Gallery Walk Super-Coverage – G1 – Blumz Presents Priscilla Eggen
“It was love at first touch.”
That’s what Ferndale-based artist Priscilla Eggen says about her first pottery class back in 1975. “I was able to fit in a pottery class while my youngest daughter was in kindergarten,” Eggen says. “I have been working at it ever since.”
Eggens fine high-fire porcelain and stoneware pieces, adorned with delicate purple iris’, looked lovely laid out on tables surrounded by the colorful beauty of the flowers inside Blumz by JR Designs at 503 E. 9 Mile. “The pairing of my work at Blumz for the Gallery Walk was a natural,” Eggen says.
All of Eggen’s work is meant to be practical, as evidenced by the pairing of flower and vase in the Blumz display. But beyond looking pretty and being able to get wet, each piece is also oven-proof, microwave safe and dishwasher safe. “My work is meant to be used and enjoyed,” she says. All pieces are for sale on Eggen’s website www.clayetc.com.
This friendly local pottery artist also has a studio, complete with firing ovens and a showroom, located at 701 Livernois in Ferndale. “I work at my studio all year long and love what I do,” she says. “I often compare myself to a golf pro; I get to get up every day and play my favorite game!”
She offers tours for groups of eight or more, with wheel throwing demonstrations that show just how her amazing work is done. There are also wine and cheese parties and a big annual open house in November. For more information contact Priscilla Eggen at (248) 399-3294, or go to www.clayetc.com. For more information on Blumz by JR Designs at (248) 398-5130, or go to www.blumz.com.
Gallery Walk Super-Coverage – G2 – State of the Art Framing Presenting Sandi Wheaton
By, Crystal A. Proxmire
When you look at the work of photographer Sandi Wheaton, you get a little something extra that you may not notice at first glance. It’s the extra glow about the human skin, the depth of the darkness of the sky, and the radiant white shimmer of translucent-looking leaves when normally they would be gray or black.
The unique visual juxtapositions are not just some Photoshopped touch-up, but the product of a unique kind of film that captures ultra-violet light. Kodak Professional Infrared Film captures the visual light spectrum and about 900 nanometers into the infrared spectrum, giving photographs the unusual appearance. The film is used in fine art photography, commercial and scientific applications.
Wheaton has used it to captures sand dunes in the Mojave Desert, the Salton Sea, Buddhist temples in Japan and perhaps her most memorable project – the remains of historic Route 66.
“The very first picture that I took with that film was also the first picture I took on Route 66,” Wheaton said at the Gallery Walk showing of her work at State of the Art Custom Framing at 918 W. Nine Mile on August 20, 2009. The photo was of a ’62 Chrysler left in the desert of Ludlow, CA. The wide grill reflects the sunlight quite nicely. But the trees in the background are what trick the eye. They seem to sprout right from the convertible’s back seat, and glow nearly white as if giving off some ghost-like energy.
Wheaton explained that the infrared film picks up light that the human eye can’t see. Kodak stopped making the film last year, and as Wheaton prepares to leave her home in Ontario to shoot the rest of Route 66, she has only 35 rolls left. After that she expects it would be really hard to find more.
“I think it’s ironic – the idea that the film is obsolete an I’m capturing such an obsolete place,” Wheaton said. Route 66 was officially established in 1926. It was a long route from Chicago to California with a great deal of history. As the Interstate System grew, the highway became obsolete. It was removed from the US Highway system in 1985, though many places along the route have been renamed as State Highways or historic landmarks.
Wheaton enjoyed the Gallery Walk and her reception at State of the Art. The opening featured wine by B. Nektar as well as snacks and a healthy stream of visitors. State of the Art also featured Detroit-based photography by Jeff White (who wasn’t there when I stopped by). State of the Art does not yet have a website, but you can find them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pages/Ferndale-MI/State-of-the-Art-Framing-Gallery.
For more information on Sandi Wheaton and her work go to www.sandiwheaton.com.
