Ahhh, October! Its light enhances autumn's already rich colors as the sun dips lower on the horizon, creating vignettes of nature's art all around us. Meanwhile, we reach for sweaters and mugs of hot cider, and perhaps contemplate a visit to a bit of glorious man-made art.
Keep reading for a glimpse of more offerings from our incredible artists, currently available in the Gallery. And don't forget, if those autumn winds and rainy days keep you snuggled at home by the computer, simply click on the link on each individual piece to visit our online shop for more details.
Grab a cozy beverage of your choice, settle back in a comfy chair, and enjoy!
VISUAL ARTS
Santa Fe artist Lisa Wederquist paints in acrylics on
linen, paper and canvas.
Her paintings
capture the essence of the natural world in the Southwest:
desert sky, wild
grasses and the search for water. Often using primary colors
in counterpoint and featuring strong, evocative lines, her work is hopeful
and friendly, each piece creating images steeped in life's little realities,
presented on a big canvas.
Earlier this October we opened the exhibit Desert Rhythms
featuring Lisa's expressive, vibrant work. Besides greatly enjoying meeting
Lisa for the first time, her work was very well received. She is currently hard
at work creating more pieces in her indigo Night series and we can't wait
to see these new works (coming soon).
Here's a little about Lisa, in her own words:
Born in Germany, I grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
As a child I roamed the
then wide-open foothills and canyons of the
front range of the Rocky Mountains.
This connection with nature has always
sustained and inspired me.
I studied painting and industrial design at Colorado College, City College
of
San Francisco, and Pratt Institute. Living in San Francisco for five years,
and New York City for ten, infused me with the
wonder, freedom, and crazy
richness of urban life. I returned to the West,
moving to Santa Fe, my home since 1991.
I have been a painting contractor and decorative painter for many years.
I have always been an artist. The scale of many of my paintings is informed
by a love of physical work, the imagery by a love for the physical world.
Lisa's work is available in the Gallery; we'll have it all posted
in the online
shop shortly.
FINE FURNITURE
Gorgeous!
This extra-long bench is a real stunner, and would look
fabulous along an entry wall or outward-facing gallery space,
perhaps gazing out over a peaceful woodsy garden or sea vista.
It features black steel channel legs and a live edge front
face, with the familiar deep color and markings of our local cedar.
As to the design process, metal artist Kris Skotheim collaborated
with the Gallery to come up with creative design solutions that would
complement this and other Northwest wood with fabricated or recycled steel.
Given the resulting clean lines and organic forms this piece
displays, we think we can declare that effort a success!
For a better look pop into the Gallery; it's currently
residing in our main exhibit room, and makes quite a
statement! Or, for a front view and more information, click
here.
We might all agree that this is one of the most interesting
pieces of mid-century modern furniture we've had in the Gallery.
Created by prolific artist Frederic Weinberg, this wicker and iron
Sling chair is in very good condition, a delight to view, and
so comfy to sink into!
Philadelphia-based artist and industrial designer Frederic Weinberg
trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts before producing and
selling a wide variety of functional and decorative items, such as
figural wire and fiberglass wall sculptures. He also produced clocks, lamps,
furniture and retail
fixtures, based on his semi-abstract
paintings,
for homes, institutions and
businesses.
His abstract,
stylized, and modernistic work spanned three decades and
several media, always maintaining its 1950s vibe, and has recently become the
obsession of in-the-know modern art
collectors. He is, however, best known
for his sculptural pieces, which can fetch thousands at
auction.
In spite of his current high profile in the mid-century modern
oeuvre,
finding biographical information on Mr. Weinberg is like hunting for the
proverbial needle in a haystack! If you have information about him
we invite you to contact the Gallery; we are actively researching this
artist and his fascinating work.
Another excellent creation from woodworker Donald Smith, and
a truly sweet treat of a coffee table, this lovely natural edge
piece stands out for its gorgeous and distinct markings, a
sea of light sapwood perfectly surrounding an island of rich reddish
(dare we say "walnut colored") interior wood, with all its geographical lines.
