Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Featured Artist for October


We are featuring work by Kalispell artist Karen Leigh during the month of October. Inspired primarily by the beauty and spirit of her native Montana as well as travels abroad, Leigh offers original watercolors and commissioned work. Karen states, "Always on the lookout for 'accidental magnificence', I am particularly interested in finding beauty in unexpected places and in painting the more intimate details of life around me."

Karen is a fourth-generation Montanan who has lived in the Flathead Valley since 1970. A graduate of Montana State University, her primary interest has been transparent watercolor. Figures and portraits have recently become important subjects in her work. A full-time painter and signature member of the Montana Watercolor Society, she maintains a studio in the newly renovated Eastside Brick, formerly the local hospital. She also teaches privately and accepts commissions.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Illusions by JT Robinson



These wonderful clocks by Jamie Robinson come in six different sizes. Each clock is hand crafted from antiqued paper and wood. All of the sizes have a pendulum and would be a lovely addition to any home.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Ildanach Studios Jewelry by Curtis Rowland


Curtis follows the time-honored philosophy of his Ancestors. Awen is a God-given blessing - natural and pure, this Creative Soul is to be used as a celebration of Creation. For Curtis and Ildanach Studios, this means organic rather than sterile…individual character not mass production…natural, balanced, earth-friendly sources instead of unnatural, manufactured or unsound practices. If you research back far enough, every culture has this philosophy. The American Indian sees it as being connected in the Great Cycle. The Japanese see it as Wabi-sabi, humble beauty, or a respect for that which is old and therefore full of character. The Celts see that it goes beyond Awen to being on the Sunwise Path and attuned with the Spirit of Creation.

The benefits of this natural approach mean a healthier individual and a more stable environment. For example, anyone who has ever seen any of the various copper mines around the world probably comes away sickened at this destruction of the Land - just one of the reasons for Curtis' almost religious dedication to recycling and reusing.

This connection also brings forth earthy, organic beauty. Allowing the materials their voice, the artist their creativity and the wearer their expression.

And thus the name, Ildanach, becomes apropos. From the Gaelic language group, Ildanach, pronounced ill-DA-nock, means all craftsman and represents our dedication to this philosophy as well as our striving for the highest craftsmanship in all that we do.






Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Jaguar Art Glass by Ann Schwartz


Ann Schwartz has been artistically etching glass since 1975. She has innovated and refined several sandblasting techniques that are unique in the production of artistically sandblasted glass and glassware. The airbrush quality and dimensional depth of her finely detailed etchings illustrates her dedication to producing work that conveys a sense of flow, beauty, and humor. Ann designs and freehand draws all of Jaguar’s imagery. She also skillfully cuts all of her stencils by hand. Afterwards, she sandblast each piece individually. To ensure the authenticity and preserve the timeless value of their art, each individual piece is signed and dated. All glassware is purchased from a variety of sources, most is hand blown. Just as with any painter or graphic artist who doesn't make their own canvas, we don't make ours. However we design and etch on the more challenging and difficult curved surfaces of glassware.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Marie Brittsan


We are featuring work by Whitefish artist Marie Brittsan during the month of September. Marie’s bold, expressionistic artwork celebrates life and lifts the spirit. A former watercolorist, Marie uses layers of transparent acrylic glazes and applied texture to bring depth and intensity to her subjects. From abstract to representational, her colorful acrylic paintings carry energy and emotion.

Born and raised by the oceans and canyons in southern California, Marie developed a great love for the natural beauty surrounding her. She has painted since she was a child and the passion for painting has never faded. Marie speaks about her work, “When I am painting, my eyes become open again to the beauty around me. Color, light, shadow, form and energy are everywhere we look, always inspiring creative declaration. Music, emotion and Spirit have color, and I endeavor to capture those expressions in what I paint.”

Shadow Box Pins


We've just received the coolest, one of a kind shadow box pins made by Christine Charter Moorhead. This is what Christine says about her pins "I capture time in the moment and link the past to the future with my Shadow Box Art Pins. My passion is about creating artistic, symbolic and fun pieces out of every day things. I hope to capture your imagination and make you smile! "