Wow, what a busy time! The Fall season has flown by. After returning from our wonderful trip to Massachusetts (read more here) I jumped right back into the glass studio to try to be creative for several upcoming events. With the jet lag of the East coast travel, it took me several days to get back in the grove. Finally, the mind and body became engaged! Thank goodness!!!
The Fall Sculpture Show at the Jane Hamilton Fine Art Gallery was great! I made lots of new contacts with clients and artists. Participating were several very well-known sculpture artists who create large works. I felt like my smaller glass pieces were playing with the “big boys”! Here are several photos of the sculptures, which wrapped around the building’s promenade.
Jane Hamilton Fine Art Gallery Promenade
Let the Sun Shine In by Mary Sherwood Art Glass
Parade by Paul Eisner
Commissioned Ceramic Garden Sculpture by Russ Vogt
With the upcoming La Encantada Fine Art Festival quickly approaching the creative juices began to flow. Between the Sculpture Event and the La Encantada show prep, I have created over 25 new pieces. No wonder my fingers are still trying to recover from multiple knicks and small cuts!!! Here is a sneak peek at what will be at the La Encantada Fine Art Festival.
Fly Away
Ball of Color
Craters of the Moon
By far the highlight of the past month has been celebrating Jackson’s fourth birthday! Because of distance and COVID, we have missed his last two birthdays. That made this one even more special! Watching him have fun with new toys, chocolate cake and birthday parties made me reflect on how important and beautiful it is to celebrate LIFE! Don’t postpone those celebrations, those personal connections and happy moments! Here are a few of our happy moments!
I didn’t realize how much I missed the changing colors of fall until this past week! Paul and I took an unexpected trip to the Berkshires in Massechutes to do work in our son’s home. WOW! The leaves were at their peak, the air was crisp and the river was rushing! Perfect timing! How lucky we were to be surrounded by such beauty! Here are a few of my favorite pictures at his house which overlooks the Westfield River.
Our log cabin bungalow nestled in the trees! By the way, it is available as a vacation rental!!!
Our view of the rushing Westfield River.
Our trip was not all work. We took a few days to visit nearby communities. My favorite was the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls. In 1929, on a rescued old trolley bridge, the Women’s Club began transforming the bridge into this beautiful garden. It is in bloom from April to October’s first frost. Right now the dahlias are magnificent! I look forward to future visits in other seasons! For more information go to The Bridge of Flowers link.
400 feet of non-stop blooms!!!
I was happy to see so many varieties of dahlias and so were the bees!!!
Since arriving home I have jumped right back into the glass studio! This Saturday I will be participating in a sculpture event at Jane Hamilton Fine Art Gallery.
I have about ten new pieces in the works but most are still in the process of being fired or waiting for stands! I’m right down to the deadline because of our unplanned get-a-way! It is exciting to have a few new additions (before firing) inspired by our New England visit.
Falling Leaves!
Fall Agave Basket
A very abstract composition of the rushing Westfield River!
When I sold my business and moved to Arizona in 2015 many of my friends and customers said I would not be able to be without some sort of business endeavor. Many times I heard, “You will open another store”. Little did I know that my love for glass decorative accessories would lead to a creative and challenging new career as a glass artist. After five years of continuous learning, experimenting, and creating art glass I am entering the next phase of this glass journey.
I feel quite honored to be invited to join Jane Hamilton Fine Art Gallery. This well-renowned gallery of talented and nationally known artists will now be the exclusive Tucson gallery exhibiting my work. Here is one of my largest garden sculptures to date that is now available at the gallery.
Let the Sun Shine
Even though we now will be focusing on larger glass art we will still work with you through our website and upcoming shows on items that are not represented at this gallery.
On a personal note, we just returned from our first visit to Jake, Elif and Jackson’s house in Santa Monica since their return from the East coast. We are so pleased to have them closer. There are so many incredible pictures of our weekend. Here are a few of my favorites:
Jackson assures G-Dad that he knows How to Babysit a Grandpa
Striking the pose as a cool CA kid!
