A Spectrum of Color: Kristin Gibson

Last Friday was featured artist Kristin Gibson's painting demo and open house!

It was my first time to watch Kristin at work and I was just one of a captive audience gathered to witness her artistic genius. I own one of Kristin's paintings and it is one of my most cherished pieces of art! Her unique and vibrant paintings can bring everyday objects to life and make an onion an object of inspiration and awe. Now I truly understand what she means when she says "Truth is, I paint the way I cook - not afraid to mix a little of this, with a little of that."

I am truly sorry if you missed her demo but luckily I do have a few pictures to share with you!






































The finished painting "Spectrum of Vegetables" at Spectrum!












Nancy Noel May, our resident scarf tying expert, also did a scarf tying demo with the gorgeous new silk scarves Kristin brought in. Come in anytime and we will show you endless ways to transform any outfit with one of Kristin's stunning silk scarves (which by the way are hand-washable, perfect for all year round, fit easily in any purse and are absolute necessities for all vacations!)
They were all so beautiful, I couldn't make up my mind, so I just decided to wear all of them!


Come in this month to see the special collection of her new work in all sizes and price ranges. You can check out her work on our website.

At Spectrum it is our mission to make life more beautiful, and Kristin is a major contributor in achieving our goal. We are so lucky to have Kristin as a friend and fellow artist.

Thanks Kristin!

-Taylor

Stay up to date on gallery news & events!
Email me and I will sign you up for our email newsletter.

Our latest newsletter

Ben Keys, 2nd Friday Open House and more news from Spectrum Art & Jewelry

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411096299

Ben Keys, Found at Sea

Kristin Gibson's Story Behind the Painting

I love art, I always have.
I can spend hours in galleries and museums
looking in awe and wondering
what the artist was thinking and what inspired them.
I decided to start asking our artists at Spectrum
if they would share a few of their stories.
Here is what Kristin Gibson had to share...

Cezanne's Coutryside II
©Kristin Gibson
36X36
Linen
$1600

Cezanne's Birthday

©Kristin Gibson
16x20
$450

“For me, Cezanne has always been a favorite painter to study. Last summer I had the opportunity to see "Cezanne and American Modernism" at The Baltimore Museum of Art. A look at how Cezanne transformed American art alongside the work of 34 American artists who demonstrate the vital impact Cezanne had on modernism from 1907-1930 in the US.

That exhibition, in conjunction with an invite by Nancy Noel May at Spectrum to create small works inspired by locales outside the US, led up to painting a small study and then this 36x36 on linen. I have taken the perspective of painting a landscape Cezanne was immersed in, saw through his eyes, but in my style and color palette. As with my still life paintings, I focus on the play of shape and color with expressive thick brush work. I enjoy the white of the road and buildings that lead one through the composition.

As a further ode to Cezanne, on his birth date of January 19 this year I composed a still life with a nod to works I saw at the museum show. Take a look at the suggestion of landscape through the window. The blue band of color and green shapes of mountains is my "Cezanne's Countryside II" simplified! Thank you for your interest in my work. I hope you enjoy both of these paintings, and I invite you to see them in person at Spectrum.”

-Kristin Gibson

Taylor

A Flock of Pelicans has Landed at Spectrum...and we couldn't be more excited about it!

Larry Meyers and his "Flock"

Larry Meyers, Idaho-based sculptor and mixed media artist, is now represented by Spectrum Art and Jewelry. Humor has always been one of Larry's artistic muses. During a four year collaboration with another artist, their mission statement was “To create art with no message other than to amuse.” They aimed at creating pieces with a combination of conceptual strength, technical expertise and inventiveness. His most recent exploration combines lost foam aluminum casting with 1950's aluminum outboard motor cowlings. “The cowlings have an art deco look and I soon discovered pelicans lurking inside” said Meyers. His own love for fishing opened the door to these innovative works of art. He loves seeing peoples faces light up with childlike delight as they spot his pelicans for the first time.

"About eight years ago, I found some Vespa Scooter fenders that had a cool shape”, says Meyers. "I remember thinking, 'That would make a good bird.' Then I found some vintage outboard motor cowlings and it all just clicked." Larry uses vintage outboard motors as the bodies of his pelicans. The head and webbed feet are cast-aluminum. They are both witty and whimsy. "I'm lucky to have met many creative artists along the way who were willing to teach me," he says. "It has long been a dream of mine to be able to wake up each day and know exactly what I want to make and be able to make it."

