DATE: 08/29/2008 09:26:53 / MOOD: happy

It's been a while but I've been busy. I took 2 weeks off from working in my studio. I spent the time working on my studio. I've uploaded a few photos of my work space because several people have been curious about my "church". If you'd like of see more of the renovations as they progress there is a folder full of before & some after shots on my web site. darkhorsetile.com The folder is aptly titled studio renovations. I hope you'll come visit.


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DATE: 07/30/2008 09:35:05 / MOOD: happy

I finally wrote an artist's statement after years of procrastination. I did some online research of the subject. After considering several  points of view I took a stab at it. Since I can't figure out how to attach it here I will just re-type it. The original has all of my contact info at the top of the page.  I would appreciate any feedback you are willing to provide.

Thanks, Sara 

Here it is:

The primary focus of my work is the creation of artistic tile in both ceramic and glass. I often combine the two mediums to create unique and beautiful designs for my clients. The majority of my work is intended for permanent installation in residential, commercial and public spaces but the flexibility of my medium allows my pieces to function equally well as wall art.

My practical nature fuels my desire to create elements that are functional as well as beautiful. I find great joy in the challenges presented when creating custom tile work for my clients. My goal is to meet and preferably exceed their expectations and to bring a bit of splendor into their daily lives. It is my view that living with beauty elevates the soul and enhances the human experience.

My artistic journey grew from a desire to adorn my home with decorative elements that were beyond my financial means. My solution was to learn to make the things I couldn't afford to buy. Through the years I have mastered the techniques of mural painting, faux finishing, stained glass and sandblasted glass in addition to creating tile work in ceramic and glass. My work was initially intended for personal use but the word got out and soon I was creating custom art pieces for friends and strangers alike. My art took on a life of it's own. I quit my "day job" and became a full time artist. It is the best career I could ever hope to have. The enrichment that comes from doing what I love feeds my soul and provides me with a spiritual wealth that has exceeded my wildest imagining.

It is my sincere hope that you enjoy viewing my work as much as I enjoy creating it. 

 

Be gentle........

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DATE: 07/16/2008 08:00:39 / MOOD: happy

I know things rarely go according to plan but this is ridiculous. The plan was to finish all of my commissions by the 1st of June and spend the summer working on my studio and gallery. The actuality is that I am now getting ready to fire the 3rd attempt of the same ceramic mural. The first two blew up in the kiln. I am also working 7 days a week 10 to 12 hours a day trying to finish the stained glass window from hell. It is a 30 panel Palladian window that is 3' X 8". It's an intricate landscape replete with flowers and wisteria vines. It has nearly 1000 tiny pieces and my hands have been nearly crippled by my effort. As a rule I don't do copper foiled stained glass but this was a special request by a very special client so I agreed to do it. Yikes! If all goes according to the adjusted plan I should have it finished and installed by the end of next week. I don't usually install either but I guess the benefit of making your own rules is that you have the option to break them and then you get to kick your own ass. These are just the last two in a long line of projects with hick-ups and do overs (most of which were not my fault). I feel like I have been living in Ground Hog Day since......Ground Hog Day! My learning curve is obviously slower than Bill Murray's. The altered plan includes canceling our vacation that was scheduled to begin next weekend. Instead of a road trip we will be home working on the gallery. Some friends have suggested I schedule a work party at the studio/gallery. I rarely ask anyone for help but since they volunteered I am considering doing it. I should finally have some new work to post by the end of next week. I will also post some renovation photos as the work progresses. Stay tuned.


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DATE: 05/01/2008 08:33:27 / MOOD: happy

Today I have posted a some samples of my jewelry. A few people had expressed interest in seeing it. So far I have kept it as a hobby rather than a source of income. I love fashion and take great joy in designing the perfect accessory for the perfect out fit. Sometimes vise versa; I also sew and design some clothing. My jewelry is usually made using cast or fused glass components that I have created. I only use sterling silver, gold and gold filled findings and wire. All of the beads are semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals or precious metal. The necklace with all of the rhinestones is an exception; it is made from a vintage brooch that had a broken clasp. I combined the matching earrings  into the necklace and added a few components of my own. I hope you enjoy the sparkle.


