Sheri’s Art Gallery – OpenWindo gallery

JASH designs

The three pieces below comprise a recent collaboration between Jan Greenwald and myself, Sheri. We were thinking water and how to emulate it. From a branch of the Ash Wood tree, Jan cut, carved and sanded, the pieces taking on the shape of rock formed by flowing water. With my clay I tried over and over to get the effect of water flowing over rock. It felt forced and the results unsatisfactory.

Many moons later, in the light of new inspiration, I was once again drawn to the wood. The need to emulate water became secondary to the more truthful vision you see here.

Vision Quest

Young Mermaid dives deep into watery realms. Despondent and disappointed by the world around her, she seeks new awareness. When she can go no further, she rests there in a shallow cave and questions the reason of all that has passed and all that is to be. Old Fish comes to her in a dream and brings her visions of his many travels. She awakens knowing more than she knew before; she understands something about the depth of color; how it is enhanced by each chance encounter, and how the spirit is emboldened by perserverance. She knows now that no experience is ever wasted.

Ash wood
7-1/4" high x 8" deep x 3-1/4" wide

$250

Love Bugs

I can't resist these girls. They are so much fun to make and each one has a personality all their own. When I hang a new one on a hook in the row with the others, they all start tittering excitedly about her. Giving one as a gift always brings smiles. Great as Christmas Ornaments. Faces, arms and legs are polymer clay. The wing material varies (polymer clay, feathers, hand painted aluminum, netting) depending on personality. Each one has a small heart hanging from her left wrist. They have come to spread the love.

Custom hook included. 5"- 6" from nose to tips of toes. approx. 5" high not including hook. Weight ranges from 2.5 – 4 oz in weight.

$38 each includes shipping & tax

While She Slept ~ SOLD

Before the fire I always kept a box of wine glass stems to use as bases for pieces of art. From the rubble post-fire I retrieved a slump of stems all twisted and molded together. I counted five stems in this clump, and while in the quiet of my art room, I found myself wanting to curl into that small indentation in the center. The dream was that if I could just go to sleep there today, I might wake to a brighter tomorrow.

Height: 3-1/2" tall, 5" wide by 4" deep
$54 includes shipping and tax

La Chispa – the spark ~ Sold

From the storm and weariness of an old spirit, a sudden spark of new life comes into the belly. And so begins the long waiting period of gestation as a thought takes shape and form. Born tiny and whole with all the cells in perfect order – something tender and vulnerable and yet strong and persistent. The bond is struck and there is no turning away.

"Oooooh, the piece," my sister said as I pulled the little twisted driftwood from the sandy bag she'd brought me from her beach combing trip to Crescent City. I couldn't stop thinking about it as I worked on a not-so-fun house project. There was an octopus in there somewhere, I just knew it.

Meanwhile, Sam was dealing with truck issues and as a gift, brought home one of the damaged engine parts called the impeller. I loved the movement of the blades, like small lapping waves made of heavy metal. This became the base for La Chispa.

What surprised me most was the baby octopus (far from my original thoughts of maybe a shell or crystal) who insisted on being born… And so the new cycle begins.

Height: 12 1/4"
$225 sold

Here's How It Works

Just for fun, ask this little guy how things work. He has a big mouth and an opinion about everything. Write a question on a piece of paper and put it in the vase. Be sure to put the lid back on. Then wait for the answer to come to you. I asked what happened to my good scissors? It took a week, but they turned up …in my sewing box– who woulda thought!

Polymer clay design covers an egg shaped ceramic vase.

Height: 6.5" including lid, 4" diameter
$50 includes shipping & tax

Mobiles

Mobiles hold a special fascination for me. I've been making them since the 70's when I had a ceramic kiln. I suppose it is the whimsical way the pieces move and dance around each other without touching. But really, making a mobile takes me back to those days where we all opened our eyes and taught each other to see things in a different way.

Polymer clay is my medium of choice these days. I use kaleidoscope canes or a swirling technique on some of the pieces. Some pieces simply turn into a design of crazy random patterns. There is a wonderful sense of freedom to it all.