AdammsGallery

Art Glass at Woodbury University Fashion Show and Dinner

On May 1, 2011 we packed up 30 large art glass pieces and about 50 smaller pieces for the 36th annunal Woodbury University Fashion Show and Dinner. This year's event, as last year, was held at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. I was approached a couple of months prior to the show about bringing glass for center pieces for the dinner. There were 30 tables.

After getting all my concerns addressed( guarantee, insurance, my donation to the University, etc.) we reached an agreement. In return for bringing the pieces and setting them up I would be donating 15% of all sales. The event was to provide dinner for two, and a guarantee in the event we did not sell enough to cover expenses. Members of the University picked many of the pieces to bring. Artists represented were Karen Ehart, Josh Simpson, Barry Entner, Tommie Rush, John McDonald, Charles Lotton, David Tsai, Rick Satava, Victor Chiarizia, Wes Hunting, Michael Nourot, Scott Bisson, Susan Gott, Donald Carlson, Jared Davis, Algerine Correia, Rick Strini, Richard Silver, Rollin Karg, Orient & Flume, John & Heather Fields, Kyle Gribskov, and more.

We packed up at 8:00 AM and arrived at the Hotel at 2:30 PM. The Biltmore is truly a grand hotel from Los Angeles' past. The first Academy Awards were held there. It has entertained Presidents, Kings, and many other dignitaries. It is kept up in incredible coindition. We finsihed setting up the tables by 4:30. Then we went to the room(provided by the University) to change for the fashion show and reception. At the reception we met Dr. Kenneth R. Nielsen, Ed.D.President of the University and his wife. The hoir d'vours were fantastic as were the beverages. The fashion show was very impressive. If you have never been to one I recommend it . Probably once is enough, unless you are in the business. After fashion show we returned to the ballroom for the dinner.Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. Great food, especially desert. The entertainment were dancers from "Dancing With The Stars". Sold only a couple of items but that was OK. When you do promotional things like this you never know when the return will come.

We were fortunate that there was no breakage. Our return trip to Santa Monica was uneventful, and a very good night sleep awaited. All in all it was a tiring, but very good experience. The art glass made for magnificent table settings and we recieved many complements on the pieces. The artists received good representation, and we all had fun.

Leaded Glass Restoration at UCLA's Hershey Hall

 

 

A few months ago I was contacted about a new project at UCLA. Hershey Hall, the first on campus dormitory Circa 1931, was under going extensive seismic retrofitting and all the leaded glass windows and doors needed to be removed and restored. Although we have been working on the stained and leaded glass at UCLA for nearly 20 years I was not familiar with Hershey Hall. In all there about 28 doors, transoms and windows that need restoration. Over the years the leaded glass had been repaired with plastic, and colored glass. While most of the windows are not in need of total re leading they do require  glass and lead replacement and reputtying. They are all in very heavy steel frames. A burden to transport, especially the eight foot doors.

I will be publishing additional blogs as we proceed. However, the following pictures show some of the process in replacing glass and lead to date.. 
  These images show breaking out the old broken glass, setting up the lead to accept the replacement glass, and cutting and installing the new glass.
The door pictured was made with clear window glass, but others have obscure glass we will be matching. 
 
 

 

 

  
 
  
 


 
 

Leon Applebaum Glass Artist

 

                                                      
 

I have known Leon Applebaum for over 25years, and from the first time I noticed his work I became a fan.. You can not help but be fascinated with any of his pieces. Leon uses vibrant transparent colors cased in clear glass.  He creates paperweights, sculptures, perfume bottles,tables, vases,and bowls in all shapes and sizes.

Leon is one of those artists that does not like to stay fixed on one design for a long time. Even though he may have an extremely popular piece of work he retires it and goes on to another. He is constantly looking for the next form that will challenge his skills.

While I greatly appreciate his work ethic, and artistic sense it can be frustrating.  There are many Leon Applebaum fans that would love another one of his paperweights, sculptures, or large vases.  Some would like to add to there collection, or give them as gifts.  The limited series however, only adds to the mystic and value of Leon's work. If you see a piece of his you like you had better snatch it up because you may never see another again.

