tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85580184253607811082024-03-12T23:44:55.451-07:00Life as a Glass ArtistKaren Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-13105059821478703112014-09-14T22:58:00.002-07:002014-09-15T06:38:25.222-07:00Secrets of Painting in Southern Vermont<div>
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Hideaway </b>completed 9/13/2014</div>
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Last week I spent 6 intensive days that will forever affect my life as a glass artist.<br />
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I am self taught. I have my own style and methods. It never seemed important or necessary to spend the time or money on learning directly from anyone. I learned stained glass from instructional books and trial and error. I learned glass painting techniques from the <a href="http://williamsandbyrne.co.uk/">Williams and Byrne</a> studio in England via the internet. <br />
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Last year I discovered and visited <a href="http://coombscriddle.com/">Debora Coombs</a>, deep in the Green Mountains, where she creates gorgeous well designed and crafted windows. She planted the seed for coming back to learn from her. She encouraged me to apply for scholarships. Thank you <a href="http://americanglassguild.org/">AGG</a> and <a href="http://stainedglass.org/">SGAA</a> for believing in me and making this possible. <br />
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The reason to study with Debora, a spunky English born glass artist, is that she willingly shares her personally developed use of media mixed into vitreous glass powder. It is both safer and can be controlled in different ways, allowing a looser style involving pushing wet paint, as well as traditional techniques. She serves nice lunches too.<br />
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Here's my story:<br />
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Sunday evening we were served a hearty homemade dinner. Having left guests at my home in the Lakes Region of Central Vermont, I was rushed and anxious. But I was made to feel relaxed and welcome. We truly were allowed to make ourselves at home. We then viewed a Power Point presentation showing the steps of one of Debora's creations, currently at <a href="http://massmoca.org/">MassMoca</a>, taking an artists drawing and recreating it into stained glass. We examined the details from start to finish.<br />
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My classmates consisted of Midge Scanlon from Rochester, VT and <a href="http://www.harrisglassstudio.com/">Sandra Harris</a> from Worcester, MA, both pleasant, experienced and ready to learn. Sandra was also staying at the Readsboro Inn where I was staying.<br />
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Monday morning we got started immediately with painting. We were given old fashioned pens to dip into paint and learned the proper consistency of the gooey globs of paint mixed with propylene glycol and water. I could have gone home after the first 30 minutes, because I had learned enough to forever change the way I painted! But it got better. It was a great start! We continued to play.<br />
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Monday afternoon we went to <a href="http://massmoca.org/">MassMoca</a>, a contemporary art museum in an industrial district of North Adams, MA. I discovered that Debora was actually located close to an urban and cultural hub bigger than nearly anything in Vermont! Her entire family was working there and supervised departments of operations. Debora was often involved with making work that was part of exhibiting artists' installations. <br />
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Detail from MassMoca installation by Debora Coombs of a design made by Michael Oatman.</div>
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Tuesday was an intense day of designing and cutting glass. We had been doing morning walks with Debora's friends in Readsboro. I had not come with any sketches or firm ideas, but rather a few visions bouncing in my head. I took a picture with my iPhone of the morning mist and mountain at a valley farm. I used it as the beginning of my design. It became the background of my garden scene.<br />
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12 hours later I had most of the overly ambitious project cut. Debora did not stop me from the nearly impossible undertaking. The day ended without dinner. Sandra and I foraged for food. We sat outside on the patio outside the inn. The peach I had was rotten, and the apple muffins were tasting like hard cider, so we tossed them and enjoyed a bit of wine, crackers and almond butter in the balmy moonlit night, happy and satisfied with our accomplishments of the day.<br />
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Shared baths at a country inn is not so bad when its kept clean, and it was. Sandra and I were the only guests Tuesday night. But it was unseasonably hot, so the fan provided was appreciated. As I came back from a wee hour pee, however, the fan had caused my door to slam shut and I was locked out! Stuck in the brightly lit hallway in nothing but a skimpy nightgown, I found a linen closet, grabbed a pillow and towel, and continued sleeping in an empty room on top of an unmade bed. In the morning as my cell phone alarm went off, we quickly found a key that worked and all was well.<br />
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Wednesday was all about painting. Sandra and Midge were doing trace lines. I was for the most part doing things quite untraditionally. I started with the foxgloves after Debora showed me a technique with a rounded nib that was perfect. It took some squinting and trials to see that it was working. I continued with experimental variations, creating my garden scape, all the while feeling that maybe I should have done a figure, a face, a larger animal or bird, definitely something simpler. But I was committed. I assured myself that I could pursue any of those ideas in the future with my newly learned techniques.<br />
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In contrast to Tuesday's dinner, Wednesday night ended with a lovely dinner at the upscale <a href="http://gramercybistro.com/">Gramercy Bistro</a> with Sandra in North Adams next to MassMoca.<br />
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Thursday morning I discovered that we were not alone in the inn. A male guest failed to lock the bathroom door. I did not have my glasses on, so I just pretended it did not happen.<br />
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Painting continued as we analyzed patterns and values, seeing the piece like layers of a stage set. Group critiques were helpful. Firings were rapid and numerous in Debora's state of the art kiln. I was amazed!<br />
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Thursday evening we visited Readsboro Glassworks, where our new walking friends, <a href="http://maryangusglass.com/">Mary Angus</a> and <a href="http://kwilliamlequier.com/">Bill Lequier</a> do amazing things with blown and etched glass. Midge, Sandra and I then went back to Debora's studio with gourmet pizzas from the Readsboro Inn. Debora was working late on her own project. She loves good food, but sometimes forgets to eat. She was appreciative and ate heartily.<br />
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On Friday morning as I drove up to the studio on Rue Madeline, a dirt road with a classy name, I misjudged the width and ended up in a ditch. AAA sent Debora's friend Mark, and glass painting resumed.<br />
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After viewing my work on the light table from the loft, I figured out what I needed to do and did it. I really had my project under control and had time to go back to experimentations. It was a tortoise and hare kind of experience. I plodded along to the finish line. The day ended with an Open House. Debora wanted to share with her friends the work she was doing. I waited by the fire pit for the last firing of the day to be complete and headed home, feeling very satisfied, with crackers and coffee for dinner, anxious to fit and solder <i>Hideaway</i>.<br />
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Detail of finished piece with added silver stain, making daisy centers.</div>
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Detail of sunflowers and foxgloves.</div>
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Now with the <a href="http://westoncraftshow.com/">Weston Craft Show</a> just a few weeks away, I will be spending the next few weeks applying what I learned in creating some new and exciting work!</div>
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Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-27880483767142271042013-02-04T19:39:00.000-08:002013-02-04T19:39:06.396-08:00Elegant Glass Bath AccentsGoing beyond your comfort level in trying new techniques and applications is always exciting. It started with the creation of a practical craft show item, fused coasters, which I introduced at the holiday craft shows and NJ galleries in November and December.<br />
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Bill and I had been wanting a major master bath makeover. I had a vision of coming home from a day of skiing and soaking in a warm bubbly bath. We bought an Ultra Bain air bubble tub with computerized controls and started gutting the room.<br />
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Then I thought why not add glass tiles to combine with ceramic tiles and Danby, Vermont quarried Eureka Marble?! There were a lot of trials and experiments before getting it right. That's how you learn.<br />
Below are the tiles fired and ready for installation in both the shower area and the bath.<br />
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Thanks to careful planning and the fine craftsmanship of our talented installer, it all came together.<br />
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The next details were the cabinet hardware. This was done with molds into which I piled smashed glass called "frit". A space was created to insert the hardware. It was kiln fired to 1465 degrees F and slowly cooled. Then a Dremel tool was used to fine tune the opening before cementing the hardware into the glass. I held my breath hoping the installation into the cabinet would go as planned. It did.</div>
