Gallery Highlight- BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

My sculptures alongside the many wonderful artists BlueStone represents

One of the many pleasures I enjoy as an artist are the relationships I have become a part of in the gallery world.  Pam Regan of BlueStone Gallery has become a friend and art confidant.  She offers complete professionalism and represents my work with enthusiasm.  Please see her comments below about how she started her gallery and what the gallery means to her as a business owner.  I delight in showing my work with such a person.  

Left to Right- Pam Regan, Erin Humphreys of Philadelpha Style Magazine and myself

Pam Regan, BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

'I got started in the art gallery business soon after my sister lost a short 18 month fight with breast cancer.  My sister, Martha and I were very close.  We were both school teachers and after she died, I didn’t want to return to the classroom.  So, starting the gallery was actually my husband’s idea.  We have a few original works of art, and I’ve always kept a list of artists that I would like to add to my collection. 

I started by looking for a gallery location in Old City, Philadelphia.  Old City is where we came regularly to visit galleries.  Once I found the right location, I started contacting artists from my wish list.  In my eyes, it was kind of like contacting celebrities.  However, everyone was so welcoming and supportive. 

While all of this foundation was in the works, I read everything I could about running a art gallery.  It is a known fact that 85% of all new galleries don’t celebrate a two year anniversary.  Our two year anniversary is May 2013. 

My gallery is best known for being approachable.  We strive to have a warm environment with artwork at numerous price points.  We work with the established collector to the first time buyer. 

Bluestone opened during an already well established economic slump.  I knew that the art world was hurting financially.  My plan has been to learn and establish my gallery during this slow period.  So when the economy turns around, I’ll know my stuff and be ready to fully represent the artist who has joined me on this journey.

One thing that I find discouraging in the art world is that many people don’t value original art.  They will buy $100 pair of jeans, but not a $100 painting.  They will buy a 1.5 million dollar house, hire an interior decorator, and fill it with wall hangings from the local discount store.  Artwork, like jewelry or fine china can be handed down from generation to generation. 

Shelly, the comments I receive about your sculptures are always amazing.  People are very open with their thoughts on if a work of art is good or not.  And, I’ve never heard a discouraging word about your sculptures.  I think this is because your sculptures are like nothing they have seen.'  

Hanging Sculptures?!

I am often asked about where people should display their sculptures.  Sometimes people have a hard time imagining where a 3 dimensional piece should go.  So I thought I would try something new.  Always fun to go down a different path for a bit, stretch your mind some.  I have created a form for a half sculpture, one that will hang on a wall as a 2 dimensional piece of artwork.  However, mine have 'relief'.  They actually come off the wall as if the 3 dimensional sculpture were cut down the middle or center.  Photos below show my first attempt with four pieces currently available from BlueStone Gallery in Philadelphia (267) 773-8114.  Thank you Pam for allowing me the freedom in your space to try something new!

'Reese' 17 H x 6 W, $1600

'Miss Morris' 17 H x 8 W, $1600

'Miss Stewart' 17 H x 8 W, $1600

'Miss Tiffany' 17 H x 8 W, $1600

'Where Should I Put My Sculptures?'

'Miss Victoria 2' and 'Black Rose' enjoying the spectacular decor at the Dancing Bear Aspen

On a recent trip to Bermuda, I had a chance to sit down with the great team responsible for selling my sculptures at the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel.  We visited about the busy summer that had just past and reminisced about all the sculptures that went flying out the door!  In an effort to better understand the people who are collecting my work, after all- I don't get to always meet them, I asked Sherry Alvarado to share with me the questions she gets from collectors.  While some guests are interested in reading my bio and others simply ask who I am; many, many of them are looking for suggestions on where to place their sculpture once they get it home.  As some of you know, I have been doing a 'Fantasy Decorating' series in my blog where I pair sculptures with designer decorated interiors to spark ideas on where my sculptures would look best.  (scroll down to see recent posts)  In today's post, I share images of where my sculptures have been placed with other designers and collectors.  Suggestions include: entry hall table, sofa table, coffee table, bedside table, dressing room, bathroom/bedroom vanity, kitchen island, desk..............  What are you suggestions- I would love to hear your thoughts!

'Miss Roselyn' in her new home gracing the bedside table of this elegant bedroom.

'Miss Royal 2' adorns this entertainment bureau.

'Miss Royale' & 'Miss Olivia Rose' enjoy each other's company and the view!  I love these two paired together.

'All Ruffled 2' & 'Saturday in May' act as unique centerpieces.

'Blue Belle' on a cocktail table and 'Rumor' decorating the bar at the Viceroy Snowmass.