Larry's experience as an artist has been one of generosity as well as creativity. Although busy creating both amazing and humorous sculptures, he has often found time to create important works for communities and art to donate for good causes . One of my personal favorites is the Barrett Admire Memorial Sculpture created for the playground of the Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum. The sculpture was commissioned to commemorate the life of a boy who had attended the school. The boy had passed away a few years previous in a car accident. Meyer's said, "I was asked to do three things with this piece of art, to celebrate the life of a young man, to create healing, and to involve the community." The artist employed a group of fourth-graders from the school to create a mural. Meyers then reproduced the mural in bronze and cut it into sections which he wrapped around a 12-foot column. At the top of the column was a multicolored, open cockpit biplane, inside the cockpit was a steel reproduction of the young man's dog, Rosie.

Larry Meyer's has also created some pieces of spiritual significance. He was asked to create a mechanism for turning a Tibetan prayer wheel. "I ended up working closely with Lama Tenzin on his particular needs and desires for the project, eventually overseeing the architects, engineers and carpenters who were needed to install it and build a pagoda around the wheel. The wheel was made of copper, brightly painted and filled with over one million prayer scrolls with the sacred words 'Om Mani Padme Hum,' written on them. I had this in my garage for two weeks." The prayer wheel eventually became part of the 'Garden of Infinite Compassion', a rock garden and waterfall complex in Ketchum. The Garden of Infinite Compassion honors the Dalai Lama's visit to the Wood River Valley. During a private ceremony on September 13, 2005, the Dalai Lama consecrated and blessed the Tibetan Prayer Wheel. The 400 pound, hand carved Prayer Wheel is one of only two prayer wheels in North America blessed by His Holiness.

Larry has had an exciting life and art career. We are so thrilled to partner with him as he continues on his exciting artistic journey. We love these humorous and brilliant birds and we know you will too!

Taylor

Ties that bind us

The newest addition of our family of jewelry artists is Randi Chervitz from St. Louis. Her collection, entitled "Uncommon Threads" is crocheted from fine silver wire over sterling silver armatures. Her jewelry is an expression of the common threads that tie people together, like the desire to adorn ourselves and to connect with our artistic traditions.

She first picked up her grandmother's crochet hook while studying metal-smithing in college. Her grandmother had taught her to knit as a child and she always loved the individual stitches that make up fabric. Immediately, crocheting silver and gold jewelry became her signature style.

We have a lovely collection of earrings and pendants created by Randi. They make a unique, contemporary statement with sparkle and style. Her forms are elemental and dramatic and yet airy and delicate at the same time.

Star

UNDER THE BIG TENT...

If you happened to drive by the Forum on Saturday you saw a tent in front of Spectrum. No, the circus wasn't in town, but the same excitement was in the air!

Kristin Gibson, our favorite Carolina Beach artist, was here showing how she hand paints her silk scarves, and helping many participants make their own silk ornaments using a less complex technique. Everyone expressed how much fun they had and how amazed they were at using simple techniques to create some wonderful masterpieces! It didn't matter how old your were (we even had a 3 year old) or how much artistic skill you possess, each piece was fantastic! Thanks to everyone who attended, we collected one hundred and fifty dollars for DREAMS OF WILMINGTON!

What is in the box?

Star and Nancy found some fabulous treasures on their last buying trip, and the packages are coming in daily! The "dynamic duo" surely know how to shop!

WOVEN GLASS is a new line for us. Located near Saratoga, New York, Terry Weaver left his career as an architect to become a glass artist. Wait until you see his hanging vases!
Because they hang you can see the light coming through the glass, adding even more brilliance to the fantastic colors. They are intended to be used as vases, but are beautiful on their own. Need a gift for some who has everything? This may be just the thing! I'm sure you'll want one for yourself as well! We also have some WOVEN GLASS ring holders. Each one is hand made and for nineteen dollars is a great buy!


Wilmington's own Sarah James recently brought in some of her newest pieces. Still using her hand made glass beads, she has added more hand wrought metal to emphasize a very contemporary look. There are hoop earrings, bangle bracelets, and stunning necklaces.

And still more is coming!

Enjoy these lovely cool and crisp fall days!


Kathleen

American Craft Week at Spectrum

American Craft Week is October 1 - 10.

Here are events happening here at Spectrum that week:

Friday, October 8, from 6pm - 8pm:
Open House featuring Gallery Craft Artists


We will be featuring North Carolina craft artists: Metal artist, Anne Cunningham; bead maker and jewelry designer, Sarah James; painter and textile artist, Kristin Gibson, sculptor, Tripp Gregson and jeweler designers, Star Sosa & Nancy Noel May. Enjoy refreshments and wine while ...checking out all the new creations. Learn what makes the "Art of Craft" so special.

Saturday, October 9, from 10am - 2pm:
Silk Painting Workshop with Kristin Gibson
This workshop benefits Dreams of Wilmington. Kristin's Textile Design background and love for color make for a winning combination as a visual artist and painter of fabrics. She has kindly agreed to do a workshop to demonstrate her technique on silk. A $5.00 materials fee lets you create your own piece of art to take home. Each participant will complete a 6x6 silk ornament. It will be such fun!