It is just this philosophy that pushes me to collect more of his pieces for my personal collection.

You can check out Leon's work at glass galleries throughout the United States and notably

 Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery

 1426 4th St.

Santa Monica, CA 90401

866 764 6513

 

American Craft Buyer's Shows

 

Randi Solin                                Wendy Linj                            CVhris and Alexandra Pantos      

I returned last weekend from trip to Philadelphia and Baltimore to attend this years buyer's markets. The first show "Buyer's Market of American Craft" was held at the Philadelphia Convention Center.  Among the 768 artists that set up booths were glass artists, jewelers, potters, wood workers, clothing and accessory  designers, iron artists,  candel makers, and mixed media artists. It is always fun visiting old friends and enjoying new work.  I was happy with the turn out, although the show is down from over 1200 artists.

The second show was the American Craft Council show in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore show had just over 700 artists. As is always the case the ACC show had a higher quality of work due to their more rigid standards for admission.  This is not to say that many of the artists in Philadelphia were not of equal talent.  In fact many artists do both shows, or choose to do one or the other and are easily accepted into both.  Here again I found some new artists for the gallery. In addition to ordering work(old standbys and new pieces) from my current artists, I was happy to find new artists both recognized and emerging that attended the show. Philly and Baltimore both have great restaurants, museums, antique shops, shows, and historic sites. I highly recommend both these sites, although not necessily in February.     Some of the new artrists I picked from both shows include Jennifer Duffy and Niev Duffy www.urbanlinksdesign.com  jewelry, Scott Maryjaszek www.artephax.com multi media photography, Sean Browen www.seanbrownartist.com jewelry, Chris and Alexandra Pantos www.tourchworksglass.com glass, Eric and Trudi Cooper www.seaofglassstudio.com jewelry, David Lindsay www.lindsayartglass.com glass, Paul Counts-glass,Wendy Lin www.wendylindesigns.com jewelry, Randi Solin  www.solinglass.comglass,  Margaret Neher www.margaretneher.comglass, Tamara Baskin www.tamarabaskin.com glass, and Art of Fire Glass for Christmas Ornaments. In looking for new work this year, more than  in years past, I looked for work that really blew my socks off.  I hope you will agree.  Most of these artists work will be arriving in the gallery in the next few months.  Of course there will be many new pieces from the over 190 artists I currently represent.

     Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter if you want to stay in touch with what going on  monthly.  Remember, all subscribers are entered into a contest to win  a Glass Eye Celestial Series  Paperweight given away each month.

     I'd also love to hear your feedback on the blog and nesletter.  Until next time  stay healthy.

Adamm Gritlefeld

Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery

1426 4th St.

Santa Monica, Ca. 90401

310 451 9390

www.adammsgqallery.com

Stained Glass Repair of Hector Guimard Stained Glass Doors

Over the past 20 plus years Dr. Zack Hadad has given me some very interesting and historic restoration jobs. Dr.Hadad is an expert on the art deco, art nouveau periods as well as African culture and art. Zack has been an avid collector for decades, and is a professor of African Art at UCLA.  Recently Zack contacted me about restoring a stained glass door from the Castel Baranger. The Castel  was an apartment building designed by renowned  art nouveau archetect Hector Guimard(1864-1942). Built in 1894-98) the building at 14 Rue La Fontaine-Paris, France was comprised of 36 separate apartments.  Each one totally different from the next. Zack had stayed there many time before it was demolished for new construction.

   The doors had been repaired a number of times in the past. 

 We replaced the broken pieces with replica (restoration clear) glass and some textured glass pieces with Bullseye clear.  An extremely good match.
  

 

 

Guimard made extensive use of iron metal work during his career, and Castel Balanger was no exception. his flowing lines were executed in stone and wood as well. For information and great photos of Guimard's work I recommend "Hector Guimard Arch' d' Art Paris" A wonderful book containing  many photos of Guimards work.  It is written entirely in French however. A handicap for me, as my French is extraordinarily limited.

 

Among Guimard's most notable pieces is the Metropolitain. The subway entrances in Paris. The metal work in incomparable!

For more information google Hector Guimard. You will probably spend many hours in fascination.