Wishing you all the best as we move into a beautiful, colorful Fall.
Oops!!! First of all, I apologize for the very strange mailing you received last week which said, “Anything goes today”! It was intended to be a test for two but it went to many! Ugh! Several of you have responded so at least we got your attention.
It’s been way too long since I posted a blog! So much has transpired over the past few months it’s hard not to write too much and bore you to tears. Please forgive me if I do!
Our first post-isolation public endeavor was the April La Encantada Fine Art Festival! The weather was perfect, the attendance was great and sales exceptional!
As we moved on after being vaccinated we were able to travel and explore the USA! We spent a week in Yosemite National Park in April with good friends. What an amazing place! The crowds were small and the waterfalls were at their peak. What a majestic place! It couldn’t have been better to be outside in God’s beautiful country!
Stealing a kiss at Yosemite Falls!
In early May I ventured out for the first time since covid on an airplane to Brooklyn, NY to see Jackson and help Jake and Elif prepare to move back to the West coast! Yay! What a great experience having my 3 ½-year-old grandson, Jackson, direct me to the local Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. The two of us walked daily through the streets of Brooklyn and he never got us lost. By the third day he told me: “GiaMia turn off your GPS, we don’t need it! It was a much-needed reconnection after 18 mos of video conversations. I am so thankful!
Pillow time with Jackson! Wish you could hear the giggles!
As the West coast family was relocating to Santa Monica we all shared time here in the desert. Of course it happened to be the hottest week of our summer! A few swim days and early outdoor adventures were in order. Being together made up for any 100+ degree days! Aaron and Kiori were missed because of their far away residence in Abu Dhabi but our every two-week zoom sessions really help to keep us all connected!
Jackson and Dad playing with Marble Madness! Truly insane play!!
Then I was off for a long weekend visit to Denver to help celebrate my sister, Patti’s birthday. So nice to be together after several years. Hikes, shopping, food, and Contra dancing all made for a fun weekend!
Decadent Creme Brulee’ at the 1914 House in Niwot, CO
Next up was our cross-country road trip in July to reconnect with family and friends! As you may recall back in 1974 this is how we spent our honeymoon, on the road from coast to coast. (Honeymoon Cross Country Highlights ). This was certainly an abbreviated version of that trip but it felt wonderful to be back out there seeing the country. The “Corn Belt ” of the Midwest, which went on forever, created its own beauty. It made me realize how important this part of the country is to the agricultural strength of our nation. A big “thank you” goes out to all the hardworking farmers that make this happen! We traveled in our much-loved 2007 Honda minivan with way over 230,000 miles. After almost 5000 travel miles and fabulous reconnecting with friends, the van purred along and got us home safely. Here is one of many of our favorite stops.
Flowers and garden art galore at the Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, NE
Before you just delete all this verbiage, take a look at many new things on our horizon.
Look in your inbox for your early bird online shopping opportunity to participate in the “Endless Summer Tent Sale”. Great savings up to 50% off!
Endless Summer Tent Sale on at the Bubany Gallery onAugust 28.
Big news! We have been invited to show our art glass at a very popular, upscale Tucson art gallery beginning in mid-Sept. More info to come.
Our major Fall show is the La Encantada Fine Arts Festival on November 20 & 21. The weather in this pleasant outdoor setting should be the best. I will be focusing on several new outdoor sculptures.
As I close I have to say please be vaccinated so we can conquer this beast among us. Please wear a mask in indoor spaces! Be safe and remain healthy until we meet again!
Thanks for following our blog and being a very important part of our lives!
Tomorrow is the day…SHOWTIME! What a whirlwind but we are prepared! In pre-covid times most art festivals were scheduled months in advance giving artists time to prepare and produce new work. With our ever-changing environment many shows are confirmed only months ahead. This being the case we had approximately thirty days to make this happen. It’s like watching a big hurricane brew in the Atlantic and trying to be ready! Trust me, Paul can testify to the glass hurricane arising in our studio.