Jane

Meet the Artists ~ Rick & Valerie Beck

Glass artists, Rick & Valerie Beck recently visited Spectrum Gallery where they are our featured artists for July. It was such a great opportunity to get to know them better and to learn more about the intricacies of their glass art. I've known them for many years and have visited their home studio in the North Carolina mountains, near Penland. It is such a privilege to represent their work.






"When meeting the Becks I saw two people who were as bonded as their glass. They are kindred spirits in creation and life. Their love of nature and animals become elements reflected in their unique designs. One great example is this painted vessel showing their dog Milo in a field of cows (he just loves cows for some reason)." Kathleen Gray



Valerie hand paints these motifs onto the glass when it is a small form on the blow pipe. She uses a specialized vitreous enamel which is no longer available. The glass blank is then encased in more clear glass and blown and manipulated into its final form. I am simplifying the process, but it is anything but simple. There are multiple layers of paint which must be "cooked" each time before more paint or glass is added. She also has to understand the way a piece will grow when it is stretched. Some colors absorb the heat and move at a different rates than others.

Her vivid color palette is one thing that makes Valerie's painted vessels so appealing. They take on a totally different color quality than your average blown glass objects. She can add colors that are not readily available in glass and she can control their interaction with the stroke of a brush. Her motifs are naive and charming with a nod to pop art.

Valerie just informed us that due to its lead content, this type of enamel is no longer manufactured and that other products simply do not perform in the same way. What that means is this is the final collection of the Beck's painted vessels. Once these are gone, there will be no more. Can you say "collector's piece"? She is earnestly working to develop a new direction and I'm sure it will be fascinating.


Rick Beck is a master glass artist with degrees from Hastings College and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. After the Beck's both completed graduate school, they went on to art residencies at the Appalachian Center for Crafts and the Penland School of Crafts. In addition Rick has taught at the Pilchuck Glass School. His sculpted, cast and carved creations are in museum collections such as the Mint Museum in Charlotte and he represented by some of the top glass galleries in the country.

Rick is intrigued with contrasts; small objects depicted in monumental scale, sturdy tools created in fragile glass, deceptively simple forms and rich colors challenge the eye and the mind. Among his inspirations are Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani. Their influence can be seen in his figurative forms.

Once again, the process of creating these sculptures is much more complicated that they appear. He sculpts an original in clay and then builds a plaster mold around it. Once the mold is completed, he scoops out the clay original and fills the mold with chunks of recycled glass. This is then slump cast into the form. The final edit comes when he breaks out his grinding tools to refine and shape and modify the casting. Chemistry comes into play when the glass alloys or veils with lines that can form between the original chunks. The serendipitous aspects of working with hot glass combine with the intentional carving away of excess glass until he reveals the artwork within.

The density of the sculpture affects the color of these luminous creations. I think that one of the main reasons we are all so attracted to glass is its many personalities between opaque and translucent, shiny and textured, and all the myriad of colors.

Stop by the gallery to see the collection or visit our website. Spectrum Art & Jewelry

Kathleen Visits the Studio of Anne Cunningham

During a recent visit to the home studio of Wilmington artist, Anne Cunningham, Kathleen Gray had the opportunity to speak with the artist and see a wonderful selection of Anne's work in process as well as the newest completed creations. Here are her impressions:

"A blended tapestry of multiple mediums is the way I would describe the work of Anne Cunningham. Metalwork that has elements of painting, sculpture, weaving and patchwork. During my visit to her studio I had a chance to see the evolution of her work from painting to metal sculpture. She has been working with metal for almost 20 years and has an impressive list of corporate collectors including Rex Health, Duke and PPD. Anne's love of nature, color and movement combined with her playful spirit are obvious characteristics of her work. Inspiration comes from a limitless palette of size, shape and color that she continues to experiment with. " Kathleen Gray

This Friday will be a treat you won't want to miss. Anne is one of our Featured Artists at our

Spectrum Art & Jewelry
July Open House & Wine Tasting,
Friday, July 9th
6-8pm.

Also featured are Rick & Valerie Beck, glass artists from Spruce Pine, NC
Here is an example of their whimsical glass art.

There will be live music that night
Lisa & Galen, a local jazz duo, will be performing.

I look forward to seeing you there.
For more details feel free to call 910-256-2323.

Patricia Daunis Jewelry ~ The Port City Connection

During a recent jewelry show at the gallery I had the opportunity to speak with visiting designer, Patricia Daunis. Our conversation brought back many wonderful memories of another port city that I used to call home: Portland, Maine. In fact, it was the similarities between Wilmington and Portland that captured my heart and led me to move here.

The two cities, both major ports on the East coast, are rich in history and exquisitely beautiful. The Maine Coast, differs from ours in that it abounds with rocks, moss and evergreens coming right down to the shore line.


