Cyanotype with Metal

Thea Clark, Headstones brooch, 2009- oxidized silver, cyanotype on silk, cotton floss

The cyanotype I made last spring has been hanging in my studio for a while. Parts of it are leaning this direction and that, one bit finally made it into a new piece. Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that gives a cyan-blue print. My light source was the sun, the image was in negative on acetate. I will probably go toward a UV light system, since my sun light isn't reliable.

Perspectives: New Jersey Metal Arts Guild Exhibition

Thea Clark, "Domestic Inclusions #2", 2009, felt, cotton, pearl, pvc, steel, paint, silver, mica

photo by Larry Sanders

We set up the show "Perspectives" today at New Jersey City University. Participating artists:

Stevie B, Ed Brickman, Thea Clark, Jennifer Crupi, Joan Cummings, Jill Baker Gower,

Robin Hepburn, Amy Roper Lyons, Ken MacBain, Miranda Lark Maher, Gayle Mahoney,

Tabitha L Mitchell, Jennifer Jordan Park and Susan Kasson Sloan.

Exhibition Dates: Monday, November 16–Friday, December 18, 2009.

Opening Reception: Monday, November 16, 2009, 6-8 p.m.

Juror: Ulysses Grant Dietz, Curator, Decorative Arts Department, and Senior Curator, The Newark Museum.

Location: Gilligan Student Union Gallery, New Jersey City University, 2039 Kennedy Blvd.,

http://www.njcu.edu/dept/art/galleries/

New Workshop

I am teaching an enameling workshop, in Maplewood NJ. November 22.

I taught enameling all summer. It was wonderful to get back to. The jewelry I sold through American Craft Council shows in the 1990's was made from silver and enamel, part of an ongoing obsession with color. When I moved to New Jersey, started my family and teaching, I went into a minimal oxidized silver and gold period. Felting really got me back into the joy of color. So now without the pressure of designing for a line of jewelry, I have slowly started incorporating enamel again. This summer, presented the perfect opportunity to really play.

It is a satisfying class to teach, because ultimately is a forgiving yet inspiring medium.

Time to Dig in the Dirt

Now that some work is out the door and pieces for my next show the New Jersey Metal Arts Guild "Perspectives : a Juried Member Exhibit" are older, nothing stands in the way of cleaning and organizing my studio after a whole summer away. The last time I set out to clean it, I cut the sponge up and now it is becoming a brooch! You can tell it was a used sponge. I heated it in water and baking soda in the microwave, then dunked it in water with a few drops of essential oil, now it smells really nice.

Gallery Link

Here is the link for the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston, MA. If you check back after the opening there should be a selection of pieces to view and purchase on their website.

From Minimal to Bling

Thea Clark,Pollen Brooch

(photo Larry Sanders)
I am pleased to have four one of a kind pieces included in the upcoming biannual exhibit "From Minimal to Bling: Contemporary Studio Jewelry", at the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston.

The Society of Arts and Crafts

Upcoming Exhibitions

From Minimal to Bling: Contemporary Studio Jewelry

November 7 - January 2, 2010

reception on Friday, November 13, 6-8pm

Exhibiting artsts: Allyson Bone, Alice Jee Chung, Thea Clark, Lisa & Scott Cylinder, Jennaca Leigh Davies, Rebecca Deans, Hillary Dorsk, Roberto Fioravanti, Michele A. Friedman, Tricia Harding, Thomas Hill, Trudee Hill, Judith Hoyt, Melissa J. Huff, John Iverson, Kathleen Janvier, Yong Joo Kim, emiko oye, Pat Pruitt, Robin Quigley, Joyce Roessler, Eleanor Salazar, Biba Schutz, Anika Smulovitz, James Thurman, Marlene True, Francesca Vitali, Paulette J. Werger, Ellen Wieske and Sayumi Yokouchi.

New Work is Here

Thea Clark, Vector Brooch, oxidized silver, 18k, wet and needle felted wool, drusy quartz

Thea Clark- Long Necklace (detail)

Thea Clark- Long Necklace, 28.5 oxidized silver, wet and needle felted wool, 2009