The Lytro ~ A New Kind Of Camera

I'm a photographer by nature.

Years ago I had a dark room in my house

and developed my own black & white film.

 

It was additive & artsy.

I think I've kept every camera I've ever owned.

My favorite for many years was my Canon AE1;

metal body, lots of lenses, durable & heavy for backpacking,

however, it took amazing pictures.

 

For my September birthday my family surprised with me....

A new Lytro camera!! 

 

 

 

The first thing you notice is it's shape.

It's square!  And short!  And lightweight!

 

William calls it a telescope & that's a fair comment.

The lens cap is magnetic so it snaps off & on.

 

There's no visible buttons rather just a little indentation

to snap photos & a very subtle raised texture for zoom

& refocusing. 

 

 

Here's a picture of Cokie Rue our golden-doodle.

Photo by Will.

 

 

A photo of the birthday girl.

Photo by Will.

 

Pretty great pictures for an 8 year old!

I think the size & easy handling of this camera are a

good fit for kids.  Hopefully, I'll get to use it too!



When Good Kilns Go Bad ~!

In my studio, I have five kilns that are fired nearly everyday.

They are work horses & have been basically

maintenance free for over 10 years.

I have two Sierra Kilns which were the early

prototype of the PMC Paragon Kilns.

I love my Sierra kilns so I was a little concerned when out of the blue

my 1100 model let out a little half beep & shut itself down!

Not a good sign.

I let it sit for a couple of days hoping it would have a spontaneous healing.

When that didn't happen I got out a flashlight
& screwdriver to do a little investigation.

Here's what I found...a burnt switch.  Yikes!!!

After a quick 911 call to my trusty electrician, Truman, the 
switch was replaced & I was back up and fusing.

It looks good as new & works like a dream!

Thanks Truman! 

Embossed Glass Technique ~

I'm working on a new technique to create embossed glass.

 

The following patterns were created by carving into

plaster blanks & then pouring slip or pressing clay into

the plaster to make a clay tile for the glass to be slumped into

at a full fuse.  It's a time consuming process.



  

 

 

Cubes design.

 

 

Dragonfly & spirals.

 

It's a process of trial & error.

Some of the bisque is breaking off during the glass firing

but I'm liking the overall effect.  I'm thinking the bisque isn't

able to take a full fuse at 1500 degrees?

 

After trying to use a variety of colored

art glass I've decided that these look best in a clear glass with colored borders.

 

Opinions?

 

More on this as the technique develops.

 

 

 

Pacific Market Center

Seattle Gift Show!

It's the place to be this week!

Come See What the Northwest Creates!

See you in Seattle!



Seattle Gift Show ~

It's time for the Seattle Gift Show!

Please visit me at the

Tuura Artists/Taku Graphics Showroom.

Pacific Market Center #147

6100 4th Avenue South

Seattle, Washington.

I'll be hanging out with the fabulous

 Kathy Tuura who rep's my work in Seattle & the Pacific Northwest.

I have some new work, old favorites & samples to sell.

I've created a new series of sushi platters

that highlight popular sites.

~ Anchorage ~

~ Denali National Park ~

~ Seattle Skyline ~

This is an iron oxide process on white & clear art glass.

It's a cool process that can be transferred with almost any image.

It's honey bee harvest time so I'm thinking next up is

a few fall images with my beloved honey bees.



Exploring Seward Alaska ~

Last week we had family visiting so we took a little trip to Seward, Alaska.

We stayed at Miller's Landing which is at the end of the road,

past the downtown area, right on the beach.

We rented this little cabin for the family &

we stayed in next door in our Aliner.

Love our little cozy Aliner!

My Sweet William at the harbor.

Playing with the kelp on the beach!

Beautiful Resurrection Bay.

My sister & I.  Can you tell we're related?

Polymer Clay Artist ~ Karen Ottenbreit

A month ago while participating at the

Alaska Bead & Gem Show

my booth was next to artist Karen Ottenbreit.

She's an amazing polymer clay artist!

At the end of the show she gifted me one of these beautiful glasses.

It's a generous sized glass with polymer clay embellishments

& swarovski crystals.

It looks too pretty to use however

 Karen said they are very durable~

even dishwasher safe!

I had a little dinner party & the guest of honor

was served iced tea in this glass.

Everyone loved it  & wanted to use the special, sparkly, glass!

I guess I know what to get friends for holiday gifts!

 Check out her web site & blog!

www.http://fishlipsandbirdteeth.com/