AdammsGallery

Olive Parker- Montana Leather Designs

    

We represent a number of jewelers in the gallery, but none of them create anything  even close to Olive's work. I had heard of Olive from advertisements she had placed  in literature from wholesale craft shows. I was very interested in seeing her work in person. I attended the American Hand Crafted Show in Philadelphia this past February, and immediately found her. Her display was a real eye catcher. She brought a large assortment of her bracelets, and I was tempted to order all of them. Logic soon returned, and I made a more rational first order.

                                                                     

 

  Olive creates exquisite leather goods, in addition to her bracelets, but I stayed with the bracelets to start. Olive lives in Western Montana. Her bracelets have leather bands, ceramic, or enameled beads, and silver, brass, copper, or zinc clasps and accents. Each one is more beautiful than the next, and all are suitable for men or women. Her clasps are magnetic, which makes them very easy to put on, and are a very intelligent design. I loved all of them, and couldn't be happier with the selection.

Palau De La Musica Catalana

  
 

 

The Palace of Music in Barcelona, Spain was started in 1905 and completed in 1908 as the home for Orfeo Catala(the Catalan Choral Society) which still occupies, and owns the building. It is architect Domènech i Montaner’s most significant building. Astonishingly it took only 2 years and 8 months to build. With the quantity of detailed art work involved and the number of artisans working on it a truly unimaginable feat.

                    


The stained glass skylight is a focal point in the concert hall,

                                

 but there are so many other artistic elements to take in. Banisters with blown glass balusters,

mosaic tile decorations on pillars, and the ceiling, sculptures of Beethoven,

                
                                 

other prominent people, figures, and animals, and of course St. George the Patron Saint of Barcelona, amazing woodwork, and wrought iron, and  needless to say other stained glass windows.Performers  have included Lenard Bernstein, Herbie Hancock, Ravel, Zubin Mehta, and Pau Casals to name a few.

The Palace of Music is the only concert hall is the world to be declared a UNESCO world heritage site. It is in what we call the Art Nouveau style. In Barcelona it is referred to a Modernisme( modernismo for the rest of Spain), in Italy Stile Floreale, or Stile Liberty. If you are in Barcelona it is a must see. Tours are given regularly,. and worth every penny. If you have time take in a concert or a flamenco show. You won't be alone. The Palau seats over 2,000.

Edward Wohl Master Woodworker

       

  I first met Ed at a fine crafts show in Philadelphia about 10 years ago. Ed was working with bird's eye maple. I had never seen so much bird's eye. I had thought it was a relatively rare wood, and was surprised to see it used in such quantity. Not only that, but Ed's work was so superior to that which I had seen that I couldn't take my eyes off of it. The finish was as smooth as silk, and all of his joints were perfect. Ed made many production bread cutting, and carving boards. He also was showing the most beautiful furniture including rocking chairs, tables, and desks.

 

     I own a fine crafts gallery, and at the time I represented artists in wood, ceramics, glass, metal, jewelry, kaleidoscopes, fabric, and leather. I wanted Ed's work in my gallery. I also wanted to have his work in my home. I placed an order for a number of Ed's bird's eye maple cutting, and carving boards. I was thrilled when they arrived at the gallery. My customers were thrilled also and I did very well with them.

  

     As time went on the gallery evolved into a predominantly glass gallery, with jewelry and kaleidoscopes. Glass was and is extraordinarily popular, and the gallery earned a fine reputation. This past holiday season, while I was shopping for family and friends, I noticed that people were shopping in kitchen stores were quite a bit more than other businesses. This started me thinking that perhaps I should bring back some functional art products, such as ceramic and wood bowl, spoons,and cutting boards. Of course Ed Wohl's work was the first thing I thought of. I began a campaign asking my customers if they would like to have these products back in the gallery and their was an overwhelming  positive  response. It was with great pleasure that I opened the first shipment of Ed's boards. I must say that the display, along with ceramic serving pieces, looks terrific.

     

     If you are looking for a cutting board for yourself or a gift I can't recommend Ed's work more highly. His work will be treasured for many, many years. If you are in Santa Monica, California I'd be very happy to show you Ed's superior craftsmanship.

Alan Higinbotham Ceramic Artist

 

                 Alan Higinbotham spiral bowl                                    Alan Higinbotham handled tray

I have been looking for a really fine ceramic artist that makes functional table and cooking ware for the gallery. My problem is that not only does the work have to be superior, but it also has to be colorful, in that it has to compete with  the blown glass in the gallery.  I went to La Quinta Art Festival this past March as part of this quest. The La Quinta show is considered by most artists, and art associations to be the best art show in the country. I had been there many times before, and was always  impressed with the quality of the art.

 
           Alan Higinbotham Spiral Cup                                            Alan Higinbotham Tea Pot

    It didn't take me long to find what I had been looking for. As I turned down an isle there in front of m e was the work or Oregon artist Alan Higinbotham. Alan's work is very vibrant with pleasing colors, and textures. Alan uses both gloss and flat glazes, and  red, amber, and green colors to decorate his pieces. Alan makes dishes, bowls, pitchers, and cups in a variety of sizes and functions. One look and you can not help but be impressed with Alan's quality and exceptional talent.

     Alan uses porcelain for all his pieces so they are fired at a high temperature, are extraordinarily strong and not overly heavy. In addition his designs are not only pleasing to the eye, but well balanced and comfortable to handle.

     I hope to represent Alan Higinbotham at our Santa Monica, CA Gallery for many years to come.