New Work: Nebulae

I have been working on a series I call Nebulae. A strange word, I know... but it is the plural for nebula. Nebula are really special places in our universe- the place where stars are born. Nebula are dense, massive clouds of gas and dust. Some block light from other sources, some absorb light, some produce their own light. I think they are really interesting, and thanks to the Hubble telescope, we can feast our eyes on an array of images from space showing nebulae. Check out the Hubble site if you have a chance. You will get lost in wonder. Meanwhile, what do you think of my own depictions? Comments are welcome!

These pieces are on average 4 x 4 x 1", and made with silver, shibuichi, bronze, copper, nickel, red brass, and stalactite slices I found at the Tucson gem and mineral show.

This one (above) is my favorite!

Color on Metal

I have been working on completing a set of patina and texture sample tiles for the Mesa Art Center in Mesa, Az. I love color on metal and will try anything to make this happen. The smell of ammonia is no stranger in my studio, or how bout the aromatic scent of rotten eggs via liver of sulpher... ahh the beauty of it all.

The close up is of liver of sulpher with gesso on top, then there's gesso with cupric nitrate on top, a piece of opper with vinegar and fumed in ammonia, and copper etched with pnp paper in the back...  The following show peanut oil, ferric nitrate over gesso, and fumed ammonia with salt. I had a lot of fun making these, and am happy to pass them on!