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And then, finally, I couldn't stand seeing a cardboard tissue box on top of the lovely granite countertop, so a few extra test pieces became the inspiration for this box cover.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZRW1jdbF6XBechg3acdZ4KWCzmg3W8kIq7qm9K51w9ndioT-0jx5DB3xBjWmOmaaSfgCcmM86UuE3NlY5ePACtxN1VESr7I_KoncQqVK4oB3_f-WMdGEfnNxUUE9xv1Wf-_0hgrnZA4p/s1600/tissueboxcover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZRW1jdbF6XBechg3acdZ4KWCzmg3W8kIq7qm9K51w9ndioT-0jx5DB3xBjWmOmaaSfgCcmM86UuE3NlY5ePACtxN1VESr7I_KoncQqVK4oB3_f-WMdGEfnNxUUE9xv1Wf-_0hgrnZA4p/s320/tissueboxcover.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-4059590732723193302012-08-31T21:29:00.000-07:002012-09-02T08:57:13.837-07:00A Noisy Empty Nest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7BYoZq3JLNnXs6So0WNui1_3bW3chleeNkX0n0b1qz2Y1DsY03yL-PhG0mIFXr5DqXCxdll6_Y12YVEsXCzsYoi_QXTAZA3Ge-hL4PxeVAk9hD96wOIEnacdAdUJaUmUv-IADlzTR7Q-/s1600/bonniesbrownbunnyjpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7BYoZq3JLNnXs6So0WNui1_3bW3chleeNkX0n0b1qz2Y1DsY03yL-PhG0mIFXr5DqXCxdll6_Y12YVEsXCzsYoi_QXTAZA3Ge-hL4PxeVAk9hD96wOIEnacdAdUJaUmUv-IADlzTR7Q-/s320/bonniesbrownbunnyjpg.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
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There comes a time in most families when the children grow up and begin an independent life.<br />
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Having been a first time mom at age 36, I was able to postpone everything about parenting, including the empty nest. But it has happened. No longer do I have my art critic, fashion and technology consultant conveniently living in my household. My husband is great in many ways, but his computer knowledge, although comprehensive, is getting dated. Windows he knows, but Macs leave him in the dust.<br />
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So the part about the noise....<br />
I had imagined that things would be quiet at this stage of our lives, but what you may not know is the phenomenon known as live animals left behind!!!<br />
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This is the story:<br />
Many of our children finish college and can't land that career job immediately like we did "back in the day". I finished college in 3 1/2 years in the 70's and immediately had several offers for art teaching jobs. I also got married the day I finished college. I could not imagine living home with my parents. Back then we had secret lives and had to protect our parents from knowing too much about our lifestyles.<br />
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My daughter, Shasta, along with many talented young people, with or without teaching certificates, get jobs in the food industry. Not that there's anything wrong with that, except for the low pay. Hence, they live home. And in a perfect world, you enjoy them as a new live in best friend. And that's how it was for us.<br />
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You also feel a little pity for the child's sad financial situation and displaced social connections, so you agree to let them have a pet, so they don't get depressed, with the agreement that the pet goes with them when they move out. That sounds good, except the reality is that it doesn't always happen. For instance my friend's daughter moved to the wilds of Costa Rica with her surfing boyfriend and could not take her Beagle, "Cooper". Shasta now has 2 house rabbits. "Rocky", a big French Angora baby, was feeling a little depressed and needed a companion, thus "Rosy" arrived. For now they are here. She is waiting for the new roomies to get to know her first before she attempts to introduce them. Most people have never even heard of a <a href="http://www.rabbit.org/">house rabbit</a>.<br />
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The bonded pair live together in a penned area in the upstairs art and sewing studio and use a litter box. They are allowed to run around the room with supervision. Electrical cords MUST be covered for this activity. Just ask Rocky about that. Our bedroom is beneath the studio. Now you would assume a rabbit, being naturally silent, is quiet. This is true. But its movement that creates sound such as smashing, biting and shaking their metal pen, and thumping.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqmM_kJkepiS1l3p1j1zj65UHlg7dUb6Rlf7PrK6UQlTxyoMAUelPQQkTzjM8ncWtHtRr6J8lOcXoFzzM08FtKIoV13Edm6kjFG3vecr0OyhnspSrN8CO3gx_OklRFjm28Dzu9XStQsS0/s1600/bunnies_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqmM_kJkepiS1l3p1j1zj65UHlg7dUb6Rlf7PrK6UQlTxyoMAUelPQQkTzjM8ncWtHtRr6J8lOcXoFzzM08FtKIoV13Edm6kjFG3vecr0OyhnspSrN8CO3gx_OklRFjm28Dzu9XStQsS0/s320/bunnies_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tuesday night at 3am, after an exhausting day of interior painting, moving furniture, and a long drive, Rosy decided she was pissed about something and kept up a rhythmical THUMP for quite a while. Fortunately Joey the rooster was asleep. So Bill went up and found nothing wrong.<br />
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In the morning, because she and Rocky now share everything, the litter box was full.<br />
That was all!<br />
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Note:<br />
The stained glass rabbit, at the top of the post, was a custom piece made this spring. The violets are fused, and the details are painted and kiln fired. It is 6 inches high.Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-69638937538232943692012-07-11T11:51:00.000-07:002012-07-11T11:51:02.910-07:00A Secret Country Mill<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzf6EGtdz1gCGn0bxMaHLvr-Oj5hZnLrUThR7FZTUBAYmg2FKvwhn9oUnrcJo5-NhwW45UWyDgmpaUVSQnsY_q-wmcOUDld0m2Ow06CwafpaLCkL2no-HEXMKIiJHHJ6QGdnORFePaWSF/s1600/Walnford2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzf6EGtdz1gCGn0bxMaHLvr-Oj5hZnLrUThR7FZTUBAYmg2FKvwhn9oUnrcJo5-NhwW45UWyDgmpaUVSQnsY_q-wmcOUDld0m2Ow06CwafpaLCkL2no-HEXMKIiJHHJ6QGdnORFePaWSF/s400/Walnford2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tucked away in a remote corner of Monmouth Co. NJ is <a href="http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2541">Walnford</a>, a park with a fully functional restored mill and house. Its location is very close to busy Rt. 539, where hordes of ocean loving tourists head towards the Pine Barrens, in route to the world famous NJ beaches, but have no idea of its existence. It is lovely, functional, and museum like in its presentation of facts both historic and mechanical, thanks to the wonderful Monmouth County Park System.<br />
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I had seen it in the 1970’s, in the early years of Off the Wall Craft Gallery, my business then located at the newly restored and repurposed old mill in Allentown, NJ. The Walnford Mill was run down and the the house on the property was still being used as a residence. I visited it again in the early 1990’s with my young daughter. The house was empty, the mill was locked, but it was teeming with domestic geese. Then in 2008, after I closed that business, I had the time to go back again. Wow. All the buildings were open with guides, restored to pristine condition, inviting, and full of life. The large secluded property offered lots of privacy to enjoy some peace amongst nature.<br />
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This piece, “Life at Walnford”, depicts an accurate rendering of the building with a lot of artistic license in depicting the trees and plant life. The muddy shoreline and the geese everywhere is based on the memory of pleasant and playful times there with little <a href="http://www.shastaleigh.com/">Shasta</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rugnugWZxejNEPrqbC-qfI4mKYqI7eWlkgquEhB3k9VfloCRoJQLyuxxsnrivYUEMM2ka9uzISVDLk6FxSBpZlzoH_rI4HDfsJcfdnw0qi4-4G9SyLcqwXUfEAsQ_PYj-XNFkDKOtG_3/s1600/Walnforddetail1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rugnugWZxejNEPrqbC-qfI4mKYqI7eWlkgquEhB3k9VfloCRoJQLyuxxsnrivYUEMM2ka9uzISVDLk6FxSBpZlzoH_rI4HDfsJcfdnw0qi4-4G9SyLcqwXUfEAsQ_PYj-XNFkDKOtG_3/s320/Walnforddetail1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Friday my stained glass piece, “Life at Walnford”, will be featured in Bordentown, NJ, at the <a href="http://artfuldeposit.blogspot.com/">Artful Deposit Gallery</a>’s new show, “Along the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek”, July 13th to Aug. 19th. The opening is July 13th, 5 – 9 pm. <br />
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Here in Vermont I have tried to create a life that feels as good as those visits to <a href="http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2541">Walnford</a>.<br />
<br />Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-32041201388573434332012-06-10T19:43:00.000-07:002012-06-10T19:43:39.767-07:00Vermont Summer Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2w49cmD7n-vTQ9FrZPD930D1HZ38FnKmAbuARNnkax9d1545ABLg5KNlbSEK9e7KB7yu2NRm2VWyC-aHnR0ZbGtT3XRkneiCTr8mtXghxUUuhfbxfnPOfXggP5xCmoAQe-oDinZnk8-D/s1600/Thompsonsbomo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2w49cmD7n-vTQ9FrZPD930D1HZ38FnKmAbuARNnkax9d1545ABLg5KNlbSEK9e7KB7yu2NRm2VWyC-aHnR0ZbGtT3XRkneiCTr8mtXghxUUuhfbxfnPOfXggP5xCmoAQe-oDinZnk8-D/s320/Thompsonsbomo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 14px/22px georgia, times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">So...glass or gardening? Kayaking or copper foiling? The temperatures are perfect and the outdoors seduces me. New wild flowers appear and my vegetable garden needs constant nurturing. The chickens are loyal companions as we try to agree on where they can and cannot go. Chicken wire fences are appearing everywhere - prettier than dirt bath pits! Glass crafting often becomes a night time activity as I get into my zone, without any disturbances.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 14px/22px georgia, times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">This recently completed custom piece depicts early fall on Lake Bomoseen, our local water playground, with a big view of some of the Taconic Mountains, particularly Bird Mountain. I used glass painting in the water, some of the tree and the sailboat bottom. The tree is fused. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font: 14px/22px georgia, times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">My experience is that when riding on a boat of any kind, with or without a motor, you are swept away to a place in the mind that feels like vacation. That is why we came here!</span>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-10154485101766252862012-06-06T08:15:00.000-07:002012-06-06T08:15:26.307-07:00Stained Glass Design from Children's Art<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOzkNWXGX4qF2Qsz4QDuZG4hN2yfMnhSr-N4-dZAaRAPH2788ck4bc_1dCjb8Q6zDJYD99LwUO5z9nM4ums0Gx7s2PPpQCAddtWdT2DOyD4VI1nUCCLZmPyB-VntQfTnUH5IxkIlqsJDo/s1600/Mettaweedetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOzkNWXGX4qF2Qsz4QDuZG4hN2yfMnhSr-N4-dZAaRAPH2788ck4bc_1dCjb8Q6zDJYD99LwUO5z9nM4ums0Gx7s2PPpQCAddtWdT2DOyD4VI1nUCCLZmPyB-VntQfTnUH5IxkIlqsJDo/s320/Mettaweedetail.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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It was my pleasure to create a panel for the Mettawee Community School, West Pawlet, Vermont and to honor the founding principal, Nancy Marks.<br />
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The entire project was done from start to finish through e-mail communication. Design proposals were edited and sent for approval without the customer coming to my studio until it was finished.<br />