It is sturdy enough to be used as a bench as well, so the purchaser can choose
their preferred use in their home for this exquisite piece.
TEXTILE & FIBER ART
Silky and stunning, this hand-painted creation
from textile artist Kay Chapman is a perfect example
of the vivid colors we're so enjoying this
month (and it looks so wonderful with the Poppies painting!
Hang one on the wall, wear the other...)
We love Kay's pieces for their great cut and wearability,
in styles that always - always! - seem to suit everyone.
Isn't this fabulous!
Just arrived in the Gallery, Candis Krummel has brought us a series of
expertly woven items, including this dramatic and roomy shopping bag,
from her artisan associates in Guatemala. They are fair trade, museum
quality textiles from the Cojolya Association of
Mayan Women Weavers.
This beautiful piece is cotton, woven by artist Concepcion
Quevac
in the "Jaguar" pattern.
Candis, a designer with strong connections to
Bainbridge Island, describes her passion for the art
of her adopted homeland:
I have thrived living on the shore of magical Lake Atitlan in
Guatemala for over 30 years. Enchanted
by the splendor of the green
volcanoes and the culture of the Tzutujil
Maya, over time I became
deeply immersed in the tradition of back-strap
loom weaving and
fascinated by the opportunities it offers for creative
expression.
Today, I am more than ever impressed with the infinite
potential for
design using this ancient loom...the mother of looms... given to Maya
women by the Goddess Ixchel.
I
was fortunate to be asked to use my design and community development
skills to work with women of the lowland Maya, who live in the endless
forests of Quintana Roo, Mexico. They are
the fiercely independent
children of Maya heroes, who in 1847 fought
for and regained their
freedom for over fifty years. Utilizing the
women's ancestral skills, we
were able to introduce finely-crafted
accessories into the high-end
tourist markets along Mexico's Caribbean coast.
Fortune has led me on the same route as the Proto-Maya, who drifted
to the island of Hispaniola, where they settled. Centuries later, the
Taíno people encountered them, after migrating up from South America.
The Classic Taíno culture grew to dominate the island until the
Spanish
conquest, which eliminated both ancient cultures.
The Taíno spirit
lives on in the DNA of the Dominican people...the
unbroken link is their
embracing warmth. In a project for the
province of Puerto Plata
(dedicated to revitalizing the economy
through sustainable tourism) I
have encouraged artisans to use
the art of their Taíno ancestors as a
fountain of inspiration.
These designs are for products that visitors to
the communities
will take with them as reminders of their unique
experience
with the Dominican people. My own logo reflects the exquisite
Taíno designs found on ceramic seals, once used to decorate
their
bodies for ritual dances.
Come into the Gallery to view more of these amazing pieces of
art, including a shawl that might just blow your mind: black merino
wool, crafted as the other items on a back-strap loom, it features
Swarovski crystals woven into the shawl right on the threads,
and sparkles like a starry, starry night. Amazing!
JEWELRY
Fiery-warm, cheerfully bright off-round slices of red chalk turquoise
pair with polished black onyx beads, nylon wire, and sterling silver
in this dancing necklace.
If you read this blog on a regular basis you already
know how much we admire Christine Sundt's finely-crafted
jewelry, with its clean design work and classicism with a twist, a
concept brilliantly captured in this piece. The stones are strung on
nearly invisible (when worn) nylon wire, giving an impression of the
random movement of individual stones, and thus creates great visual interest.
Other of her similarly-crafted pieces can be doubled over and twisted,
then strung onto plain sterling, cord or nylon neck wires or hoops, creating an
entirely new style. Imagine that! Two or three necklaces out of one.
Such a deal, very playful and fun, and great-looking.
Dance on down to the Gallery and ask for a demonstration!
These are quite unique.
Thanks for visiting us, and joining our celebration of October. Keep an eye on the blog for news of upcoming events, exhibits, concerts and sales, and don't forget: If you'd like to receive alerts when we post information, send your e-mail address to sr @ theislandgallery-dot-net (sorry, spammers...) and we'll sign you right up.
We have a major Holiday-oriented post planned for Thanksgiving, so see you again in November, and Happy Halloween!
