River Raisin Artists Exhibition

As a member of the Lenawee Council For The Visual Arts, we often get information from other organizations.


Today I received an email about the Blissfield area Artists who recently started an art league named, the River Raisin Artists. They are having their first group exhibit starting this weekend with a reception Friday evening.


Looks like a fun thing for local entertainment ! Take advantage of it!

Armory Arts Village

What a fun place. If you haven't been there yet, it is worth the trip to Jackson to see the Armory Arts Village.

I was heading home from a job and saw the sign and decided to stop. I had heard about this art community but was not able to find it.

There is a huge gallery and I was able to see the Aids Quilt while I was there. Next to the armory is another old building that has been renovated into artists galleries and studios. You can walk through and watch artists at work or purchase artwork from any of the galleries inside.

You can see the exhibit, take classes, and just mingle with other artists!

The village opened on May 1, 2008 and has hours (according to their postcard) of: Tues - Sat 10a-5p and Sun 12-4pm. Their web site is www.armoryartsvillage.com and phone is 517 998-3400.

If you get a chance to get, let me know what you think!

Wine Cellar Windows

Today I got a call from a restaurant in Monroe. I thought they would enjoy looking at these windows and others might like to as well.

This was a set of two windows for a wine cellar for a customer in Plymouth. They had a unique wood and iron door between the glass.

The glass was fabricated using melted glass wine bottles, glass layered for the grapes, and the vines have 3 dimensional leaves wrapped around them.

Enjoy!

Lad Strayer Photography

http://www.pbase.com/ladstrayer/out_of_the_loop

These are photos you just have to see. I was so moved by them. These are people whom we may or may not know but we can all surely pray for and have compassion for.

Sometimes it is hard to understand other peoples lifestyles, and and I am sure people have questioned mine over the years.

Just take a look if you have time! Be sure to view them as a slide show.

I am hoping Lad and I can collaborate on a future project. His photos are so compelling.

Art-A-Licious, You'll Want To Be There!

Art-A-Licious is really a local event that you won't want to miss. Last year I took part, along with a number of other very talented artists. If you were one of the people who did come, I am sure you will be back for more. There were over 20 artists (+/-) demonstrating throughout the week-end. I was working on a stained glass panel made up of melted glass coke bottles and other memorabilia. There was a glass blower, potters throwing on their wheels, painters painting, and more. The quality of artists and the ability to see so many actually working on their art right there in the streets of Adrian was a wonderful opportunity. I really do feel it will be something you will want to tell your friends about. Then, there was the food. A number of area restaurants brought samples of many of their best sellers. Not your fair food as usual. And music... The piece shown here is one I am donating to their auction. All of the artists were asked to bring post card size pieces for this purpose. So if you come, feel free to help support us by purchasing from one of the artists or bidding on any number of post card sized artworks. A link to the web site with more information is: www.visitlenawee.com/old/html/art-a-licious_2008.html . There will also be a Chair-ity auction. More on it later. For now, put September 19th and 20th on your calendar. Pass this on to your friends. Meet them there for a very fun week-end.

Greg Lawlers, Artfair Sourcebook

I was given some wonderful information from a couple of artists I met while doing a show at the Manchester Riverfolk Festival. For those of you interested in entering the art fair circuit, it is very difficult to know which shows to do and which are not worth your while. I only got my preliminary book and am looking forward to getting my full set of information, but what a wonderful resource.

This book appears to be geared towards the serious artist, more in the high-end category than in the craft type category. In fact, the cover reads, "The Complete Guide to Fine Art & Craft Events Nationwide". But, what a wealth of information. It rates the shows from 1-10 which indicates the average sales for artists at that show. It tells you about the marketing company and how they operate and treat the artists. Descriptions of setting up and tearing down, what the best place for your booth is, what percentage of artists come back, what your return on investment should be at that show, and on and on.

To try it out, go to this website and get a free trial. You will be able to see for yourself how much information is available to you there. http://artfairsourcebook.com/cgibin/ctool/ctool.pl?command=searchform

Let me know if you get a chance to visit the site and what you think.

If you have already ordered this sourcebook, let me know how it has worked for you. Other people would be interested in your experience as well.

Happy searching!

