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Calendar and Newsletter - 2010
What's New
Paper
I have been working on new paper pieces with a decidedly bolder anatomical and mechanical feel to them. The new cage pendant and conch/bones necklace are larger in scale than usual. I have also started a series of mica-windowed pendants that remind me of reliquaries. I know, bones? reliquaries? but this new direction feels fresh and exciting to me, and I hope you agree. I am also working on more sculptural pieces, some for particular shows, others just for fun. Rock Paper Scissors is a small sculpture I have been planning for over a year. Along with my Sticks and Stones series, these pieces combine the amusement of the language and games of childhood with the constant presence of simple materials in our everyday world.
Beads
I am still beading, though not as much as before. I have been getting into shows mostly as a handmade paper artist these days, so I have somewhat inadvertantly changed my primary medium from beaded work to paper. I do plan to work on a couple of larger beaded pieces. I continue to have a decent beaded jewelery inventory and commissions are still welcome.
Blogs
Blogging about my work: Because I am getting involved with more collaborative work and adding more gallery shows to my schedule, I thought it was time to start talking a bit more about how and why I do my work. So, I have added a blog to this site. You can get to it by clicking on the "Blog" button at the top of each page on this website, or you can go straight to it at www.jbeelsdesign.com/blog/. Responding to friends' and clients' requests, I have posted a description of how I make my paper. I plan to discuss new projects or pieces as I work on them. As I participate in or visit shows and exhibitions, I will add comments and reviews. I'll also post links to interesting sites as they pop up. I hope you will find this new blog worth visiting occasionally.
Beyond Garbage - Recycled Materials Blog: I have also launched a blog on recycled materials, coordinating with a small group of artists to jumpstart a project that focuses on a different recyclable or reusable material each month. We'll share our creations and experiments with the hope that others will want to join us. If you are interested in learning more about this blog, please visit Beyond Garbage. If you would like to join the project, contact me and I will put you on the monthly tickle list. You will also find information on the site to help schools and other groups organize similar projects encouraging people to think creatively about their material world and how to make something (fun, beautiful, useful, or provocative) out of "nothing" (free stuff you might have just thrown away or recycled).
Thoreau's Legacy at the Union of Concerned Scientists
I am thrilled to be one of 15 artists whose work has been selected for a year-long exhibition (through February 2011) of pieces reflecting on a new publication from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) - Thoreau's Legacy: American Stories About Global Warming. The exhibition is on display in the 8th floor lobby of 1825 K Street, NW, in Washington, DC. My piece is a wall hanging made from fused plastic bags and reclaimed copper piping - a new direction resulting from my new blog's monthly materials exploration (see above).
Studio Info: Flux Studios and the Torpedo Factory
I am still an Associate Artist at The Torpedo Factory, but I have decided to have my studio space elsewhere for now. So, I have joined Flux Studios in Mt. Rainier, MD. It is a friendly, flexible, and productive environment, and I am excited to have a better work space for all the larger sculptures I have to make over the next year.
...and Etsy
It was time. I have started posting some of my work for sale on Etsy. My shop name is JBeelsDesign and I am listed as a jeweler (paper jewelry). The direct link is: http://www.etsy.com/shop/jbeelsdesign Because I have to post a picture of the actual item for sale, I will not be listing a whole lot of my inventory at any one time, probably mostly just earrings. But if you want to buy something from me, now I can post an image on Etsy and let you know when it is up, and you can pay me securely through PayPal on the site. We'll see how this works. Let me know!
SHOW SCHEDULE - 2010
Weekend Craft Shows
Friday, October 15, through Sunday, October 17 - White Plains, NY
Westchester Craft Show (www.craftsamericashows.com/)
White Plains, NY
Hours:
Friday, October 15, 10 - 6
Saturday, October 16, 10 - 6
Sunday, October 17, 11 - 5
Friday, November 19, through Sunday, November 21 - Washington, DC
Washington Craft Show (www.craftsamericashows.com/)
Washington Convention Center (Mt Vernon Sq. metro)
Hours:
Friday, November 19, 10 - 8
Saturday, November 20, 10 - 6
Sunday, November 21, 11 - 5
Friday, December 10, through Sunday, December 12 - Boston, MA
Craft Boston Holiday (www.craftboston.org)
The Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts
539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
Hours:
Friday, December 10, 10 - 8
Saturday, December 11, 10 - 7
Sunday, December 12, 11 - 5
Upcoming Gallery Shows and Events
September 10 through October 10 - Washington, DC
Elements: The State of Matter
DC Arts Center (2438 18th Street, NW, in Adams Morgan)
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 2 - 7 pm
Opening Reception: September 10, 7 - 9 pm
Artist talk, 5 pm October 10
Six contemporary artists in a variety of media explore the elements with abstract presentations: Jessica Beels, Graham Boyle, Katie Cassidy, Vincent Colvin, Suzanne Izzo, and Stu Searles
Curated by Pam Rogers Mentor Curator: Trudi Van Dyke
November through December 2010 - Alexandria, VA
Washington Guild of Goldsmiths Biennial Show
Target Gallery at the Torpedo Factory
105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA
January 2011 - Washington, DC
Gallery 555
555 12th Street, NW
Featured artist - details to follow
May 2011 - Germantown, MD
Black Rock Center for the Arts
12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown, MD
Featured artist in a three-person show - details to follow
Recent Events and Awards
2010
Wearable Art/Unwearable Fashion - VisArts Rockville, MD
Craft Boston - Boston, MA
Personal Armor: Artists' Concepts of Aprons - Black Rock Center for the Arts, Germantown, MD
Thoreau's Legacy - Union of Concerned Scientists, Washington, DC
100 Tea Bowls - Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA
2009
Washington Craft Show - Washington, DC
Westchester Craft Show - White Plains, NY
Courage Unmasked - Katzen Arts Center, Washington, DC
Paradise City Arts Festival - Northampton, MA
Smithsonian Craft Show - Washington, DC
2008
Holiday Crafts at the Armory - New York, NY
Washington Craft Show - Washington, DC
Westchester Craft Show - White Plains, NY
2007
Creative Crafts Council Biennial - Bethesda, MD
2006
Fiber's Finest - Fiber Arts Study Group juried show, Gilchrist Museum, Cumberland, MD
Illuminations - Gallery 11, Hartford, CT
2005
Creative Crafts Council Biennial (2nd Place, Mixed Media), Strathmore Mansion, Bethesda, MD
Translucence: Forms in Paper - Lynn Tendler Bignell Gallery, Brookfield, CT
Publications
"Triangle Pillow Earrings," Step by Step Beads, Spring 2003,
Vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 18-21
"Beautiful Boughs," Step by Step Beads, Mar/Apr 2006,
Vol. 4, no. 2,
pp. 30-33
"Beaded Leaves," Step by Step Beads, Mar/Apr 2006,
Vol. 4, no. 2, pp.
34-41
"Stick Earrings," Step by Step Beads, May/June 2008,
Vol. 6, no. 3, p.
44
"Deliciously Diagonal Beaded Bead," Beadwork, June/July 2008,
Vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 64-65
See corrections to instructions at:
http://www.interweave.com/bead/beadwork_magazine/corrections.asp
By-invitation shows and Classes
As always, I am happy to do on-site trunk shows at your home or office (what a way to spend your lunch break!). I teach classes (one-on-one or in a group of up to eight) from beginner's basic bead stringing and repair to advanced bead weaving. My students have been as young as 6 years old.
Let me know if you'd like to be on my mailing lists (regular or email) for seasonal updates. Email or call (202) 361-2609.
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