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Snap Shots

So, last June for our 2nd anniversary Jamie and I went on a road trip to upstate New York, specifically to Ithaca & Corning. The Finger Lakes & its waterfalls were of course beautiful for hiking, but the highlight of the trip was Corning’s Museum of Glass. I highly recommend a visit to this museum. Who would have known I would turn out to be a fan of glass art? Not I. The work from Czech artists in the 1980s was particularly striking. The sculptures processed an otherworldly quality that I couldn’t help being drawn too. They had a elegant simplicity and dare I say, an eeriness. They would perfectly compliment Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Below I’ve included some photographs of the artwork. I tried to give credit to the artists when possible. If you know the creator of a piece unlisted please let me know.

The Pyramid, 1989 – Marian Karel (Czech, b. 1944)  - molt-melted glass, cut, ground

The Little Circus, 1988 – Dana Zámečníková (Czech, b. 1945) – plate glass, cut, painted, acid-etched, scratched, engraved, assembled.

The Pyramid piece above had to be one of our favourites – I think it was staring into my soul. Another high contender, was Zámečníková’s art. Who knew you could actually draw images within glass? Since the drawings were placed within a glass rectangle at different levels, the piece processed so much depth. Reminded me of a Miro painting. Just beautiful.

We stayed at an amazing bed and breakfast, Hillcrest Manor run by the very friendly and knowledgeable couple, Kyle & Dick. This neoclassic mansion was complete with gilded mirrors, antiques & a fantastic art collection. Of course a manor is not complete without multiple stuffed peacocks. George Abbott, a partner in the Hoare Glass Cutting Company of Corning, New York built the mansion in 1890. Kyle & Dick made us feel very welcome & had such a knowledge of the history of the area & its art. I have to say, we felt very fancy staying there. It was such a treat.

Emergence Four-Stage (above, pink piece) – Dominick Labino, 1975 (United States) – colorless, pink transparent glass; hot-worked, internal air trap & veiling

Tree of Life – Frank Lloyd Wright, 1904 (United States, b. 1867) – stained glass window

The Corning Museum of glass is actually quite massive and includes historical glass (some pieces 3500 years old) to contemporary work. Also featured are glass blowing demonstrations and even an ornate Jesus-themed diorama made with glass and shells! What is going on here? I have no clue but I can’t take my eyes away from it.

And to finish the journey with some retro bottles with awesome label type design! I could go for a nice cold Roundup right now.

Look at the treasures Jamie & I found at Aberfoyle Flea Market this past weekend. I now desperately need more shelves in my studio. Where does one properly place an alligators head? Well, I think this critter will show up in my sketches sometime soon.

So, I now have a set of lovely, albeit slightly musty copies of Robin Hood, Little Women, The Black Arrow, Davy Crockett, & the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Been meaning to read, or reread these lately anyway and they contain some beautiful illustrations that I will soon scan and place up on the blog. Oh, and I can’t forget the best book of them all the 1905 1st edition of, “Studies on Character Building,”. I’ll give feedback on this classic soon. I’m sure to learn a lot I’m sure.

Yeah, to Awkward Christmases! December 25th, 2010

Happy Holidays everyone. Here’s a little something for you for the holidays, a lovely photo of myself I just dug up. I was obviously fully feeling the holiday spirit. Hope your day will be better than mine in 1978. Look at that beard! Come on, try harder man.

Blackpool Carousel November 5th, 2010

Halloween! October 31st, 2010

Usually I plan very far in advance for Halloween but sadly too much has been going on this year and there will be no costumes. But, there will still be a horror movie marathon! In lieu of this here are some fun Dia de la Muerte masks we made for a past Halloween. Yes, I had to try and remember all my paper maché skills from childhood. Not too shabby if I don’t mind saying so myself.

Last year this look was refined a bit since I discovered masks are way too hot to wear all night. It was so much fun doing the make-up! Next year I’ll have to make up for this year’s slackness.