ACGA Virtual Exhibit: Garden Art
the dirt
the end of the Rock Candy road
Going big with the Rock Candy Series was a challenge, there was a lot of frustration, a lot of broken pieces and a lot of learning. Sometimes as an artist, you just need to take on the challenge and ‘make the thing’ even if you don’t know where it’s going to lead. Eventually, over the course of this year, I was able to make a whole pile of successful extra large rocks. But now what?
I stared at this pile in my studio for a few weeks, and it kind of stared back at me. I thought that I would be inspired to make more, create different combinations of colors and play with compositions, but I wasn’t. Sometimes, ideas lead to the end of a road and that’s ok. I’m really glad that I challenged myself with going big, I really glad that I was successful, and I’m really glad that all of the final pieces I made have already found a happy home. And as anti-climatic as it feels, I’m really glad to be moving onto other things that inspire me more.
Artists Sharing Artists: Kristen O’Neill
I love being surrounded by Kristen’s bold brushstrokes of trees, filtered light and flowing water in my own art collection and I’ve been in awe as I’ve watched her work mature over the past 20+ years that I’ve known her. Full disclosure, she’s my amazing sister-in-law, and I’ve been so lucky to have another professional artist in the family; we bounce ideas off each other, critique each other and support each other. But besides all that she is truly talented and passionate about preserving nature so of course I wanted to share her work with you.
Here’s what she has to say about her concepts of painting nature, “When I paint places that have been preserved, like national parks and trails, people say, ‘Oh, I’ve been there, that’s so pretty.” Now, I am taking this a step further. To challenge people and myself with questions like, “Is the forest beautiful after it burns? Are forest fires the enemy or a long-banished friend?” Currently I am learning from scientists, organizations, and tribal members about the world we live in. I am challenging my own notions of land use and forest management. I know that this new style of collaboration, diving into the unknown waters of knowledge and coming up with voices that need lifting, is more important to me than simply creating beauty for pleasure’s sake.”
Want to see her work in person? A selection of paintings from The Oregon Coast series is currently on display at the Grants Pass Museum of Art or scroll down for a video where she takes about the process of making this series.
To learn more about Kristen’s work and opportunities for classes, check out her video:
To add her work to your collection visit: www.kristenoneillart.com or follow her on IG at @kristenoneillart
Artists Sharing Artists: is a series of posts where I share some of my favorite artists who are also inspired by nature and use their art to protect what they love. More artists coming soon…
online exhibit happening soon!
For those of you that have spent a lot of time in your gardens during this past year of pandemic lock downs, this upcoming online only show will give you examples of some great artists who are making art just for your garden! There will be links to their websites and online shops if you see something that’s perfect for your space.
Launching March 1st the ACGA (Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California) will have 26 artists work on display for GARDEN ART: An ACGA Online Exhibition… stay tuned!
Video: break it down
If you’ve followed along over the past year while I attempted to make some extra large Rock Candy pieces, you’ll know that it was a challenge, but eventually I succeeded. I was able to make a selection of pieces that had no cracks or flaws, but there was a whole pile of pieces that didn’t make the cut. They’ve hung around the studio for long enough now, so it was time to get rid of them. So what do I do with all the unsuccessful pieces?
I hate garbage, I am always looking for a way to reuse, upcycle, repurpose or recycle everything and fired clay is no exception. While it could just go into the general landfill, I discovered that many refuse sites will accept ceramics in a separate pile where you would also put toilets, sinks and tiles. They grind up all the ceramics material and use it as an aggregate for compacting roads around the site or elsewhere. So if you have a bunch of broken ceramics from your studio be sure to check out if your local refuse center will separate it for use and you’ll give your not-so-great experiments another life.
featured art: bone series medusas and urchins
The Bone Series is focused on the remains of a form. The pieces imply what is left after the flesh is gone or pieces that need to be reassembled to understand what once was. These sculptures take their forms from the skeletal structures of radiolarians and the movements of jellyfish. They are made with very thin pieces of nearly translucent porcelain and some with high temperature wire that give movement and breathe life into the skeletal structures.
Fun Facts that inspire my work:
About Jellyfish: Jellyfish have been a part of the marine ecosystem for over 500 million years and they have no plan to depart. They love warm waters and can handle low oxygen environments, which means that rising ocean temperatures and higher acidification levels the ocean is becoming a place where jellyfish thrive. Overfishing of jellyfish predators like tuna and swordfish adds to their population and this makes some scientistic think that jellyfish just might take over the world… or at least the ocean. Anybody want to go for a swim?
About Radiolarians: Radiolarians are not well understood but are thought to hold clues to the evolution of life on Earth, as well as be an insight into changing climate conditions. They absorb carbon from the atmosphere when alive and trap it as they sink to the deep sea floor when they die. They have existed for at least 550 million years and are found in all the world’s oceans at all depths but many populations are declining due to warming temperatures.
You can shop for some of these pieces in person at Radius Gallery in Santa Cruz and some are available in my online shop
450 Pieces Exhibition
Experience the art of the Visual Arts Network in person! Not one but THREE galleries in Santa Cruz are teaming up to host a brand new exhibit showcasing 450 different artworks by the creators on the Visual Arts Network. With over 350 artists on the Network, each gallery is taking on a group of artists by last name.
R. Blitzer Gallery | Artists A-G
Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 1-4pm and by appointment
Curated by the Sea | Artists H-R
Hours: Thursday-Saturday from 12-4 and by appointment
Radius Gallery | Artists S-Z
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 12-5pm and by appointment
Galleries are strictly adhering to all current County Health Department safety protocols.
Hearts for your Valentine!
ART HEARTS!
There are just a handful of Art Hearts left in the online shop, so if you need a last minute gift for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, better grab one quick!
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February Studio News
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art orphan…
When you work in a series, it’s always a little sad to have that one last piece that just hasn’t found it’s home yet. Such is the case with this last piece from the Lichen Series | Walnut Trees, it is an art orphan still looking for a happy home.
front 
back
I created three of these pieces using slabs of California Black Walnut that came from a fallen tree in downtown Santa Cruz. I had custom steel bases fabricated to hold the slabs and made hundreds of small ceramic forms to attach to the wood. The ceramic forms were inspired by a type of shelf fungus often found on decaying wood. The ceramic pieces follow the curves and flow of the woodgrain on both sides of the planks giving movement to the otherwise rooted pieces. They are large and stately but only take up about one square foot of space, they are modern and rustic to fit with any style home and honestly; these are some of my favorite pieces I have made and I can’t believe this one hasn’t found a home yet.
Two of them are homed in Los Gatos and this one is still available for purchase. If you’re interested please contact me at jw@jenniward.com.