May 22, 2010
May 13, 2010
May 11, 2010
Here are six paintings starting a new series of small paintings. What do you think?
I've changed the size and subject of my work drastically and need feedback if you have
the time. I've always loved and respected Bruce's nature photography and have had these
photos stashed away for years. Frogs and toads have the greatest faces (if we're comparing them with animal traits!) and the small formats seem to me to fit together.
Thoughts?
I've changed the size and subject of my work drastically and need feedback if you have
the time. I've always loved and respected Bruce's nature photography and have had these
photos stashed away for years. Frogs and toads have the greatest faces (if we're comparing them with animal traits!) and the small formats seem to me to fit together.
Thoughts?
Jan 13, 2010
Jan 7, 2010
Hand wrought Sterling Silver bottles 2.5" h $300 each
I made Bruce one of these bottles 20 years ago (oops how can that be when he's only 25?!)
and he still uses it! These are great for carrying meds around with you or just for tylenol, toothpicks, any treasures you want to keep safe! One has a turquoise set on its lid and the other a red jasper. I know they're a bit pricey but I spent approximately 8-10 hours making each one and every bit is Argentium sterling silver. I guess you could consider it an heirloom once you own it.
Jan 4, 2010
"Pebbles and Feather" 4x12 Acrylic on canvas $125
I borrowed these tiny gems from my daughter who made me promise I would return them safely. I just love the intimacy of the small forms and the little feather, which by the way came from her love bird "Tweet". I'm still not sure of the tone I mixed for the ground color but to see it up close reveals some warm red oxide beneath and I like that.
"Bruce's Owl" 5x5 Acrylic $150
This is a painting done from one of Bruce's published photos. I'm trying a little bit of
every subject theme and struggling with how I feel about the process of painting it.
I've always loved his animal photography but never felt quite adequate at rendering from them but then its a whole lot easier than working from the real thing!!
Jan 2, 2010
The following three paintings were done in Charleston in 09 while struggling with what seemed to me at the time to be a daunting chore: change! I kept with the flower theme to experiment with gold, silver and copper leaf. I'm still, a year later interested in using metal leaf with open acrylics on my surfaces, however I've now changed the size of my work to very small. I'm thinking its just another chapter and that I will keep working and experimenting. This year it feels like the change may be related to subject matter. In any case I'm feeling much more restored creatively and less overwhelmed.
Dec 15, 2009
"You are Missed" 4x12 acrylic and graphite on canvas$150
This piece came from my love of drawing and although it is on a prepared canvas and its background is a combination of titian buff and white oxide, the cups have been drawn with various pencils and highlighted with white pastel. The painting has been varnished with Golden's matt varnish. If you look closely, there is a slight shadow where a third
cup should be...ergo "you are missed". January first will be a whole year I've been without a very dear friend and I miss her greatly.
"Abstracted lake" 4x12 mixed media on canvas $150
This is another part of my search. I'm beginning to love the small and intimate size compared to my usual large format. I've always enjoyed the physical part of painting large however the transporting and practical part of it....not so much. Along with experimenting with the extreme size change I've found myself enjoying the freedom that using many mediums can bring. I used acrylics, pastels, sgraffito, and craypas to create this landscape.
Nov 29, 2009
"Proud" Acrylic and Mixed media, 4x6 panel, $100
I love these little intimate paintings. They are on a 1" thick birch panel
that hangs from wire on the back. The nice thing about these little gems is
that if you don't have much empty wall space, they don't take up much space and
can be hung in nooks and crannies in any room. They've been varnished to maintain
their color. I used acrylics, cray pas, colored pencil and permanent fine tip markers.
The model painting came from a sketch I did some time back at Kirkland open figure drawing studio. The Hispanic Woman's portrait was inspired by a photograph I saw that
was so intense I couldn't get it out of my mind. She has a wonderful "old world" look
about her that makes me think of "all of our grandparents" or "great grandparents", depending on your age!!! In any case she is part of all of us.
that hangs from wire on the back. The nice thing about these little gems is
that if you don't have much empty wall space, they don't take up much space and
can be hung in nooks and crannies in any room. They've been varnished to maintain
their color. I used acrylics, cray pas, colored pencil and permanent fine tip markers.
