In this edition we show off gorgeous new items from several of our incomparable artists, both established and new to the Gallery; we are excited to share their always-amazing work with you. We will also touch on our latest forays into social media, and ways you can get to know us and our artists better. With so many of us participating in social media these days, why not join in? Interactions are easy, it's fun, and many of our artists are already actively involved and inspiring us to do more. We'll delve a little deeper in a subsequent post. So stay tuned, and keep these icons in mind:
Also featured: An extended look at the ceramic art of Sarah Kaye, new to the Gallery this month.
Don't forget: We've divided our featured artists' work to correspond with their shop sections. You can access the shop sections to see all the contributing artists by clicking on the section titles. Some artists work across mediums, but we will always alert you to it, as well as pointing out any accessories by other artists that might appear in photos. For more details, to indulge in a little window shopping, or to purchase directly from the comfort of your home, simply click on individual photos to be transported to the Gallery's extensive online Shop. There are actually lots of handy links sprinkled throughout the post to connect you ever deeper with the artists, their lives, and their art via our main web site and related posts on this blog. (It's quite magical, isn't it!)
Without further ado, let's take a look at these lovely new items currently gracing the Gallery.
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| The Extraordinary Art of Carol Lee Shanks. (Photo credit: Elizabeth Opalenik) |
The stunning bunny mask heralds not only spring, but serves to
highlight the talents of textile artist extraordinaire Carol Lee Shanks.
For example, look at the gorgeous fabrics adorning the Bunny and
its model (we suspect beneath the mask we might find the
artist herself! But our lips are sealed...)
(So sorry - Bunny is not for sale.)
For example, look at the gorgeous fabrics adorning the Bunny and
its model (we suspect beneath the mask we might find the
artist herself! But our lips are sealed...)
(So sorry - Bunny is not for sale.)
Her enduring designs and canny fabric choices are always
bold, unexpected, exciting, yet align closely with elegant classicism,
making her clothing eminently wearable.
making her clothing eminently wearable.
Here are several examples, with more to be found on Carol's
artist pages, here, along with her impressive biography.
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| Fine Line Jacket. Carol Lee Shanks |
Spring in the Northwest: blue skies, crisp breezes, rhododendrons...
and the perfect jacket.
And just because we can, here's another look at it:
So beautiful, and what a lovely photo. The colors and awakening
landscape remind us of something pastoral and peaceful, a
country escape, perhaps.
The necklace, Begona Rentero's mauve Holanda, is a cluster of paper
tulips perfectly aligning with the spring feel and theme of this post,
and can be found with Begona's other collection of necklaces,
right here.
and the perfect jacket.
And just because we can, here's another look at it:
landscape remind us of something pastoral and peaceful, a
country escape, perhaps.
The necklace, Begona Rentero's mauve Holanda, is a cluster of paper
tulips perfectly aligning with the spring feel and theme of this post,
and can be found with Begona's other collection of necklaces,
right here.
Ready for spring, with summer promises... layer
now, slip on later with no more than a fun piece of
An elegant cape style top, over fun plaid capri pants. So obviously
Carol Lee Shanks, showing her distinctive styling from top to toe. We love the
little touches... black lace? My my.... a tiny flourish of romance.
Carol Lee Shanks, showing her distinctive styling from top to toe. We love the
little touches... black lace? My my.... a tiny flourish of romance.
Ah, yes.
Carol, your designs continue to thrill us!
Carol, your designs continue to thrill us!
New to the Gallery this month, Susan Eastman stuns with simple lines,
bold colors, rich textiles. Her background is in fine art, easily apparent
in her work, along with her obvious love of textiles. The magic occurs
when she captures the symbiosis occurring between the two.
Her pieces are handmade,
one of a kind and limited editions, more of
which can be viewed on her new artist's pages (to view, click here).
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| Raw Silk Tunics. Susan Eastman |
These tunics are glorious raw silk, perfect with leggings or even over a
longer skirt. Or palazzo pants? Why not! You'll create a scene!
Here they dance in an April breeze and play well with Begona Rentero
paper jewelry (see the gorgeous turquoise one shown, and
Here they dance in an April breeze and play well with Begona Rentero
paper jewelry (see the gorgeous turquoise one shown, and
Begona's entire necklace collection here).
Below, a soft jersey top with hand-painted swirling:
And its complementary piece striking, pleasingly dotted:
We are delighted to welcome Susan to the Gallery!
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| Issey Shirt, Silk & Linen. Kay Chapman |
Simply put, we love Kay's work.
And we're not alone (proof: her pieces fly out of the Gallery
almost as soon as we receive them. You have been warned!). Although we
have carried her work for years, her classic designs, paired with an ever-
have carried her work for years, her classic designs, paired with an ever-
changing color palette, the flexible way she mixes and
matches patterns and fabrics, these never fail to capture - and hold -
our attention. What's more, her pieces look good
on everybody; whether dressed up, dressed down - on everybody.
Visit her artist's pages here.
