Thursday, June 14, 2012

An exciting week! - The Arts Without Borders Festival!

Wow.

What an exciting week!

It started a month ago with the commission & creation of three very special pieces.


This one was commissioned by the Arts Without Borders Society 
to give to 
Janet Magdanz 
for her participation in the Quick Draw. 
It says "Follow your bliss" and has a piece of pottery on the bottom. 
The colours of the metal and lamp work bead are meant to be earthy like the clay Janet works with. 
I know that pottery is Janet's bliss...

The other two commissions were for Lloydminster Reads.

 This one is for author, Lynn Coady. 
Her novel, The Antagonist, will be discussed at Lloydminster Reads with Lynn tonight at the Vic Juba.

I wanted to make a piece that celebrated both her novel and Lloydminster Reads, but I didn't want it to be something she wouldn't wear because it was dated or stamped with the event. It had to be pretty and functional. Eventually, after much sketching and thinking, I came up with the idea of a pendant that opened like a book to reveal the cover of The Antagonist and a "page" stamped with "Lloydminster Reads". These are secret pages that only Lynn will know about unless she shows others. I put it on leather for a Boho style. I wanted it to be 100% handmade, so I also made the clasp in sterling silver. It was the first time I'd ever attempted a hinged design. I sure hope Lynn likes it!

 After completing Lynn's, I decided to stick to the same theme for Margaret Lonsdale, the facilitator for the evening. Her "pages" say "facilitator 2012" and "Lloydminster Reads".

Once the commissions were done, the events began!

ARTS WITHOUT BORDERS ART MARKET/STREETSCAPES


 I was so excited that Yvonne Kurpjuweit of Creative Adornments 
could come from Saskatoon to sell with me again. 
I've missed her!


 This was the tent - complete with the signature old door and window.


The day started with listening to two of my ex-students (winners of the Sabres Idol contest) singing. What a treat!


Even though rain hovered over on and off all day, people came and the day went quickly!


 Earrings that were commissioned & picked up at the Art Market:


 Isn't she beautiful?


Denise in the earrings she commissioned me to make for her dress... looking fabulous at:

THE MAYOR'S CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS!

Quick Draw

 Four artists had to create a piece in ONE HOUR.
This was me at the beginning of the hour.
I was nervous.

 Janet Magdanz
Lloydminster Pottery Guild - a very talented potter.
Janet created THREE pieces in the hour!

 Graham Flatt
Graham is an internationally renown artist.
He works mainly in watercolours and pastels.
He's an old hand at the Quick Draw.

 Cindy Sorley-Keichinger
Also an internationally renown artist.
She is a wildlife artist working in acrylics.
She has also done the Quick Draw before.
I'm in good company!


About half way through. I'm sanding the silver clay sea horse at this point.


 Graham's painting at the half way point.


Torching the silver clay.


The final result.




I finished the necklace with 2 minutes to spare! 
Phew!!


AWARDS CEREMONY


Sabra Patmore and Denise Totman presenting me with the Arts Without Borders Bursary.
This will allow me to learn from the metal clay guru, Hadar Jacobson!
I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

It was a very exciting week!
Dawn

Made for You



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