Canadian Scarves from Rainbow Dreams

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

Janet Bartlett and Lynn Hilton are experienced fiber artists who reside on Northern Vancouver Island. They currently are painting and dyeing anything silk, mainly scarves, but with future plans to do more Arashi and Shibori which are Japanese folding techniques for making pleated silk scarves and fabric.

HAND PAINTED SILK SCARF

Janet and Lynn are both experienced in knitting, spinning, weaving and felting. They have attended numerous workshops, seminars and conferences to expand their knowledge in textiles. They are members of the local spinning and weaving guild (Midnight Shuttles Spinners and Weavers) and are associate members of the Association of Northwest Weavers Guild (ANWG). ANWG membership covers the north western United States and western Canada.

Silk Scarf

Janet started at an early age with various crafts, guided by her mother, who was an accomplished artist and sculptress. She followed her in her mother\’s footsteps and is now teaching her children and her grandchildren the joy of creativity. When she\’s not doing handicrafts Janet also enjoys reading, looking after her rabbit and her cats and hanging out with her grandchildren.

Silk Scarf

Lynn came from an ancestry of accomplished artists and is also carrying on the tradition of sharing the extensive knowledge she learned from her mother. She is getting a great deal of satisfaction from teaching her grandchildren and helping them to carry on the tradition and appreciation of the arts. Lynn is also an accomplished artist and an avid gardener when she’s not dyeing silk.

DEVORE SILK & RAYON SCARF

As long time Campbell River residents, Janet and Lynn have drawn inspiration from the beauty of the surrounding area and have tried to incorporate that beauty into their art. They both feel their city is a jewel and are proud to be members of the Campbell River Art Gallery and to be part of this emerging artistic community… http://www.sidestreetstudio.com

FRINGED SILK SCARF

Posted in Canadian Gifts, local crafts, local gifts, rainbow dreams, scarves, shawles, silk

From Forest to Table

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

Rod Garbutt is “Yew Tree”

As far back as I can remember I’ve had an affinity for trees and wood. Growing up in Maple Bay on Vancouver Island the forest was my back yard and playground.

Professionally I worked for the Canadian Forest Service for 28 years as a forest health specialist. The work involved the identification and assessment of disturbances caused by insects and diseases and advising forest managers on mitigation.

I’d always dabbled with woodwork but it wasn’t until I turned 50 that I discovered wood turning. It has been a passion ever since. During this time I’ve experimented with most native hard and softwood species with emphasis on Pacific yew, broad-leaf maple, arbutus, and Garry oak.

In my pieces I strive to combine the two elements of beauty and utility. Beauty resides in the shape and finish as well as natural grain variations that make every piece unique. I specialize in salad bowls and serving platters. Each piece is finished with a food safe oil from the Chinese Tung tree.

Posted in arbutus, dogwood, garry oak, maple, rod garbutt, wooden bowls, wooden platters, yew wood

ROBERT HELD – RISEN FROM THE ASHES!

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

In March 2013 and after 39 years, Robert Held sold off all his glass making equipment and finally closed the doors of his Vancouver-based, Pine Street Studio.

PARKSVILLE STUDIO

Bob moved to Parksville on Vancouver Island and entered into retirement. So that was it. The end of some of the finest glass making in North America.

ROBERT HELD & SUE HAYES

But the days of tennis, reading and painting (the artistic type) began to drag. Frustration grew. Dreams of a relaxing retirement became just that – dreams. The urge to create more pieces of glass art grew until Bob could resist the call no longer.

As with all ventures, a little luck helps. Bob discovered that an art school in southern Seattle had just received a large endowment and was upgrading their glass-making equipment. So armed with cash and a large van he was first on the scene and bought their whole collection of equipment – furnaces included.

After numerous trips from Seattle back & forth to Vancouver Island we now we have a new art studio, based in Parksville – risen from the ashes so to speak.

Bob together with two of his former artists have started creating even more beautiful glass art. Hearts, Paperweights, Bowls, Vases and Ginger Pots are all now ready (in limited quantities) for sale as the new gallery expands its production.

The main picture shows Bob & one of his key assistants, Bohy, outside of the new studio. No Bohy is not bowing to Bob! He is drawing out very long, thin lines of hot glass (up to 70 ft) which quickly cool and are then fused to the sides of bowls, vases etc. Each using different colours depending on the specific design. A process that Bob called ‘fritting’.

The other photos show Sue Hayes from Side Street Studio looking at some new ‘lighting’ glass work with Bob. And some scenes of the work area.

You can find a good number of examples of Bob’s new glass work at www.sidestreetstudio.com with more pieces arriving as soon as they are available.

A World Made By Hand

http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/glass/robert-held-glass-artist

Posted in glass art, glass bowls, glass hearts, paperweights, robert held, tea lights, vases

From Pure Science to Pure Pottery

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

Jack Olive grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After obtaining a degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from Mooorhead State College in Minnesota he spent 3 years working as a biochemist at the University Of Oregan Medical School. But a strong creative gene began to override a love of pure science and so Jack returned to Moorhead to work on a degree in ceramics and graphics.

In 1971 Jack moved to Vancouver to become a founding member and director of the Vancouver Clayworks Society; a 12 member cooperative ceramics studio.

In this hugely creative atmosphere Jack worked with other members of the group to develop methods of applying graphic images i.e. photography, drawing and painting to clay. His style of work ranges from abstract geometric to wildlife painting and drawing. Currently Jacks pottery images include Pears, Salmon, Orcas, Ravens, Apples and Crows. These images are incorporated into a large range of functional pottery items from Jugs to Mugs , Casseroles , Bowls, Plates, Tea Pots, Pitchers and more...

Jack has recently explored the techniques and possibilities of Raku. This example uses “naked Raku” techniques, which result in a pot that is white with a black line image. A dry pot is covered with terra sigliata (liquid clay), fired once to bisque temperature, and then covered with a high-fire clay slip and a low fire glaze, through which he etches the design.

The Raku firing process requires a special Raku kiln that is fueled by propane and reaches temperatures of about 1800°F (about 982°C).

The piece is then fired to Raku temperatures, and placed into the smoking chamber. When the piece is cooled, he peels off the slip and glaze to reveal the black line on the white background. The resulting pots have a lighter, more textured quality than his traditional stoneware.

In order to complete the firing process, the Raku pottery must remain in the kiln for approximately 30 minutes. The Raku pottery is removed from the kiln using specially designed Raku tongs.

While the Raku pottery piece is still hot and glowing, it is placed inside a metal can full of combustible materials. The heat emitted from the Raku pottery causes these materials to catch on fire. After the materials inside the metal can catch on fire, a lid is placed over the can and the Raku pottery is sealed inside.

The Raku pottery is capable of withstanding these high temperatures and the fire within the can because it is made from a special type of clay that is capable of withstanding thermal shock.

Jack now lives and works in Gibsons on the beautiful B.C. Sunshine Coast but you can see lots of Jack’s magnificent creative work – both Raku and Stoneware at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/pottery/jack-olive-pottery

Posted in bowls, Canadian Gifts, casseroles, cream & sugar set, dishes, jack olive pottery, jugs, local crafts, mugs, oak bay, plates, pottery, raku, salad bowls, shaving skuttle, shop local, tea pots, wedding gifts

HONICA UNIQUE JEWELRY

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Sue Hayes | 0 comments

A week ago I was talking over a cup of excellent Canterbury Coffee with John, the husband of Honica. I asked him if Honica would consider writing a short piece relating to her designs, her inspiration and basically how ‘Honica goes about creating her beautiful jewelry’.