Inspiration Boards, How I Use Them

Using inspiration from these two gowns, I created 'Constance'.  17 H x 10 W  $2750
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

I am love, loving Pinterest; the latest online social media tool/toy!  Pinterest allows me to draw inspiration from numerous sources, organize them into categories and revert back to them whenever I choose.  It also allows me to share these inspirations with my 'followers'.  While not every detail of every gown I 'pin' can be translated into tile, I can take certain details like a neckline, a colorway, a waistline, a hemline- and interpret them into tile mosaic gowns.  In this blog post, I have grouped together the inspiration images with the finished tile mosaic gowns.  Let me know what you think by joining in the 'conversation' on Pinterest, 

click here.

Loving this one shoulder dress by Jenny Packham worn by Kate Middleton and Angelina Jolie.  I paired by favorite blue and white china with deep black tiles and beads to create 'Miss Willowby', 22 H x 12 W, $3250,
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

I combined this Valentino dress worn by Felicity Jones and the colors separated by 'Chip It' tool from Sherwin Williams to make 'Miss Alford', 17 H x 10 W, $2750,
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

Felicity Jones again, this time wearing a Miu Miu dress.  I used white beads throughout to replicate the pearls on Felicity's dress to create 'Miss Roselyn', 22 H x 12 W, $3250,
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

Show Opening at Rosewood Tucker's Point Hotel, Bermuda

Upon arrival, I paired each base with the pre-broken tile and china I planned to use.

I have just returned from a whirlwind trip to Bermuda.  While this may sound exotic to most, I was working.  I have a great relationship with Rosewood Tucker's Point and this trip represented my 3rd annual working sojourn to the island.  I spend about 10 days creating sculptures for the hotel to display and sell in their lobby shop, Regali.  The hotel provides me with a studio space to work in.  

How did this come about?  I was a resident on the island for 17 years, married to a Bermudian.  We had our three children on the island and are still very connected to friends and colleagues.  During the Grand Opening Celebration of the hotel, I was invited to display my sculptures.  They were so well received, the hotel invited me to keep a few on hand to sell.  I now sell more sculptures from the hotel than all my galleries combined.  

When we moved to Colorado almost 3 years ago, I had to figure out a way to keep showing my work on the island with out paying enormous shipping costs and incurring customs fees on completed pieces.  Simple math is that it is cheaper for me to fly over, take my materials and create the pieces on site.

Sculptures with completed mosaics, ready to grout.

 You may ask how I can spend only 10 days and create so much work? These days are just the time I spend doing the mosaic and the grouting.  In advance of my trip, I spend time gathering delicate china from antique dealers, auction houses and flea markets.   I attend bead shows to select strands from around the world.  I source  tile from Italy and Mexico.  I spent over six months designing the unique Styrofoam structures, created especially for me, and used as the bases for my sculptures.  I source dress inspirations throughout the year.  I translate dress designs into tile. In advance of my travels, I break the tiles, cut all the china and cover the Styrofoam bases with fiberglass and several layers of concrete, allowing me to hit the ground running when I arrive.  Once on the island, I throw open the doors of the studio, let the fresh air and sun shine in, and get to work! 

To see images of the completed pieces and from the night of the Opening, please click here.  I am interested in securing another hotel venue to replicate a similar arrangement with my sculptures.  Please email me if you or someone you know would be open to having a conversation.

  

Introducing 'Miss Isabella'

Introducing 'Miss Isabella'.  'Miss Isabella' is wearing my favorite tile complimented by beautiful Jade beads at the neckline and wonderful seafoam green plates for the ruffle on the back hem.  I am still in love with this tile.  I have used it repeatedly on several pieces, and my collectors love it also.  This tile is a glass tile with a pearlescent backing.  In different lights it is green, blue or pearl.  I have used it with red and pink as well with great effect.  It is so versatile and compliments many different design styles.  

'Miss Isabella' is on her way to Paladino in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  You may remember from my most recent blog post introducing 'Miss Holmes' below, these pieces are going to be part of a new retail venture in support of   Palliative Care.  I am honored to be part of the new way of fundraising for healthcare.  Stay tuned for updates on Paladino special events and Openings.  My sculptures will be part of a special 'Gallery Crawl' event in July in Santa Fe.  

Today I have chosen various shades of green and blue to continue my Fantasy Decorating Series.  Images and Decorating inspiration are from Country Living Magazine.  You will see what I mean when I say that this tile is so great with so many different styles and colors.  Which one is your favorite?  

I think the bowl on the table might be the same manufacturer of the plates I used at the ruffle!