The model painting came from a sketch I did some time back at Kirkland open figure drawing studio. The Hispanic Woman's portrait was inspired by a photograph I saw that
was so intense I couldn't get it out of my mind. She has a wonderful "old world" look
about her that makes me think of "all of our grandparents" or "great grandparents", depending on your age!!! In any case she is part of all of us.
Oct 5, 2009
Pit Fire Vase $30 SOLD
The surface of pit fired pots often exhibit wonderful surface effects. Beautiful and vibrant designs are etched in unglazed vessels by dancing flames that are the results of combustible materials.
My wheel thrown pieces, after drying, are sealed with a very fine clay referred to as Terra Sigillata, literally meaning sealed earth. Each pot is then burnished with a smooth stone to achieve a very smooth glossy sheen. The pots are then bisqued fired in an electric kiln.
The final firing occurs in a pit filled with combustibles varying from sawdust, seaweed, cow pies to miracle grow.
Although not functional these pieces can be used by placing a glass container in them to hold water.
Oct 4, 2009
8" Pit Fired Vase $30 SOLD
Fired with various minerals in a pit. The resulting surface is different with each
pot. To make this functional as a vase please use a glass vase inside for water.
Pit Fired Vase $28
Pit fired pots are beautifully unique and very earthy. If you're
not a traditional ceramic surface person then you will love these
pieces.
6" Porcelain Cone Flower Vase $38 SOLD
This is another "Charleston" piece and again hand carved with
Cone Flowers. It's glazed in a beautiful light green Celadon glaze.
Porcelain Celadon Vase $48
This piece is 8"tall and is hand carved with delicate Cone flowers by my
wife. This series of porcelain pottery was created when we were in Charleston
South Carolina.
Porcelain Tea Bowls $40 each
These tea bowls are individually hand carved and each have their
own unique characteristics. They are each 4" tall and glazed in
Celadon.
Oct 3, 2009
Etched Chinese Craines w/Lapis Lazuli and Opals-$350
This is such a detailed and wonderful piece. The arched cranes are framed with heavy, braided
wire and are seated on a horizontally set lapis rather than the traditional verticle.There are negative cut out spaces above the cranes to resemble stained glass in an arched window. It actually lends balance to the composition. The tiny opals
give the whole piece symmetry while hanging from a beautifully designed chain, made with hammered links and silver beads. As with all my chains, the closures are hand made as well.
This is a steal at this price!
All Sterling Equine Pendent with hand made chain-$250
This pendent and chain is a nice sturdy piece. Much silver went into the making of it and the actual horse part is a negative space so that whatever color you're wearing it on will show through. If you're a horse person you will love this piece and I guarantee no one will have
one like it.
Horse Charm Bracelet- $100
I don't usually create equine jewelery, however I designed these pieces for a small gallery in Saratoga NY. She has since decided not to carry jewelry so I am offering them to you at a much greater discount. I have another one with a different horse, and different chain. Contact me and we can figure out what size you need and I will adjust it for you at no cost. Excuse this photo for some reason it looks gold rather than silver. It is all sterling.
Carnelian and Red Pearl Post Earrings-$48
As you can see by now, I love to work with Carnelians. The orange red color of the stone (thought to be a healing stone) and the sterling silver are a great match.
Picture Jasper with hand cut tree all sterling $300
If you enjoy the outdoors and are fond of anything natural, this is the piece for you.
I made it as simply and comfortable as possible. I sketched the tree, cut it from a sheet of 22 gauge silver. I then textured it and soldered it to the bezel. Setting the
stone was a bit tricky since the tree had to be slightly beveled to match the curve of the cabochon. I think what is so special about this piece is that the owner can wear it with casual wear or dress it up, therefore getting every penny's worth in this difficult economic time.
Sep 29, 2009
Art Deco Sterling necklace (see above pic)
I had so much fun making this piece from the beginning of the preliminary sketch to finding the exact stones I wanted in the design. I imagine this on someone very colorful and free with their fashion statement! The stones are Jade, Rose Quartz and Amethyst and the curved 8 gauge piece is attached to a hand made chain. I never thought I would make chains however it is a skill I am most happy to have learned!