What struck me most about Patricia's jewelry designs was the way she captures the same essence that exists between my two favorite parts of the country. The warmth of the golden sand, the play of waves, the history, tradition and creativity of the people and the stones that can be added to all of her pieces.





Patty has named many of her designs after favorites places in Maine. These names evoke beloved memories for myself and I expect, many of Patricia's collectors. Memories of Camden, Bar Harbor, Sebago Birch Island, Friendship and many more. The movement of the waves and the play of light on the water are easily imagined in each earring, ring and pendant. In some creations she even incorporates natural beach rocks, set with gems and gold to turn them into one of a kind works of art.





Come by the gallery and see if you don't agree with me. You won't find any lobster here but I'm sure you will enjoy this "taste of Maine".

Kathleen Gray

What Inspires Artists?

Artists are inspired by many different things. Emotions, places, scenery, as well as activism all provoke artists to create. For me, my jewelry is inspired by making a statement, usually geared toward humanism, yet the most beautiful view will cause me to pick up a paint brush.

For gallery artist, Jane Faudree, it is an emotion, especially in her abstract paintings. Though the beauty of the world and the mixing of the paints, the act of 'doing', is also an inspiration to her.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Different things motivate each of us. What inspires you?

New Eric McRay paintings~

3 large panoramic paintings by loved painter, Eric McRay, have made their way to Spectrum! With stunning beach views, these will be perfect for any home or office!

New Kristin Gibson Paintings!!

Floral still life painter Kristin Gibson has brought in new brightly colored works! Filled with color and energy, these are something you do not want to miss! The brush strokes and tactile surface of the canvas give the viewer a sense of being in the room while the creation took place!

NEW Small Glass Gifts!

Michelle Weston has created beautiful glass pen holders and single flower heart dishes that serve as vases. Incredibly beautiful, they make a great statement and are reasonably priced to to give as a gift or for your office. Pen holders $19 and heart vase dish flower holder $42.

PENS PENS PENS! ART PENS!

We have beautiful pens in the gallery made out of different materials and from different artists. From brightly colored purse pens, to burled wood cigar pens, we have pens for everyone! Pens for your key chain makes a great gift as well as dyed maple and pocket pens! Come in to see our large collection of art pens!

New Paperweights by Glass Eye Studio!

Mesmerizing in their own right, paperweights are always in style, make perfect gifts for any occasion and keep the viewer intrigued. They are little words encapsulated in glass and every one is unique and one of a kind. Glass Eye Studio has been very popular in the gallery for some time now and their vases have been flying off of the shelves. Stop in today to see the new goods!

New Abstract Painter Joe DiGiulio

We are proud to announce the arrival of a new abstract painter, Joe DiGiulio. His work is part of many corporate and private collections. He is the educational coordinator for Jerry's Art o Rama in Raleigh, NC. We are very excited to have Joe on our team. Stop by today to see more of his work!

Meet Our Staff:

Star Sosa, gallery owner and jewelry designer, has over 23 years of jewelry design experience and has been in business as owner of Spectrum Art & Jewelry for over 10 years in Wilmington. Her specialty is one of a kind jewelry design and loves helping clients create a wearable emotion! She is wonderful at creating an uplifting environment for relationships to be build within the gallery.

Nancy Noel May, gallery manager, has been with the gallery for over 9 years. Her degree in art education keeps her customers informed about their purchases and how to take care of their art. As a painter, Nancy is known all over town for her Art Smart Car, Bebe. Nancy's paintings have created quite a following, especially among lovers of Impressionism, specifically, Matisse!

Jane Faudree, sales specialist, has been with Spectrum for 3 years. She is a painter and has been a gallery manager for other NC galleries. Jane's seascapes, architectural renderings, and abstract compositions are easily recognizable. If you are a lover of Jane's work, you are a collector! Her style has a definite 'hook'!

Nicole Wilkinson, marketing web master, has been with Spectrum for 2 years. After finishing her doctoral research in art education, Nicole returned to Wilmington to work for the gallery and teach as a professor in the community college system. Nicole spends her free time working on jewelry designs, reading, knitting and gardening.

Michael Chapman has been with Spectrum for over a year. He brings over 44 years of master goldsmith training to the table. His ability to create the jewelry of your dreams is effortless! From a design created by Star, he can make a sketch a reality! His work is fascinating and his craftsmanship unfaltering. Stop in to the gallery today to see what designs he can create for you!

Michael Protiva Here Tonight!

A favorite among men and boat lovers, Michael Protiva will be in the gallery tonight for our monthly Open House & Wine Tasting! Michael flew in from the west coast where he works diligently painting many different motor boats, sailboats, painted on official NOA nautical charts. These are so unique- a must see! Stop in tonight to meet the artist and enjoy some wine!
6-8pm, 1125- H Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405