Gabriel Craig

 We had a visitor at New Paltz. Gabriel Craig came as part of the SAA (Student Art Alliance) visiting Artist series. It was really nice for Liz and I to have visitors. We rarely have people over. It was also really nice to pick up where we left off the last time we saw him. There is comfort in good people. Memories of home came flashing back into our heads as we talked about other friends and studios and things that are happening in our lives. We also make secret plans for other people. ...."If only so and so were here and we should totally kidnap them one day!" To our surprise and delight he suggested we make bread! He also brought us cake!! Thanks for sharing Gabriel. What a great visit. It was a refreshing re-charge. 

 Just some links to some things going on with Gabriel and Detroit!

Smith shop It is not too late to buy some stuff for the holidays 

 Pony ride so much to see.  

Gabirel Craig and Amy Weiks

Also, I did an interview on Craft Cast!  

 

Here are a couple of videos to start your day
Fall from jamie scott on Vimeo.

chefs knife

Trying to squeeze in the x-mas gifts. I thought that since I made cutting boards last year I would make chef's knives this year. So I started one...... LOTS OF GRINDING. Also I am fairly new to the knife making thing. I have had a lot of advice. I am sure I am doing something wrong. Here are some shots of the first couple of stages and research photos.

HOLY CRAP

I was invited to participate in a show called Body Language: Contemporary Art Jewelry at the Wayne Art Center. Liz and I got a sneak peak. It looks like it is going to be a great show! So many great folks in the show.

Body Language: Contemporary Art Jewelry curated by Metalsmith Magazine editor, Suzanne Ramljak is opening at the Wayne Art Center in Wayne, PA November 30 and will be on view through January 26, 2013. The exhibition will run in conjunction with the Wayne Art Center's annual Craft Forms event.

"Jewelry can perform a number of functions, from signaling status to commemorating loss to expressing individual taste. Regardless of personal value or social import, jewelry always relates to the human body, which is its actual or implied site of operation. Indeed, jewelry and the human form are engaged in an intricate dialogue, mutually defining and interpreting each other for the social stage. While all jewelry is intended for our bodies, it can also be created about and of the body.

The exhibition, “Body Language: Contemporary Art Jewelry,” explores the intimate link between object and wearer, and the ways that jewelry modifies and speaks of the body as subject, site, and matter. Among the works on view are pieces depicting anatomical parts; jewelry dealing with physiological processes and interior structures; full figures and silhouettes; and works made from bodily substances like hair or bone. The selected works by twenty-seven contemporary jewelry artists in “Body Language” reveal the potent and telling interplay between the human physique and the objects we choose to attach to ourselves. Through such physical involvement, these jewelers provide insights into the human condition and the eloquence of our corporeal selves."

 - Suzanne Ramljak


After the fifth install of these pins I finally made cases for them. Of course I had my lovely assistant Liz to help install.

What is Arthur up to?

Beech and epoxy inlay

metal porn

Making of Tea Set - Tomás Alonso from Tomás Alonso on Vimeo.

turducken round two!

Turducken! Last photos I swear!

Stop the presses! I HAVE FINISHED SOME NEW WORK. I actually made some new stuff and actually finished it..... finally. Also there was a turducken in the there somewhere.
  Also just we launched and sold out of my new craf-tees zipper front hoodies

http://craftees.bigcartel.com/ Just stop scrolling now if you have an aversion to meat or poultry. It was hard even for me. It is now in the oven and will be cooking for at least seven hours.

Rachel Timmins from Joe Rubino on Vimeo.

thanks Bryan Park

There's No Place Like Here: Liberty Tool from Etsy on Vimeo.

joya

Big Square - Making Of from Sam Thompson on Vimeo.

Momentary Jewelry from DAN/NAD on Vimeo.

just a little busy

Sooooooo. After returning from Norway I immediately left to teach a workshop and give a lecture at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. I just got back on Saturday. Yet again, something deep inside me confirmed that the Midwest is best.  I had such a wonderful experience living in Indiana for grad school, getting back to that general area was a treat.  What a great time. The University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee was impressive to say the least. In the metals studio, there were so many things happening.  I see great things on the horizon for them.  New equipment, new instructors, visiting artists, grants, research....the list goes on and on and on.   If I was finishing up my undergraduate degree in metal and was compiling my short list for grad schools, UWM would make that list. Currently the faculty body consists of Frankie Flood, Yevgeniya Kaganovich, Michael Dale Bernard and Stephanie Voegele. It is normal to have one metals instructor. It is above average to have two. It is becoming more rare to find three and almost unheard of to have four. Their students are so lucky to have so many great people in one place.  Of course we also have four metals faculty at New Paltz as well.....ahem. 

Some of the highlights of the trip.... The Fine Arts Museum (the Tara Donovan and Grete Marks exhibitions in particular), The Aquarium, Discovery World (so many buttons to push), the UWM metals and digital studio, Frankie's studio, Michael's studio, Maders, All you can eat Friday night fish fry, my hotel, and of course the students.  Thanks for inviting me.  I wish I could have stayed longer.

Upon my return...actually, Saturday night I got straight back to work. We are renting a new studio space with some fellow metalsmiths. The space itself needs a tremendous amount of work. It is super cheap so we are making the best of it by completely restoring it!! New electrical, new drywall, new plumbing, new paint etc etc. My back is killing me. Sooner than later I am going to need a real vacation. Sometime to unwind and stay in bed for a week straight. For those of you who have not heard from me in a while now you know why. Also, while I was in Norway out to eat with all of the metals folks a reporter came up to me and asked me if I wanted to be part of a photo shoot. I agreed and this is where is ended up.