augenschmaus (n): a feast for the eyes
I can't believe I'm only just now stumbling onto the work of Swiss-German artist Valerie Buess! Like me, she's interested in transforming ordinary materials (like books) into urchins and sea-creature-like forms. Aren't these pieces gorgeous?
(Someday Valerie, I'd love to meet you, see your work in person and perhaps, do a group show together! In the meantime, I'll continue to be inspired by your great work online.)
Come out and visit me during the Third Friday open studio event!
This Friday, Jan 20 6-9 pm
Studio 103 (in building 3)
807 East Main St
Durham, NC 27701
There will be finger food, wine and plenty of art to look at. And you'll get to see the new studio makeover. :) Look forward to seeing you there!
I'm excited to announce that, along with the other fabulous artists at Golden Belt, we will be exhibiting our work January through February in the 311 space in Raleigh. It's going to be quite a mix of work: metalwork, printmaking, paintings, mixed media. You name it.
So come out and join us this Friday night for the exhibit's opening. It's a great way to start off the New Year!
Here are the details:
This Friday, 6-10 pm (as part of the First Friday ArtWalk)
311 West Martin Street Gallery
Raleigh, NC 27601
I will be showing two pieces:
Advent | Shannon Newby | encaustic, mixed media on wood
12 x 36 x 3" | 2008
I Pledge | Shannon Newby | cut book, encaustic on wood
12 x 12 x 3" | 2009
And my studiomate, Phaedra, will have two beautiful pieces that you just HAVE to see in person!
Bound and Waiting | Phaedra Taylor
encaustic, paper, string, oil paint on wood | 12 x 16" | 2011
As if that wasn't enough, the talented Skyler McGee will also be showing a new body of work just down the street at Artspace. The work is sure to delight your senses!
Offering | Skyler McGee | Mixed Media and Resin on Wood
12 x 12" | 2009
Swing by my studio tonight during Third Friday (6-9 pm | studio 103 | 807 E Main St | Durham, NC) to check out more additions to my "By Its Cover" series.
For tonight only, these 6 new works will be on sale for $200 each, with 12% of the proceeds going to a local charity.
Hope to see you there!
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The last few centuries have seen an incredible transformation in the interpretation and usage of the book: from prized possession, to transmitter of information, to art object, to a bulky item often set aside in favor of a digital equivalent. In this body of work, I have dismantled and reconfigured books to reflect on the past, present and future history of the written word and its relationship to culture, individuals and society as a whole.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
cut book, encaustic on panel
The Northeast Coast
cut book, branch, encaustic, egg shells, chicken wire on panel
The Insect Almanac
cut book, encaustic, petri dishes on panel
Masterpieces of World Literature
cut book, encaustic on panel
Coral Reefs
cut book, test tubes on panel
Britannica Atlas
cut book, telescope, glass bottles with corks on panel
I just love Advent and decorating for Christmas! Each year, we make a point to make new decorations and get creative with it. We put on some Bing Crosby and the Carpenters, and scour the house for materials. 2011 was the year of coffee for us (my husband, Erik, has begun roasting his own coffee= yum!) so in leiu of that, we created a garland from one of his burlap coffee sacks.
And made some more DIY ornaments that included some coffee beans of course!
*I've had a number of you ask me about my DIY ornaments, so I've included a little tutorial here (although it's such a simple thing, it really doesn't need much explaining!)* Click to make the tutorial bigger.
We also have an annual tradition of doing an advent calendar (this year we used clothespins and an old shutter to display them):
and an advent wreath made from our tree trimmings:
There are plenty more projects we're thinking of doing; time is our only enemy. For those of you doing other DIY projects, I'd love to see what you're doing and be inspired. Find me on Pinterest so we can share ideas! :)
May you and your family be blessed in the coming weeks and year! *Merry Christmas!*