Gallery Walk Super-Coverage – G3 – Judy Eliyas
By, Crystal A. Proxmire
What is black and white and red all over? That would be photographer Judy Eliyas and her radiantly blushing cheeks as she giggled and took compliments at the Gallery Walk on Thursday, August 20, 2009 in downtown Ferndale. The fashionable photographer, along with handsome husband and friends, dressed in the style of “elegance,” the theme for the Thursdays on the Nine event. Eliyas wore a classic little black dress while hubby Tom Zomber wore black slacks with a black, white and gray toned Hawaiian shirt. The couple’s classy style fit right in with the giant black and white portraits that filled the walls of the gallery.
Eliyas’ openly welcomed visitors, encouraging them to browse through the albums on the tables and shelves and to enjoy the hour d’ouvres that were served by Kathleen O’Neill of The Canape Cart, a Ferndale-based, sustainability-minded catering company.
“Everyone’s been having so much fun,” Eliays said as she took a moment away from the spotlight for a moment to answer some questions for the press.
“I was doing commercial photography out of college and I just didn’t like it. I also have been teaching since 1983, but I also wanted to do more. In 1991 I knew I wanted to do people photography and have my own studio for that.”
Elias grew up in upstate New York, but her love of photography brought her to Michigan in 1981 where she got her Masters in fine art photography from Cranbrook. Shas lived in Ferndale since 1986, a place she calls “more bohemian” than the surrounding areas. She lives and works in her Ferndale Studio located at 611 W. Nine Mile Road here she is happy to set her own hours and do the creative portraiture work that she truly enjoys.
To see more of Eliyas’ work, check out her website at www.judyeliyas.com or call (248) 399-6699 to set up an appointment. Eliyas specializes in artistic black and white portraits and photography, including for weddings, business and other events.
Gallery Walk Super-Coverage – G4 – Affirmations Presents Tony Lowe,
By, Crystal A. Proxmire
The Thursdays on the Nine theme of Elegance was no better represented than at the Pittman-Puckett Gallery inside Affirmations with their presentation of Tony Lowe’s collection “Diva Elegance.” These bold and beautiful drag queen portraits drew dozens of people into the 17,000 square foot, environmentally “green” LGBT community center located at 290 W. 9 Mile Road.
Each guest to the opening was given a long-stemmed red rose and information about the photographer and his work. Lowe was on hand to greet guests and answer questions.
“This collection of images is my Royal Family, both Queens and Princesses,” Lowe says. “Family is often who one chooses to include and be included with – where one is comfortable and loved. …These Royals are needed, loved and the idols of our community.”
Tommy Martinez, a drag performer and model from Trenton was one of Lowe’s subjects for the project. “I love doing drag,” Martinez said. “I enjoy the transformation process. It’s fun and entertaining.” On stage and for the camera, Martinez becomes Jenevieve Jacobs, a leggy golden-skinned diva with the fashion sense of a star.
“Tony is a great photographer because he lets you do your own thing. There’s some direction in it, because he wants you to have a certain look. But he’s really easy to work with, and fun,” Martinez says.
The exhibit began as a project for Martinez’s film class at Oakland Community College. “Kay Young was my teacher who got me into the studio, and flung me into it,” Lowe says. “I’m not certain what I want to do yet, but I hope to integrate photography into my life.” Lowe goes to college and works at a library and at a bar to pay the bills. With a year and half of school left, he sees no hurry to rush into anything.
For information on purchasing 22 x 24 inch prints of Lowe’s work, please check out the exhibit at Affirmations now through Labor Day.
Gallery Walk Super-Coverage – G5 – Angels Café Presents Multiple Artists
By, Crystal A. Proxmire
Sean MacNish of Ferndale and Lynda Edwards of Warren enjoyed the Third Thursdays Downtown Elegance event from the comfort of a table perched in the window of Angel’s Café at 214 W. Nine Mile Road on August 20, 2009. The women people-watched and chatted as Angel Café owner Keith Pierce prepared their meal from scratch.
“We didn’t know there was anything special going on,” Edwards said. “We just came down to eat here. I like this place. The art is nice too.” The ladies said they enjoyed downtown Ferndale and seeing so many people out “shopping and doing things.”
