Down the Colorado III

Down the Colorado III

This is the third in a series of paintings from our trip down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon in May.

If you would like to see step by step how I painted this watercolor, please go to www.catherinemix.blogspot.com

Linda's YouTube Video

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylxhNZiAhNU7list=FLIMRTJ69wHIfZBol8_2w&index+3

After purchasing a new wood lathe last year, Rocky has rediscovered how much he enjoys making round things!

The last few months, he has focused on turning gorgeous segmented bowls.

The following is a brief look at the not so brief process for a 15 inch diameter bowl:

Gluing up wood strips:  Purpleheart, yellowheart, padouk, sapele, alder, poplar, maple and wenge.

Gluing up wedges of yellowheart

Thickness standing

Bandsawing

Cutting rings

Gluing up the rings

Turning and finishing using shellac and wax

Spinning

Sometimes I feel like I am just spinning my wheels. No traction, no progress, just frustration.
As an artist, one can consider times like these a blessing, because frustration is the foundation for growth.
Artists are never really satisfied, always searching for a better, more beautiful solution.  No matter what media we work in, the answer is simply this:

JUST DO THE WORK

Making art is a process, an evolutionary practice.
One thing leads to another.
The real meaning of making art lies in the process-not the end product.

What's not to love about Rhyolite paired with Sterling Silver?!  This is an example of one of many necklace and earring sets that I've wrapped and strung for this year's show...

Here we are, the ARTfusion artists (Linda, Rocky, Catherine, Paulette, and Pat (not pictured)), at the beautiful Cutting Garden Art Center in Sequim.  We are very excited for our 2014 show,  this year's dates being Friday August 29, Saturday August 30 and Sunday August 31, 11am - 5pm each day.
We look forward to seeing you all there!

Getting ready for the 2014 Show...

As one of the five artists of ARTfusion, I am so very excited for this year's show!  I've been working on new jewelry designs, experimenting with new techniques and in general have been having a blast!  My motto...if you can imagine it, you can do it.  Here's a glimpse of a piece that I currently have in work for our 2014 show:
  

Here's a completed set, made with dreamy ocean blue Larimar, a stone found only in the Dominican Republic:

Please come join us for what promises to be a wonderful Show, August 29th - 31st, 2014!