I enjoy the contrast of the beach cottage above with the snow in this shot of  'Miss Isabella'

I love the beige, light green and white in this room.  'Miss Isabella' would fit right in!

I think the jade beads are such a compliment

On the mantel, on the ottoman, on the table?

The basket weave design on the plates would be perfect with the stripe on those chairs

Introducing 'Miss Holmes'

'Miss Holmes'  17 H x 10 W
$2500

Introducing 'Miss Holmes'.  I found this spring green china through Crate and Barrel , not a usual sleuthing source for me.  However, I really, really liked this modern color of green and the solid outer rim of the plate. Pairing the bright green with white, makes for a cheery sculpture!  'Miss Holmes' is on her way to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  She will be part of a new way of fundraising for Palliative Care.  A new retail venue is opening in a very high end shopping district of Santa Fe, NM.  All proceeds from the sale of merchandise in this very special gift store and art gallery will go to raising funds for patients receiving Palliative Care. I am super excited and flattered to be a part of this new venture.  Be sure to 'Like' me on Facebook and Follow me on Twitter for updates on this project and how it progresses.

 In continuing my 'Fantasy Decorating', I have paired 'Miss Holmes' below with rooms from House to Home in the UK and House Beautiful Magazine  How perfect that House Beautiful's latest issue features homes with green interiors?!  Get inspired and think spring!

Loving the stencils on these walls, reminds me of our friends at Casart Coverings

'Miss Holmes' up close, V-neckline

I think this room was made for 'Miss Holmes'!

'Miss Holmes' from the back showing white beads for 'buttons'

This checkerboard ceiling is divine, 'Miss Holmes' would sit perfectly on that island!

Introducing Miss Lantana

Introducing 'Miss Lantana'.  This is a very special piece.  What started as a professional relationship, has turned into a personal relationship.  My now dear friend Alie Corday helped me to first show my sculptures at the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda.  Alie is no longer with the hotel, but she continues to support my endeavors.  In the time that Alie and I have known each other, Alie is now engaged to the love of her life, John Young.  John's family in Bermuda were the owners of the Lantana Colony Club, a spectacularly beautiful property in Somerset, Bermuda.  The property has been sold and is being redeveloped as we speak. However, in the days prior to the sale of the property, Alie and I had a chance to wonder the property on a sunny spring day.  We collected Lantana dinner plates with the intent of creating a sculpture.  

The outer rims of the dinner plates have become the ruffle at the bottom of the skirt.  Lantana also had wonderful  chandeliers hanging in the main dining room.  Alie was able to collect some of the Italian hand blown glass elements from the chandeliers.  The chandeliers were comprised of grapes and grape leaves.  We were able to re-purpose one of the leaves at the waist and the grapes at the neckline.  When Alie presented me with these items, I really wasn't sure at all how the leaf at the waist was going to work out.  I am truly thrilled with this element and delighted with how it turned out!

The 'middles' of the dinner plates were decorated with the logo from Lantana, beautiful script and gray and pink fan coral.  We thought it was important to include these portions of the plates into the design of the skirt. As there were not enough plates left to fill the whole skirt, we worked what we could into the overall skirt also using white Italian tile.  

I can't tell you how happy I am with this piece.  Some pieces are just more 'successful' than others.  

'Miss Lantana' is truly a successful, collaborative piece and a beautiful way to commemorate a special place in Bermuda.  Thank you Alie and John for sharing your family history with me and having the confidence in me to create something unique and beautiful with your treasured heirlooms.

Fantasy Decorating with Aspen Snowmass Dream Home!

Sometimes the best surprises are in our own backyard!  Terry Rogers is a Real Estate Agent here in Aspen, CO.  Terry has a unique philanthropy program with her buyers.  When a home is sold, she donates 5% of the sale to any charity of the buyer's choice.  A long list of all the charities Terry and her clients have contributed to as well as a more full description of the program can be seen here.  I thought it would be fun to do a Fantasy Decorating post with one of the houses Terry currently has listed.  Details and additional photos can be seen here. Good luck Terry, I would love to hear where the charity $$ for this house ends up.

Loving the dark woods in this living space.
'Miss Enchantment 2' would fit right in on the table behind the sofa.

'Miss Enchantment 2'  22 H x 12 W
$3500
Bluestone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

How luxurious is this bathroom!?!
'Life of the Party' belongs in between the two master sinks.

'Life of the Party'  22 H x 12 W
$3500
Visions West Gallery, Denver, CO

This bedroom would truly be a pleasure to sleep in.
'Eve' could rest perfectly on the side table.

'Eve' 22 H x 16 W
$3500
Carson Art Gallery, Dallas, TX