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| Light Table no. 66. Sean Carleton |
So very distinctive, this lovely piece arrived in
the Gallery in time for the April show opening of
Lighting Up Spring. Note the inset lamp and complex
design, which includes walnut salvaged from right here
on Bainbridge Island, Washington. This is always a
nice extra, in our book.
Here's a look from another angle:
the Gallery in time for the April show opening of
Lighting Up Spring. Note the inset lamp and complex
design, which includes walnut salvaged from right here
on Bainbridge Island, Washington. This is always a
nice extra, in our book.
Here's a look from another angle:
This is a truly fascinating piece, with its modern melding of glass,
wood and steel elements, and easy functionality. Even with its industrial vibe and
unusual asymmetry, it still gives a nod to the saber or cabriole leg of classic
Queen Anne or Victorian stylings, as seen in their gentle lower curves. What a
very nice touch, assuring the table's acceptance into any decor.
wood and steel elements, and easy functionality. Even with its industrial vibe and
unusual asymmetry, it still gives a nod to the saber or cabriole leg of classic
Queen Anne or Victorian stylings, as seen in their gentle lower curves. What a
very nice touch, assuring the table's acceptance into any decor.
Another of Sean's pieces, offering a lovely way to
showcase a special piece of art:
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| Fir Console no. 47. Sean Carleton |
From above, showing off the views afforded by this
elegant console:
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| Fir Console no. 47. Sean Carleton |
Visit his artist's pages, under Furniture & Custom Design: Dining/Living and
Sculpture, Wood & Metal, which shows his extraordinary shelving
and lighting pieces.
Sculpture, Wood & Metal, which shows his extraordinary shelving
and lighting pieces.
Speaking of Social Media: Whenever we Tweet a photo of one of
Chris's birdhouses, it is quickly retweeted (seems appropriate, yes?).
The little houses' current or future inhabitants must have Twitter's inside track.
Of course they do.
And apparently they like what they see here:
And apparently they like what they see here:
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| Up To Data Chick. Chris Thompson |
What self-respecting feathered friend wouldn't want to
take up residence in this?
Another view:
Yes, yes, these two are very similar, with different
orientation of woods, which we doubt even the most
discerning woodland creature would mind.
Either one has lots of room for entertaining and growing families.
Another view:
Yes, yes, these two are very similar, with different
orientation of woods, which we doubt even the most
discerning woodland creature would mind.
Either one has lots of room for entertaining and growing families.
We understand these abodes pop up in excellent neighborhoods, near
food (Take-out? Delivery?) and transportation routes, and other than squirrels,
the neighbors are usually on their best behavior.
See more of these whimsical pieces, and learn something
about Chris on his artist pages. For his birdhouses simply click here.
To view his wooden boxes, a click here is the quickest,
as-the-crow-flies, route!
food (Take-out? Delivery?) and transportation routes, and other than squirrels,
the neighbors are usually on their best behavior.
See more of these whimsical pieces, and learn something
about Chris on his artist pages. For his birdhouses simply click here.
To view his wooden boxes, a click here is the quickest,
as-the-crow-flies, route!
Whether creating with patinated metal, soft leather, or radiant resin,
Seattle artist Erika Laureano focuses on color, texture and found objects captured in resin
in her collections of one-of-a-kind necklaces, earrings, cuffs and rings. Below are
in her collections of one-of-a-kind necklaces, earrings, cuffs and rings. Below are
two of her cuffs, glowing aqua chalcedony on the left, patinated metal on the right.
It is interesting to note that Erika's colors often seem to reflect the palette of
Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures as seen in the Chihuly Garden & Glass shop,
at the Seattle Center.
Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures as seen in the Chihuly Garden & Glass shop,
at the Seattle Center.
Meg Hartwell
Our newest monotype artist, Meg has her home and studio
right here on Bainbridge Island.
Her vibrant monotypes, and monotype collages like this one, provide glowing
bridges of color from winter gloom to spring verve. What could possibly
be more cheering than hanging one of these on a well-chosen wall, to
complete the seasons' transitions? But looking beyond the bright colors,
we see something else: Edge. And we don't mean pointy corners.
There's a dichotomy here, speaking, perhaps, of two sides of life,
or two camera angles of the same subject, cheerfully set one on top of the
other in an effort to meld the two.
This piece is particularly pleasing, and rife with hints of something more. Unseen.
But it certainly isn't alone.
The colors and forms used in the piece below, for example, are a blend of
wild, glorious - yet somehow subtle - sophistication. Possibly a hint of a dark side.
Crossed with your favorite lollipops.
Such great color, rooted in deceptively simple zones, but...floating, somehow.
Megaliths, monoliths, floating. And grounded at the same time. Entrancing.
And another:
This is also a monotype, with salt used as a resist. It seems to
twinkle, from the depths of amorphous (but streaked) cloud in deep
earth tones that are...otherworldly?
We may have mixed up all sorts of analogies in trying
to describe Meg's work. We make no apologies.
But we challenge you to look away.