Adamm's Annual Super Sale

                              
Victor Chiarizia alto set 50% OFF    Rollin Karg Orb 40% OFF

Craig Zweifel Wave Vase 25% OFF   Scott Bisson Large Dichro Frog 25% OFF

Only some examples. 

The complete Gallery is on Sale

 The time you have been waiting for has arrived.  Our annual Super Sale begins Sunday December 
26th.  Everything, yes everything in the Gallery is on sale. Take at least 20% off anything in the gallery. No maximums.  Other selected art glass from 25-50 % off.  All jewelry AT LEAST 30% OFF.

     Take advantage of this offer until Januaey 31st, but remember only one of each art piece in stock so when it is sold there are no more. Art glass from Correia, Ed Branson, Victor Chiarizia, Barry Entner, Karen Ehart, John and Heather Fields, Daniel Blade and Stephen Gartner, Susan Gott, Bill Glassner, Elodie Holmes, Bob and Laura Kliss,The Lottons, Michael Nourot, Jim Nowak, Josh Simpson, Jane Tivol, Milon Townsend, Craig Zweifel, and over 150  more artists.

Go to adammsgallery.com for Gallery selection and full pricing. Call or email for more information. We have many more pieces in the Gallery than on line.

     Call or email for best price, the internet is not set up for this Sale offer. 

Stained Glass Restoration at the 2nd Church of Christ, Scientist Los Angeles

 

 

 

 

  

   
 
 
 

Adamm's Stained Glass, Santa Monica continues work on the Christian Science Church at 946 West Adams in Los Angeles.  This area, close to the University of Southern California, is known as the West Adams Historical District. Currently we are continuing to work removing , releading, and installing the windows on the rotunda of the Church.  These windows are 104 feet above the ground level.  Fortunately we are using a lift to gain access to the roof and the windows.  For safety we have two sets of cables that surround the rotunda. Wearing climbing harnesses for safety, we are able to attach our lifelines to the cables during the removal and installation process.

     The 100 year old windows, that measure 44' x 84" ' acually come apart in pieces.  This is certainly not uncommon in such old windows.  The fact that these windows have been exposed directly to the elements for 100 years ceretainly explains their condition. With the window apart in pieces we load the pieces into  special crates and then lower them to the ground on the lift.  The lead is recycled.

     The restored windows are loaded into a crate that is tied to the lift and raised up to the rooftop.  Once there we are able to remove the completed window and install it in the opening.

     The windows weight 72 pounds.  The crate weighs  about 135 pounds.  With the maximum weight for the lift of 400 pounds you can understand why the lift is remotly operated to raise and lower the windows.

     We have been removing and installing the windows four at a time.  The complete rotunda has 32 windows, although half had been releaded previously.

   This is an interesting job, and the view from the roof top is magnificent.

Kevin O'Grady Borosilicate Glass Visionary

 

    
   

 

KEVIN O’GRADY

Kevin O’Grady began lampworking glass in 1989 while living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His prior experience as a silversmith and lapidary artist helped him to quickly develop his lampworking skills.

Primarily known for his beautiful bracelets, Kevin is also accomplished in making marbles, beads, platters, and vessels. His work with borosilicate murrine is legendary. Murrine canes date back to the Romans, but perfected by Italians 200 years ago. He was one of the first to pioneer this technique in the medium of borosilicate glass (pyrex). His murrine are part of the permanent collection in The Corning Museum of Glass. Every piece Kevin makes is signed and dated with a murrine cane as well.

Kevin has been published in both print and video mediums and has been featured in magazines including “Ornament”, “Bead and Button”, and “Lapidary Journal”.

Kevin works with borosilicate glass and a surface mix torch reaching temperatures of 2500 degrees. He has created a mixing technique that enables him to create vivid and beautiful colors previously unknown in borosilicate glass. Many of his techniques are self taught.Each pieces is a one of a kind, signed, hand worked original made solely by him using no apprentices.

“Working glass in a flame is my passion. My inspiration for colors and design come mostly from nature. … water and feathers as well as flowers and galactic stars can be seen in my work. Artists such as Monet, Escher, Matisse, and of course Chihuly also inspire me.”

