West End Studios Art Opening Recap

In case you missed it, we had four of our artists who have studios at the West End of Ellicott City participate in an art show at my studio. The way it all began was Bill Knapp, Ewan Tulis, and I were kicking around ways to get our work out there and make some contacts and possibly sales of our work. I offered up my space because its the biggest one and set the date. (In retrospect we will keep this event in the cooler months, particularly Spring and Fall, because the lack of air conditioning made it rather warm.) Having a date on the calendar, and announcing it on Facebook, made it official so we were on! The week before we began with figuring out how to set up the space. My dear friend and designer Paula Henry helped with the plan. She's good at laying out rooms and with flow of traffic. Plus the four of us artists were too close to our own work to really see how best to set it up. An outside perspective was what we needed. After that, I draped all of the tables and covered the less sightly things like paint shelves, slop sink, and ladders with canvas drops.  Finally we were able to start hanging art and installing lighting. Bill and Ewan did an incredible job with what we had on hand and surprisingly it actually looked like a gallery!

Friday evening we had our "Reception/Preview Party" and had plenty of snacks and beverages on hand. Several friends came by and our first piece was sold! I had been so worried that it would be a total flop and no one would show. So when so many people came and we made a sale I was over the moon. Whew!

Saturday saw more people come through and by the evening we were ready to wrap. The reason it was only two days was that it is my working studio and I had to get back to work. It was bittersweet to have to strike the show but so glad it was a success.  We are planning to do another one in Spring, with other members of the West End Studios. In case you didn't know we have 9 artists up at the West End!

The next event that will have our studios open will be the second annual Artwalk coming up on October 11th. Check out our Ellicott City Arts Coaliton website for more information.

Stay tuned for more art!

West End Studios Art Opening/Pop-Up Gallery

West End Studios Logo

Mark your calendars!!Deelite Design will host the first art opening for artists at the West End. Sculptors Bill Knapp, Barry Sheehan; Woodworker Ewan Tulis; and myself, will have works on display for purchase. Preview Party Friday Evening.

This will be a two day gallery show, Pop-Up style. The show commences Saturday evening so be sure to stop by and bring your art lover friends! Lots of great art for sale! More Information

Preview Party: Friday July 11,  7-10

Show: Saturday July 12, 10-6

About West End Studios:

Technically still Main Street, the West End of Historic Ellicott City is home to several working artists. Currently there are nine artists within the area: blacksmiths Barry Sheehan and Sam Salvati, Sculptor Bill Knapp, Woodworker Ewan Tulis, Painters Dee Cunningham, Laurie Hansen, and Chuck Gamber, and wood turner Dave Calloway.

About the Participating Artists:

Bill Knapp:

bill Knapp 2014

"My intent is to make the viewer wonder. 'Does it work, will it run or maybe what does it do?' Although some pieces may be strong with just their elements, I prefer that the elements relate to each other and and come together to appear to perform a function. That function may appear mechanical, animal, or figurative. My studio includes a small warehouse of parts that talk to me. They come from the internet stores, antique shops, and dumpster dives. Friends often leave things at my studio door that they know I'll recycle."

barry sheehan 2014

Barry Sheehan: "I am a master craftsman with a primary focus in metals and traditional blacksmithing. My artistic philosophy is life is in motion and motion gives art life. I use a minimalistic approach to sculpture in order to create a restless energy that can arrest the attention of any viewer and allow them to interact with the piece. I use familiar imagery such as the human figure caught in motion in order to create an imaginary reality that involves the sculpture and the space around it. My process is difficult but simple: fire, water, impact, and pressure."

Ewan Tulis:

ewan tulis

Ewan is a woodworker by heart. His day job of doing construction and home improvement allows him the pleasure of building sculptural furniture that often includes exotic and reclaimed woods and vintage hardware and metal. His work includes gracefully shaped pieces with curved lines as well as lightly refined rustic pieces that speak of their previous life.

Dee Cunningham:

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Working as a decorative artist my job is to paint for others. Solely commission based up to this point, my work is custom made for the client. I will paint anything from abstract to photo realistic styles in order to achieve my clients' vision.  After much discussion and personal reflection, I hope to complete my first body of work for my own artistic expression in the next year.

An Insider's Look at the "Make Room" exhibit at the ACC show in Baltimore

before

Before, a 10x10 box.

This past February, Paula Henry asked me to create a piece for her "Make Room" exhibit at the ACC show in Baltimore. Its essentially a "white box challenge" where designers are offered a few pieces by artists exhibiting in the show.

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The finished room.

Paula chose the cocktail table and two chairs to inspire her design. In addition, they were given a theme; this year's being "Entertainment." To add to this theme, I decided to do a dynamic painting of glasses and bottles in a limited color palette to convey the feeling of celebration and excitement.

the party

The piece measures 36"x48". It is currently available. (can be hung vertically also.)

paula with the mayor

We had a great time, even the mayor stopped by!

me, gael, paula

Gael Summerhill of Summerhill Cabinets, Paula Henry of Simply Put Interiors, and myself.

Recap of Gilding Class with Annie Lemarie

We had a great time with Annie, several decorative artisans from GMDA as well as CADA came to learn the secrets of Architectural Gilding on Thursday and Glass Gilding on Friday. We even had a student come down all the way from New Jersey! Here are some photos...enjoy!

annie's class

Annie talking about the gilder's knife.

annie's class 2

Melanie Kershner and Leslie Nesbitt practicing cutting and laying 23k leaf with Karen Jones looking on.

annie's class 3

Annie placing the first leaf on glass.

annie's class 4

My panel gilded, waiting for size to dry.

annie's class4

All dry, look at that shine!

mine and Deb's

My piece on the left, Deb Watson's on the right.

my glass piece

A closer look...

annie's class 5

Thank you, Annie!!

One Step Closer

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A few years ago I traveled to Atlanta to be a spectator at the annual "Salon." Salon is "a gathering of dedicated decorative painters from around the world coming together to exhibit their work and discuss old and new techniques, products, and information in the field."   Every year it is hosted by a different member in that person's country. Since Atlanta, it has been hosted in Hamburg, Germany and last year it was in Tokyo. This year's Salon will be in Seattle.  I was curious about the group so when I heard that it was going to be relatively close to me I decided to check it out.

When I visited Salon in Atlanta I was amazed at the breadth of talent that was on display. Members traveled from across the globe to in order to come together in the name of decorative art. Members have expertise in the traditional decorative arts such as faux marbre (marbleizing) faux bois (woodgraining), gilding, trompe l'oeil, and ornamentation.

group panel salon 2011

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Unlike other groups, to become a member, you have to be juried in. I decided that I would apply for membership but was sure that I wouldn't be accepted because this group is the best of the best! Well, I submitted my portfolio to this year's host and was accepted to participate! I was floored! Participation in this event has been on my list of professional goals for a few years now. The next step is to plan and paint a panel that will be exhibited along side my mentors and peers.  Talk about setting the bar high!

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