Ever wondered how Mary Ellen O'Connor creates her copper and gold pieces? Starting with a copper sheet, she cuts the shape of the cuff and bends it into a basic cuff. Then using a sinusoidal stake she starts the anticlastic shaping. She moves to another stake and planishs (flattens) it to finish the shaping. Not shown is finishing work on the edges and adding the 23K gold leaf.
Penn Cove Gallery's Denis Hill describes one of his newest shots: "It's fun to see details, including houses on Long Point, in a shot from Twin Lagoon Camp. This is possible with: a) a 400mm lens, and b) a camera that allows pulling details out of shadows. Those details will be more visible when the 20x30 inch canvas of this that I just ordered appears at Penn Cove Gallery." Below: A close up from the photograph above reveals a harbor seal and bald eagle on one of the mussel rafts.
We thought that you would enjoy seeing Penn Cove Gallery's printmaker, Linnane Armstrong, demonstrate Moku Hanga printmaking. Watercolor pigments and rice paste are mixed with special brushes on each block. Next, dampened Japanese paper is laid over the block and burnished with a baren which is a Japanese hand tool used in printmaking. Finally, seven blocks are printed to create the full image. A beautiful range of Linnane's linocuts and woodcut prints are available at the gallery. Ever wonder how Penn Cove Gallery's Beverly McQuary makes her stunning lampwork beads? She literally plays with fire! Glass bead-making involves melting colorful Italian soda-lime glass rods around a mandrel with a propane/oxygen torch and then embellishing them. Watch Bev make magic below and come into the gallery to see a wide selection of her beautiful jewelry.
We thought you'd enjoy seeing Penn Cove Gallery artist Janis Saunders demonstrate Kumihimo (Japanese for "gathered threads") braiding on her takadai, a frame used for making this unique style of intricate interlaced, braided patterns. Beginning in the 12th century, braids were primarily used to lace together Samurai armor and to wrap sword handles as well as everyday uses on clothing, on tea ceremony containers where they are tied in decorative knots, in the temples to tie scrolls, and in the home.
Janis' bracelets incorporate hand painted ribbon, fine threads and Japanese Kumihimo silk and glass beads. You can read more about this fascinating art form on Janis' Stonepath Studio website and shop her brilliant Kumihimo pieces at Penn Cove Gallery. |