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.

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- Another Round!

I am eager to feature sculptures that are ready to ship for Christmas!  As we doll up our houses for the holidays, here are some Fantasy Decorating pairings that show pieces available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda and BlueStone Gallery in Philadelphia.  Imagine having these beauties to enjoy all the year through!

'Miss Olivia Rose'    22 H x 12 W
$2500.00
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa, Bermuda

'Natalia'  12 H x 6 W
$1250.00
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa, Bermuda

'Miss Enchantment 2'  22 H x 12 W
$3500.00
Available from BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia 

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

Veranda Magazine Inspiration- Take Two!

I return to one of my favorite decorators, John Saladino, featured here in Veranda Magazine.  John has a way with making any room look fresh and yet 'lived in'.  I never feel as though his designs are stuffy and I always feel like I could walk right in and sit down.  He has a painterly way with decorating and the lighting is  dramatic, as if in a film.  Veranda Magazine often features John Saladino designs and I truly treasure each issue.  Here are three room designs paired with my sculptures.  Scrumptious!

Veranda Magazine, Design by John Saladino

'Miss Enchantment', 22H x 12W
Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Available from Embler Gallery

Veranda Magazine, Design by John Saladino

'Life of the Party', 22H x 10W
Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Available from Visions West Gallery, Denver
Photography by Brooke Casillas

Veranda Magazine, Design by John Saladino

'Miss Avalon', 22H x 14W
Artwork by Shelly Hamill
Available from Visions West Gallery, Denver

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

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?