Carlsbad Cavern Quilt
Here is my final project. I took this picture with my phone at end of class today. I used some of the colors in my Calrsbad Cavern color sample. I decided to model my pattern after a quilt. Now all I need to do is decide how to finish it!
The class was great. I can’t wait to start applying what I learned. I have to get some jewelry ready the Art in the Park show in Richmond this weekend. I plan to add some color samples to each firing this week.
Sampling of Samples
Here are two pictures I took with my IPhone of some of my favorite samples from the Color Theory Workshop.
This has been a great experience. I’m looking at color in a new way. My final project if firing in the kiln tonight. I pulled some of the colors from the Carlsbad Cavern inspired sample, and made what I think will be the beginning of a glass quilt.
Imagery = Inspiration
Today my favorite exercise was creating color samples base on images. The goal of this activity wasn’t to create a stylized version of a photograph, but to create a glass sample based on the colors found in an image.
I used a Time Life book with photographs from all over the world as a point of departure. When I got started I thought I would be drawn to places that I’ve held in my memory because of the impact they had on me when I saw them in person. I was surprised that images I selected were of places I’ve never visited. My first sample for this activity was based on the Great Barrier Reef.
The second sample was based on Carlsbad Caverns.
I enjoyed creating two very different color schemes based on these remarkable places. Even if these initial samples don’t quite capture what I’m looking for I think further exploration of these color schemes will be an enjoyable part of the creative process.
Exploring Color Theory
This week I’m taking a class at Vitrum Studios with Richard Parrish called Color Theory for Glass: Fear No Color. Yesterday we looked at the Bullseye Glass line of opaque and transparent glass in the context of the color wheel. This was an interesting exercise that has opened my eyes to a new way of looking at color. Today we took this a step further and developed a series of color samples.
Selecting the Right Retail Show
I like to do a mix of wholesale and retail shows throughout the year. Retail shows are a great opportunity for me to have direct contact with customers. The feedback I get at these shows helps me to refine my line and offer suggestions to my wholesale customers about top selling items. As I’ve started to plan my fall show season a few key points come to mind.
- What type of show is it?
For me the most successful events have been well established Festivals and/or Art Shows. Typically events like An Occasion for the Arts in Williamsburg VA, or the Festival in the Park in Charlotte NC have been great events for me. These shows have been around for many years and have a great following. Events like these have a lot of traffic. High traffic usually results in great sales.
- Where is the show located?
How long will it take me to get there? Is there an opportunity for me to visit a new area? Two years ago I did the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival in Huntington Beach South Carolina. I picked this show because of its overall reputation as well its location. I’d never been to this part of South Carolina, so this was a great opportunity to spend some time exploring.
- What are the requirements to get into the show?
I’ve found that juried shows have a better quality and draw more people that are interested in what I have to offer. I participated in two shows last year where the only requirement was to write a check. In both instances my sales were below my overall expectations.
In addition to networking with other artists I use the following resources to select shows:
Overlooking the Obvious
I have a check list that I run through whenever I get ready for a show. As part of my preparation process I went to the bank to get cash to make change. My first flight to Las Vegas was delayed so I had to run through the Charlotte Airport in order to make my connection. I was weighed down by rolls of quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies.
I made it just before the door closed. When I got to my seat it occurred to m that I was traveling to the Glass Craft Expo in Las Vegas and that I would be staying in a Casino!