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This is 5th grader Lexa's full size watercolor painting:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2NKkAprE4Rg-QXGFxo-ojIML209-CW5otaR3gyniix7d85WSeD0dk2qColZIgDfhiIUyqkzi00S_3yh4JiYJKmFehC_hhng2RHTQPzQ8lUlxXNdkQpJe6UowxCkbSkIw1joJdTRC2R9L/s1600/mettaweestudentsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2NKkAprE4Rg-QXGFxo-ojIML209-CW5otaR3gyniix7d85WSeD0dk2qColZIgDfhiIUyqkzi00S_3yh4JiYJKmFehC_hhng2RHTQPzQ8lUlxXNdkQpJe6UowxCkbSkIw1joJdTRC2R9L/s320/mettaweestudentsketch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For further reference I was given a photograph of Haystack Mountain as seen from the school:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeB2vO58MnUNzu4vWlAvFEl4_Il1SJoK9cPgkc_03_2NW1fR2hJEwSXqZeVc7h5oaMp1K-3zEnTDwRDihHRe2ArPRUqtRrXC3g7wOHcm5gNBJh28pHGrvGfBXD5yks5hE7ROkKX-w_pCT/s1600/Haystack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeB2vO58MnUNzu4vWlAvFEl4_Il1SJoK9cPgkc_03_2NW1fR2hJEwSXqZeVc7h5oaMp1K-3zEnTDwRDihHRe2ArPRUqtRrXC3g7wOHcm5gNBJh28pHGrvGfBXD5yks5hE7ROkKX-w_pCT/s320/Haystack.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the design I proposal I sent by e-mail. :<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IKfpAdcLYNeuaIIo3rowIA8V6DLzzn3sGX1ESIBT3Hw2O2-B2paOcWPTlGhcPY-JnUkn_kpsfPqmGhrVIgtw8Erms4rdI2KzN96H9lqZiMW077_BtfENL5WDN1V8LNFvLVze5SGEQ65c/s1600/mettaweeschool2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IKfpAdcLYNeuaIIo3rowIA8V6DLzzn3sGX1ESIBT3Hw2O2-B2paOcWPTlGhcPY-JnUkn_kpsfPqmGhrVIgtw8Erms4rdI2KzN96H9lqZiMW077_BtfENL5WDN1V8LNFvLVze5SGEQ65c/s400/mettaweeschool2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The writing and some details were painted with vitreous glass and permanently kiln fired before assembly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiBiF8VTKUdHTPiVt_gG2nQJniXG-fUEtSjyBwq8PoOUF4UboVGuaUa3pcpfSNOsZQHUstCnvdpD_PJV009Cvo2uyxG4SAOC12pP01JMbgrzYuRo_CweTMFOtSQIPRapqVrDBc-5VsCP_/s1600/mettaweeschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiBiF8VTKUdHTPiVt_gG2nQJniXG-fUEtSjyBwq8PoOUF4UboVGuaUa3pcpfSNOsZQHUstCnvdpD_PJV009Cvo2uyxG4SAOC12pP01JMbgrzYuRo_CweTMFOtSQIPRapqVrDBc-5VsCP_/s400/mettaweeschool.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Above is the finished stained glass window. </div>
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<br /> </div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-89158572267951730512012-04-28T22:31:00.000-07:002012-04-29T19:04:21.251-07:00Chicken Art in Brandon<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsk_NT8jDwULFMZQVq2kI1po5BrSgxcKfW5ih-bSiX-PVTlpQUwvaAk7H_8VlbX3Z6CMuvYm6UmCOaQFNIN1Jxcw010QD8hFEEYWZOQtT2F6Qs5Nm-BGtD2J-ziLwhXN7Bkmu3Ue1BGLL/s1600/jandjingardendetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsk_NT8jDwULFMZQVq2kI1po5BrSgxcKfW5ih-bSiX-PVTlpQUwvaAk7H_8VlbX3Z6CMuvYm6UmCOaQFNIN1Jxcw010QD8hFEEYWZOQtT2F6Qs5Nm-BGtD2J-ziLwhXN7Bkmu3Ue1BGLL/s320/jandjingardendetail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is a tradition in Brandon, VT to get attention as an art community by the visual impact created by generous volunteers and members of the juried cooperative group of artists exhibiting at the <a href="http://www.brandonartistsguild.org/">Brandon Artists Guild</a>. I am very proud to be a part of this group. It is a lot of fun to interact with these talented people as we gather together for painting projects. This year we are asking the question,</div>
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<strong> "What's Hatching in Brandon?".</strong></div>
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It will be a big visual impact in the town and a lot of colorful FUN!!</div>
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In addition to decorating the town, the Brandon Artists Guild will be showing and selling themed art work by the members in a variety of media. The following pictures show the progression of my piece. It started last year, when I purchased 16 baby chicks. They are my models and inspiration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvB_xGkwNiLRVlhpDGwpxR-MP8ETe_O3YIat7TK51ahkKn5ib5I0uXgsDenSIaDV4m3wzYeIAvVNFrLFez3NbvTsKL0kcVIwOXPlR6TxTeWobNE6WT-zU0gymGShtq6j7Lm5jtPup_-Ci/s1600/mychickenmodels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvB_xGkwNiLRVlhpDGwpxR-MP8ETe_O3YIat7TK51ahkKn5ib5I0uXgsDenSIaDV4m3wzYeIAvVNFrLFez3NbvTsKL0kcVIwOXPlR6TxTeWobNE6WT-zU0gymGShtq6j7Lm5jtPup_-Ci/s320/mychickenmodels.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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A Barred Rock and Rhode Island Red.</div>
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I named all of them, but eventually it became difficult to tell them apart.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O6f9qya7AbBCeVu16t-SWOQ5KkZBRUyFBah75vhPPQQ2U00gzW8N7wbWt39z7fGnXDnv9f4zXWOW7Nhjm-57FyhGJUTaIjwxtkZ8Z36AjZYiM4nn1rudibveLDJNC6QKQOhbAtOKPKsG/s1600/Little+Joey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O6f9qya7AbBCeVu16t-SWOQ5KkZBRUyFBah75vhPPQQ2U00gzW8N7wbWt39z7fGnXDnv9f4zXWOW7Nhjm-57FyhGJUTaIjwxtkZ8Z36AjZYiM4nn1rudibveLDJNC6QKQOhbAtOKPKsG/s320/Little+Joey.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We ordered 3 Silver Laced Wyandotte hens. I named them Barbie, Joanie, and Patty, after my sisters. When I finally figured out why they had fancy tails and crowed, I renamed them Buddy, Joey, and Patrick, and then called them the "brothers". We kept Joey, the gentlest, and found homes for the others. </div>
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I desided to use the composition of the first photo but switch the Red for Joey, keeping the chickens black and white with a contrast of "kaleido-flowers" in random spontaneous patterns. </div>
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I used all Bullseye glass that I recently purchased.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFO0kO2o5by0QzeKGmTaziyYAamYNq_L1TQGggmCikuh9dJXSYYIHZBZfv_VZ3aCdRFkKwLT3u_WT5wCMgx6mHNzysOIHm0xklv0abKbF8ezgsWD8yzWoQuG8X9fG4ueon4XU2aBp9QVv/s1600/Chickenartsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFO0kO2o5by0QzeKGmTaziyYAamYNq_L1TQGggmCikuh9dJXSYYIHZBZfv_VZ3aCdRFkKwLT3u_WT5wCMgx6mHNzysOIHm0xklv0abKbF8ezgsWD8yzWoQuG8X9fG4ueon4XU2aBp9QVv/s320/Chickenartsketch.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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Dichroic glass has the unique characteristic of totally different color based on transmitted or reflected light.</div>
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The opening for this show is May 25th at the Brandon Artists Guild<br />
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7 Center Street Brandon, VT 05733<br />
802-247-4956<br />
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<br /></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-39843091662133337422012-04-05T17:48:00.005-07:002012-04-05T18:30:44.550-07:00A Brief Vermont Winter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheolhlXSPTwVRLkv-ZRiXI8eqvAa2YibIO0QU5XjakFrX9g7GoOGbfPpx8fepJ55gBNYLNACGi8EdYbHH6KiZgSiwT8j3EiPxdRwHGEd-5Luh5UtWEUd9fxGazhsUudZnjq3cCbWtxNluM/s1600/skirundreaminwindow.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheolhlXSPTwVRLkv-ZRiXI8eqvAa2YibIO0QU5XjakFrX9g7GoOGbfPpx8fepJ55gBNYLNACGi8EdYbHH6KiZgSiwT8j3EiPxdRwHGEd-5Luh5UtWEUd9fxGazhsUudZnjq3cCbWtxNluM/s400/skirundreaminwindow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728084017510875362" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><b>"Ski Run Dream"</b></u></span></div><br /><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">In the spirit of giving to a cause of great personal passion, I created this panel for the 2012 <a href="http://www.vermontadaptive.org/">Vermont Adaptive</a> Ski and Sport's Ski Challenge Auction. A square of white/clear swirly glass is painted and fired, with a layer of 3 soldered pieces behind it to add more color. The beveled border makes a prismatic brilliance. I observed a Tiffany window at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC where layers of glass were placed behind the panel to create enhanced color affects and softened lines. Tiffany studios created special glass with actual textures and colors specific for a project and painted details were used sparingly. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">The stand was made by my friend Dick Kirby of Brandon. Dick volunteered on the Pico Mtn. Ski Patrol for many years, possibly starting some time in the 50's into the 80's. He is over 80 now and is very active creating fine metal work sold at the <a href="http://brandonartistsguild.org/">Brandon Artists Guild</a>. </div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I typically volunteer at Pico Mountain, and occasionally at Killington, 2 or more days a week from Christmas to April. So it was very sad that the March heat wave melted away the remaining snow, bringing the season to a grinding halt. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">It is hard to imagine how it would feel to live with a disability. Some of our children have lived with it their entire lives, but many of our adults have had to transition into difficult challenges and acceptance of becoming disabled. I worked with a partially blind young woman <span style="font-size: 100%; ">ex-Marine this winter from Nevada. Her vision impairment is recent and possibly related to serving in the military. She was very happy to learn to ski! Our clients get great joy and satisfaction in their skiing experiences. This is a gift we can give to them.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">So now Vermont Adaptive has plans to build a permanent building for offices, equipment, volunteers, and clients at Pico. You can help with a donation through <a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/">www.firstgiving.com</a>, then specify "Vermont Adaptive". Thank you.</div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-85089526639204429842011-07-13T11:49:00.000-07:002011-07-13T20:02:46.565-07:00"Art Makes Brandon Tick" and other Auction PromotionsThe big question is this:<br /><strong>"Why should an artist spend so much time and talent just to give away work?"</strong><br /><br />This winter I volunteered at Pico Mtn. assisting disabled individuals with skiing and the enjoyment of winter with the <a href="http://www.vermontadaptive.org/">http://www.vermontadaptive.org/</a> program. I made many new friends and had a fabulous first winter in Vermont.<br /><br />The Vermont Adaptive Ski Challenge event included a dinner and auction for which I made this piece, based on the logo found on the jackets. This piece reinforces that I am a glass artist to a new audience.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTy8ylquWmkXXQFwAzFTUBVIdtWjT29CUK7twhek9l0QxjOO31QaieTiNrZrM6c5RwBx-lL0haWOdGLliXkonslo0_ExjI4S6ythIU8fJ3rylH7tSN-7ijvJernFpAK20H510tEGYL5VC/s1600/VASS+Logo+SG.