Pat Deere

Flight Of Fancy Art Birdhouse Festival

The Flight Of Fancy Art Birdhouse Festival is going on now in Tecumseh. My mosaic birdhouse can be seen by going to United Bank and Trust, it is pictured on this postcard being sent out by the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, you can bid on it by going to the link shown here: http://www.salinepictureframe.com/showroom/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=10294 at the Saline Picture Frame Company, and you can see the other birdhouses available for auction at their site or the TCA site: http://www.thetca.org/flight_of_fancy/default.htm . There are a lot of fun birdhouses. If you don't have time to walk around downtown, certainly take time to browse through these sites!

And, as is the case with most art... these pictures just don't do them justice. Some other links to glass artists and their birdhouses are:
Jean Lash: http://www.salinepictureframe.com/showroom/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=10266
Lorenzo Cristado: http://www.salinepictureframe.com/showroom/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=10253
Scott Smith: http://www.salinepictureframe.com/showroom/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=10289
Toni Herrick: http://www.salinepictureframe.com/showroom/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=10299

Enjoy browsing!

Pat

Intricate Framing by Jason Maan

This week-end I was in Ypsilanti at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival. While there, I talked with many people interested in learning the exciting art of stained glass. I also talked with many talented artists. The picture here was taken from the comment you will find in the blog below. Click on Jason's link to find the rest of the pictures he attached.

For those of you with wood working talents along with stained glass skills - what a combination. Take a look at the time consuming woodwork here designed to frame Jason's glasswork. Where we might put lead came or copper foil, Jason builds a wood structure to place each piece of glass in.

Thanks for sharing Jason. I have been encouraging other people to send their inspirational photos to be posted here. If you have a project you would like to share with other glass enthusiasts, please send them along!

Pat

Slumped Glass Panel Lamps

This is an unusual find. When my customer brought in this green lamp that was found in the garbage of a friends parents, I told her it was definitely worth keeping. Repairing them back to their original beauty is not easy but well worth the investment.

The process to go through is to remove one good panel. From that good panel, I make a mold that can be used to make the new panel. I wrap the good panel in tin foil so I can get the shape of the glass I need. Once I have the shape, the tin foil is cut out and laid flat which gives us the pattern to cut the new piece of glass by. Matching glass on these old lamps is not always easy. Once the glass is found, the pattern is traced onto the glass prior to cutting it. The size is checked and any adjustments are made.

Now, back to the mold. Once the mold is made it needs to be thoroughly dried. This mold is very thick in some areas and thin in others. It needs to be dried slowly to keep it from cracking. Once the mold is prepared and ready, it is put into the kiln with the new glass carefully placed on top. The kiln is turned on low and vented until I am sure all of the moisture has been removed. Once I am sure there is no more moisture, the vent is closed and the glass continues to heat slowly. When it gets to about 900-1000 degrees, the glass will start to bend and take the shape of the mold. Over a period of 2-3 hours I will watch the glass, open the kiln and check to see that it is shaped correctly, and turn of the kiln when finished so it can slowly cool down to room temperature.

The moral of the story... don't throw these lamps away. They do have value. They can be fixed. And most often, they are worth saving.

Class Notes: In my fusing class, if you would like to learn how to go through this process, bring an old lamp with you and I will help you step by step.

Manchester Riverfolk Music Arts Festival Review

What an absolutely wonderful day. I had the opportunity to become an exhibitor at the Manchester Riverfolk Music Festival this week-end in Manchester, MI. The weather could not have been better. My booth faced the main stage so I could hear beautiful music all day. Visitors stopped and talked and were very engaged in my work.

The collection of artists work was very nice. My favorite of the show was work created by Sea of Glass Studio in Manchester, MI. One of their necklaces is shown here. Pictures never do glass justice and I can tell you seeing them in person is a real treat. I could not leave without purchasing a necklace from them with a leaf similar to the one shown here. Take the time to visit their web site. You will not be dissapointed. http://www.seaofglassstudio.com/pages/photo.galleries/gallery.html . On top of being wonderful artists, Trudi and Eric Cooper gave of their time and knowledge very willingly. I always appreciate an artist who is willing to help another along their path!

Now, the music. If you have never attended this event, I urge you to put it on your calendar for next year. It is hard for me to pick a favorite because I truly enjoyed every musician I heard throughout the day. My booth faced the main stage... what a treat! I purchased CD's from two of the bands. One of them was from a singer with a voice I am very jealous of. Her web site is: http://viennateng.com/streetteam/ . The other was from a family of musicians with a collection of instruments unlike anything I have heard before. The bands name is MacTalla Mor and their web site is: http://www.mactalla.com/about.html . When they said they were going to play Free Bird unlike anything we had ever heard before, they were absolutely right. Free Bird with bag pipes? I know it sounds wierd but everybody truly enjoyed every song they played.

