Party Time

I took a few shots early on as people started arriving for our opening…and then had to put my camera down to eliminate bodily harm in the mayhem. A few people picked it up towards the end and took some of me and my fat cheeks. I wish I had more to show you just how many beautiful people came to see and enjoy the Studio. We had such a great time. Everyone…

Anuvue Reception

Kweli

This past Sunday, I spent traveling to Long Beach to visit with two of the Studio Artists. My second stop was about 8 miles from the first, at the home of Kweli, a very talented jewelry Artisan. I met Kweli at a show a few months back in Santa Ana. The city of Santa Ana has an emerging group of Artists that either live or frequent the downtown Grand Central Art Gallery, subsidized by a local State College. A few times a year the folks that live there open their studios allowing regular folks and potential art buyers to walk through and see their work. I love to go and talk with the local Artists and see what’s new.

I was there with my camera one night when I happened upon Kweli. She was there selling the most eye catching, intricate, one-of-a-kind jewelry…something I can never pass up. I spoke to her briefly about her work and found her to be such a gentle spoken, sincere lovely woman, that I took a chance about letting her in on my little secret about a future gallery. I think it was then that we argued back and forth about her insisting I take a pair of earring with her card attached so that I would remember her. We went back and forth until I finally I caved in…well…you have to see those earrings to understand my weakness 😉

Kweli lives in Long Beach and works as an Electrician by day and finds time for her Art and show events in between. When I arrived at Kweli’s house I was greeted at the porch with a hug and a big smile… and when I entered her house, I realized quite quickly that not only was Kweli a jewelry master, she’s a painter and potter too. She had paintings displayed around the room showcasing magnificent colors and graphics, intricate African motif pottery and oh yes…a fabulous collection of necklaces and matching earring sets…and absolutely all of them could be hanging off my neck and ears! I totally gawked at everything!

She showed me all around her lovely home and I got to see the studio she has set up, complete with some of the most amazing beads I’ve ever come across. A friend back from a recent trip to Africa, had brought her some large, glossy pieces of deep red coral to work with and I can’t wait to see what she creates with it… Some large, golden, oval shaped beads also caught my attention and if I remember right, they were from Afghanistan. I know she’ll make something wonderful with them.

Kweli has a sparkle about her…a certain grace that drew me in. She and I are close in age and she totally understands where I am at at this part of my life. I believe she and I will be great friends. Meet Kweli, one inspiring woman.

empty studio, blank canvas

1. Anuvue from Back wall, shows windows, patio and vaulted ceiling and lovely flooring

2. Shows entry and half wall. The other side (where the window is currently) will have freestanding 6 foot walls with stainless steel tubing (for the price of a very good lens) above and below for architectural interest. I don’t need windows, I need walls (in this case). Then that little area between the half wall and new freestanding wall will house the Artisan “Gift Area”. Cabinets are being custom made in the shape of a square horseshoe from Baltic birch plywood ( where the plies will show). That wood is the hottest thing going right now. And then custom 8″ jewelry cases from stainless steel will fit on top. These cases will house beautifully made jewelry, hand made baskets, hand made Tibetan items, pottery, devil ducks and crazy cameras. Above the jewelry cases, against the back wall, there will be 6 suspended glass cubes (more of that dog-gone stainless tubing) to house a collection of fused glass. One both the left and right walls will be flat screen TVs. They will rotate digital photography (of course) and Artist portfolio’s..the latest trend in Galleries. On the far right, past the glass entry door there is a little alcove. Where you see the white spools wire). That area will house grand kitchen central. I have a Cuisinart family of items just waiting in my garage. There’s even a small wine fridge (and I don’t even drink!)

3. The row of windows, that alas, except for the lucky guy on the very left, all will be covered by the freestanding walls. Hey, ya can’t exactly hang a painting in a window people. The one on the left opens so I can crawl out onto the little balcony in front. Wish there was a door!

4. The bonus room. A very large balcony…my favorite part. If you go out to it, that street running along side is 1/8th of a mile from hitting the ocean front 😉 (I am no fool)