Here is a quick glimpse of the development of just one piece – the Blue Sky Sunflower:
Planning and selecting the colors and pattern.
Making vitrigraph stringers for embellishments
Putting the pieces together
In the kiln to be heated to 1450 degrees. The total firing time including cooldown is approx. 20 hrs.
Finished with custom stand.
Mock-up of show display!
Multiply this process for 30-40 pieces with additional firings needed for slumping and draping. I think you can see why the kilns were running almost non-stop the last 30 days!
But the storm has passed!!! Even though shows are demanding the thrill of seeing smiling faces as they view the art glass is enough to get us through the storm and into a calmer space.
We can’t wait to see you at the La Encantada Fine Art Festival, Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11! Our space is #24 in the main courtyard adjacent to the Apple Store.
If you can’t be there check out Mary Sherwood Art Glass as we add the new additions in the next few days!
Thanks for your continued support! Bring on those smiles ???!
Mary
Any questions or custom inquires are always welcome.
A heart full of playful glass heart designs for 2021!
My whole perspective through this last year is finding the little things that keep me going. First and foremost is my wonderful husband, Paul. I could not imagine coping so well without him. For that I am grateful!
After that, there are so many other people and experiences that keep me going. I will only mention a few so as not to bore you too much. :).
Almost every morning I walk in this beautiful area of the Southwest. I never really thought I could acclimate to being away from water but I see a different beauty here. Here is a beautiful early morning sky right out my front door!
Beautiful Arizona Sky
My friends are another very important element. Although socializing has diminished, during my outdoor walks, I am blessed with great conversation with a walking buddy or early morning chats with my fabulous East coast friends. ❤️
Birthday Balloon Walk March 2020
Next up, in my heart-filled place, are my customers and friends I have developed during this art glass endeavor. I have the best supporters ever! Here is a commissioned project for two large art glass panels to be inserted in a client’s library. It was certainly a challenge but such an exciting endeavor! Making my client almost squeal with joy during the installation makes it all worth it! ❤️
Finished panels ready for installation
Mary Sherwood Art Glass has just joined Chris Bubany and Friends Art Gallery. I am so thankful for the opportunity. Thanks to my metal artist friend, Hector, the display is a real show stopper! ❤️ Stop by for a visit!
Many “virtual” hugs and kisses being sent your way!
One of my favorite memories is our honeymoon cross country adventure in September 1974. I am an East Coast girl and I wanted to see California and Paul had family there. We converted an old 1964 Dodge panel van into a “hippie style” camper and embarked on our journey. The van was nothing fancy. In its previous life, it had been gutted to haul motorcycles and painted canary yellow with black banding. I think you can get the picture but this was 1974. We equipped it modestly with a platform bed, block ice refrig. and calico curtains. Take a peek at our “hippie” van that sometimes became the interest of law enforcement along the way.
(Sorry for the not so perfect images. On the way to the wedding and a stop at the beach).
We took about 4 weeks to traverse this country. We had no set destinations or times. We looked for remote “off the beaten path” camping areas. We always bypassed the big campgrounds until we found the right spot. At that time there was no such thing as a cell phone. All was done with a road atlas and AAA camping guide. We passed by most major cities and avoided interstates if possible. What freedom to explore this beautiful country!
Fast forward to today, July 7, 2020 we were supposed to depart on another cross country adventure to visit our sons, their wives and our grandson in Massachusetts. Paul planned this trip meticulously. We intended to camp across the country in a “tricked out” 2007 Honda minivan, complete with a platform bed, refrigerator and auxiliary AC (no calico curtains). We incorporated enough creature comforts to make us comfortable between stops along the way to see family and friends. We safely planned for minimal dining out and no motel accommodations. We were so looking forward to seeing the USA. Here is a matchbox replica of our van with a less than perfect paint job!
It was going to hang from our mirror for this nostalgic trip.
