individual piece for a quick visit to our web shop. Enjoy!
(By the way. if you'd like a monthly reminder that the Gallery Picks Newsletter is viewable here at the Blog, plus notices of upcoming shows, sales, and musical events sent directly to your inbox, send a note to sr@theislandgallery.net to subscribe.)
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| Sycamore Table with Black Steel Legs Dimensions: 76" x 36" x 2" If you've never seen quartersawn hardwood before, this table is a perfect example of the beauty of this particular cut. Quartersawn lumber became very popular during the arts and crafts movement of the early 1900s. It is a process in which logs are cut into quarters and then the boards are sawn at an angle away from the center of the log. This causes the growth rings or "grains” to pass through the boards at a more perfect 90 degree angle. The benefits of quartersawn boards have been known to Europeans for at least 600 years: Quartersawn boards are not as prone to twist, warp or cup as they age, very important in bygone days before modern wood treatment was an option; they are also stronger, hold a finish better and do not allow liquids to easily pass through. The honey/butter tone of the sycamore is beautifully set off by dramatic round black steel legs, which add to the contemporary look of the live-edge table top. |
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| Tree of Life VI. Isnia Batik on Silk Reverse Applique 150 x 80 cm This magnificent wallhanging is a double-sided reverse applique collaboration by Agus Ismoyo and Nia Fliam (Isnia) of Yogjakarta, Java, Indonesia. Generally speaking, reverse applique is a sewing or "quilting" process in which two or more layers of cloth are stacked one over the other, each layer being cut away in turn to reveal the one below. In this case, the artists first batik their silk fabric, then cut, place, and sew the pieces together using variations in thread colors, producing a vivacious 3-D artwork that is quite different on either side. In this case, the artists have used cool teals and moss greens on one side, with flaming reds and intense blues on the other. A motif seen with almost complete universality across cultures and religions, the Tree of Life alludes to the interconnection of all life on our planet. This motif is frequently seen in the work of Isnia. Early warning: This particular wallhanging and a number of Isnia's other extraordinary pieces will be available for viewing in the Gallery during a special May 2013 exhibition, which will be attended by the artists themselves. More details will be available soon. Stay tuned! |
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| Basic Short Black K Dress. Carter Smith Black Leather Capelet. Mabel Mae Designs We've sung Carter Smith's praises many times here on the blog, and it's hard to find more superlatives for this artist's consistent and gorgeous work; but let's face it, this go-with-anything bias-cut mid-calf length dress in silk georgette is ready to take you dancing! Cut to conform to any woman's body, its voluminous skirt is flowing and swirly - a great look with heels or your most spectacular boots - and is available in S/M/L/XL sizes. We've paired it with Mabel Mae's soft-as-silk black leather capelet, a lovely little accessory with a magnetic button closure and edges subtly studded in pearls. When they say you're looking good, simply reply, "What, in this old thing?" |
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| Small Madrone Bowls. Curt Minier Dimensions (bowl on left): 5" x 4-3/4"
The
Pacific Northwest is home to many amazing wood artists, and we love them.
Curt lives on Vashon Island, and after an illustrious career in
furniture-making that included
apprenticing at the Baulines Crafts Guild in
California where he studied the Espenet
style, a contemporary California craft
movement, then being a founder of Northwest Fine
Woodworking in
Seattle, he is happy to explore new forms and styles.
These madrone bowls are turned end grain, dyed, with clear lacquer finish. Sounds
easy enough, but how does he do this: They seem
to glow, as if some inner light
is trying to escape the slender walls of
the vessels.
Is it magic? We're not quite sure... |
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| Walnut Hall Table Dimensions: 58" x 33" x 1-1/4" Stunning! This live-edge walnut hall table is a beauty, with its simple, modern feel and Pacific Rim sensibilities. Created from local salvaged hardwood, it has a conversion varnish finish. We have three of these currently on display in the Gallery, which the artist dubbed Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear; this one is the mid-size. Each is different in wood grain and markings. For further information on this one (Mama Bear), click on the title above to visit our online shop. Or stop in at the Gallery and say hello to the whole family! |
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| "Duchess". Carol Campbell Ascot, anyone? A quick turn around the manor grounds, perhaps? A spot of tea in the parlor? It's almost impossible to look at Carol's marvelous hats and not feel a tug of nostalgia for long English summer days, swans swimming in castle ponds, or a Royal Wedding or two - even if we've never personally experienced any of those things! We can always turn on the telly and dream, can't we? (We can also hope for Easter Bonnet weather, which so far proves elusive.) Carol has graced us with a must-see collection of her chapeaux - variously described as Picture Hats, Perchers, Skimmers, and Sculptural Sinamay, among others - possibly in hopes that we're all off to the Kentucky Derby shortly, or might contemplate cruising around Bainbridge In Bloom (our island's popular July garden event) replete in blooms of our own. And why not? If the ladies of Downton Abbey can wear fabulous hats, we can do it, too! (The butler, however, did NOT do it...) |
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| Cotton Batik Scarf. David Mendoza Dimensions: 74" x 14" We've carried David's work in the Gallery for all of its eleven-years' span (yes, we're in our eleventh year). All this time later, his artistry continues to evolve and is always deeply satisfying. This beautiful scarf is part of his recently arrived shipment, and is perfect for spring and summer wear. Long, lightweight and breezy cotton in black and white hand-stamped batik with touches of indigo... well, it's sheer delight. A little about David: David Mendoza is a native of the Seattle area who now lives on Bali where he designs clothing and jewelry. After thirty years of working in the arts and cultural politics he decided to take a short break and in 1998 went off to Bali for a 10-day holiday. Four months later he had found a piece of land on which it seemed he was about to build a house. David returned to Seattle for a month to get his bearings and find out if he had lost his mind. Then he returned to Bali to begin building his house. He became interested in Indonesian textiles, particularly natural plant dyes which before the invention of chemical dyes were traditionally used to give color to yarns and textiles. Some of the plants used for dyeing were growing on his land, so he began to experiment. He now has a studio near Ubud, and we see the results of his efforts with continuing pleasure. |
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| "Stripes", Vintage Black and White Bead Necklace. Virginia Paquette Dimensions: 32" long It's difficult to take a glance through the jewelry cases here at the Gallery and not come away breathless over Virginia Paquette's jewelry. Her broad range of styles, from classic gemstone pieces to vintage and ancient beads, is pretty impressive. We'd love to rummage through her bead and gemstone stash! This necklace is particularly striking with its weighty wooden vintage beads, painted black and white and strung simply on linen cord. The beads float freely on the cord, and would make a statement whether worn with a casual outfit or in a more formal setting. The cord is quite long at 32 inches, but could be shortened quite easily if desired. Click on the item's title above to visit our web shop for more information on Virginia, and to view her beautiful work! |
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| Felted Wool Basket with Speckled Feathers. Doriane Nieburgs Dimensions: approximately 3" tall x 4" in diameter Not your usual Easter basket... but imagine how sweet this would be on the Easter table, for something a little different. Doriane always makes these lovely felted wool baskets with little surprises on or inside them, ready to delight even the crustiest among us. We can imagine a line of these on a shelf, dining table or sideboard, perhaps containing one or more of those elusive eggs we hunt for this time of year. Or start a collection for yourself or a youngster, to keep and cherish forever. Visit the web shop or stop in at the Gallery for more information, and to see a selection of Doriane's delightful, colorful baskets, both bigger and smaller! |
Be sure to bookmark this page, and don't forget: if you'd like a reminder sent directly to your mailbox, send a note to sr@theislandgallery.net; we'll sign you up right away. And keep an eye on the blog for brand new information on our upcoming musical series!
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