It occurred to me that I need to find a different name for the “cyclones” I am making.  When people hear me talk about cyclones, they think of destruction and chaos, but that’s not the meaning I am attempting to convey.

Instead, I want to convey life, growth, becoming, ambition, striving.  The form of the cyclone is what I like, the circling and cycling upward, like a life unfolding.

Perhaps “funnel cloud” would be a better term. ”Funnel cloud, a rapidly rotating funnel-shaped cloud extending downward from the base of a cumulonimbus cloud, which, if it touches the surface of the earth, is a tornado or waterspout.”

I will keep pondering and looking for a better term.

This summer I am taking a three-dimensional design class at De Anza College taught by Patti Jauch, who also teaches at San Jose State University. 

Our second project is to use paper to make folded, glued or molded forms that we then put together into a larger sculpture.  My initial idea was to make fungus-like pods that would “grow” out of the wall.  My plan was to use reed for the inner structures, cover those with paper, and then paint.  As art does though, the project morphed into something different and I went with that.  It’s a cyclone made of reed and thread.  My plan is to put photos on the cyclone, photos from my life, so it will be an autobiographical piece. 

The basic cyclone structure is nearly complete.  It needs more reed woven and tied in to make the structure stronger.  In the meantime, I’m experimenting with printing my photos on translucent paper, or perhaps translucent cloth.  I want them to look ghostly, like memories rather than actual photos.  Once I figure out printing the photos, I will do some tests to figure out how to adhere them to the cyclone.

I especially like the threads hanging all the way around the cyclone.  They are a fitting metaphor for how fragile life is.

The project should be complete in two weeks.

Our recent group show at Micaëla Gallery received a postive review by Anneliese Vobis at ArtBusiness.com:    

“Micaela Gallery: COLD+HOT 2010. 

Artists: Peter Bremers, Kathleen Elliot, Michael Janis, Michelle Knox, Weston Lambert, Carol Lawton, Mark Leibowitz, Silvia Levenson, Susan Longini, Thomas Scoon, Carmen Spera, Tim Tate, Kristiina Uslar. 

Exciting, visionary and innovative designs are the dominate Cold + Hot 2010 at Micaela Gallery. The work ranges in characteristic from straightforward and direct to expressive and filled of personality. The properties of glass materials are intensely explored to create objects which have organic as well as sculptural qualities. A show not to be missed at 49 Geary.” 

Although individual artists are not directly mentioned, a photo of my Winter Cyclone is included with the review.  It’s impossible to capture the feeling and movement of this piece, given its coloring and the flatness of photo images.  I installed in such a way that the cyclone gently spins with air currents, creating a beautiful dance between the piece and its shadows.  

The show will be available through August 28 at 49 Geary Street, No. 234, in San Francisco.  415-551-8118  www.Micaela.com

This Thursday, July 1, will be the opening reception for COLD+HOT 2010 at Micaëla Gallery in San Francisco.  The exhibit includes an interesting variety of sculpture by twelve artists working primarily in glass. 

Two of my pieces, Winter Cyclone and Homage to Castaneda will be in the exhibit.

http://www.micaela.com/cold+hot2010.html

Last weekend I had the great pleasure of meeting artist Hans Godo Fräbel, visiting and working in his studio, collaborating on a piece, and accepting the Hans Godo Fräbel Award along with Kimberly Fields, who won the Hans Godo Fräbel Novice Award.

The Hans Godo Fräbel Foundation hosts the annual Fräbel Awards.  Artists from around the world submit entries to the competition; Fräbel, his top artist, and the president of the foundation jury the finalists; and the glass community votes on the winners. 

Kimberly’s piece is “Roost”, a vignette of beautiful, little birds in an approximately 8 inch cube. 

For our collaborative piece, we made a design incorporating aspects of each of our work.  Mr. Fräbel has created a series of “Longfellows” – stick figure people in a wide range of postures.   Kimberly makes beautiful little birds.  We made a Longfellow with outstretched hands, offering a botanical garland of my vines and fruits, topped with Kimberly’s bird.  The photos show the piece before sandblasting.  The Longfellow will be frosty white afterwards, and the vines and fruits will have a matte surface like most of my work.  And of course he will stand on a custom base.  After making the piece, we all wanted it and figured the best way to settle the situation is to donate him to the Glass Art Society auction next year.  We shall see if that’s the final decision. 

Here is a short video of the award reception:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvhSJ81Wekw

Congratulations to Kimberly, and many thanks to Mr. Fräbel and the Fräbel Foundation!