Glass That Makes You Smile - Judy Butler

Harry The Ostrich recently won a ribbon at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center. I was so pleased when my ostrich came to life in glass. He is created from an ostrich that I liked to draw when I was teaching English in Mexico. He would watch me intently in hopes of being given a reward - a lime from the nearby tree.

I work with glass because I enjoy the contrast of opaque and transparent. For example Harry is opaque yet the golden background is transparent - allowing the light to envelop him even more. Additionally the eyes are created from several layers of dichroic glass. Dichroic glass is highly reflective and therefore gives the depth I desired for his steady gaze.

This piece required multiple trips to the kiln - each time taking a minimum of 24 hours to carefully heat and cool the piece. This process is like Christmas because every time I open the kiln it is a new thrill to see what has been created.

To see more of my work please join me at Connie McLennan's beautiful home and studio in Rocklin during the Art Studio Trek.

Judy Dillon, Color and Form

Basset.com

 Judy's Dillon's submission for the Art Trek review show at Roseville's Civic Center

Watercolorist Judy Dillon enjoys a variety of  approaches and subjects, often starting with an abstract under-painting. An elementary school teacher for 21 years, Judy offered young visitors to her studio the opportunity to add their own artistic touches to a large paper mural during the 2013 Studio Trek. 

Diane at work in her studio

Working hard in my studios

Getting ready for a one person show at Gallery 21TEN, Mar 8 to April 5 with a reception on Mar 6,  4:00 to 9:00. Hope you can come! And....of course I am getting ready for our annual Art Studio Trek!

Painting Demonstration

Pink Deco, 10x10 in. oil on canvas

I recently re-created this painting in a 1-hr. demo for the Placerville Arts Association. It was a bit nerve-wracking but turned out better than I expected. For the Studio Trek, I will set up  my palette, a still life, and an in-progress painting of it on my easel. I probably will not do any actual painting while attempting to greet and talk to visitors, because I am not some kind of wizard. Other more wizard-like Trekkies will actually demonstrate their skills. Hope to see some guests from El Dorado County.

Pat Abraham's Works in National Exhibition

Carpe Diem by Pat Abraham

Two of Trekker Pat Abraham's abstact acrylic paintings, Carpe Diem and A Fragment in Time, have been accepted into the 2014 5th Annual Signature American Watermedia Exhibition. The opening reception for World of Watercolor will be held Saturday, February 1, 5-7 p.m. at the Fallbrook Art Center, Fallbrook, CA. The show was juried by noted watercolorist Dean Mitchell and runs through March 16.

Looking Forward in the New Year

 

     The challenge, as an Artist, is to "say" exactly what you intend as you create new pieces. My desire to accomplish this goal is ever-present each January. I struggle to find something new to express my view of beauty or express a viewpoint I hold dear. At its root, that is the chore of an Artist. 

     Then, there is you, the Adventurous Trekker. Do we create Art that you will want to purchase? Or, do we create Art that sparks a feeling, an idea, an emotion within you? That is the dilemma for many Artists. Myself, I decided years ago to create for my ideal with the hope that each piece gets to the proper audience. For the most part, I feel the pieces have been successful at this symbiosis. 

     I look forward to this next show. I know I will meet new "owners", see friendly collectors and watch this symbiotic proccess at work.