Maryville University had a great metal show and I wanted to share some pictures I took today of the art work displayed.  Please keep in mind that these are my photos, NOT professional photos...

A little background on the show:
The show was curated by SMM member Sherri Jaude.
The name of the show was, Contemporary Metal: Aesthetic and Commerce
On view: October 16 – November 15, 2014
Opening Reception: October 16, (Thursday) 5:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.

The contemporary world embraces a range of expression that includes functionality, the diverse use of materials, along with a balance of aesthetics and commerce. Artists today are challenged in the studio to meet this world and remain true to their voice. Presented in this exhibition is a collection of objects by invited artist’s working in metal.

Maryville University is honored to present works by Haley Bates, John Baltrushunas, Deborah Daher, Marilyn da Silva, Michael Good, Aimee Howard, Sherri Jaudés, Joe Meunch, Paulette Myers, Sarah Perkins, Lanie Kodner, Claude Mette, Rodney Roots, Sun Kyoung Kim, Warren & Diane Sauer and Billie Jean Theide. 

These piece were so well crafted.  It was amazing to see the work up close, of so many well known metalsmiths.  The details and quality were wonderful.

Lanie Kodner created a wonderfully crafted and functional silver interchangable back scratcher...

What a spectacular idea...!!!

Anyone that knows me, knows I love to put flowers or something that is flower related in my work.  I don't always...  I like to make miniature things too...but most of the time I end up making flowers, or leaves or vines or...you get the drift, right?



..

I was shopping with my daughter and one of the stores had these big paper flowers in their display....I whipped out my phone and snapped a pix.

This is pictures of a one of a kind painting on newspaper that I saw at a local furniture store in U-city.  Sorry, I don't know the artist's name...but the painting is very cool in real life.

Picture from my flower garden...

Don't you just LOVE these huge metal flowers in front of the Metal Museum in Memphis Tennessee!!! 

Below are some pictures of my work that were inspired by floral objects...
 

So when my father, a retired machinist, hobby furniture maker and blacksmith, showed me these cute and AWESOME bird houses that he made...I thought...

Wow...those would be sooooooooooooooo cute as earrings!!!!  As soon as I get my studio up and running smoothly I want to make some of these...at least one...maybe a necklace.  Not only will it be something that will remind me of my dad, but it's a flower AND a miniature!!!   Will post a picture as soon as I can. 
So what has inspired you lately???

After the flood...

I don't want to dwell on this whole moving thing...but since I am STILL unpacking, for the second time (after the flood)...I thought I would post a few pictures of the state of my current temporary studio...

 

It has been hard to get focused. I think I am turning my creativity to my blog posts and pictures instead of my jewelry.  Do you like the pretty picture collage???...ha ha!

Do you see where my kiln is???...  Yep, I am going to enamel in the bathroom!  It's a pretty confined area but I think it will work.  It's nice because the sink is really handy.  Whatever it takes, ya know!

I would say the studio is 80% set up.  I hope to get back to work by this coming Monday!!  

Wish me luck!!

Movers were GREAT. Moving...not so great!

Moving day has come and gone...and with a few hick-ups along the way...

I don't think my bench has been this clean since I first put it in my studio!!!  This baby is soooooooo big and heavy...and the movers had to take it down 3 flights of stairs...ouch!!

 Boxing up my tools and stuff.

Here's my little moving buddy.  He decided to hop on my car windshield and take a little trip with me!!  :-)

The above pictures were of my new studio...until a week later...it flooded.  So we called the movers back...and they moved my studio again!!!  :-(
Very demotivating to have your life in boxes!!  Not really feeling like unpacking again.  But I am...slowly this time, not as much "umph" in my steps.
Until next time... 

Plastic Personalities...

Soooooooooooooo...we all know about Margaux Lange's art jewelry, right???  If not, you should!!!   She makes bold and colorful jewelry out of...Barbie parts!   Some of her work is pictured below...(EYE CANDY TIME!!!!!)

Or you can go to her Etsy store HERE:
or
Her website HERE!!

As we all LOVED playing with BARBIE.  I remember when I was little I had a 3 story Barbie house complete with an ELEVATOR!!!  I loved that Barbie house...it was sooooooooo tall, almost as tall as I was!!  I also had a blow up Barbie pool and a big fluffy Barbie dog and a Barbie camper...ohhh...I could go on and on... 

Anyway, there is an artist by the name of  Kristyna Milde from Praha (Prague??).  She stages Barbie's to reflect famous historical paintings which she then photographs.  I find her work extremely humorous!!!  Not sure if it's suppose to be or not.  At the very least it is interesting, wouldn't you say??? 

 

You can see more of her work at her Flickr site here

or

her website here!!

 

I never knew Barbie was so adventurous, did you??