Essential Art Gallery & Fine Gifts Proudly Presents Mariusz Rynkiewicz Artist Biography: Mariusz Rynkiewicz was born in Bialystok, Poland. In 1977, Mariusz went to St. Petersburg where he saw the czarist glass collection of Venetian Masters which absolutely fascinated him. From that very moment of inspiration, he knew exactly what he wanted to do in life. That same year he started working and studying at Bialystok Glass Works in Poland. He was taught by the best glass blowers and designers at Krosno Glass Works. In 1987 he left Poland and sought work in the field of artistic glass. He came to Seattle in December 1988, knowing only a few words of English. In just a few weeks he found work in his chosen profession. In 1995 he opened his own glass studio. "The form begins in my soul, with the ghost of the piece in my mind. Beauty is what is in your mind."--Mariusz The Glass Blower's Philosophy: Mariusz has studied the traditional forms, and he understands their importance, but he always wants to add himself to them. While working in the glass factory in Poland, Mariusz mastered traditional glass. Now, he creates the pieces that have never existed--new shapes that combine the old with his ideas of beauty and dimension. Mariusz creates glass sequentially. First, he thinks about his family. He loves his wife, Derota, and his children. From his love of his family, everything springs. Second, he thinks about color. Color drives his designs. He contemplates the color, holding it up to the light, illuminating it, and observing the shifts and changes. Third, he thinks about the design. While working, he asks, "What is the shape that can hold this color red?" Thinking of this, he draws from what he sees with his eyes. Because he has endlessly read design books, he knows the forms. He has studied the techniques. He always has ore ideas than he can create. Before beginning a piece, he asks himself, "To which traditional approach can I add a touch of contemporary?" After these steps, he begins to blow glass. Essential Art Gallery & Fine Gifts carries a large collection of Mariusz's work including his whimsical garden "Glass Birds", his delightful glass pumpkins for home decor, his functional glass tumblers and pitchers, and his exquisite cut glass vases. You will also find a beautiful collection of Mariusz's lovely glass hearts and his unique blown glass vases exhibiting his love for color in the gallery. October | Prichard Art Gallery & Gift Store Proudly Presents Melody Eckroth I’ve been making art my whole life. I made my early baskets from cattails and other watery grasses when I was duck hunting with my dad as a child. Later in my 20s I discovered willow and its large family of bendable branches. My first attempts looked more like a bird nest, but perseverance furthers and I figured out a lasting construction. Each material, like everything in life, has its’ optimum application. It has been a lifetime of observing what plants work best. I use a lot of roots in my baskets. I source them from logged areas, and then I split them to the desired diameter. Grasses, roots, and inner Cedar bark layers all go into my baskets. In my more complex weaving, I will first crochet a bag with the patterns and designs that I want to use, then I translate that design into the basket using selected materials. My interest is in applying the ancient Celtic and European designs and my own designs inspired from nature and animals. I admire and am inspired by the high craft and art of the Native Americans and greatly appreciate the work they have done in preparation of the materials even before the basket is begun. The basket has a symmetry and harmony in how the patterns are placed. It’s an amazing convergence of nature; focus, shaping and durability that seems deceptively simple – yet is not. I am just scratching the surface of this endeavor, and I hope to continue to explore one of the most ancient of crafts. On another note, I also make woolen winter coats for children. Through the years I’ve made coats for my own children, and I enjoy thinking about all of the unknown children who will wear them. I use a treadle sewing machine, and I love to hand embroider designs on the coat to make them playful for the young people who will enjoy them. I also add a sewn affirmation of love to the interior lining; an inspired reminder to the busy parents trying to dress their child for the cold – “Life is sweet”, “You are loved”. When I was a busy mom with young children, I know that I would have enjoyed the reminder. When I make my fairies, I truly get to play. I collect Acorn shells for the hats, Poppy pods for the heads, Cattail reeds for the body form, and menagerie of silk petals and leaves and vintage fabric to decorate the body. I have Spring, Summer, Harvest and Holiday fairies to brighten your own home or to give as a gift. Each fairy is unique in the hand-painted features and whimsical outfits. In such a busy world with manufactured goods being mass produced anywhere in the world, I think it is important to keep before each generation the timely craft of creating clothes and other useful items needed in life. I get the satisfaction of making things, and people seem to enjoy the love and energy I put into the making. I am a maker. Thank you for this opportunity to tell you about myself and what I love to make. October Featured Artist Promotion: Receive 20% off all items by Melody by providing this code during checkout: OCT.MELODY.20 |
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