I could go on and on. It was a great day. Don't miss it next year!

Pat Deere

Sacred Heart Church, Hudson

As much as I love creating new works of art, there is something very rewarding when working with churches. It is a passion for me. If you have never attended church at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hudson, MI or never seen their stained glass, you are in for a treat. We are in the process of releading one of the windows in the church. Removal of that window is shown here. For more information about the church and their windows, go to the web site for the Michigan Stained Glass Census: http://museum.msu.edu/museum/msgc/dec03.html . Sacred Heart has been featured many times over the years.

If you're not familiar with the Michigan Stained Glass Census, check out their web site as well. They document stained glass throughout Michigan and count on volunteers to get the information to them. If you would like to volunteer or if you know of some beautiful or historic stained glass you feel should be documented, contact them or myself for more information so a volunteer can be linked to that building. To find out if the building you are inquiring about is already listed, go to this page: http://museum.msu.edu/museum/msgc/ . Click on Look for Registered Windows in Your Community . Then follow the instructions.

As we go through the restoration process, I will show photos and describe what we have to go through to restore these windows to the condition they deserve. The photo here shows Chris from C.A.P. Construction beginning the very slow process of removing the windows from their frames. Each section of glass was very carefully lowered on a framed board where it was then loaded onto a truck and transported to my studio, Pictures In Glass in Tecumseh.

The web site for Sacred Heart for those who would like to visit is: http://www.laforestnet.com/church/ .

Pat Deere

CLASS NOTES: Classes in restoration don't come along every day. If you are interested in learning about the restoration process, call today to discuss available days and times.

Torch Working Ideas

I have been having a riot working with my torch again. This morning I was reading an article in the latest edition of Fortune Small Business. They have a web site, www.fsb.com . I got on it this morning to see if I could find the article I read in their July/August 2008 issue called, The Art Of Glass, and they only have past issues posted through May 2008. So keep watching for it.

Anyway, I have been working making pulled glass flowers like the one shown above on my name tag. I got an opportunity to make a large one at Greenfield Village in Dearborn for only $28 and anybody can do it. Their web address is: http://www.thehenryford.org/ . When I got back to my studio, I decided to try to make them in miniature on my bead torch and they are turning out very fun. Because a student brought in an article about people cutting glass bottles to make flower vases, I have been cutting the bottles and adding these cute little flowers and making very fun looking vases, business card holders, pencil holders, etc.

Then, when I read the article in Fortune this morning and saw them highlighting one company who uses the other end of the bottles to make wine glasses - guess what? I got excited again and tried it in the torch. So much you can do with recycled products.

My advise... go to glass shows, read articles, get excited and try some of this stuff at your studio! We all need inspiration every now and then and what better place to get it than a museum or art exhibit. The Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts has a really cool exhibit right now called Nature Inspired. There is a glass artist who has a beautiful mosaic mirror that is worth checking out. http://lcvamembers.blogspot.com/ This is their blog link with hours listed. You might want to call before you go, however, because this is a volunteer gallery and they don't always have somebody to sit for them.

Class Notes: I teach glass bead making at my studio. You don't have to do just beads. Try something different like these pulled glass flowers, wine glasses from bottles, etc. Give me a call about what you would like to learn and we can work out a good day for you!

Have fun, Pat Deere

Women's Rights - Flint Bus Depot

I am in the process of designing a stained glass window, about 4'x16' for the bus depot in Flint, Michigan. The subject assigned to me is women's rights. The committee has given me a list of several key events and people they would like me to include in the window. Through many of the organizations I belong to, I have met many strong women who have made significant differences in peoples lives that may not necessarily be written about in history books. If you have an idea, or a story to tell about a woman you know of who has made a difference to continue the efforts of some of these early historians, I would love to hear about it. Even if the individual person cannot be included in the design, perhaps the ideas they embody can.

For more information regarding the Greater Flint Arts Council, go to http://www.greaterflintartscouncil.org/ . They are the organization I have been working through on this project. They have a lot of wonderful art opportunities, galleries, art walks, etc.

More Mosaics

Mosaics seem to be of interest to people lately. This is a fun mosaic tray I recently finished. It began with a pre-existing tray that had a fun collection of buttons underneath. I added stacks of marbles, a melted glass bottle, fused glass for the flower, a melted wine bottle of my moms that had a chip in it, and an assortment of other glass to make it a fun serving tray. Over the top of all of it, I put a clear piece of glass to make a nice smooth place to hold items. I do have this tray displayed at the Lenawee County Fair if you stop by.

