Visual Arts Center of Richmond

A seamless forged ring workshop at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond in November right before the Craft & Design Show. All participants worked hard and had great success with their Mokume Gane rings.

Genevieve Flynn Studio

My most recent workshop coincided with the Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City back in September. It was a wonderful studio run by a very gracious host, Genevieve Flynn.   All of the participants had great success firing their billets and worked diligently to make a forged seamless band ring.  Here are a few photos showing their hard work.

CraftBoston Trip

Participated in CraftBoston this past weekend. It was a fine show with good attendance and high quality craft. I enjoyed Boston-at least the parts close to the venue. On Monday I went for a walk before leaving town and came across the New England Holocaust Memorial. I spent a few moments there and was moved by the words carved on the stone walls.

First entry of the new year...is actually some photos of a Mokume Gane workshop at Rowan University. I taught two classes last semester for Jill Gower while she and Joe had a baby. The two-day workshop was conducted primarily for the advanced students but anyone was invited to observe.

It has been a busy last two months...
Two big shows in September-Long's Park Art and Craft Festival in Lancaster, PA and Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City, MO. Really great shows, especially in KC-won 2nd prize in show with an invite for next year. This month has been even busier. A show at McLean Project for the Arts Artfest in VA, the Academy Art Museum Fine Craft Show in Easton, MD and this weekend the Bethesda Row Arts Festival. In Easton we stayed at Busy and Stew's place in the bay-its called the Taj Garage. Sarah aka "Mo" is in town and hung out with Gretchen and I in Easton. Its always fun spending time with Mo.

I'll be in my studio-studio

Thought I'd share some pics of my studio space in our apartment. Its not very big but it certainly works for me. This is the first time I've had a studio where I live. Most of the time its great. I can wake up, make my coffee, turn on NPR and get right to work. But there are the distractions-the two big ones, TV and the computer. Since I quit my job at the Co-op I've been learning how much willpower and commitment it takes to work on your own. I'm not there yet but I'm getting better.

A few weeks ago...

I had some work at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival Marketplace this year-sold a few pieces. The day i went to pickup the rest of the work I also went to the Smithsonian American Indian Museum to see Brian Jungen's exhibition "Strange Comfort". First of all the building itself is amazing, especially the outside, and Jungen's work is so beautiful, imaginative, and well-made. I've always been fascinated with native american culture and art and this is one of the best contemporary exhibitions I've seen. The show closes August 6th.

Also its nice to have our electricity back up and running. Its sure easy to take it for granted.