Focus is a new series of large (2' x 2') mixed media works using spray paint and glass to explore the notion of moments of clarity in the midst of the blur of life.
Several pieces from this series will be exhibited at Around the Coyote 2007.
This mosaic kitchen backsplash in a light-filled, architect designed townhouse in Evanston, IL plays off the Fizz series. A 5" x16" main panel worked in Italian vitreous glass tile is complemented by a 4" x 4" floating element, all set within 1" x 1" bijou glass tiles.
The Flow Series, explores the ways in which individuals and communities interact and change over time. My work mixes different materials and textures in a way that parallels the diversity of city neighborhoods. Works reflects the diversity of life experiences in an urban environment--as well as the commonalities of nature, history, and community that unite us.
Flow is the process too, the loss of self in the ongoing moment of creation, as the fractured tessarae, cement and grout lose themselves to the piece.
Fuse,has been selected as a Curator's Choice at the 2007 Chicago Art Open. The 10th annual "Chicago Art Open" runs Thursday, October 4 through Saturday, October 27 at Iron Studios, 3636 S. Iron St. in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood.
Chicago Art Open is a visually eclectic exhibition showcasing the works of more than 300 prominent, mid-career and emerging professional artists. The event features works in several mediums: digital, drawings, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles and installations.
Opening reception is Friday, October 5th at 6-10pm. The show is open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Recall Photo Gallery | Slideshow
Another piece from the Recall series featuring a white gold smalti line threaded through the "lenses." More to come in this series, when we get around to photographing them. A few others can be seen in exhibition photos from the Writers Workspace show.
Brothers K Photo Gallery | Slideshow
I have a new show hanging at the fabulous, light-filled Brothers K coffeehouse (500 Main St., Evanston).
The first pieces in the 'Coincide' series are hanging. This series looks at coincidence as a point in time when the predictable overlap between lives is noticed.
New work in the 2007 Emblems series is also hanging. I'm using the 2007 Emblems to explore spare, graphic compositions, stark color contrasts and changes in resolution.
And, back in the corner, you can find the first piece in a series 'Focus.' This work combines a spray-painted background with glass to explore the idea of moments of clarity in the midst of the everyday.
2007 Emblems Photo Gallery | Slideshow
The emblem series continues in 2007 with new patterns and continued experimentation with tesselation and color. More on the emblem series...
Coincide Photo Gallery | Slideshow
Are coincidences random, chance intersections between lives or are they predictable connections that occur because of larger interconnecting life paths? The Coincide Series looks at coincidence as a point in time when the predictable overlap between lives is noticed.
Exhibition Photo Gallery | Slideshow
The Writers WorkSpace in Edgewater offers me a beautiful architect-designed space in which to hang works from all series, including more new work in the Recall series and a new piece, Fuse.
A new series is hanging as part of the show: Cel2 is a 10-part animated flow design.
The Writers WorkSpace, located at 5443 N. Broadway, provides writers with a comfortable and inspiring environment and hosts regular interdisciplinary arts events.
Cel, referring to a step in the traditional, hand-drawn animation process, is an animated flow design executed across 10 8" x 8" mosaics.
An intriguing and conspicuous red smalti line meanders across a pastoral scene in a 6th century mosaic in the basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe (Ravenna, Italy). The line demarcates an area of 20th century restoration work and is a reminder that we view these ancient works mediated by restoration.
In this series, the red line loosely connects the pieces by undulating on a different plane and signals the act of restoration that occurs with every viewing.
More information on the Cel Series.
For this rehabbed colonial home in Wilmington, North Carolina, Heather worked remotely with the owners throughout the design process. Concepts, patterns and design/installation considerations were discussed by phone and email. The client then received color sketches and sample tile boards via mail to finalize color schemes and surround tile selections. The final mosaics on mesh are delivered with extensive instructions for installers. Surround tile and materials can also be sourced by Heather.
Gallery of images from flow splash 1, including the design and execution process.
For this rehabbed Mission Style home in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, Heather created a flow design drawing on colors in the home's palate. The 12"x12" mosaic of vitreous glass is complemented by 2x2 glass surround tile, sourced by the artist.
Gallery of images from obverse splash 1, including the design and execution process.
Fireplace Surround Photo Gallery | Slideshow
The Glimpse Series has graduated from art boards to an architectural installation as a fireplace surround, lending a modern sensibility to a Victorian rehab by the architectural firm of Soucie Horner. The fireplace is a focal point of a child's bedroom. Playfully tying form to the fireplace's original function, flow's curves take on "sparks" of iridescent red and orange glass.
Also view the gallery of sketches and photos of this contemporary mosaic architectural installation in progress.
Heather will be participating in a group exhibition at Chicago artist Kim Frieders' studio, with the following Chicago artists:
Nikki Hollander, Kathleen Vojta, Kim Hoffman, Liza Berkoff, Janelle Cipriano, Sarah Perez, Erica Huntzinger, Andrew Doyle
2630 W. Cortland St. (at Talman)
Friday, October 6: 6-10pm
Saturday, October 7: 2-10pm
Heather is currently exhibiting at the Wrigleyville nightlife/post cubs/coffee/music fixture, Uncommon Ground, with three other Chicago mosaicists. This is the first showing of work from a new series, Recall, dealing with memory. Jim Bachor Denise Milito Deborah Marie Jost
Through Nov 12, 2006. More info at uncommonground.com.
Fizz is a new series of ungrouted contemporary mosaics. Much as Heather loves grout, there's always a slight sense of loss when the shimmering vitreous glass tessarae get encased in cement. This series lets light shine through from all sides of the translucent and opalescent tile, and plays the tiles' colors against vibrant backdrops.
Mosaic back splash for a modern kitchen. In "Cel Splash 1" (2006), five unique hand-detailed mosaics (6" x 6") in an animated sequence are surrounded by gray "bijou" tiles to add color and energy to a contemporary European style kitchen.
