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 Butler's Passport Prize

Spring is here and with spring comes the delightful Art Studio Trek. Artists have painted, sculpted, carved, buffed, burnished, and cleaned to prepare for this annual event. Visit the studios and meet the artists. Passport prizes are available for visitors who collect 10 stamps from the 15 studios.
The event is free and - it includes all the chocolate your doctor will allow.
Good luck and see you on April 27 and 28.

April 27 & 28

It's time to spring into action. Be sure your calendars are marked for the Art Studio Trek. Local artists are busy applying the finishing touches to masterpieces that will be available to the public. This is the 7th year that this dynamic group of local artist have opened their studios. The event grows in popularity every year so for best choice be sure to be early.

It's great fun to get to talk with artists in their work environments. Artists love to talk about the process of creating as well as demonstrating their passion. And best of all (almost) - there are lots of delicious chocolate goodies to sample.

Lynda Pike

Acrylic on canvas

Judy Butler

Fused Glass

A Brand New Year

It's a brand new year and with that always come a burst of creativity. I have been busy in my studio creating a new piece to enter in this year's Animal House Exhibit. It is held each year at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael. Info is included here incase you are considering this fun event. It is always a delightful show that features my favorite topic - animals.

Animal House Annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition

February 19—March 9, 2013

Animal House 8th Annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition of Animal Themed Artworks.

It’s a ZOO out there!

Co-Sponsored by Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Carmichael Recreation and Park District, Sacramento SPCA and Sacramento Audubon Society.

February 19—March 9, 2013. 5330B Gibbons Dr., Carmichael, CA 95608. Gallery hours Tuesday 11 am-7 pm, Wednesday through Saturday 11 am-3 pm.

Sacramento Fine Arts Center and Sacramento SPCA will host an Animal Rescue and Artists Award Reception on Second Saturday, March 9, 2012, 5:30-8:30 pm. Painting demonstrations by artists and live music by Breez, food and refreshments.

Entry date for this Open Exhibition is Friday, February 1st from 1:00-5:00 pm Saturday, February 2nd, 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Entry Formhttp://www.sacfinearts.org

Judges include Dale Laitenen, Anne Bradley and Larry Brenden.

Show Chairs Phyllis Eymann 916-725-8186 and Sheila Jacobs 916-482-9534

Time

Where does the time go? I vow to write on this blog yet it seems that the opportunity slips through my fingers. Time is clearly one of those challenges that many artists face and few can conquer.

Recently however I had the opportunity to share a blustery Sacramento afternoon with Chris Foster and Veronica at Access Sacramento. Veronica has been meeting with many of the Art Trekkies to interview them in their studios. I opted to go to the Access TV Studio with Chris. It was my first opportunity to get to see that type of environment so it was quite exciting.

I was impressed to see the organization that was going on to create a public television clip. The camera crew were all very dedicated and focused - in spite of their youth or lack of experience. Veronica was the director and she lead with a clarity and patience. Many kudos to her and her team. I am looking forward to seeing the tapes that she creates from the interviews of the art trek team. They will be airing on Channel 17 & 18 Cable TV. When exactly we don't know yet but we are all eager to have our debuts.

I have been enjoying some time to work in my studio as we have Easter break. It's been luxurious to have time to clean up some piles and to pursue some ideas that have been floating in my head. There are two things that I have been focusing on so far. One is a plate of a tabby cat. This is for a gentleman in Pennsylvania. He contacted me and asked me to make a piece for his daughter. What a lucky daughter to have such a thoughtful dad. He sent me a picture of an adorable tabby cat that has little white paws. It was fun working on and I am so pleased I would like to make a similar one of my friend's cat Bubba.

The second project that I have been working on is due to that day with Chris Foster. Chris creates these beautiful paintings that include phrases or quotes. I was listening to her explain her passion for the word and for calligraphy. So I started to consider including some quotes with my glass. I am now making some fun tiles that include some of my favorite "words of wisdom".

What is Inspiration?

The big weekend is quickly approaching for the wonderful Art Studio Trek. It is no doubt that April 28 and 29 will be upon us soon. The artists are all very busy in their studios creating new and unique pieces of art that will be available for viewing and sale during the weekend loop. One of the discussions that has been circulating has been about "inspiration" - as in what inspires an individual to create a specific piece of art? This always an intriguing question and can provide numerous diverse responses.

I find that I rarely lack for inspiration - not because I'm special or "creative" but because I have so much input of ideas. As a high school art teacher I exist in a constant flood of young hormonal individuals. They are in flux about what to wear, who said what, who did what, who has what, and all of the multitude of challenges that exist for our young. And in the midst of this controlled chaos I attempt to instruct about the basic concepts of art. And it is during these times when I am trying to share with young people my passion for art that I can sometimes see the light being ignited in them also. It is delightful to suddenly see that they too can find joy and solace in the simplicity and complexity of creating art. Consequently I have little doubt that the act of sharing my joy of art is what truly gives me inspiration.

I hope that others will share their source of inspiration. Happy Valentine's Day.

You can also follow the upcoming event on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/179961118732/

Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day in Placer County. The temperature has cooled to the mid 80's, the geese are flying around the area and I noticed the ants are trying to get into my studio - with some level of success. That meant that I actually did some cleaning to dissuade the the little guys before I could launch into a new project. Cleaning is always a good thing however - especially since it is rarely on my "to do" list. I did make a lot of progress on an exciting new project. I'm creating a 16" square piece that may end up being a platter. It uses a mosaic/fused glass technique- and of course it features a dog. I hope to have it in the kiln tomorrow and will include pictures soon.

Art Studio Trekkies

This is my first post - ever. I suspect it's obvious. But I am doing so because of having the privilege to join the Art Studio Trek that will occur for the 6th time in Roseville, Rocklin and Granite Bay, California. This will be the weekend of April 28 - 29, 2012. (More info on this event will be forth coming for sure.)

The Trekkies - as they call themselves - are a group of fine artists who have independently organized to collectively promote the arts. They represent a wide variety of mediums ranging from watercolor, acrylic, calligraphy, stone and bronze sculpture, gourds, metal work, photoshop photography, fused glass (my personal favorite) and much more. It's amazing the amount of talent that is so evident in this group of 18 strong minded and creative individuals.

I find it very exciting and a great honor to be included with this fabulous group of artists. I am new to the enclave and am on an exploration. I love to explore new worlds just as William Shattner did for so many years on Star Trek. My world is framed in the ever challenging pursuit of art and the creative joys that it brings.

It is my hope through this blog (what strange word) to find out more about these local artists and to share artistic adventures. I'm sure my fellow Trekkies will chime in when they have anything to add or to make corrections when I have a blond moment.

Until I have more........................

feel free to visit my web site at:

www.quirkycreations.com

Peace and love,

Judy