During the fair, I have been talking to a lot of people. One woman made a unique marble mosaic using a marble collection from a friend. It sounds like he collected these marbles since he was a boy... a collection that spans 80 +/- years. I asked her to send the mosaic in that she made using these marbles so I can post it on this blog.

If anybody has a unique glass piece you made that you would like to share to inspire others, please send a photo and description of the piece to me so we can post it. People really like to see what can be done with every day objects.

Pat Deere

Tara is getting a lot of help!

This photo shows Darshawn from Drager working on Tara. He has helped me for several days during the Lenawee County Fair. Without his help, and that of other volunteers, we would not be this far along.

Some of the other volunteers include Nicole from Onsted, Haley and her sister Hunter from Sand Creek, Chris and Sarah from Lenawee Christian, Patricia from Berean Baptist, adult ed students from the Hope Center helped out during a class I held and the Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts, a young girl from Blissfield created the design on her right pocket, several students during my free classes in April (Art Glass Month) got her started.

If you would like to help work on this mosaic, stop by the Lenawee County Fair this week. I am in the Ag building. If you helped and I didn’t get your name, send me an email. I’d like to keep track of the volunteers!

Pat Deere

Tara - The Retired Model

This is Tara. When my husband brought home this mannequin - minus one arm and a head, he told me he was going to use it for target practice. I objected and told him I had a much better use for it.

This is the beginning stage of what she looks like. She is being mosaic'd... small glass pieces glued to the entire piece. Once done, she will be grouted. I am using clear silicon adhesive for this project.

If all works out as planned, she will be given to the Art Bra Auction in Tecumseh to be sold to the highest bidder. The money made from that auction goes to breast cancer research.

The design: I have taken Tara to several different locations and many people have worked on her. Right now, I have her at the Lenawee County Fair (until this Saturday) where I am working on her as well as anybody wanting to put in a little time. The colorful piece on her right cheek was added by a girl who was at the Blissfield Festival. That has now turned into a design on her pants pocket. The pink ribbon... the symbol for breast cancer. The eagle - just seemed like it should go there. She also has many parts of her front finished. I'll add pictures as we move along.

So, if your visiting any of the fairs I am at, stop by my booth and help me finish Tara. It will be fun for you and go to a good cause. A list of the fairs I'll be attending are shown below under the Lenawee County Fair title.

CLASS NOTES: Mosaic classes are offered through my studio. The fun thing about them is you can use so many different things besides just glass. Add stones, pottery, broken dishes. The shedule is flexible and only limited by your imagination.

CUSTOM MOSAICS: If you browse through my web site you will see some pretty extravagant mosaics I have done in the past. They make wonderful backsplashes behind a stove. If you do not have the creative itch to make your own mosaic, or don't have the time, I would love to provide a quote for you to make a backsplash that will make your kitchen a showpiece!

Vacation during July!

Vacation, at last! My family has for several years taken a house boat trip similar to the one shown here at Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. It is an absolute riot. If you haven't tried it, click on this link http://www.statedock.com/houseboats.htm and check it out. It can be a little pricy, but we share it with 5 families, make our own food, and don't have any outside expenses... like video games, etc. We play spoons, mash potatoes with our feet (when we forget the potato masher), and swim in water that averages 80 degrees.

So, that's where I'll be from July 16-July20th! I'll see you at the Lenawee County Fair when I return.

Pat

Blissfield Fair Winner/Future Show Schedule

This is just a quick update... whenever I go to a show, I have a drawing for those interested in signing up for my mailing list... or just signing up for the drawing. The winner for those who attended the Fair in Blissfield this week-end is Melody P. The Garden Chapel, like the one shown here, is yours.

This Garden Chapel came from my need in the past to go to a church and pray. Several times, it was difficult to find a church that was open. Many have to keep their doors closed when a service is not going on due to vandalism. This little garden chapel can be set in a private area of your garden that will give you some peace and serenity, and a quiet place to relax and meditate.

Look for me at any of the future shows I am scheduled for, including:

July 20-26 Lenawee County Fair
August 2 Manchester Riverfolk Festival
August 15-17 Ypsilanti Heritage Festival
August 23-24 Cascade Civil War Muster, Jackson
September 19-20 Art-A-Licious, Adrain
September 26-28 Clinton Fall Festival
October 11-12 Appleumpkin Festival, Tecumseh
November 22 Sandcreek Craft Show

Class Notes: Where possible, during some of these festivals, I will be offering mini-classes using glass mosaic. Check us out if you come to the show!

