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.

AST 2014 is Fast Approaching!

On Monday, September 9, the "Trekkies" held their first planning meeting for the 8th annual Art & Chocolate Studio Trek, coming in April, 2014. Updates of the AST website will soon be complete, with examples from two new participants (Dana Barrow and Craig Johnson), one returning artist (Noel Sandino), and new work from the rest who showed in 2013. Please check back here, as well, for more information and posts from other participating Studio Trek artists in the near future. In the meantime, we are busy creating and looking forward to a great event in 2014.