Visit Meg here for more information on her work and philosophies.
Our newest monotype artist, Meg has her home and studio
right here on Bainbridge Island.
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| Geometric Jingle. Meg Hartwell |
bridges of color from winter gloom to spring verve. What could possibly
be more cheering than hanging one of these on a well-chosen wall, to
complete the seasons' transitions? But looking beyond the bright colors,
we see something else: Edge. And we don't mean pointy corners.
There's a dichotomy here, speaking, perhaps, of two sides of life,
or two camera angles of the same subject, cheerfully set one on top of the
other in an effort to meld the two.
This piece is particularly pleasing, and rife with hints of something more. Unseen.
But it certainly isn't alone.
The colors and forms used in the piece below, for example, are a blend of
wild, glorious - yet somehow subtle - sophistication. Possibly a hint of a dark side.
Crossed with your favorite lollipops.
 |
| Pink Purple Planes. Meg Hartwell |
Megaliths, monoliths, floating. And grounded at the same time. Entrancing.
And another:
 |
| Memory. Meg Hartwell |
twinkle, from the depths of amorphous (but streaked) cloud in deep
earth tones that are...otherworldly?
We may have mixed up all sorts of analogies in trying
to describe Meg's work. We make no apologies.
But we challenge you to look away.
Visit Meg here for more information on her work and philosophies.
 |
| Porcelain Vase, Wide. Sarah Kaye |
Porcelain, delicate to the eye but sturdy for the ages, is persuaded into
surprising shapes via Sarah's well-practiced techniques. This vase,
for example, was cast in a zip-lock bag!
A closer look:
for example, was cast in a zip-lock bag!
A closer look:
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| Porcelain Vase, Wide; Detail. Sarah Kaye |
The gentle "wrinkles" are most pleasing, aren't they?
Based in Seattle, this artist sparks the imagination with
her deceptively simple - and obviously elegant - slip cast forms.
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| Large Bowl. Sarah Kaye |
To add another level of visuals to this Newsletter, our
intrepid Staff journeyed across Puget Sound to Georgetown, a
newly artsy enclave in the south end of Seattle. Long an old,
blue-collar neighborhood languishing quietly on the banks of the
Duwamish River, Georgetown has recently attracted a crowd
of up-and-coming artists, fleeing the pricey and arguably stuffy confines
of Downtown. Having discovered the warehouse-studio spaces
snuggled adjacent to galleries, trendy restaurants and microbreweries,
they are finding them greatly to their liking.
Sarah Kaye is among these bold artists.
intrepid Staff journeyed across Puget Sound to Georgetown, a
newly artsy enclave in the south end of Seattle. Long an old,
blue-collar neighborhood languishing quietly on the banks of the
Duwamish River, Georgetown has recently attracted a crowd
of up-and-coming artists, fleeing the pricey and arguably stuffy confines
of Downtown. Having discovered the warehouse-studio spaces
snuggled adjacent to galleries, trendy restaurants and microbreweries,
they are finding them greatly to their liking.
Sarah Kaye is among these bold artists.
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| Sarah in her studio |
Sarah uses porcelain, its utter whiteness a perfect foil to
dark contrasting colors. The designs are simple, or at least
deceptively so; but whether complex or familiar, her goal is to
have you hold them in your hands.
Which sounds like a really good idea:
dark contrasting colors. The designs are simple, or at least
deceptively so; but whether complex or familiar, her goal is to
have you hold them in your hands.
Which sounds like a really good idea:
(We would like three or four... no, all of these, please...)
Scenes from Sarah's studio:
Scenes from Sarah's studio:
Her sparkling electric kiln...
A tall vat - or blunger - for mixing liquid porcelain, before it is
poured into molds, a process known as slip casting.
poured into molds, a process known as slip casting.
To see more of the treasures coming out of Sarah's studio, and to read about
her life and art, visit her here.
SOCIAL MEDIA
As we mentioned at the top of the post, we've been dipping our toes into social media lately.
The possibilities are intriguing, and endless. We'll talk more about this in a separate post,
but for now, you'll be seeing these must-click icons in our correspondence, our brand-new
mailers, here on the blog, and on our main web site.
Our Blog
Facebook
The possibilities are intriguing, and endless. We'll talk more about this in a separate post,
but for now, you'll be seeing these must-click icons in our correspondence, our brand-new
mailers, here on the blog, and on our main web site.
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Our Extensive Online Shop!
With that, please feel free to click away and explore The Island Gallery!
We hope you've enjoyed this quick look at our spring arrivals; please visit us again soon.
We hope you've enjoyed this quick look at our spring arrivals; please visit us again soon.
In the meantime, to subscribe
to our Newsletter and monthly show mailer, and receive
notices of all upcoming sales and events, click on the About Us/Profile box at
the left of this page, go to "Contact", click on "Email", and send us a note.
notices of all upcoming sales and events, click on the About Us/Profile box at
the left of this page, go to "Contact", click on "Email", and send us a note.
We'll
sign you up right away.