     Kevin and Linda O'Grady will be at Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery for a reception on October 9, 2010 from 5 - 9 PM.

1426 4th St.  Santa Monica, Ca 90401 310 451 9390    www.adammsgallery.com

Susan Gott Master Of Cast Glass Art

   
   
 Based in Tampa, Florida Susan Gott has been working with glass for over 25 years. She holds a Bachelor of Art from Radford University, Radford, Virginia and a Master of Fine Art in Glass from  Kent State University.

Her work involves many steps and requires an enormous amount of cultural research, skill, artistry, creative genius, and physical strength. She creates molds , then forms sand molds for casting.  Sometimes carving the sand itself.  She laddles molten glass at 2400 degrees into these molds. During the filling of the mold she may choose to place decorative glass elements, and or metal wires and sheet metal.  She then paints them with powered glass and allows them to cool.  More work is required for the finished product.  At carefully chosen places she polishes areas of the glass giving windows into the enclosed worlds she creates. Finally the glass sculptures are glued to a granite base.

Susan describes her work in these words "My work embodies my interest in mythological imagery, symbolism, and

philosophies from historic and ancient cultures as I investigate these ideas

using glass as a sculptural medium. The elements of this ancient, visual

language express the union of human being and nature. These images have

become enmeshed in my thought and in my art to create a new myth-os in glass.

My sources of inspiration seem endless. I am intensely interested in archeology and the rituals and art

of various world religions. Some of the additional influences include the work of Joseph Campbell,

the figurines of ancient Eastern Europe, the symbolism found in Indonesian and African masks, the

mysteries of the Celts, the myths of ancient Greece, the belief systems of Native American, and the

energy centers of the Chakras.

The resulting glass, with primitive qualities and metaphors, are a visual re—presentation of the

cycles of life. The human form becomes a vessel for connection to Spirit. These investigations

have opened new sources of inspiration for my work and strengthened a connection between my art

and that, which is timeless".

I have been representing Susan for over 15 years and have always admired the way she is constantly changing and improving her art.

    If you are interested in meeting Susan in Los Angeles she will be at a show in the Santa Monica Gallery October 9th, 2010.  www.adammsgallery.com

 

Bruce Sillars, Orient and Flume Glass Artist

 
 
We recently had renowned glass artist Bruce Sillars in the Gallery for a show.  Bruce was part of the "For a Few Dollars More" Show. The show featured Bruce along with Jared and Nicole Davis, and Rick and Janet Nicholson.  The show ran from June 8th through the 30th.

    Bruce Sillars was Glass Studio Orient and Flume's first employee and he is still going strong. Bruce has had a hand in virtually everything that Orient and Flume has produced in the past 36 years.Bruce either created the pieces or had a hand in designing them.

For Bruce, the experience of designing and creating glass becomes a very personal, intellectual interpretation of his own emotions, perceptions and impressions. "While I don't try to reproduce a motif exactly, it is the small details that express the essence of a design. I work mostly from memory, allowing my impression of the subject matter to be represented as much as the details of reality." "Craftsmanship is important to me, as I learn to better understand and control the glass I find that I have more design freedom. Devising new tools, colors and techniques is an important part of the design process. Sometimes a new design will be inspired by a new development. Then again, many new techniques have come from the effort to develop a certain idea. Often I get ideas for pieces that I don't yet know how to execute. It can sometimes take a year or more to find all of the right methods and components to satisfactorily finish a design. When I learn something new and different, it's exciting to be able to put it to use."

"I like the immediate gratification that glass offers. You are not able to put a piece down and think about it, Once you start, you must work it to the finish."

For our show Bruce created two new pieces. He is seen holding one of them in the above picture.  A wonderful Bird of Paradise vase. Bruce also made a large Bamboo, and a series of the four seasons .  This set of four crystal vases show a tree with snow during the winter, new blossoms for spring, green leaves for summer, and rich orange foliage for autumn.  There seems to be no end to Bruce's creative genius.

To top it all off Bruce is an extremely cordial man with a wealth of knowledge he readily shares.  All of my customers attending the show were very impressed with Bruce and many of them were very happy they owned one of his works.