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 347px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628918065538785090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTy8ylquWmkXXQFwAzFTUBVIdtWjT29CUK7twhek9l0QxjOO31QaieTiNrZrM6c5RwBx-lL0haWOdGLliXkonslo0_ExjI4S6ythIU8fJ3rylH7tSN-7ijvJernFpAK20H510tEGYL5VC/s400/VASS+Logo+SG.jpg" /></a><br />The town of Brandon is a charming historic town and art center in central Vermont. I am thrilled to be a juried member of the Brandon Artists Guild, <a href="http://www.brandonartistsguild.org/">http://www.brandonartistsguild.org/</a>. They have a great reputaion in the state and a tradition of doing an annual auction in which a theme is chosen, and the members make extraordinary work which is exhibited all summer long and then auctioned in the fall. This year the theme is clocks.<br /><br />Of course my personal goal was to create an outstanding piece to launch myself as a Vermont artist. What I didn't expect was the numerous "firsts" this work was for me in expanding my skills and techniques. I postponed completing custom work (earning money) but learned so much! I fused, painted, fired, etched, drilled, glued and grouted. The final challenges were installing the clock works and electrical illumination. The outcome was knowledge and skill for <strong>ME.</strong> It was far more effective than anything I could have gotten out of taking a class. There is a lot to be said for being self taught.<br /><br />My peers were impressed. Warren Kimble gave it a triple "wow"!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYJuJ5HasKuYIhAjgF0hL22-8PcXyGtgwxueHuWWrw39QC6wS_IvgiEfIZTGtlStiwkgXZ6o4UL2xfIzEDzuwiACUUHII_MXXtDY9iCotT4-hmTAYfM56JkqtOenTx0lkOEct9WBSns3s/s1600/Brandon+Clock.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 154px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628918060047225138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYJuJ5HasKuYIhAjgF0hL22-8PcXyGtgwxueHuWWrw39QC6wS_IvgiEfIZTGtlStiwkgXZ6o4UL2xfIzEDzuwiACUUHII_MXXtDY9iCotT4-hmTAYfM56JkqtOenTx0lkOEct9WBSns3s/s400/Brandon+Clock.jpg" /></a><br />The next auction request was for mirror frames for the Lion's Club auction, "Reflections of Brandon". I surprised myself by making 2 pieces. I knew I wanted to do the waterfall in a rectangular shape, but I also had a vision of a square piece featuring architectural details. My assistant from NJ, Tom McMenamin, took over 100 pictures throughout the town, giving me many great possibilities. The corners were done with Vermont slate from my own property. I used fired vitreous glass paint to create some interesting details. Wood strips outline the frame inside and out. Mosaic techniques complete the frame.<br />(The mirrors were added later where you see bark. I took the pictures in front of a tree.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId915DiMBFzr29CQo3wGPbjNP3akJPRPweMN1XqzsqpxkacLXtWwLqlr02vCDfrHdEDrDDPxtMA0y66MXhlCxZKnRDrEByBh2WZXR5pd3fAsTBpS5K68qkDprM-ehO1KlaQhJfXDBcojD/s1600/Brandon+Architecture+frame.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 399px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628918055036052882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId915DiMBFzr29CQo3wGPbjNP3akJPRPweMN1XqzsqpxkacLXtWwLqlr02vCDfrHdEDrDDPxtMA0y66MXhlCxZKnRDrEByBh2WZXR5pd3fAsTBpS5K68qkDprM-ehO1KlaQhJfXDBcojD/s400/Brandon+Architecture+frame.jpg" /></a><br />Nothing in Brandon is more spectacular then then the Neshobe River running through the center of town, cascading next to a tiny park, where I cherish moments with coffee and treats from Gourmet Provence, sister to Cafe Provence, <a href="http://www.cafeprovencevt.com/">http://www.cafeprovencevt.com/</a>, an outstanding place!<br /><br />Rather than fired painted details, I used conventional drawing and painting techniques with transparent glass on top. I was able to do a colorful sky, windows, ferns, and more. The flowers are textural details of fused glass. Real slate rock is included. It is finished as a mosaic.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUGbMB-pdKRDO0iR447-swTJPPTuE3iGeax6dNeRwly0byH-1BXNa0UOU1XIxQRtXs-TdbpcXRmYZk7H6HFQqnyGxFySCcPu-2tGqELHfLpYaTnsILXT60DwIuOZ8UM14xM99qD_9P17y/s1600/Brandon+Waterfall+frame.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628918050446107666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUGbMB-pdKRDO0iR447-swTJPPTuE3iGeax6dNeRwly0byH-1BXNa0UOU1XIxQRtXs-TdbpcXRmYZk7H6HFQqnyGxFySCcPu-2tGqELHfLpYaTnsILXT60DwIuOZ8UM14xM99qD_9P17y/s400/Brandon+Waterfall+frame.jpg" /></a> Well, the answer is that it is for <strong>you.</strong> It is an opportunity to promote and expand yourself in ways you would have never done otherwise. Some of my best work over the years has been gifts for family and close friends. Motivation can simply be generosity.Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-61739662930115474672010-11-28T16:02:00.001-08:002010-11-28T16:05:15.714-08:00Forest Family Portrait III<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnky-UM5nqGrgYyB6mwAOgymZbYG96PSVQjbyAptMTHGhhq8Oxn8s64UKvEKGOREfRLqR-IBiLxFzruwi99FfPIqKqwpO4NnU_afCqPUiUAyDGYjy2yPX_VGovXyhPFdwk3cI-rOKfL5aI/s1600/Detail+KL+Panel.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544755906908313586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnky-UM5nqGrgYyB6mwAOgymZbYG96PSVQjbyAptMTHGhhq8Oxn8s64UKvEKGOREfRLqR-IBiLxFzruwi99FfPIqKqwpO4NnU_afCqPUiUAyDGYjy2yPX_VGovXyhPFdwk3cI-rOKfL5aI/s400/Detail+KL+Panel.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Uh8U6_eNM-7n70IeQu8slY1T4NrTNH8VUfLyuaSE1JUgTKNnJFelVsHoOQatQwwsni7E7RRsvEDHr3b2vC4enyYNn649GSc6SbwkM0YYNiuicBEG_2LGdPe3JAoRDhhtklpl9sIsvRNL/s1600/Kim+Lynch+Family+SG.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 384px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544755901691037218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Uh8U6_eNM-7n70IeQu8slY1T4NrTNH8VUfLyuaSE1JUgTKNnJFelVsHoOQatQwwsni7E7RRsvEDHr3b2vC4enyYNn649GSc6SbwkM0YYNiuicBEG_2LGdPe3JAoRDhhtklpl9sIsvRNL/s400/Kim+Lynch+Family+SG.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-31910767677191827202010-11-28T15:33:00.000-08:002010-11-28T16:07:46.437-08:00Forest Family Portrait II<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cRc5m9iz4yl6yIG_otDzBz7rv5iDsJtuoxrsm_H-FKmDU7coHUDM1QYUkAag7fp7wHWgSo9NZehRaxtzV9AbHQMkH_wGQMpgU4Ev5XqDyD-dV0HRSnhszg-rfq6J1UtQBH94_dVyk_Kd/s1600/Cut+Pieces+KL.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 333px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544752378330444578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cRc5m9iz4yl6yIG_otDzBz7rv5iDsJtuoxrsm_H-FKmDU7coHUDM1QYUkAag7fp7wHWgSo9NZehRaxtzV9AbHQMkH_wGQMpgU4Ev5XqDyD-dV0HRSnhszg-rfq6J1UtQBH94_dVyk_Kd/s200/Cut+Pieces+KL.JPG" /></a> The cut pieces of the panel ready to be painted.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4eQ8_Z1b3p8IuGR7AShnXq01j_fhlxSigztYlsyeIcfpl_rd3KAiZWO3QhJSPoboVSrlzfSCg9vw_UBJubeg9BCjmImDEVFi3pix_o5DpRkASM_zxhMYKyJAJ0FGPxRebNXiLHLWfN5E/s1600/Painting+Tools+KL.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544749674381599266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4eQ8_Z1b3p8IuGR7AShnXq01j_fhlxSigztYlsyeIcfpl_rd3KAiZWO3QhJSPoboVSrlzfSCg9vw_UBJubeg9BCjmImDEVFi3pix_o5DpRkASM_zxhMYKyJAJ0FGPxRebNXiLHLWfN5E/s200/Painting+Tools+KL.JPG" /></a> Painting tools:</div><br /><div align="left">Reusche Powder pigments</div><br /><div align="left">Gum Arabic</div><br /><div align="left">Water</div><br /><div align="left">Brushes</div><br /><div align="left">Wood scraping tools </div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QVLIINrGp7RcsyX_FhYHGRPdqBLiUF9Dw7jz1zYePrVtducnS9xn2t_qF_h_eAhTJT1SrqU7uG8QKVPiORjgTS51w2CRQpUsHscSv1vToOI65iAEd9LCuYOQ1f57_fWFVolyxjg_RZTh/s1600/Lump+of+Paint+KL.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 379px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544750883979931458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QVLIINrGp7RcsyX_FhYHGRPdqBLiUF9Dw7jz1zYePrVtducnS9xn2t_qF_h_eAhTJT1SrqU7uG8QKVPiORjgTS51w2CRQpUsHscSv1vToOI65iAEd9LCuYOQ1f57_fWFVolyxjg_RZTh/s200/Lump+of+Paint+KL.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Glistening lump of mixed paint<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspXrhGdMWr6xWCh1VE-f3xsmTkXRW5lyUrA5JauZ1Klyn0BSF8JOxpdWPDcOiWe0OVP6keh13ul4Grxlh49Pdcs5rAtMIgn4MENoHcaZpQqL3QSYljyaS_rM72wlyvi7Y4og8MMVoMakH/s1600/Kim+Lynch+Family.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 239px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544749620007328642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspXrhGdMWr6xWCh1VE-f3xsmTkXRW5lyUrA5JauZ1Klyn0BSF8JOxpdWPDcOiWe0OVP6keh13ul4Grxlh49Pdcs5rAtMIgn4MENoHcaZpQqL3QSYljyaS_rM72wlyvi7Y4og8MMVoMakH/s200/Kim+Lynch+Family.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">The Family photo reference </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBSy489DbVkCeXaBCVhPd7VOv-itrvAEpW55U5X4VQXbOa6qjZEqbJP6ChlXaQZE9T02dAmD6eqN7eNnS-lYjOoBHEX1VAhJfAjQORarHrEJhJhMHu2CpFlbcIWZ_NwNe00iOpC_VRLtd/s1600/Unfired+Figures+KL.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 239px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 380px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544749635308285938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBSy489DbVkCeXaBCVhPd7VOv-itrvAEpW55U5X4VQXbOa6qjZEqbJP6ChlXaQZE9T02dAmD6eqN7eNnS-lYjOoBHEX1VAhJfAjQORarHrEJhJhMHu2CpFlbcIWZ_NwNe00iOpC_VRLtd/s200/Unfired+Figures+KL.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">The painted figures on the light table, unfired.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBSy489DbVkCeXaBCVhPd7VOv-itrvAEpW55U5X4VQXbOa6qjZEqbJP6ChlXaQZE9T02dAmD6eqN7eNnS-lYjOoBHEX1VAhJfAjQORarHrEJhJhMHu2CpFlbcIWZ_NwNe00iOpC_VRLtd/s1600/Unfired+Figures+KL.jpg"></a></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-55859672369723916272010-11-18T08:19:00.000-08:002010-11-28T15:33:31.818-08:00Forest Family Portrait<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnJiYstq6qvB4wfzeWIL2u-LuT6SUh0ZQjNPEG1PqCDJUpNdaA7Y8R9Z_hXn7j_DJNr6XFl15sgTaMG0kTXXIJMBt-5xMjXRExrynbqXPEndFX_pXmu_eFZjHzdj_tfz2BN98b9LLZ6Bf/s1600/Kim+Lynch+Family.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540925574442953058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnJiYstq6qvB4wfzeWIL2u-LuT6SUh0ZQjNPEG1PqCDJUpNdaA7Y8R9Z_hXn7j_DJNr6XFl15sgTaMG0kTXXIJMBt-5xMjXRExrynbqXPEndFX_pXmu_eFZjHzdj_tfz2BN98b9LLZ6Bf/s200/Kim+Lynch+Family.jpg" /></a> In the style of my favorite creation, I have been commissioned to do a family portait in the spirit of "Dancing in the Forest". Above is the Glass Eye design. Glass Eye is a CAD (computer assisted design) program that enables me to draw with my mouse and e-mail the progression of the design to the customer. I started this design Sunday at the Cafe Provence in Brandon, VT after having a yummy quiche brunch. <a href="http://www.cafeprovencevt.com/">http://www.cafeprovencevt.com/</a>. I was drinking coffee and waiting to start my training at the <a href="http://www.brandonartistsguild.org/">http://www.brandonartistsguild.org/</a> Brandon Artists Guild, where I am now a Juried Member. Read more about Brandon on my web site blog, <a href="http://www.karendeets.com/pages/Blog.htm">www.karendeets.com/pages/Blog.htm</a> .<br /><br />The young NJ family is a handsome group with varied skin tones, thus making the tree trunks interesting in the diversity. Details will be painted and fired. I will post the progression.