New project. Perceptibility

Last week I started work on a new project which is an outgrowth of my new collection of pieces titled Pedestals for art of the found world. Which are constructed starting with the conventions of foot and stem in goblets or candlesticks, but then topped not with a cup but a heavy cast platform, a globe, tube or other unconventional holder.   Their function is to elevate and honor those tiny bits of nature that we impulsively pickup, be it a worn pebble, torn leaf, or bleached bone. Having had a warm reception and  some engaging conversations around these pieces I decided to expand the concept into larger more sculptural pieces and arrived at the idea of a full on art instillation.

I have sent out an email request to some friend to provide me with contributions in the form of their found treasures, others I asked in person …….

Yesterday I received my first contributions in the mail

From Vermont came a bit of moss with little skirted seeds I am not able to identify, from Colorado, a white aspen leaf, and a local friend dropped off a box ( bottom right) with two seed pod and a skull. As I was photographing these another friend stopped by with this box of goodies

poppy seed pods, ammonite for a trip to Devon and a carapice from a turtle found in upstate NY

Thanks to Rose, Karen Kelli and Diana

SMALL ENCOUNTERS

Dave Chapman

“Small Encounters”

Group sculpture show opens in the Tokonoma Space at

Studio Paran

Friday, January 25, 2013

5-9 pm

 

Madison WI –  five local artists explore material and concepts with small scale sculpture.  In this new exhibition, the artists use different media to explore their materials in a manner that is both playful and introspective.  ‘Sculpture’ is often associated with monumental and heroic statements, however this exhibition offers an alternative; intimate pieces displayed in an intimate space, the Tokonoma Gallery.  Tokonoma is an alternative exhibition space located in the glass blowing shop of Studio Paran [2051 Winnebago St, Madison, WI, 53704, (608) 242-1111]. The opening reception is January 25th 5-9pm and will run through March 22nd.

The exhibiting artists, Dave Chapman – wood, Thomas Ferrella – feathers, Aralina Ferrella – mixed media, Rachelle Miller – ceramics and Richard Jones – glass; have been personally engaged with their material selection over a long period of time, either functionally, in scale, or simply as a collection of objects for contemplation.  This experience emphasizes each work with a depth that is unexpected in this diminutive format.  Dave Chapman, whose main work consists of willow furniture taken into contemporary forms, says “it is a new body of work for me, done mostly like freeform sketching in my ‘down time’ between larger willow projects.”  Thomas Ferrella’s feather sculptures evolved from his obsession with the natural areas of Wisconsin. Rachelle Miller’s works are a departure from a successful line of functional ceramics. And, Richard Jones’s works explore glass windows and lenses in a miniature form after 25 year of making functional blown glass.

Rachelle Milller

Thomas Ferrella

Araline Ferrella

online store

find link in right column

I am please to announce the opening of my  new online store, which features one of a kind hand blown glass not available elsewhere. For over 20 years Ive been selling my work through fine galleries, museum stores, and other excellent retailers across the country and around the world. Now you can buy directly from me, the artist, and each item is guaranteed to be a unique creation. I will be posting new items every couple days for the next month and them about every two weeks so stop by often or follow this blog for announcements of new item postings .

Holiday Events in Madison

We will be at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art for the Holiday Art Fair
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Look for our booth in the lobby area, and check out new ornaments, 3 new patterns of glasses, new platters for the wall or table, and new lidded pieces, plus lots of new one off patterns on bowls and vases, any of which will make exceptional gifts.
It will be exciting to show all of this new work in such a marvelous space.
If you can’t make it to downtown Madison this weekend, we will be inviting all to our Holiday Open House and Sale, Saturday December 1, 11am -4pm for refreshments and to see all the great new work we can’t lug downown.
And if your not aware we are always ready to do custom orders, just tell us about your idea and we will make it a reality.

Not in the Madison area, check back soon for news on our very own Web store!

Chabana wall vase with iris

From my new series of wall pieces based on “Chabana” tea flowers

july20 ikebana

Here is another arrangement in my new gramineae series of vases, with appropriately grass.

july 18, 2010 Ikebana

july 18 ikebana

A friend brought me some prairie dock, the curly willow and iris leaves are from my front yard. and the board is one thats been sitting out back for some time, I think its cedar, It has a beautiful burnt look to it. the glass vase is from my new series “Gramineae” of blown glass with silver leaf

Hello world!

After all this time talking about writing a blog here I am with a blank slate and a blank head. Spring is coming and there are no seeds started as of yet. This is also a place to plant seeds. words, ideas, images..possibilities!!Although there is recent snow on the ground and a pile of ice where the snow mountain my kids play on use to be , next to it is a giant pussy willow budding out. I trimmed the broken branches off to force inside, and I”m waiting to see what opens.

Art is like a wonderful garden and talking or writing about art is like directions or a map to that garden. metaphors are our way of understanding the world, but really we ought to go stand it the garden wet with rain and throw away these crude maps