I currently create, jewelry, mixed
media two-dimensional art ,
3-dimensional art (mobiles and sculpture), pottery and custom
handbags (special order only) .
Handbags
My
handbags are of
various
types, ranging from soft hand-painted textile bags
to hard wooden cigar-box purses. I currently create these on on special
order.
My
painted textile bags
include
new as well
as vintage bags. I work in
a variety of media including
acrylic
paint, aniline dye and bleach. I
use lacquer, acrylic and wax based finishes.
Each handbag is unique and
its form dictates what design, media and finish will be used.
My
cigar box handbags
are created from authentic cigar boxes. Some
boxes are relatively new. Many are old. Each cigar box is prepared by
sanding and surface treatment. In some cases, the original hardware can
be retained. In many, if not most cases, the hinges must be removed and
replaced with modern, sturdier ones. After the preparation, I study the
shape and size of the box to determine what type of handbag it will
become. I create three general types.
Type
one 
is a photo
application. I begin with a photograph, taken by me or my husband
(never using stock photos), manipulated in various ways and printed out
on Japanese rice paper. After printing, it may be rinsed,
depending on
the desired result. It is then further manipulated by hand. After
drying it is applied to the box with a non-water-based adhesive. After
drying, several (from 8 to 20) coats of lacquer are applied. Each coat
is allowed to dry and is sanded before the next coat is applied. Once
the desired finish is achieved, the handle and other ornaments are
applied and …voila! A handbag!
Type two is a
hand-painted
acrylic.
I
design and paint various pictures depending upon my whim or
at the request of the client. I prepare the cigar box in much the same
way as with the photo boxes. After which, I paint it with acrylic paint
and finish it, again with lacquer.
I have found that true lacquer is
non-yellowing and provides a hard professional looking finish to all of
my cigar boxes. I finish with handles and ornaments. All of my handles
are either original works or are modified handles from a variety of
sources.
The
third type of
cigar box
handbag is the artistic expression type. These boxes have a
variety of
finishes and artwork on
them. They range
from eggshell lacquer
finishes(real eggshells!) to 3-D molten metal look to faux woven
textile. The various processes used to produce these are too varied to
try to explain here. Suffice it to say that they are truly unique!
Jewelry
My
jewelry
is as unique as my handbags. I use a variety of media to
produce one-of-a-kind pieces – pins, pendants, earrings and barrettes.
I
make three general types of
jewelry-Paper, metal and ceramic.
Paper jewelry begins with a watercolor or acrylic painting on
various types of paper which I cut into various shapes and sizes I add
paint,
dyes, metal leaf, iwire, and even organic materials. No two pieces are
the
same.
Metal
jewelry begins with agricultural or industrial cast-offs or leftovers.
I use a torch, anvil, solder, drill, grinder,...then add different
finishes, embellishments...again one of a kind.
The third type of jewelery is
ceramic,
formed from either stoneware or
porcelain.
I should add that these three types, just as with my sculpture and
two-dimensional pieces are beginning to morph. Now, much of my paper
jewelry has metal components and some my metal jewlry has some paper
and ceramic. It appears that I may have to stop categorizing my work
and just call it all MIXED MEDIA!
Two-Dimensional
Art
My two-dimensional
art ranges
from abstract, non-representational
collages to realistic acrylic
paintings
with various
materials added to
achieve different effects. I work on a wide variety of substrates
and
have produced pieces as small as 3”x 5”switchplate coversand as large
as 30” x 36”,
with larger works to come.
Three-Dimensional
Art
My 3-D pieces are whimsical mobiles and
sculpture.
They range in size from small interactive
wire pieces approximately 10”
x 14”
to very large "animals" that measure upwards of 2' x3'.
Pottery
My pieces are one-of-a-kind, hand-built, thrown and combined-technique
pieces.
My pottery is evolving, as this is a new medium for me. Those familiar
with
my other types of art, will see a definite commonality to my works. I
tend
to work with texture and dynamics foremost in my mind. Hope you
like what you see!
I like to think that I have something for everyone and every budget.
Switchplate covers start at $8, pins and pedants at $12, handbags at
$18, 2-D pieces at $48 and 3-D at $45.
The most expensive piece that I currently offer is a 24”x 30” 2-D for
$500.
You can see my work and a lot of other wonderful art at
The
Art Group in Mt.
Jackson,
Virginia and
Woodstock Cafe
& Shoppes in Woodstock.. Please
stop in and have a look in person. If you
can't get to the gallery, cafe, or stores, the next best thing is
a quick
peek here on
my website. Just click any of the four headings below and you'll be
able to see a few of my works for each type of art.
I know it would be more convenient to be able to purchase items right
here, but this is a non-commercial site and, besides, I hope that
you'll check out
The Art Group
and
Woodstock Cafe & Shoppes
sites and maybe even pay
them a visit!
I hope you like what you see!! Feel free to email me with any questions
-
WiWoArt @shentel.net
acrylic
paint, aniline dye and bleach. I
use lacquer, acrylic and wax based finishes.