Angels Café combines fine dining, art and music in a unique European-style setting. Pierce lived abroad for five years, studying cooking in Italy and France. Now in Ferndale he is offering an ever-changing menu of moderately-priced dishes that are made from as many natural, organic ingredients as possible.
“I like feeding people and making them smile,” Edwards said. “I also love art, even though I don’t have time to do it anymore.”
Yes, in addition to making art on the plate, Edwards himself is a former painter of landscapes and portraits. Some of his work is featured on the walls of Angels Café, along with a variety of paintings from various artists.
“Right now there is no specific theme, but there are some Polish pieces from the turn of the century,” Edwards says of the eclectic works which are being sold on commission for a friend. Angels Café does not begin doing gallery shows until the fall because that is a much better time to find buyers.
“I try to tell artists to price their work so that it is affordable to people to buy for their homes or to give as gifts. People can’t pay $200 for art right now, especially when they can go to a store and buy something for much less. It doesn’t devalue your work. It makes it accessible to everyone. In this economy that’s what you have to do,” he advised. He is still looking for art to feature in the upcoming season, but is adamant that artists have their work already framed and ready for sale before contacting him.
Unfortunately the Gallery Walk did not bring in much new traffic, but it did introduce a couple new people to Pierce and his artistic creations – the ones that delight the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Peirce says that most of his revenue comes from private parties. “We get a lot of wedding rehearsal dinners, bridal shower parties, tea parties and stuff like that. People who want good food in a nice, quiet setting.”
For more information on Angel’s Café or on how you can have your work shown there, go to www.angelscafeofferndale.com or call (248) 541-0888.
Gallery Walk Super-Coverage – G6 – Paramount Presents Daniel Cascardo
By, Crystal A. Proxmire
Stop six in our Gallery Walk Super-Coverage was to Community Arts @ Paramount Bank at 22635 Woodward to check out well-known Ferndale favorite Daniel Cascardo.
You may not recognize the name, but if you’ve had your eyes open in downtown Ferndale you’ve probably seen his work. Two of his bright, eccentric murals grace the downtown cityscape – one along the walkway between the Ferndale Arts Building and American Pop (195-175 W. Nine Mile), and the other which is still partially visible on the wall of the new Rosie O’Grady’s on the corner of W. Nine and Allen.
The showing at Paramount introduced Ferndale Gallery Walkers to even more of his imagination-inspiring art. The exhibit “Muse on My Shoulder” featured a range of cathartic feats – from the multicolored feline stature slinking across the gallery floor, to the mannequins in the corner dressed as if they were going to some intergalactic disco cartoon party, and of course the kooky paintings that many of us recognize as familiar and Ferndalesque.
“I just like working in the moment,” Cascardo said. “That’s what my work is trying to capture.”
The Royal Oak-based artist did a live painting demonstration at the opening, accompanied by percussionist Mark Whitsett on the traditional drums.
Paramount Bank Branch Manager John McQuiggin considered the Gallery Walk “very well perceived. We saw a big increase in traffic over other openings, about 75 people or so through the night.”
McQuiggin was happy that the board choose Cascardo’s work. “The Chairman of the Board’s wife saw his work and recommended we take a look at it,” he said. “He came in with an impressive portfolio and we thought we’d like to have him here since he’s done work in Ferndale in the past. We support the local art community by offering free space not only for known artists but for others who may not have the opportunity to showcase their work elsewhere.”
In addition to painting, Cascardo is also an art teacher for kids and adults with disabilities. “Everybody can make art. It’s all about getting inspiration from your imagination. I try to teach people to be spontaneous,” he said.
For more information about Community Arts @ Paramount Bank, go to www.theparamountbankgallery.com. For more information about Daniel Cascardo and his work or art classes, check out his website at www.danielcascardo.com. Muse on my Shoulder will be on display through September 21, 2009.