<br /><br /><br /><div></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-88007908876676121572010-02-03T17:39:00.000-08:002010-02-03T18:06:27.999-08:00Mums in the Garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4N-rJQE8nJ-1A-fIDL3WN3BRhxZpCvQZ6_sawZUKX5T4DzsD0ZLpGgasK2ATxi-m7VrkKGQsAjA31y6yCQ9MyWwRCYe-KYPtiw3uO0cwpQKOHogmql89qpEQ_Y20mc5UOMeudAdHTK3Z/s1600-h/Mums+detail.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434197678628794898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4N-rJQE8nJ-1A-fIDL3WN3BRhxZpCvQZ6_sawZUKX5T4DzsD0ZLpGgasK2ATxi-m7VrkKGQsAjA31y6yCQ9MyWwRCYe-KYPtiw3uO0cwpQKOHogmql89qpEQ_Y20mc5UOMeudAdHTK3Z/s200/Mums+detail.JPG" /></a> I have an idea:<br />If bulldozers continue to carve up the rural countryside and plant housing developments everywhere, why not bulldoze rotting buildings in the cities and farm it!<br />When I observed several years ago in Trenton an entire block in rubbles, I thought to myself, why not add some top soil and farm this area? But to my surprise, in a short time, the Sovereign Bank Arena appeared.<br /><br />Recently I became aware of an opportunity to help see a little bit of this idea become a reality. Artworks of Trenton, <a href="http://www.artworkstrenton.com/">http://www.artworkstrenton.com/</a> , is sponsoring a fund raiser for STARS, South Trenton Area Residents Society, <a href="http://www.trentonstars.org/">http://www.trentonstars.org/</a> , to start a community urban garden project. There are several <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">locations</span> in Trenton where you can pick up a blank 9" heart to finish anyway you like. They have to be turned in by Feb. 20<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span>, and then on Feb. 27<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> they will be displayed at Artworks and auctioned off, with bids starting at $5.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqIqAQyzQGS6mxMJhSK8j2Hs8pYgFPvnwl5g6Yg50dKxvAc1Cbh0mkgoi5vo2e7a9DPzHVkNFUJKlRz7-EIywXFw3FCeixuhLecpjI31PcJlBr3BHSsLxzZ5GusC5e4oo7Nn1jyobb80w/s1600-h/Mums+in+the+Garden.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 388px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434197386334862738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqIqAQyzQGS6mxMJhSK8j2Hs8pYgFPvnwl5g6Yg50dKxvAc1Cbh0mkgoi5vo2e7a9DPzHVkNFUJKlRz7-EIywXFw3FCeixuhLecpjI31PcJlBr3BHSsLxzZ5GusC5e4oo7Nn1jyobb80w/s400/Mums+in+the+Garden.JPG" /></a><br />My heart is called "Mums in the Garden". There is a young mother standing outside, an old mother in the right window, and a mother cat in the left window, in addition to the obvious chrysanthemums. It is composed of glass pieces with a mosaic technique. Some of the pieces are fuse fired and some are fired again with painted details. Acrylic paint is applied with a palette knife in the sky area.<br /><br /><div></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-4091513404646464522010-01-21T18:28:00.000-08:002010-01-21T18:52:25.053-08:00Through the Camera Lense<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGCTvaqxGGJLyz4Je3d5D1M8WYv51yMdNa65w25CruHcD_PsAHeo2KIr-ZYOne-n_4f7Eb502n3IgaFsoX-o3bWeJhj1GUfnes2feFSwVdEpJJXEDqrWcduEPkwIBt0ForFSKZyGrrhkD/s1600-h/Through+the+Camera+Lense.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429386104052300882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGCTvaqxGGJLyz4Je3d5D1M8WYv51yMdNa65w25CruHcD_PsAHeo2KIr-ZYOne-n_4f7Eb502n3IgaFsoX-o3bWeJhj1GUfnes2feFSwVdEpJJXEDqrWcduEPkwIBt0ForFSKZyGrrhkD/s320/Through+the+Camera+Lense.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This commission offered me the opportunity to further develop technique in painting, especially shading with crosshatching, foliage, and reflections. The tiny monarch butterfly below is a smaller than my thumb nail.<br /><br />The concept of the piece is to show the perspective of a photographer in seeing detail in a large landscape, further emphasized with the contrast of black and white versus vibrant color.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJdoeO26dWML0qJCtrSVLQqv3KRCddkk8tmOE261e8St_H1h6VbXd1bLvBlEKHLrqlcuN-D5m3dVEtB3tzq5taqK-hSa8DL8G337MCQLS1vvh23fMBovOdtaORVZWTywmmMM1Ry7hotNx/s1600-h/TTCL+Detail.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429386101658611554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJdoeO26dWML0qJCtrSVLQqv3KRCddkk8tmOE261e8St_H1h6VbXd1bLvBlEKHLrqlcuN-D5m3dVEtB3tzq5taqK-hSa8DL8G337MCQLS1vvh23fMBovOdtaORVZWTywmmMM1Ry7hotNx/s320/TTCL+Detail.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div></div></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-4066371482927421722010-01-10T20:57:00.000-08:002010-01-21T18:51:21.592-08:00Hot Stuff in the KitchenThe top image shows the installed scenes of Allentown, NJ, focusing on the old mill on Main St. where I spent nearly 32 years operating Off the Wall Craft Gallery. To the left is the lake, and to the right is Doctor's Creek in Heritage Park, my new favorite woodland playground.<br /><br />Each tile was created from Spectrum System 96 glass, and fired to 1450 degrees. Then each piece was painted with vitreous glass paint and fired to 1250 degrees.<br /><br />The installation is in my own home on S. Main St. This was my first time making and installing tiles and I was quite happy with the results!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ4ztaB_dCJXbXpEl3782xAbm64yta8JE4-hqUmu0-Ueu7hyphenhyphensCVwPygwuWG-Gsip03ErhxF2JFD-EmyQ7Q6b2vstcttXtt2MWceKCt949LdH_NpwQfLPaXWp2uTH7Vid5vKX6WqdWUyUy/s1600-h/Kitchen+Tiles.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 63px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425346029641130482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ4ztaB_dCJXbXpEl3782xAbm64yta8JE4-hqUmu0-Ueu7hyphenhyphensCVwPygwuWG-Gsip03ErhxF2JFD-EmyQ7Q6b2vstcttXtt2MWceKCt949LdH_NpwQfLPaXWp2uTH7Vid5vKX6WqdWUyUy/s400/Kitchen+Tiles.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDG5k-1HJmAFzqDVR6WBi09HVIgbBiB-TabUb3QFioNkYAdHpnJvX9IDVP2lKoz4mx-ZtbCySbf5QVTAW35zVB2_S54KTJ_ZtUyKZNZQbPM_L4JxaiekFuQvkTaYNtgbm8T-xB6pS4Afl/s1600-h/Mill+Tile.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425345749926829874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDG5k-1HJmAFzqDVR6WBi09HVIgbBiB-TabUb3QFioNkYAdHpnJvX9IDVP2lKoz4mx-ZtbCySbf5QVTAW35zVB2_S54KTJ_ZtUyKZNZQbPM_L4JxaiekFuQvkTaYNtgbm8T-xB6pS4Afl/s400/Mill+Tile.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTH9o3tIHZ9TkU7-JozVmnw_U0QN1Gb7Vl9j31tBxhtdYvAJJtG_zp_1zr2CBYfKJrIj6ZhcqyVHKg-xToDgUtUewbVIByiN8fPzJSR94EeDVeiqbbT2g89bRoNIW7sB3n6KgbkxyjVL_/s1600-h/Lake+Tile.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425345749266388898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTH9o3tIHZ9TkU7-JozVmnw_U0QN1Gb7Vl9j31tBxhtdYvAJJtG_zp_1zr2CBYfKJrIj6ZhcqyVHKg-xToDgUtUewbVIByiN8fPzJSR94EeDVeiqbbT2g89bRoNIW7sB3n6KgbkxyjVL_/s400/Lake+Tile.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu8riO9-lPxxHXAteq9gsbQBtZeWJoIKx-ROsXjT0Uio8q5Dv4LYXIAd3UorH24PqSjyit8BNFtzmWmgh8EMrzHGZ_-fwWPfVnL_1Uh_gjMzy8sMhnvtj-am6ajyhm_g8cC0drxuvH4q_/s1600-h/Creek+Tile.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425345738077135762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu8riO9-lPxxHXAteq9gsbQBtZeWJoIKx-ROsXjT0Uio8q5Dv4LYXIAd3UorH24PqSjyit8BNFtzmWmgh8EMrzHGZ_-fwWPfVnL_1Uh_gjMzy8sMhnvtj-am6ajyhm_g8cC0drxuvH4q_/s400/Creek+Tile.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHhylna5m1ZJYF0yCk4jIOP6PQxr5PWp2aKs2h2CXzjH28P1R5l-wXTYJpqkbMADRMP6ijTeax0ZgYMBvZqK7lYFy0BEFPfB2hTHoGs5yjzFQmB-FQRwpab01Fy-2o1aMHhfttqLaw9mf/s1600-h/Right+Tile.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425345733710696002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHhylna5m1ZJYF0yCk4jIOP6PQxr5PWp2aKs2h2CXzjH28P1R5l-wXTYJpqkbMADRMP6ijTeax0ZgYMBvZqK7lYFy0BEFPfB2hTHoGs5yjzFQmB-FQRwpab01Fy-2o1aMHhfttqLaw9mf/s400/Right+Tile.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-54130527524546752102010-01-08T21:53:00.000-08:002010-01-10T20:57:08.161-08:00Forest Fantasy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSQDFKiB459PzD6nDXUXyNeMlE_45gbPNLFlHF-VlTYc5Uu4-RIShkj-gV46VQMBPQ6Nzgr-f_xAvukmuCINKwjyKaKjMto4KEbQrUMleWvYS4yZiWSTbwIg-9HWyy1MrFMspKerSGC5A/s1600-h/Forest+fantasy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425341608559001250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSQDFKiB459PzD6nDXUXyNeMlE_45gbPNLFlHF-VlTYc5Uu4-RIShkj-gV46VQMBPQ6Nzgr-f_xAvukmuCINKwjyKaKjMto4KEbQrUMleWvYS4yZiWSTbwIg-9HWyy1MrFMspKerSGC5A/s400/Forest+fantasy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIydkfo98f6NVpEicMMmeTnL1k-PAlBgcIG49n3Z5EtpCqI_y0h7NbIGbQ34R38oR8zP3m4DdzbBA5tsRy82zPezS-Ds7Ofb7M0MlKdabIyS2q4oG5TqI0AmtUCBWGDw_7Rir4-fzYcKL/s1600-h/Forest+fantasy.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKfyKlu7QwE-ymYVagQa_st1wuJBC9RujXHZyv-5yOUlA5n3hquw67XqxmZBDyTkjxx0Lr0qpSQScUezsJHeGgNfAPbV5b3VaLA_z7VY5xZ52knZg4afJvfecJTV3j8g7jAcTenfSJRIK/s1600-h/Forest+fantasy+detail+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425341024078828914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKfyKlu7QwE-ymYVagQa_st1wuJBC9RujXHZyv-5yOUlA5n3hquw67XqxmZBDyTkjxx0Lr0qpSQScUezsJHeGgNfAPbV5b3VaLA_z7VY5xZ52knZg4afJvfecJTV3j8g7jAcTenfSJRIK/s320/Forest+fantasy+detail+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOiuJ6sOI_11qTERcW90zYolkSbaMq6HPzLpGLTJfM7u3HvbMjPJrzqwrPqmYAWBeqkNTlaSU8kWYbWNH3y2M1aX6mpdkkk90I7-vi3wXzpgTuFp6tU8_fg67DXT2tGqBGUnBWdPjH45D/s1600-h/Forest+fantasy+detail+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425341018498284722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOiuJ6sOI_11qTERcW90zYolkSbaMq6HPzLpGLTJfM7u3HvbMjPJrzqwrPqmYAWBeqkNTlaSU8kWYbWNH3y2M1aX6mpdkkk90I7-vi3wXzpgTuFp6tU8_fg67DXT2tGqBGUnBWdPjH45D/s320/Forest+fantasy+detail+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEPLR5eZ9c9mNf59Aa3mHEDrUpVYMJgqQDzVGK4KtPatQJ7bIipwqyRrgbfyPN9PNOOFFWd2gW9LMkU-S4Uclf78ptVsmb_qMCdmOOEycCf-cyNkEB9lpNxowbA-1k8y8D8R5Xev3aBPa/s1600-h/Forest+Fantasy+detail+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425341014616911426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEPLR5eZ9c9mNf59Aa3mHEDrUpVYMJgqQDzVGK4KtPatQJ7bIipwqyRrgbfyPN9PNOOFFWd2gW9LMkU-S4Uclf78ptVsmb_qMCdmOOEycCf-cyNkEB9lpNxowbA-1k8y8D8R5Xev3aBPa/s320/Forest+Fantasy+detail+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3BARVoERrq0bsCFBi0ve_uY_0BJDiKPpWKYkFF-llabJ7dKtPYN1_FNf65iC4tbN4zFjm4pA0_mRuHp0ffSF3PNBUgr2lxF97a1MAZ8H_0q7QsV0M8Y1R1gfzqumrNkVU_Wity0HEDjX/s1600-h/Forest+Fantasy+detail+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425341011256850690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3BARVoERrq0bsCFBi0ve_uY_0BJDiKPpWKYkFF-llabJ7dKtPYN1_FNf65iC4tbN4zFjm4pA0_mRuHp0ffSF3PNBUgr2lxF97a1MAZ8H_0q7QsV0M8Y1R1gfzqumrNkVU_Wity0HEDjX/s320/Forest+Fantasy+detail+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This fall I had the opportunity to continue my theme based on my previous piece, "Dancing in the Forest". The finished piece, "Forest Fantasy", measured 21" X 43". I did a lot of painting and experimented with new leaf patterns and bark textures. Water and rocks offered some new effects.