Customer Question - Painting and Frit

Dear Pat,

Thank you for your recent email. I do check your site periodically. I'd like to learn how to do something but I'm not sure what's it's called exactly nor what is needed both material-wise and experience-wise. So my plea to you is for your help and/or direction.

I'd purchase a set of Swallowtail Butterfly Wings. They were made in Canada by the DeBrady Glass Studios... The package said: "These have been fuse-printed by kiln firing finely ground glass onto clear glass, then refiring with a metallic coating to produce an iridized finish." ...

Thank you, Chris B.

Chris,

I did find this glass company on the internet at http://www.debrady.com/. It looks like they wholesale glass items like this to retail outlets. I can't tell you exactly how they have done this but the technique I would use when trying to make something of this type would be traditional glass paints and glass frit. Traditional glass paints and frit require the use of a kiln to permanently fire it into the glass. When painting I like to mix my paint with water or more often with clove oil. The clove oil allows the paint to work smoothly when painting lines like the ones shown in the butterfly wings. A book I like to reference when painting is one by Albinus Elskus, The Art Of Painting On Glass.

The Fused Glass Handbook by Gil Reynolds is one I like to reference when doing kilnwork also. Glass frit comes in many sizes. Anywhere from sand-like pieces to larger ones like the pieces you make when chipping glass with a pair of glass breakers.

CLASS NOTES: Glass painting and fusing are classes available at my studio. For those interested, it is currently taught in a weekly format in 2 hour sessions. For those interested in glass painting, but who may live a distance from my Tecumseh studio, a longer 1/2 day or day long workshop will be considered in the future. Just let me know if you are interested and a workshop can be made available on the week-end.

Any time you have a question, I will answer it to the best of my ability. If you would like to learn the techniques through a class, I would suggest that it is a good thing. If you just need advice and want to learn it at home, I don’t mind answering questions for you. Hope this helps!

Pat Deere

Mosaic Bird House Auction - Tecumseh Center for the Arts

The City of Tecumseh is hosting a bird house auction where the bird houses can be viewed in area businesses throughout the summer and auctioned off in the fall. My bird house, shown here, was inspired by my three teenage boys. It can be seen at United Bank and Trust in Tecumseh.

The four sides of this glass mosaic are: Life is a Journey, Get Inspiration Wherever You Can, Learn From Your Mistakes, and Be At Peace in the End. Each of the sayings are hand painted onto the glass and kiln fired for permanence. The poem, by an unknown (to me) author has been engraved onto the glass for the Learn From Your Mistakes panel. It really hit me when I read it and it reads like this:

Praying to a God you can't see and can't hear seem a little confusing?

When my child made a bad decision that was legally and morally wrong, I only had to ask him one question.

MOM: Would you have made the same decision had you talked to God about it first?

CHILD: No.

MOM: That was God talking to you. You may not see him and you may not hear him like I am talking to you now. But the ability to make good decisions while talking to God is prayer. And, your good decision is God's answer.

When you get to the side, Get Inspiration Wherever You Can, much of that came from a wonderful canoe trip I had taken on the Au Sable River with my children and friends. They had a beautiful old log cabin on many acres. The trip passed a private piece of land where somebody had built an outdoor chapel. It was roofed and the windows were made of wrought iron. Inside there were benches where you could sit, meditate, pray, or just listen to nature. It was a great place for a quiet moment and open to whoever wanted to stop by.

Visit all of the houses whenever you can. All of them are supposed to be listed on the Saline Picture Frame web site. I did not find that link yet but will post it when it becomes available.

CLASS NOTES: Along with a full array of other classes, I teach glass mosaic. There is a new product out called NO DAYS Mosaic Adhesive. Great product! It adheres well and is quick drying. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about it and I do have a limited supply of free samples!

Pat

PL Deere

New Work

This is a project just waiting to be installed. When this customer came to me, they asked for a piece of stained glass art that would enhance their home, designed with Frank Lloyd Wright style furnishings. They have a beautiful scenic view of the property out the back window. They are gardeners and lovers of nature. Because of this, and their idea of incorporating an organic feel with a flowing river, this design emerged.

More information about this project and how it was approached will be coming soon. Watch for more details!

If you want to see more custom work created by Pat Deere, click here.