18 guage Sterling Silver Byzantine Bracelet-$100
This bracelet is made using 18ga sterling twisted wire. Its byzantine pattern
has been accentuated by darkening the recessed parts using liver of sulfur and
polishing the high spots by tumbling it in a professional jewelry tumbler.
The hooks are also hand made and have been tested for a secure fit. This same pattern
can be made with plain silver rather than twisted and can be made in 20 or 22 gauge wire. Without the liver of sulfur treatment the sterling remains very shiny and light. The look is more delicate.
Carnelian Agate with Sterling Horse Pendent-$100
This beautiful hand made piece was hand sawed and attached to a carnelian stone
bead and is hung from leather using a sterling hand made finding.
Black Onyx and Sterling Torque-sold
This piece was commissioned (see comment). I will never "copy" or "repeat" a design but I will make changes that won't alter the piece beyond the essence of the original.
So if you see something you like and it's been sold don't think you can't have something similar. Just contact me and we'll work something out.
Sep 18, 2009
Black Onyx Torque
This is one of my most recent neck pieces of sterling silver set with a 38mm black onyx cabochon. The ends of the piece, slip around the neck and are finished with 6x8 oval black onyx cabs. I textured the silver around the big onyxstone, manually with an electric glass etching tool. It is stamped "CAT" and "sterling" on the
back. This piece is presently in "The Gallery"
in Beaufort, South Carolina. If you are interested in this particular piece please contact me and I can get it for you.
"Jasper and Quills"
This is one of my favorite creations. It is made with sterling silver and has a jasper cabochon (not sure exactly what kind of jasper) which I've had for a long time and just didn't know what to do with.The quills are from an African Porcupine and have been cut to fit a rectangular format above the stone. The ends of this piece have small 3mm black onyx cabs as a finishing touch. "The Gallery" in Beaufort, SC has this piece. If you are interested in this particular piece, please contact me and I can get it for you.
"Willow and Pearls" $300 SOLD to Cheryl Nye
This is a necklace made with sterling silver and fresh water pearls. I wanted this piece to have the look of natural branches so I heated the metal until it began to reticulate and I fused it together rather than to do any soldering. The entire necklace is fused and linked with blackened jump rings. The ends of this piece are sterling and magnetic for a safe but easy closure.
Sep 3, 2009
Hand made marble set in Sterling Silver Ring $50
Once again the whimsy takes over! I love these one of a kind marble rings and I find my marbles all over in my travels. I cut the cup or bezel from a sterling disc and add pattern to it before I solder it to the sterling shank with its own pattern. This one is mine but I have several for sale and each one is different. Fun fun fun!Dancing Figure Earrings $48
I always get compliments on these earrings every time I wear them! Each pair of dancing figure earrings are different. Sometimes I change the stones I use but each time I make these earrings, the figure looks different. They still dance on your ears but every pair is unique.
Running Girl Pins, Sterling Silver, Copper, Bronze, various cabachons, 2 1/4 inches tall $100 each
">Whimsy is what I enjoy putting into my small silver pieces. These running girl pins measure about 2 and 1/4 inches from head to foot and include sterling silver, etched copper, bronze, gold stone, rose quartz and black onyx cabochons. I draw the clothes and shoes one item at a time and hand saw them out for each figure.
Each girl is different and created individually. I make these fun pieces frequently so if you don't like any of these three let me know and I can show you more!!! Click on the image to see them closer.
Nov 16, 2008
Foresthollow Gifts and Gallery-998 State Rt. 365 Remsen, NY 13438, 315-826-7162
This is Forest Hollow Gifts and Gallery. It is located six and a half miles east of
Hinkley Dam on Route 365 going East even though the mailing address in Remsen. We are not in the village of Remsen. Look for the cobble stone well with the "Foresthollow"
sign above it on the right side of the highway. The shop is not visable from the road.
You'll find one of a kind sterling silver jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography and unique
crafts designed and created by Cathy and Bruce Thomas. We take pride in our work and
welcome customers right up until Christmas Eve (for our last minute shoppers). We will
be closed from December 25 to May 14th. Check us out for that special gift.
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