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-88580185770375910252009-09-17T09:49:00.000-07:002010-01-21T18:47:31.638-08:00The Joys of Teaching<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_DY2niLbeWiwtr9VK8H5Gr1oNvcpMJnAcq7iMXqniIE2knruuHvgb-aTKOBZuz-2ET2EG-YXyEU0nLQgfRUlAmRCPEugtHNmCdnLfTWLJyYq1FjP53zy8JEKDGgpH5PL5txofWSXzi-p/s1600-h/shasta+Glass+9.12.09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382557746110997874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 253px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_DY2niLbeWiwtr9VK8H5Gr1oNvcpMJnAcq7iMXqniIE2knruuHvgb-aTKOBZuz-2ET2EG-YXyEU0nLQgfRUlAmRCPEugtHNmCdnLfTWLJyYq1FjP53zy8JEKDGgpH5PL5txofWSXzi-p/s320/shasta+Glass+9.12.09.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>At left is a piece made by my daughter, Shasta Fowler, who is in her last semester at Montclair State University, completing a BFA in Painting. It is a 4" square, fused and painted and fired again. It was a bit of art therapy last weekend. Teaching your own child can be very emotional at times, but actually she needed very little help from me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHp3wspvsxa5ATG199jTzVfnssydhejQEWMeDKFYy8ne0KxrbThEkJcZ0cPufCDmlCL_E8OG_1PKnhDy3hFl4rowtQDz12AFtt4bKcLB-SixmIQ45eG7bxGEeP04fuw59MGOkkAZZquEb/s1600-h/Lynne+and+Barbara.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382548725068342098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHp3wspvsxa5ATG199jTzVfnssydhejQEWMeDKFYy8ne0KxrbThEkJcZ0cPufCDmlCL_E8OG_1PKnhDy3hFl4rowtQDz12AFtt4bKcLB-SixmIQ45eG7bxGEeP04fuw59MGOkkAZZquEb/s320/Lynne+and+Barbara.JPG" border="0" /></a> Lynne and Barbara<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwN09efZTDTv0O7FaohJ5VWcas2VEpZKNogrJsWth4ZIr-POmjGZBvAmETfJsXn0D5FJeEqc923UoW4bdG0gdGCSVMOwcJd-9AL7_c34M4I95cGAu8VCfIs411vneYHJnrEjiSqPwc-yp/s1600-h/Patrick+and+Amber.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382479942710980514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwN09efZTDTv0O7FaohJ5VWcas2VEpZKNogrJsWth4ZIr-POmjGZBvAmETfJsXn0D5FJeEqc923UoW4bdG0gdGCSVMOwcJd-9AL7_c34M4I95cGAu8VCfIs411vneYHJnrEjiSqPwc-yp/s320/Patrick+and+Amber.JPG" border="0" /></a> Patrick and Amber<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">It has been a very long time (1986?) since I taught stained glass classes. Having owned Off the Wall Craft Gallery, with all the fun of bookkeeping, merchandising and other business tasks took a huge amount of time, not to mention parenting and squeezing in time to do my own stained glass work. I forgot how rewarding it is to see others learn and create. Above are pictures from the last class of the recent Beginning Stained Glass series. The next series of 5 classes, Wed. nights, will begin on October 28th. Go to <a href="http://www.karendeets.com/">http://www.karendeets.com/</a> for information and registration forms or when in Allentown stop in at Bloomers 'N Things To Do, 24 S. Main St.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_N3orchTECb1CJQQnlFbfXmdj9G4zED2KcEjt6Ncsw_6L45hiRIYY0pmnm0IFoLHj6vcrgMYQNIdXTeYQA0xVxsotnE4I7sCtHAjnNBgpRm_eAT2HWIRWg8kqJ_p05lMsv97F1BAgwMAh/s1600-h/Student+Work+Fall+Sept.+2009.png"></a><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzUQDK1jRuqaSt0qbLqjJeHIO_75zPE7rdiRMgkxBTHPPP7VxQJ9NbtqV3FSf9JGMNaFyzYVAgfnx1uoNgtweExp2cW3k5rkoagoJ634Kin7Ew6jnDvuwmxRjHpMJWFQZhljBtx03Yj42/s1600-h/Student+Work+Fall+Sept.+2009.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384672920785018402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 396px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzUQDK1jRuqaSt0qbLqjJeHIO_75zPE7rdiRMgkxBTHPPP7VxQJ9NbtqV3FSf9JGMNaFyzYVAgfnx1uoNgtweExp2cW3k5rkoagoJ634Kin7Ew6jnDvuwmxRjHpMJWFQZhljBtx03Yj42/s320/Student+Work+Fall+Sept.+2009.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">These are a few of the pieces made by my students. Amber's work was exceptionally impressive, having inherited a large collection of glass from her father and having grown up with glass crafting around her. "I think I have it in my blood", she said. I think she does. Patrick is quite comfortable with very tiny pieces, accurately fitted. Barbara did some really good lead work. Lynne's work is now blossoming. John came from New Gretna to take the class, and did a lovely traditional style panel.</div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzNk4IIdqna2X-eUZ_8grpvmXfyB-kXof4CBsKus2wMhi8LuQVLujTu-YwxUhAFDCjW6bv2prthieT2CtV8Va2SZdIV1Kh5_H3KOx6ZAXwLMMqMTKU7w6PS6PBdpdHhQ63hB-jeJT8PQ5/s1600-h/Patricks+Monkey.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391725403636130178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzNk4IIdqna2X-eUZ_8grpvmXfyB-kXof4CBsKus2wMhi8LuQVLujTu-YwxUhAFDCjW6bv2prthieT2CtV8Va2SZdIV1Kh5_H3KOx6ZAXwLMMqMTKU7w6PS6PBdpdHhQ63hB-jeJT8PQ5/s200/Patricks+Monkey.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />At left is a very small panel with incredible detail by Patrick Merritt. This piece would challenge an experienced glass artist.<br /><br /><div align="left"></div></div></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-64442161917379788872009-08-07T05:09:00.000-07:002009-08-07T07:51:21.873-07:00The Great Botanical Commission<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLTq4XmrUzgMcjkJ0N27fJNyPw0P6rP_GZxKV1kSHYFz6CJKZI6jKHo33Y8pOrwvCrLaU3bguoF5nmVYV2z-iwOgU4NAfTL-OUZwlEDjojQ3moX4QoQkFU_cDmeIyCbdgHDjF5P5Sr27r/s1600-h/Dans+details.jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367232610115056482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLTq4XmrUzgMcjkJ0N27fJNyPw0P6rP_GZxKV1kSHYFz6CJKZI6jKHo33Y8pOrwvCrLaU3bguoF5nmVYV2z-iwOgU4NAfTL-OUZwlEDjojQ3moX4QoQkFU_cDmeIyCbdgHDjF5P5Sr27r/s320/Dans+details.jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>My client has patiently waited. In 2007 we started talking about this work, to be installed along the end wall along the roof line of his cathedral ceiling salt box addition. It is 87" high, above eye level, with actual vines that grow on the outside of the clear stationary windows. We agreed on a design with vivid colors to depict a garden feeling. The challenge for me was the fact that my customer, Dan, has degrees in Botany so details had to be artistic and accurate as well. I learned, for instance, that a morning glory and most of nature grows in a clock wise direction. So I actually <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">re-fired</span> fused buds on the flip side that were already done, just to correct that detail.<br /><br />Significant delays were caused by the activities of my former business, Off the Wall Craft Gallery, at the old mill in Allentown, NJ, which closed about a year ago. But all the while a vision was starting in my head. Last December I started using a stained glass CAD program called Glass Eye 2000 <a href="http://www.dfly.com/">http://www.dfly.com/</a> with which I can create designs and email them to customers. I also purchased a kiln and started learning fired glass painting, mentored by Stephen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Byrne</span> <a href="http://www.williamsandbyrne.com/">http://www.williamsandbyrne.com/</a> of the UK. In the spring I embarked on learning glass fusing with very specific results in mind for this work.<br /><br />This winter the carpentry work was completed and the design was approved. Although Dan approved a very nice design, Shasta, my daughter and design mentor, sort of ripped it apart, so I made time consuming but very good changes to the approved draft. Dan was delighted with the improvements, but missed the irises that got cut, so I promised to include them in future sidelight panels. You can see the computer design in color on my blog on <a href="http://www.karendeets.com/">http://www.karendeets.com/</a>.<br /><br />I started cutting glass in late June, and it is getting closer to completion. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Interruptions</span> included a major cleaning out of my attic and Carriage House, with a big "Barn Sale". Last week we visited Vermont, and tomorrow we head south to the lovely beaches of Emerald Isle, NC.<br /><br />Note:<br />A reminder to all who are mesmerized by stained glass and want to learn - classes begin on Aug. 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span>. See details at <a href="http://www.karendeets.com/">http://www.karendeets.com/</a>. I have room for a few more students.</div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-31860433666017727152009-06-30T06:20:00.000-07:002009-06-30T08:57:05.381-07:00Empty Nest Drama<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzTKnpxxypX7F7TAx0tsR1bbjSUZ4-UkKHYMLL67r_jALqI85r9_tLMCnbjLISaq4WXrYBpQg1_Hflftf0sgX0uxiXdj7RzmVbBxeWb7qgYDAqsyHhAov8Ref6k8nhyphenhyphenSHxZkJvECmjdw1/s1600-h/Junior+Swallow.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353132403242692946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 269px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzTKnpxxypX7F7TAx0tsR1bbjSUZ4-UkKHYMLL67r_jALqI85r9_tLMCnbjLISaq4WXrYBpQg1_Hflftf0sgX0uxiXdj7RzmVbBxeWb7qgYDAqsyHhAov8Ref6k8nhyphenhyphenSHxZkJvECmjdw1/s320/Junior+Swallow.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>One of the advantages to my chosen lifestyle involving working at home is to be involved with backyard nature. For several years now we have hosted families of barn swallows under the carriage house roof, just a few feet from my studio. They are interesting birds to observe in that there nesting is under our scrutiny, and they constantly fly around us in gliding circles, eating insects, and occasionally bombing cats and blue jays. </div><br /><div>A few nights ago my husband Bill came out to visit me in the studio. He <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">found </span>a live baby bird had fallen 10 feet below the nest, so we set up a ladder and I put him back with his 2 siblings. We have observed many <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nestlings</span>, and thought it unusual that these particular parents were not around. They were not on the nearby pipes, but the next morning they were flying around in eternal circles and feeding bugs to the babies.</div><div></div><br /><div>Now the story gets more exciting. Yesterday morning was beautiful. Shasta was off from her job at Grounds for Sculpture, <a href="http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/">http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/</a> , so after our walk, we were having family breakfast and coffee on the patio, a rare pleasant moment, when Bill once again noticed the swallow parents extremely upset and circling very close to the nest. We all rushed over to the nest, and to my shock, there was a black snake draping across the nest!! I started screaming to Bill to get the ladder. Shasta just screamed hysterically. I grabbed my heavy kiln gloves and a garden shovel, flew up the ladder, and flipped the shy and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">embarrassed</span> snake onto my husband's Honda where it landed with a thud and then disappeared under the fence and into my neighbor's yard. Then I surveyed the damages. I removed one tiny dead baby, then another larger one, and then found a squirming live and apparent healthy one that did not want to go back into that nest. He squirmed out and landed on the ground twice. Twice Shasta handed him up to me and I pushed him back into the nest, and gently stroked his tiny head and attempted to calm him down. He finally stayed put and the frantic parents came back.