Kaneko at Lauritzen Gardens

To celebrate Omaha's Lauritzen Gardens 10th Anniversary, Jun Kaneko has many of his wonderful large scale ceramics on display throughout the grounds. My husband and I were lucky enough to catch the exhibit before the closing.

Although I was a horticulture major in college, I'd never been to the Lauritzen Gardens. I graduated and moved away from Nebraska before the botanical gardens in Omaha had opened. And, most of my visits back to Nebraska were for the Christmas holiday to see my family. So, I was excited when we not only had an excuse to be in Omaha already (my friend Malindi's wedding), but there were these marvelous sculptures on display, as well.

Michael Stutz - "Peplos Kore"

"Peplos Kore" by Michael Stutz, on display at San Francisco Airport

Made from strips of shredded cardboard woven over a plywood armature and sealed with light resistant UV polymers, the detail in this sculpture is incredible. I saw this while waiting to board my flight to Nebraska. Definitely click on the picture and explore Stutz's site to find the full image. It's truly amazing!

Ivan Chan - "Out on a Limb"

Out on a Limb, oil on canvas, 36" x 12" NFS, originally uploaded by Ivan Chan Studio.

oil on canvas, 36" x 12" (NFS)

It is our intentions that take us where we will go, and even if it seems accidental to find oneself on the edge, it is no less purposeful.

What do we learn, and what do we offer, when we climb out on a limb?

I learned--and offered--my willingness to leap.

Thought that I'd share with you today one of my favorite Californian artists, Ivan Chan.
I love his "Here Kitty Series," a series of halo-ed cats caught in contemplation.
His technique consists of fingerpainting with non-toxic, professional grade paints.
Read his bio, here.
Check out his blog, here.
See more of his work, here.

Paper Artist Celebrates Christmas...

Definitely check out this blog for some beautiful Christmas inspiration from cut paper and paper mache:

ULLABENULLA TREASURES AND TRINKETS

The Best Weekend Ever...

or The Very Successful Holiday Sale...
Not only did I sell several of my new sushi dish sets, as well as many necklaces and pendants,

I was able to talk to Saint Helena hot glass artist, Ed Breed about the possibility of being a studio assistant during 2008. Turns out that he had been thinking of approaching me to see if I would be interested in helping him out. So, beginning in January, I should be working with Ed once a week, helping him to kick out 1000 pumpkins:

Also, hot glass will be moving into Michele's studio. And we are happy...

In Search of Inspiration....

Wowsers! Would you just look at this incredibly intricate and detailed dragon?
I found this lovely hanging out at GlassArtists.org in Michelle Rial's gallery.She's definitely got an affinity for Asian themed creations as well as for fish. Check out all of her amazing pieces. What a talented artist out of Serena, IL.
Here is her website.