Variations on a theme

Variations on a Theme Neckpiece 18" fine and
sterling silver, beach rocks; Kathleen Faulkner

Silver is close to $50 an ounce, spot.  Spot is not the price I pay for silver. I buy sheet or wire so the refining fee brings the cost up toward $60.  This time last year spot was around $18.

This neckpiece is made from remnants and parts of other things.  I'm using up my bits and pieces hoping the price of silver will go down.

I'm focusing more on painting these days.  It is the medium I prefer and, at this rate, I may be priced out of the jewelry profession.  The good news about paintings is that, if materials get too expensive there are all kinds of things one can use to make marks.. charcoal, dirt, berries.. I even have a jar of dried octopus ink.  I've used it before and it is a beautiful sepia color.
We artist love our materials.  I've been stockpiling art supplies for years so it would take quite awhile to use it all up.

Change is a good thing.  I'm going with the flow.   We'll see where it all leads..

An original

Necklace,  wallpaper, sterling silver, elastic;
Kathleen Faulkner

During the last several months I've been working more with found and recycled materials.  The wallpaper I used for this necklace is something I found at a garage sale several years ago.  I had no use for it at the time and wondered why I was buying it aside from the fact that it was beautiful.  It sat folded up in a corner of my workroom waiting for the day.

In a previous post I mentioned that the original material of paper beads was wallpaper.  

So, why not make an original?

Auction for the Artist

Matzke Fine Art Gallery
Presents the Second Annual Art Auction for the Artist
Saturday, April 23rd.
Preview April 16th, 17th and 23rd from 11am to 5pm
Bidding starts promptly at 6pm

'Landscape' brooch, sterling silver, paper,
colored pencil, mica; Kathleen Faulkner

'Webster's Woods' 17x17" oil and soft
pastel, charcoal; Kathleen Faulkner

With over 50 artists, this live auction has something for everyone:  Great art, wonderful conversation, tasty bites and an amazing sculpture park and gallery.  

Please support the Arts, Artists and this event.

Homonymy

'The Basics' 16x16" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

Basics: essential facts or principles of a subject or skill 

Please double click on the video to get the whole image.

Basic: common to or required by everyone, primary and ineradicable and inalienable..

as in human rights

something that seems to be missing in China.

Evergreen

'Evergreent'  17x35" oil pastel; Kathleen Faulkner

Lately I wonder if Spring will ever arrive.  Waiting for the late one:  I've always thought lateness a sign of rudeness

I wake to rain. 

Things have been intense lately..  friends on the skids,  politics, Japan. 

I need to be in the woods and the good news is that I have this day.  

I am grateful for the rain that offers what I need:
a cloak of invisibility, solitude and a feeling of softness not available on a sunny day. 

Someday, when the rest of the world has dried up and blown away, we will be thankful for this gift.

Gallery Row

looking west toward the islands;
Kathleen Faulkner

While traveling to Edison I took note of the flooded fields.  It had been raining heavily for days.
Other places might envy us for being blessed with an abundance of water, a resource that is becoming like gold, but we were sick of it.

Abundance is usually a good thing.  When it has been raining so much, it's hard to see it that way.

Shortly then,  I arrived in Edison and started thinking about the abundance this town has:  five venues for art in this block long town.. and an artist behind just about every tree, rock, building.

Edison Eye Gallery

The Edison Eye Gallery is the Grampa of them all, the Elder, the Big kid.  Dana has been running this gallery for many years.. lots of history.. many stories.. absolute magic and, speaking of:

The first show of the year, 'Friends of the Fish' will open April 16th with over 60 artists participating.  This is in conjunction with the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, this is going to be Special.. 

Brick Gallery

The Brick Gallery, a new addition to Edison, is located across the street from the Eye.  Small yet satisfying, this month's show consists of Photographs by John Sedgwick and Jason Wardenburg; Multi media collages by Elise Lazzari; Felt hats and scarves by July Andre; Jewelry, pottery and dolls by Sue Andre; Pottery by Chris Wardenburg-Skinner. Hours: 12:00-5:00, Saturdays and Sundays.

Shop Curator

Next stop is Shop Curator, a real treat for those looking for something 'different'.  David has a knack for finding rare NW art and curiosities.  He also shows his own inspired work.  Although finding him open can sometimes be a challenge, it is worth the effort. 

Smith & Vallee Gallery

Across the street is Smith & Vallee.  This month's show is 'Re-Art'.  There are over 20 artists participating with art made from salvage.  This show is in conjunction with Re-Store . It's a fun show that's worth a visit. The gallery (and what a beautiful gallery) is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00-5:00.  

The last stop is the newest: Three Ravens , located two doors down from Smith & Valley and showing a selection of international artists.  We welcome this new addition and look forward to many more openings in the future.. 

Some might say that poor little Edison is getting too much attention and it's worrisome.  I say, the more the merrier.  We artists need all the help we can get and more galleries help that happen.   Fortunately for Edison, there is no room for new housing growth.. that should ease some angst.

Slough looking west from behind the Edison Eye;
Kathleen Faulkner

Here's wishing All the artists and All the galleries much success.
Cheers!