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now we have a theory about this particular family. We think that they are an equivalent to irresponsible teen parents. About 10 years ago, when the swallows first came, they struggled with Bill to get permission to build a mud nest and keep it. If it was too close to one of our cars he removed it. He stapled old garden gloves over my parking space to discourage nesting and bird poop over my car. Eventually they came to an agreement, and the same nest has been reused for many years, seasons, and births. The previous parents hung out at night and daytime resting on the nearby ceiling pipes. They were always close by and parented satisfactorily. We loved looking at the babies as their eager heads and wide beaks awaited the constant feeding followed by the exciting day of flight school as they lined up on the pipes for take off. About 3 years ago their behavior changed, so we assumed that it was a new set of parents, and most likely the original parents had gotten old and died. But babies were born with no issues. We have observed a larger group of adults flying together occasionally. We think this year's parents have been hanging and partying with their friends at night. </div><br /><div></div><div>All day yesterday junior stood up on the edge of the nest as though he did not want to be there, and could you blame him? His siblings were murdered on top of him earlier that day! The parents circled him closely and anxiously as they tried to get him to fly. It was very hard to concentrate on my glass with all the excitement. At 3 pm he was missing from the nest. Then around 4pm, Shasta and Bill observed from the house that he was on the ground. Unlike other birds, swallows NEVER have flight school from the ground!! By evening he was flying in low circles, and eventually found the cable wire to the studio to be a good perch for his frequently needed rest.</div><div></div><br /><div>This morning he is circling around the back door. Hopefully he has learned to catch bugs on the fly! He just perched outside the kitchen window where Bill took his picture (above). </div><div>Exhale. Tomorrow Shasta moves into an apartment in Montclair. More "empty nest drama" is expected.</div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-48280117052294666922009-06-16T18:18:00.000-07:002009-06-30T08:16:56.377-07:00Margaritaville at "Art All Night"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_krpFK61sECYS0ka3gx2kWi8hR59eIHlj2nI2YgxkOpzzSSfg5yhuSRyN-o7M1GTdD4w0oKkHYl2wenEAsUgGqXXjqBcgBkrvO_6mG3Nr3jvS-_ePuKfc10vtkAj1VUZ4As1GIGEMYXd/s1600-h/Margaritaville.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348106710263979330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 316px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_krpFK61sECYS0ka3gx2kWi8hR59eIHlj2nI2YgxkOpzzSSfg5yhuSRyN-o7M1GTdD4w0oKkHYl2wenEAsUgGqXXjqBcgBkrvO_6mG3Nr3jvS-_ePuKfc10vtkAj1VUZ4As1GIGEMYXd/s320/Margaritaville.jpg" border="0" /></a> Today I finished "Margaritaville", accidental art inspired by a precious broken margarita glass. I included 13 more fused pieces and some painted, fired details. Notice the slice of lime? I decided not to give the hermit crab a cigarette (joint?). I am sooo boring and timid sometimes. I am planning to show the piece this weekend at "Art All Night".<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>"Art All Night", sponsored by Trenton's Artworks Gallery is a GREAT concept! Anyone (any age) can submit one piece of art work to be viewed for 24 hours in a festival atmosphere of music, food and entertainment. Go to <a href="http://www.artworkstrenton.org/artallnight/index.html">www.artworkstrenton.org/artallnight/index.html</a> for more details. </div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-27197871025609871602009-05-24T07:50:00.001-07:002009-06-30T08:29:00.033-07:00Accidental Art in Margaritaville<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CzE4Fyb1Uy_oOow5MogFYewBiNE8268VN58fG3mAC-VNOyB4QG0ERuV347aZQCCYmN5FgVA707L8DS7vj9u2FgT9Gel40ysuazQJcp_fINJlodElVaxV2fr1aQsiqV1IZyHA2o2_qkra/s1600-h/Margarita+glass.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339403117780528898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CzE4Fyb1Uy_oOow5MogFYewBiNE8268VN58fG3mAC-VNOyB4QG0ERuV347aZQCCYmN5FgVA707L8DS7vj9u2FgT9Gel40ysuazQJcp_fINJlodElVaxV2fr1aQsiqV1IZyHA2o2_qkra/s320/Margarita+glass.jpg" border="0" /></a>Recycling and being green are the big buzz words these days.<br /><br />I drive my family crazy with my obsession with saving things, reuse, and generally keeping as much as possible out of the land fills. I compost my garbage, recycle every speck of paper and junk mail, and occasionally check the waste baskets and garbage at the curb.<br /><br />Friday afternoon I was really tired from a late night at the studio, the heat, and playing in the dirt aka gardening. I was brewing some espresso for some iced coffee and forgot that it does not have an automatic shut off and stood there while it steamed and steamed some more, and then exploded. There was brown goo and glass bits everywhere. The reason I mention it is not because I saved any of the exploded carafe, but just to explain my frame of mind. Shortly after an hour of cleaning up, I opened the cabinet with the stemware and knocked over one of my pretty margarita glasses. It detached from the base. Oops.<br /><br />So now I get to the good part of the story. With my kiln, I have the ability to melt any kind of glass, so I melted the margarita glass. Thanks to some on-line help from Brad Walker, the author of "Warm Glass", <a href="http://www.warmglass.com/">http://www.warmglass.com/</a>. His web site had a firing program for melting bottles. In the days to come I will document my progress. Below is how it looks today.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339409448721535042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPAWXCBf-yUGFtZEJy5cNYdbsRo7zQ8UWDHVjpDIBPwRnE0V-z1qbDorX_hd_WLtNvDkSvDr9FgO-lGb4Qmrh8LlH7lOjNk6utCG3eFGIo5HNwAMil_ZQg8oDmPZmbPTGsX-cB20QZTDW/s320/Flattened+glass.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p>It is now Sunday evening. After a visit to Grounds for Sculpture and some gardening projects, I have resumed work on a design for this transformed glass. I might paint and fire the spirals.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339576000472868658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQAjTr7MRSvS_JC-6mXgNMOrHxk_AtAVt9i0C0lEBoFbCW9GM5LSBkBnnVytmhgdg6T9vXbf1M7PgzFhVWjHz2MyjU6Hl494X1GkDiYsUS0Ha3DYQ6uq-6PFx91yzHwiqOxSCJ_jmRHYK/s320/Margaritaville.jpg" border="0" /> </p>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-43468307481827512762009-05-10T08:40:00.000-07:002009-06-30T08:22:03.567-07:00The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUD4QYqO_bZFTF9eVJ7ypu6ujZ7OaYxdCj-kwf7VMCz72lzEEGiK2NyMNwuIkQyg5XM4TZZOHXJ5xRqTgCFwt02lohYEjoguZhCPONlW-u_RZnjRgS-3yxk5b987MG3n0PRVfSr-hHd7-/s1600-h/DarkWaterItn2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334223837740718306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUD4QYqO_bZFTF9eVJ7ypu6ujZ7OaYxdCj-kwf7VMCz72lzEEGiK2NyMNwuIkQyg5XM4TZZOHXJ5xRqTgCFwt02lohYEjoguZhCPONlW-u_RZnjRgS-3yxk5b987MG3n0PRVfSr-hHd7-/s320/DarkWaterItn2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I attended a workshop at Artworks in Trenton yesterday: <a href="http://www.artworkstrenton.org/">http://www.artworkstrenton.org/</a> . The morning speaker was NYC artist Jackie Battenfield <a href="http://www.jackiebattenfield.com/">http://www.jackiebattenfield.com/</a>, a painter and the creator of the Rotunda Gallery in Brooklyn. Her new book, still warm from the printer's press, was available, entitled "The Artist's Guide...". Her story was one of perseverance, determination and goal setting. There is magic in directed energy. Read her book and find out! </div><div></div><div>Above is Jackie's work, "Dark Water 1", 1997.</div><br /><div></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-10436553143726140092009-05-08T08:22:00.000-07:002009-06-30T08:23:15.207-07:00Stained Glass Classes!!After years of requests, I have now scheduled Beginning Stained Glass Classes!<br />I will be using the studio space at Bloomers 'N Things To Do, at 24 S. Main St. in Allentown. Owner, Debbie Personette, has recently created wonderful studio space in half of the lovely old "Messenger Press Building". It is the only commercial building in the business district with a front lawn. Debbie, who can do anything, has recently learned enough to teach painted pottery, mosaics, and glass fusion. It is a walk in type of place or a great place for a party with an activity.<br />However, my classes will be Wed. evenings, the Late Spring Session starting May 27th, if I can get at least 6 students.<br />Go to <a href="http://www.karendeets.com/">http://www.karendeets.com/</a> and then click "Classes". Although I did not link it, you could pay by Paypal, or mail a check. You could cut and paste the Registration into e-mail or put it into a Word document and attach it and send to <a href="mailto:deets.nj@juno.com">deets.nj@juno.com</a>. So many options. I'm sorry I'm not "techy" enough to make it more streamlined. I am merely a Glass Artist, so please forgive me.Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-74618501259868129732009-03-25T21:35:00.000-07:002009-06-30T08:24:34.694-07:00Exciting New Glass Art<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvA_Ke6vZIFnWMofuE8AH8bS1yvZEd_TgUhLhvNHOFCcbbq9r9DoTs5j3Lly7-8icTpzzF2XzLgLUyoVcSGC_5A6OH8KblMyMOjvfUbQtzmwtQN233eZSIaEY-6_wnJk7FzN4jCm3O_Er/s1600-h/Dancing+in+the+Forest+oval.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317378213528076402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvA_Ke6vZIFnWMofuE8AH8bS1yvZEd_TgUhLhvNHOFCcbbq9r9DoTs5j3Lly7-8icTpzzF2XzLgLUyoVcSGC_5A6OH8KblMyMOjvfUbQtzmwtQN233eZSIaEY-6_wnJk7FzN4jCm3O_Er/s400/Dancing+in+the+Forest+oval.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong>DANCING IN THE FOREST</strong><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvANYSg5_mTDB9AVZBUkRv1ykHrtvP5QNbw2q05HkfkxmfU749PquSbJIJGrR28XEhSI5LYMAmpYlqIRTfYc4_6anOLofE1yI6Giuzed6AIcU6PAEsQkiJ9XI76WQebInxKBkdVuo5dlk/s1600-h/Myndi+and+Sim.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317378653076636978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvANYSg5_mTDB9AVZBUkRv1ykHrtvP5QNbw2q05HkfkxmfU749PquSbJIJGrR28XEhSI5LYMAmpYlqIRTfYc4_6anOLofE1yI6Giuzed6AIcU6PAEsQkiJ9XI76WQebInxKBkdVuo5dlk/s200/Myndi+and+Sim.jpg" border="0" /></a>I am having lots of fun creating work unlike anything I have done before. With each new piece I find myself including more and more painted and fired pieces. I finished this piece yesterday. I started it in my head a long time ago, and then started the design work on the computer a few weeks ago on a pleasant weekend with girlfriends on the Eastern Shore of MD. Myndi and Sim posed for me on the dock in their pajamas. