GILLIAN

“Waves of Grain” at Boston Sculptors Gallery September 5- October 7, 2012.  Please join us for events that are right around the corner!  First Friday September 7, 5-8 pm or the Opening Reception Saturday September 8, 4-7.  Hope to see you there!

“Waves of Grain” at Boston Sculptors Gallery September 5- October 7, 2012.  Please join us for events that are right around the corner!  First Friday September 7, 5-8 pm or the Opening Reception Saturday September 8, 4-7.  Hope to see you there!

Save the dates for my solo show “Waves of Grain” at Boston Sculptors Gallery September 5- October 7, 2012.

Opening and Artist Reception : Saturday, September 8, 4-7 pm

First Fridays : September 7 & October 5, 5-8 pm

South End Open Studios : September 15-16, 11-6 pm

All events are free and open to the public.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

The Greater Journey, Americans in Paris by David McCullough has been an inspirational read for me this summer.  I reveled in the descriptions of Americans making the journey to discover Paris in the 1830’s.  Through letters and diaries McCullough weaves a story of artists and medical students learning and enjoying Paris. What I found fascinating is that most returned home with the intent of contributing their acquired knowledge towards the creation of a more culturally rich America.  Among my favorite stories were those about ambitious artists.  Painter Samuel Morse tirelessly painted day in and day out in the Louvre creating “Gallery of the Louvre”, now on display at The National Gallery.  After set-backs in the art world, Morse later went on to create the telegraph, an idea he recalls germinating in Paris.  McCullough also highlights the young prolific painter John Singer Sargent, considered a genius even then.  Sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens studied and eventually set up a studio in Paris.  His wife Augusta religiously wrote letters describing their daily life to her parents.  Her accounts describe the ups and downs creating his first major commission, The Farrugut, which had me on edge! Living in Boston while reading this was such a treat.   I was able to see Saint-Gaudens work in person, the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial is located in Boston Commons.  Sargent’s first solo show was in Beacon Hill, and his work can be admired throughout the city at the Boston Public Library, Museum of Fine Arts or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Photo by wallyg on Flickr.

The Greater Journey, Americans in Paris by David McCullough has been an inspirational read for me this summer.  I reveled in the descriptions of Americans making the journey to discover Paris in the 1830’s.  Through letters and diaries McCullough weaves a story of artists and medical students learning and enjoying Paris. What I found fascinating is that most returned home with the intent of contributing their acquired knowledge towards the creation of a more culturally rich America. 

Among my favorite stories were those about ambitious artists.  Painter Samuel Morse tirelessly painted day in and day out in the Louvre creating “Gallery of the Louvre”, now on display at The National Gallery.  After set-backs in the art world, Morse later went on to create the telegraph, an idea he recalls germinating in Paris.  McCullough also highlights the young prolific painter John Singer Sargent, considered a genius even then.  Sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens studied and eventually set up a studio in Paris.  His wife Augusta religiously wrote letters describing their daily life to her parents.  Her accounts describe the ups and downs creating his first major commission, The Farrugut, which had me on edge!

Living in Boston while reading this was such a treat.   I was able to see Saint-Gaudens work in person, the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial is located in Boston Commons.  Sargent’s first solo show was in Beacon Hill, and his work can be admired throughout the city at the Boston Public Library, Museum of Fine Arts or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Photo by wallyg on Flickr.

Stirring the Waters | Between Two Bodies is an exchange between The Sculpture Center in Cleveland, OH and Boston Sculptors Gallery.  Sculpture Center Director, Ann Albano curated both shows, and it’s interesting to see the work that is currently being made in Northeastern Ohio. 

Irina Koukhanova’s sculptures and prints form an intriguing dialogue.  The bronze crow characters appear to be performing on stage, mid-squawk.  Mark Soppeland’s  “The Shrine to Suspension in Disbelief” mixes materials using tin, gold leaf and light drawing the viewer towards a miniature serene scene.  Be sure to view the whole show at Boston Sculptors Gallery which is open thru August 12, 2012.  Gallery hours are Wednesday - Sunday 12-6. 

Click here to check out snapshots and a travelogue of BSG members taking work to Ohio.  View the impressive slideshow of BSG work at The Sculpture Center here.

I loaded up the welder and took my shop on the road last weekend.  The Greenport Dining Table was a fun weekend warrior project for our friends’ new home.  Making and restoring furniture is such a gratifying hobby. I’m looking forward to many more good times there!

I loaded up the welder and took my shop on the road last weekend.  The Greenport Dining Table was a fun weekend warrior project for our friends’ new home.  Making and restoring furniture is such a gratifying hobby. I’m looking forward to many more good times there!

George Sherwood hosted a Boston Sculptors Gallery summer gathering at his new studio in Ipswich, MA.  Every detail is perfect, and it is an absolutely beautiful space! I enjoyed the grounds, and seeing his large outdoor works in motion.  The question posed to the group was, “What is inspiring you now?”  Listening to the responses of other sculptors is energizing and has given me some food for thought throughout the week. 

While dining at the New York Yacht Club we immediately spotted this Howard Chandler Christy illustration among the other WWI posters which decorated the bar.  I often spot Howard Chandler Christy posters or prints around, so we thought it was a neat touch. 

However, the second time I walked by the image, it really pulled me in because it felt alive and had such luminescence.  Upon closer inspection, the illustration had a small plaque nearby which stated it was the original illustration for the famous and well-known “Christy Girl” recruiting poster. 

It was a really fun experience to stumble upon this, and to enjoy the original artwork in person for an evening.  Thank you to the New York Yacht Club staff who allowed the photo to be taken. 

The Newport Art Museum has a delightful collection of small watercolor sketches by William Trost Richards on exhibit titled “From Pennsylvania to Paradise”.  He often sent these cards to friends while on his travels.  We were amazed at the photo realism and miniature size of each piece, while also capturing the charm of the natural undeveloped Narragansett landscape.

The Newport Art Museum has a delightful collection of small watercolor sketches by William Trost Richards on exhibit titled “From Pennsylvania to Paradise”.  He often sent these cards to friends while on his travels.  We were amazed at the photo realism and miniature size of each piece, while also capturing the charm of the natural undeveloped Narragansett landscape.

The Arnold House built in 1693 caused us to stop and marvel on our drive through Lincoln, RI.  I love how the weathered clapboards and repetitive scarf joint create a wave pattern.