Artist Interview with Sarah James

By Nicole Wilkinson
Today I had the pleasure of interviewing glass jewelry artist, Sarah James. As a local artist, Sarah has traveled all over the United States taking classes from world renowned torch glass sculpture artists known as lamp workers. She has taken classes from Lea Fairbanks in California, classes in Asheville, NC and from Lauren Stump, "King of Torch work Sculptures". Sarah has attended 8-10 classes where she has learned different techniques from large scale torch work artists. She then comes home and hones the technique into her own, applying what she learned to bead making and turning each bead into a miniature sculpture.

Sarah spends her days taking care of her family and working with her husband's building business. Her family is her number one priority and after dinner, she often gets to spend time in her studio working on new pieces. Even though she is running her children to sports practice and back and forth from school, she finds time to spend 20-30 hours a week in her studio.

For fifteen years, Sarah has been creating glass beads. Before that, she was a stained glass artist that naturally progressed to slump glass and then learned what she could do with a torch. After a fusing workshop using a flame, she was hooked. I asked her what inspires her and she said the ocean. The water, the fluid motion, much like hot molten glass, makes me understand her medium of choice. Anyone who meets Sarah quickly picks up on her fluid, laid back, easy-going personality. The tranquil nature of her mannerisms resonates with the liquid glass and the flowing ocean. Sarah is one with her medium and her surroundings. By living at the beach, and vicariously existing through her medium, one could say that Sarah has truly found home.

Super Tuesday, February 5th!!

By Nicole Wilkinson
According to Wikipedia, "In the United States, Super Tuesday commonly refers to the Tuesday in early February or March of a presidential election year when the greatest number of states hold primary elections to select delegates to national conventions at which each party's presidential candidates are officially nominated. More delegates can be won on Super Tuesday than on any other single day of the primary calendar, and accordingly, candidates seeking the presidency traditionally must do well on this day to secure their party's nomination. In 2008, Super Tuesday is February 5; 24 states will hold primaries or caucuses on this date, with 52 percent of all pledged Democratic Party delegates and 41 percent of the total Republican Party delegates at stake".

As an educator, one of the most irritating situations is to have a biased informant. As a news media representative, teacher, or anyone representing information, you MUST be the facilitator of knowledge, WITHOUT showing biases. It is up to the individual to make an informed, educated decision with the given information. At my house, there are a lot of stronger biases towards certain candidates, but we are not informing anyone of our intentions except for the cats. My favorite non-biased poll group is http://www.pollster.com/. Unlike politico.com which is very liberal and represented by the LA Times or the conservative Fox News polls, pollster.com represents what I believe to be the most unbiased polls around.

Check out the polls now at: http://www.pollster.com/08presidentialprimary.php

So come in today and get your red, white and blue jewelry! We have you covered here at Spectrum! Our North Carolina Primary isn't until May 6th so you have time to come in and purchase the best glitz for the occassion!

Mardi Gras History in New Orleans

By Nicole Wilkinson

By Nicole Wilkinson
Right after Huricanne Katrina, I had the opportunity to travel with the head of the Jazz Department of NYU and 12 students to New Orleans to learn of the culture and music of this old French town. One of the stops we made on the trip was in a very poverished area. On site was a museum that housed the different costumes from neighboring tribes that participate in the Mardi Gras Parade.

Many years ago due to segregation, it was almost impossible for African Americans to participate in the parade, so by wearing masks and covering their bodies, they represented the 4 parts of town and became known as the Parade Indians. Though they use to come out and settle violent scores between neighboring ghettos, today's parade is much different. Today these tribes have Dukes, Kings and Queens as well as their traditional Indians.

Mardi Gras is no longer a day to "settle scores" among the Mardi Gras Indians. Violence is a relic of the past. It is now Mardi Gras tradition and practice for the Indians to simply compare their tribal song, dance and dress with other tribes as they meet that day. Each Indian has invested thousands of hours and dollars in the creation of his suit, and is not willing to risk ruining it in a fight. This tradition, rich with folk art and history, is now appreciated by museums and historical societies around the world. It is a remarkable and welcome change from the past.

So while you are watching clips of the parade from your local news channel, realize that Mardi Gras isn't just about king cakes, sazeraks, po-boys, beads, and burbon, but also about tolerance; racial tolerance that focuses on the beauty of the African American/Creole community.

For more info, click on

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-01-10-mardigrastribes_N.htm

In the Flow by Jane Faudree

As a visual artist it is possible to get stuck occasionally. It happens rarely to me anymore as I have learned what keeps me “in the flow.” So, if you have that “blank canvas syndrome” and don’t have the impetus to begin your next piece, you might try a few suggestions.

One sure-fire stimulant is the act of visiting good art galleries or museums. The joy of seeing artwork of others speaks volumes to my creative side. Observing composition from different vantage points or an unusual use of color or line tantalizes my mind. Surrounding myself with beautiful art gives me pleasure and makes my mind begin to go into that creative space. If it is too much trouble to actually go to a gallery, I can always look online for inspiration. My bookmark is loaded with gallery links. Yet, the best encouragement is seeing original art face to face.

While in my studio, just the act of turning on music will make me more ready to paint. There is something freeing in listening to my favorite tunes. And certain days require different music. I listen to that inner voice that dictates whether it will be Rhythm and Blues, Classical, Oldies or whatever gets the juices flowing. It is amazing how music will change the worst mood. It seems to give energy to the painting as well.

At times I wonder exactly “what” to paint. For that I find several resources helpful. As a landscape painter, Wilmington has so many beautiful scenes; I can go for a walk or ride and find something to paint within minutes of my house. Traveling also gives opportunity to extend my range of subject matter and refreshes my outlook. Whether it is a trip to Europe or the next county it is a good way to get a new focus.

I like to plein air paint, which is painting on location. If I am searching for something to paint it is good to be prepared. I have a pochade box (wooden box, acts as container for paints/brushes and used to affix panel to paint on) and tripod (which connects to pochade box) ready to go at any given moment. Because I paint en plein air, I am more likely to be able to render the shadows more accurately when I use a photograph. It teaches you to think about the colors, reflected light etc. that will appear as flat and dark in a photo.

I usually keep a camera with me in my car so that I can catch that special sunset or the way the sun is reflecting on something that catches my eye. So, in essence I have a volume of reference photos on my computer to peruse. Thus, here is another way to tickle my creative feathers. I find that composing with the camera is a big plus, yet as I look at these photos, I find when I take them in to another program and play with them it opens up other opportunities. I can go into a good composition and find other compositions within the original. Oh, can I change some of those colors or move a tree? The possibilities start coming to me and soon I am excited about that new painting.

Well, what are you waiting for? Play some music, take a walk,or use whatever tools you need to invigorate that gift within you. Get going now!! You can do it!!