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">This piece is a reminder to dance and frolic and to acknowledge the spirits in every living thing. It is a fantasy. I did a lot of experimenting with leafy patterns and shadows and plants. I really enjoyed putting in the background girls. One figure is a ghost like bride in a sheer dress and one looks like the dancer, Judith Jamison, from the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. I remember photos in Life magazine in the 60's. I threw in a pinch of erotica just for fun. One male figure had a package that I cowardly brushed away. He also is wearing a skirt. I love the lesbian ladies on the right. I actually was inspired by <strong>Botticelli's Prima Vera</strong> that Sim and I saw one year ago for real in Florence Italy at the <strong>Uffizzi</strong>. Wow.</div><br /><br /><div>Details from Dancing in the Forest:</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy_b_RuLshH7nVeadwwT4YlsWi48mp5Teq1_BTStcNL6U1WHBxzdlFtLj4iBGoBVF42MhSY6YTn9JkCEYkxin3SA1RcT5ezbIvMU4dO8gQhCFm5B1EqDIooKZySK4vjIacu42rNGycHAS/s1600-h/DITF+detail+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321024188304373922" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy_b_RuLshH7nVeadwwT4YlsWi48mp5Teq1_BTStcNL6U1WHBxzdlFtLj4iBGoBVF42MhSY6YTn9JkCEYkxin3SA1RcT5ezbIvMU4dO8gQhCFm5B1EqDIooKZySK4vjIacu42rNGycHAS/s320/DITF+detail+1.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9Gz-pBfk9IvKDPs3LxzZYFMVLTvLkffQIPcReCgEh6rHubRTXmUyH89vEWXwdVoLZXG5WetTFBEnrtw4VopqRPT2MlVK11LqxAMj9SHw-gijwKs292dKWOp8i6ILc1Z4_VV2FRI3zYmn/s1600-h/DITF+detail+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321024461363419714" style="WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 398px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9Gz-pBfk9IvKDPs3LxzZYFMVLTvLkffQIPcReCgEh6rHubRTXmUyH89vEWXwdVoLZXG5WetTFBEnrtw4VopqRPT2MlVK11LqxAMj9SHw-gijwKs292dKWOp8i6ILc1Z4_VV2FRI3zYmn/s320/DITF+detail+2.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eZwZfXn4U6DqlLmFU3busTOo8L6eXLzrAMWlU-iUK2hF0sAt2_IKvF96wcjv3tfHYJ_iYa2ZMaN6MIdeWXApnArBpc9NA5a7daHtTfGponyGFKLmOI-KyYkIiqbyvhLLX4ktDweYP02X/s1600-h/DITF+detail+4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321024849353985938" style="WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 442px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eZwZfXn4U6DqlLmFU3busTOo8L6eXLzrAMWlU-iUK2hF0sAt2_IKvF96wcjv3tfHYJ_iYa2ZMaN6MIdeWXApnArBpc9NA5a7daHtTfGponyGFKLmOI-KyYkIiqbyvhLLX4ktDweYP02X/s320/DITF+detail+4.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeuGoD9pWzX4enlCqGwY5Teo-VeqjSUfaPqQ5uAA5MbNod9LbiGcXOERKVmm3fgATNFM_YSe5LnW9yVydRCsYsA-65cERcYTvoyceiPqBcYL10kdoCpTj5I7aQqUudCMkJmu7cIAj3hqC/s1600-h/Space+Jewels.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317356964232254370" style="WIDTH: 397px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeuGoD9pWzX4enlCqGwY5Teo-VeqjSUfaPqQ5uAA5MbNod9LbiGcXOERKVmm3fgATNFM_YSe5LnW9yVydRCsYsA-65cERcYTvoyceiPqBcYL10kdoCpTj5I7aQqUudCMkJmu7cIAj3hqC/s400/Space+Jewels.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>SPACE JEWELS</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="left">This piece uses my favorite palette of colors - the jewel tones. (After selling jewelry and consuming it heavily for 3 decades - yes, it was certainly an addiction that I could easily justify - I had to model my wares. I am smitten by gemstones of all kinds.) This piece features the colors of lapis, turquoise, blue topaz, garnet, amethyst, peridot - I love them all! The shapes remind me of planets with a few moons as well. I started going crazy with painting, trying to master shading. The shading gives it a touch of an old world feeling.</div><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpN69INe5R9kG0uwLqVThZvIv8Q57tW7LfkfSeG-XhvmvsV9Y8Q-y7TmCnomBPoMZRdO1k1W5dtooZAXkCtEHI2Y1ISBKfNv5dkZY_R_yLtbLLyCNqB5JNm27Rik032Be3dpLkRgC8m9m/s1600-h/Self+Portrait+with+Duck.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317360024622264546" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 335px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpN69INe5R9kG0uwLqVThZvIv8Q57tW7LfkfSeG-XhvmvsV9Y8Q-y7TmCnomBPoMZRdO1k1W5dtooZAXkCtEHI2Y1ISBKfNv5dkZY_R_yLtbLLyCNqB5JNm27Rik032Be3dpLkRgC8m9m/s400/Self+Portrait+with+Duck.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>SELF PORTRAIT WITH DUCK</strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">Since the Black Forest restaurant closed and they are no longer feeding the ducks, I bought a bag of wild duck food and I pay a visit to the group who live on the creek side of the bridge at least once a week. My husband Bill took a picture of me which is very close to the center picture. My idea for the border was inspired by my favorite illustrator of children's books, Jan Brett. She did "The Mitten", "Trouble with Trolls", and many more. She would do a detailed border that created another story in addition to the main story. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k1jzvV1BNsziDSvsklDNnIEbpn7zRuwx_Hew9Ra3mNo-gI23W4hLXKyZANrmksXVTkG_BgcYrUntSlHe67h9xhYEkAOb0WqrNKRwctWzpsQTqrDxRJkWMNj40EH6OzaSaRvL4BR_OKn1/s1600-h/Fire+and+Ice+Self+Portrait.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317362819595191842" style="WIDTH: 397px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k1jzvV1BNsziDSvsklDNnIEbpn7zRuwx_Hew9Ra3mNo-gI23W4hLXKyZANrmksXVTkG_BgcYrUntSlHe67h9xhYEkAOb0WqrNKRwctWzpsQTqrDxRJkWMNj40EH6OzaSaRvL4BR_OKn1/s400/Fire+and+Ice+Self+Portrait.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><div></div><div></div><div align="center"><strong>FIRE AND ICE SELF PORTRAIT</strong> </div><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIf3DOM57gFDFZLzV4vDqNMM-QfsEKixFXp2E9zdasGRp8IvrPUONtabRIc2SRCm5V0Mzdq4wAeii1wV91yIV3wQ6Xwfr3Z6tcRrC8BBDmG9lbV9UXGtAJIOUgPlRbhhyphenhyphenpTnlbij9jERr/s1600-h/Drop+Detail+-+Fire+and+Ice.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318070925157067666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 187px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIf3DOM57gFDFZLzV4vDqNMM-QfsEKixFXp2E9zdasGRp8IvrPUONtabRIc2SRCm5V0Mzdq4wAeii1wV91yIV3wQ6Xwfr3Z6tcRrC8BBDmG9lbV9UXGtAJIOUgPlRbhhyphenhyphenpTnlbij9jERr/s200/Drop+Detail+-+Fire+and+Ice.jpg" border="0" /></a>Anyone who is really close to me knows of the extremes in my volatile personality, that most of us reserve only for those who love us unconditionally. I am quick to change my mood to dramatic extremes. But I am quick to apologize. The drop of melted ice shows a reflected face. It is a small and subtle "portrait". I carved away a bit from a piece of flashed glass (hand blown English stuff with just a thin layer of color on clear, long out of production, from my hoarded stash), painted my face upside down, which is the way a drop reflection actually appears, then put a piece of iridescent clear glass behind it to play in the light.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>I did a brave thing today and put my 10 latest pieces on a CD and submitted an application for the Monmouth Museum's 6 solo shows - NJ Emerging Artist Series. I am grateful for the encouragement from fellow artists Ericka , Jude and daughter Shasta. Bill helped with the photos. It was a good motivator in making myself do some decent pieces and I really enjoyed the indulgence of ignoring custom work, shop pieces, cooking and cleaning. I did do laundry and feed the cat occasionally. </div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8558018425360781108.post-24797086320344765032009-02-24T11:46:00.000-08:002009-06-30T08:25:58.066-07:00I Ask Again, What Is Art?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKAhWf8rztu7NKUeAJvHK-koRR3GUij9ybsex49WddGv4DdljufGxkmj1ewC3vBxrg67ydZKvk79YcINBnmLx6OY83jyQP-gAI9JbcYdSa5Z_UwVeUv4Ndc9YrecNfk_WbCU1UYBOcSOs/s1600-h/Girl+in+a+Mirror+-+Transformation.jpg"></a><div><div><div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYqcVW75NceXZO-CS9wsHHd1NrG77V3cDyZIPxpX-tH-V2OJX-2iDk2fyzdlrc4bCOKIk6BR2LhMdqaiqNWtDnmu1KWB6qwUan0-glu9243cakhzjujB2Si51ND6weldlt7iSk4uWTl4j/s1600-h/Girl+in+a+Mirror+-+Transformation.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306461604070490626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYqcVW75NceXZO-CS9wsHHd1NrG77V3cDyZIPxpX-tH-V2OJX-2iDk2fyzdlrc4bCOKIk6BR2LhMdqaiqNWtDnmu1KWB6qwUan0-glu9243cakhzjujB2Si51ND6weldlt7iSk4uWTl4j/s320/Girl+in+a+Mirror+-+Transformation.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div>After a recent visit to MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art in NYC with my husband and daughter Shasta, the art student, we had some lively discussions again about art. Some of what we saw was truly intended to push the envelope to challenge the question. And yet "Modern Art" is now a part of history, and I am told we are now in the "Post Modern Art" period. Minimalism sticks its tongue out at you and the artist seems to say "I am an artist and I declare this stick to be art". And Pollack's splatter paintings are more about process than result. Ordinary things of good design were grouped by a curator as a "show". Are we fools to accept art of this genre? Or are we neanderthals not to? It makes the artist/curator all powerful to make the declaration of what is art.</div><div></div><div>Here is my completed piece shown previously as a computer generated design. I saw the original Picasso at MoMA which influenced my recent creation, "Girl in a Mirror - Transformation". It was awesome to see it and all the wonderful work by the early 20th century artists. </div><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306461907288444786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 278px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94e6NgT1yyDwdjEwwKX6Fi8EcF1IzyNx3Of4m_nu41aRp1xI4f9F_TAcDCeBAL4W9u6jxDzuG3B7rHrR0pcuTSbE9TTStzdcb9zAh4ZaysPmbFhC4NAIm3E9X4eNvd2lJg-Ca2eRPpXmn/s320/Grounded+in+Nature.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>I am in a quest to rise above craft to art. It is more of a struggle for me than the minimalists. But I keep on plugging along. I have made a commitment to myself now to complete 10 artistic pieces before March 27th to apply for a show. I have finished 6, working on the 7th, and 3 more to go. Above is "Grounded in Nature". </div><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306462849373888898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22AZ945swDlaciqaNIkS1FQRhpXaO8FAI9fTT46oCUQYIN6ZXnVB8PMORIhit3tcSuji-Axchr-GxjW0h4jDbbte3CtOwIDJd_BS4ReQo4yFW0lD5S9wrS5DHAuQWKQl32ehUHmWXnf7u/s320/Keep+Your+Focus.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>I really like this one, called "Keep your Focus". It represents my personal dreams and utilizes some nice glass painting, which I am really loving.</div><br /><div></div><div>See my web site blog for some other recent work.</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.karendeets.com/blog">http://www.karendeets.com/blog</a><br /><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Karen Deetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03279220284176149445noreply@blogger.com0