Gallery Walk Super-Coverage – G7 – Lawrence Street Gallery Presents George Booth By Jessica Carreras
George Booth doesn’t travel much anymore – except the occasional trip to Florida. But although the Dearborn Heights-based photographer’s days of snapping shots in Afghanistan and documenting events in Wales are long gone, his artistry is far from over.
A Masters of Arts graduate from Wayne State University, Booth is a member and former president of the Scarab Club in Detroit, where he has a studio. He has exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Arts and is a staple in many private collections.
Some years ago, he even went abroad to photograph famous ancient status and structures in Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan with his advisor at WSU.
The places that his art took him have left Booth with a lifetime of memories and worthwhile experiences. “Art is a very rewarding thing,” he concludes. “I think life without art is very dull.”
And at 78 years old, Booth’s life as a prolific artist is anything but dull – a fact that can be attested by his latest collection, “Image as Obsession,” showing Aug. 5-29 at the Lawrence Street Gallery in Ferndale.
Booth chose the gallery both for his interest in Ferndale and because, as he puts it, “like Mt. Everest, because it’s there.”
Though he’s exhibited in invitational shows there before, this will be his first solo show at Lawrence Street. “Ferndale is an interesting community,” he muses. “I exhibit at a number of venues so, why Lawrence Street? Well, it is a venue that’s available and they’re very friendly, amenable. Not that it’s the easiest thing in the world to get a solo show there.”
But Booth managed to.
The name of the exhibit is Booth’s own conception, rooted in the idea that everyone is obsessed about something; in his case, photography.
“I’ve been a photographer all my life and I think a person’s choices become somewhat obsessive,” he explains. “There are things that we do that we almost can’t stop doing it. … like itching, scratching, drinking, eating – certain things become obsessive.”
Luckily for Booth, his fixation is not a compulsion, but a passion. “It is (my obsession) – art and photography,” he claims. “It’s part of my nature. It’s part of my being.”
The exhibition at Lawrence Street consisted mainly of female nudes, but also included some composite work of several photos put together. “I do a lot of composites and there will be some composites of – well, I’ve done some traveling and have some photos of some very interesting places in the world,” he teases.
And though Booth also attests to dabbling in drawing, all images seen at the gallery will be photographs. Just don’t tell him that’s not art.
Booth, who is trained as a fine artist, is quick to explain that though photography is sometimes seen as lesser than painting or drawing, he doesn’t see it as such – and neither should anyone else. “A photographer is a fine artist. Photographers are not second class,” he says adamantly. “They used to be – photography had a terrible time being admitted as an art … it had been relegated to second-class citizenship as a skill or craft. I consider it a fine art.”
And, Booth hopes so will viewers of his work.
For more information on the Lawrence Street Gallery and “Image as Obsession,” visit www.lawrencestreetgallery.com.
Gallery Walk Super-Coverage – G8 – Touch of Light Presents John Fitzpartrick’s Handblown Glass
By, Crystal A. Proxmire
The last, and unfortunately furthest, stop on the Gallery Walk was at The Touch of Light Studio & Gallerie of Handblown Glass at 23426 Woodward Avenue, featuring the hand-blown glass of John Fitzpatrick.
The Studio has a 25 year history in Ferndale, and the creator himself has a history of professional glassware design dating back to his journey to Orrefors Sweeden in 1979. There he studied in an intensive, world-renouned school called Orrefors Glasskolan. In Europe he worked with many glass studios, learning all he could from each for about five years before returning to Ferndale to start his own studio close to home.
Touch of Light stayed open extended hours on Thursday, August 20, 2009 for the Gallery Walk, but unfortunately did not see any increased traffic. Fitzpatrick says that he gets a lot of his customers from people just driving by. “I try to keep the lights bright and lots of color in the windows,” he says.
Among the shelves of one-of-a-kind glassware you’ll find bowls, vases, bottles, plates, candleholders and more. And in the back you can see the giant kilns and other glass-blowing equipment. Fitzpatrick often gives glass-blowing demonstrations and classes at his studio for a small fee. The studio is open Tuesday through Friday from 11am to 6pm, and on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. For more information go to www.touchoflight.com.