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.'  

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.

  

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

Fantasy Decorating from the pages of Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine

I continue my 'Fantasy Decorating' series with Images from

Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine 

Beautiful table scapes- don't these sculptures make perfect pairings?  Which one is your favorite?  I would love to do commissions of wedding dresses. 

'Miss Whitney'
Available from Carson Art Gallery
Dallas, TX

'Pretty in Pink'
In the Collection of the Joan Katz Breast Center
Bailor All Saints Hospital
Ft. Worth, TX

'Saturday in May'
NFS

As I continue with my Fantasy Decorating Series, I look to Country Living Magazine.  I am in love with Modern Country.  I sometimes pretend when I am sleuthing at a flea market that the person next to me is a secret editor from Country Living!  I wish I had more rooms to decorate in my own home with all the finds and inspiration from this magazine.  Check out which sculptures I would place in each of these rooms....

Country Living Magazine

'Miss Congeniality'  17 H x 12 W

Country Living Magazine

'Inauguration' 26 H x 12 W
In the Collection of Clive and Lyndy Thatcher, Bermuda
Photography by Sacha Blackburn

Country Living Magazine

'Miss Ginny' 22 H x 10 W
Private Collection
Photography by Amanda Temple

Country Living Magazine

'Miss Soleil' 22 H x 12 W
In the Collection of Joe Gibbons, Bermuda
Photography by Amanda Temple

Fantasy Decorating Continued!

John Saladino is one of my favorite decorators.  I am truly in love with this apartment in NY featured in Veranda Magazine.  I have poured over these photographs so many times that the pages are starting to show wear.  I've considered pinning the images up on my inspiration board in my studio, but don’t want to tear the pages!  Now that I have them saved on my computer, I can print them and enlarge them!  I thought it would be fun to put together these photos and some of the pieces they have inspired.  Enjoy! 

Veranda Magazine, Design by John Saladino

'Miss Lila', Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Embler Gallery, Laguardia Admiral's Club, NY

Veranda Magazine, Design by John Saladino

'Miss Nantucket', by Shelly Hamill
BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Veranda Magazine, Design by John Saladino

'Miss Anne', by Shelly Hamill
BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Fantasy Decorating with Art

I love, love decorating and decorating magazines.   At the end of a long day, I enjoy flipping through a decorating magazine; I don’t read the articles per se, I just love looking at the pretty pictures, visual candy.  Oftentimes, I imagine what my artwork would look like in the homes that are featured.  Here are a few ‘pairings’.  What do you think?

House Beautiful
Decoration by David Lawrence

Wouldn't 'Blue Belle' look great on the table behind this sofa, to help 'fill' the space between the curtains?

'Blue Belle'  by Shelly Hamill
E.S. Lawrence Gallery, Aspen, CO

The Tiffany Suite at the St. Regis in NY

I think the mirror on 'Miss Washington' would be smashing- no pun intended- to reflect all the crystal on the table and the decadent beads hanging from the chandelier. 

'Miss Washington' by Shelly Hamill
In Private Collection

Architectural Digest, August 2011

The circles on the linens and the circles on 'Roxy' would be really fun together.

'Roxy' by Shelly Hamill
Embler Gallery, Laguardia Adimiral's Club NY

Veranda Magazine

It would be great to see 'Miss Nantucket' reflected in that beautiful mirror and to play off the blue and white ginger jars.

'Miss Nantucket' by Shelly Hamill
BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Miss Bermuda Rose

Meet 'Miss Bermuda Rose'.  'Miss Bermuda Rose' is 22 inches tall and has a lovely rose pattern on the china plate.  I used coordinating pink beads at the neckline and pink tiles through out the piece.  She is very dainty and feminine.  I was a little worried that the sea foam pearl green tiles along with the pink would look too much like it belonged in a baby's nursery.  But actually, she is delicate and sophisticated at the same time.  As she was destined to continue her journey in Bermuda, I titled her 'Miss Bermuda Rose', I miss the old Bermuda roses.  They too are dainty and feminine.  

I am still loving this halter neckline.  I forget each time I attempt it, that I must then complete the piece with the concrete and this neckline is more difficult to accomplish.  I usually get irritated with myself in the middle of doing it, but then I am happy with the results at the end!  'Miss Bermuda Rose' is gracing the lobby of the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda.

Willow Bliss

 Please welcome 'Willow Bliss'.  'Willow Bliss' is 12 inches tall and is the second piece delivered to Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel and Spa in Bermuda this week.  Traditionally, I like to mix the blue and white china patterns, but in this piece, I have used Blue Willow pattern exclusively.  I am loving working with this size piece as it allows me to use the smaller plates, like salad plates.  

I found these beads last summer and they coordinate perfectly with the blue in the Blue Willow pattern.  They are clear with blue flecks running through them.  This piece is the perfect size for placing on a dressing table or  entry hall table.  Or maybe even on a book shelf.  I wonder where she will end up?

Introducing Miss Yacht Club

Introducing 'Miss Yacht Club'.  'Miss Yacht Club' is 12 inches tall and is created using a lovely yellow plate with royal blue on the rim.  The royal blue coordinates perfectly with the Blue Willow pattern I use so often.  I have used the 'middles' of the Blue Willow plates for the bodice.  I truly enjoy these two colors together and think 'Miss Yacht Club' would look fabulous next to 'Miss Soleil'.  

Miss Soleil
 

'Miss Yacht Club' is named for the blue and yellow curtains hanging in the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.  All I kept thinking about while making the piece were those curtains!  If they have redecorated, I will be crushed!   'Miss Yacht Club' was delivered this morning to the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda. 

'Blue Belle'

Honestly, it has been quite the drought for me in recent weeks.  After creating so many pieces for the Artist Project NY followed by 10-12 hour days in the studio in Bermuda, I was a little tired!  At one point, I wasn't even sure that my fingerprint was going to return on my right hand forefinger from all the concrete!  However, I truly believe in deadlines!  Kathy Johnson from E.S. Lawrence Gallery in Aspen likes to have new work for each coming 'season'.  In advance of the Summer Season- the beginning is sparked off by the Food and Wine Festival- I needed to complete new pieces for Kathy.  Perhaps I have returned to my comfort level in this piece using the blue and white china.  What is new about this piece is using the 'middles' of the plates in-between the ruffles.  I also inserted matching marbles for sparkle.  I am beginning a new series that looks at mosaic in the same way that quilters use scraps of fabric to create beautiful quilts.  Stay tuned.

This piece also uses a variation of a new neckline.  I love the halter look; this dress combines the halter with the strapless gown.  My daughter, Piper, named this piece.  I hope you enjoy.

Miss Liberty

Introducing 'Miss Liberty'.  Here is a sneak preview of another piece heading to the Artist Project NY.  This is the second piece I have created using the blue and white china for this show.  I love working with the same materials and creating different designs.  To me, it is like creating a 'collection' similar to a fashion designer.



I have been experimenting with using the china at the necklines.  This dress feels feminine and flirty with the ruffles at the neck vs. the skirt. 



I also want to use the 'middles' of the plates more as I really like how they lay and create a vivid mosaic.  The variety of the blues can really be seen when you place them together.  

'Miss Liberty' will be available at the Artist Project NY

March 17-20, Pier 92