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DATE: 04/25/2008 08:05:52 / MOOD: happy

Today is a very exciting day for me. One of my tiles was published in Lark's book of 500 Tiles. The book came out in January but my copies just arrived yesterday. Today I get to share them with the friends and family that gave me so much emotional support when I left my day job to become an artist.  The fun part is they don't even know  they are getting copies.  Half of them don't even know  I'm in the book. I didn't mention it in case I ended up on the editing room floor. It is very satisfying to know that I am on the shelf at Barnes & Noble. What fun! I hope you are having an equally wonderful Day.


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DATE: 04/24/2008 04:47:04 / MOOD: other

I decided to write a bit since I'm obviously not going to get any sleep. I don't blog often but it is nice to have the option. I do take a few of minutes to check out your art each day. I am really enjoying being a member of this community. It is interesting and inspiring to see what everyone is doing. It's also nice to feel connected to others in the art world. Most of my contact with the outside world is with architects, homeowners, contractors and committees UGH! I don't exhibit in galleries so I don't get much of that social exposure either. I am a very social person by nature so for me the toughest part of being a full time artist is the solitude. I work alone in a basement studio with glass block windows (a couple of them have a small panel that opens) so I can't really even see outside. My husband is an RN who works from 7 PM to 7Am at least 4 days a week so there is no one here when I get home. I'm usually too busy to realize how much I'm alone but it was kind of funny when it struck me the other day. It was finally getting warm outside so I opened my little window panels to let some fresh air in. I could here traffic and people on the street and my subconscious whispered "hey, you are still part of the world". Just that passing traffic made me feel connected to the human race. It also made me realize how nice it is to have this group to connect with so I just wanted to say thanks for having me.


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DATE: 04/12/2008 07:44:38 / MOOD: happy

Good Morning,

I've been missing in action for a couple of days. While I may be "the master of my fate" and "the captain of my soul" there comes a point in a sculpting project that the clay becomes the boss of me. So I've spent the past couple of days being bossed around by a beige lump. Today I decide to share a different medium with you. This etched stone work may be heavy and cold but it is far more flexible than the clay. You can work on it for a while then walk away for a week or longer  if you need to . When you come back it is patiently waiting and happy to see you. So maybe it's not such cold stone after all. I hope you enjoy the work. Have a great weekend. I have to run...the clay is calling.

Sara 

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DATE: 04/09/2008 09:01:51 / MOOD: happy

Hi there,

Today's  photos are of a little paint project I did recently. When I started dabbling in art my medium was watercolor. I moved on to acrylic and when I decided to make art my career I opted for something functional to help secure a flow of income. I find some people are more willing to spend money on art when they can justify it as a building expense. I mostly do tile and glass work now but for certain clients I will still do a mural or decorative paint finish. I have some fun before and after photos that I will save for another day. For now I hope you enjoy the nursery.

Sara

 

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DATE: 04/08/2008 09:02:59 / MOOD: happy

For some strange reason I have an affinity for aquatic creatures. The reason it's strange is that I'm not a big fan of getting wet and I am a fairly weak swimmer. I love depicting sea life in my art. There is something so magical and delicate in these creatures. I am particularly fond of the jelly fish because of an incident in Mexico a few years back. We were snorkeling and ended up in a school of tiny red jelly fish. They looked like beautiful little chrysanthemums pulsing in the water. It wasn't until later that we learned they were spawning and had left some of their delicate larva in our skin. We were sick and very itchy for about 6 weeks but the only lasting affect was the connection we now feel with jelly fish. We can't blame them since we were the ones invading their territory.

These two tiles were created using a method called Pate De Vere (past of glass). They look fuzzy but the photos are not out of focus. This technique creates a soft fuzzy appearance. There is a full description of the process on my website for anyone who is interested. 

hasta manana 

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