Presentation

"What you see is what you get"                                                                                             Inez Dunn©2015

"Put up the shutters"                                                                                                       Inez Dunn©2015

Presentation for any artist is key to getting and keeping a fan base. This summer I participated in several Arts & Crafts gatherings, and boy did I learn a lot. Firstly, there is advantage to knowing the demographics of the area or town site for which any event is to be held. One example would be is the venue tourist orientated? Or is the area a setting for business, family or single individuals? The price points will hinge on knowing these factors, and sales will be a reflection of how well your predictions played out. As I mentioned before presentation is key, its basically like meeting someone for the very first time, so everything from your displays to your tags & especially your business cards must be more than memorable. Remember its all about your "Brand"! Your brand is your company and it says everything about you. I constantly receive positive feedback from my customers, and I take to heart what they notice, and what they are buying. What I really enjoy doing is talking to my customers about source and technique information, I might explain the process of enameling, or how to anneal metal. What is gained is I'm giving my customers is new insight and appreciation for how much work goes into what I do. And my customers walk away with a clearer understanding about what I do in my creative process, the time it takes, and the work involved. These types of interaction lend value to my art and create continued sales from people who  take a genuine interest in what they buy, how something is made, and the person who is behind the brand which, just happens to be me.

Seashells

"She Sells"                                                                                                          Inez Dunn©2015

Seashells and summer are a perfect pair! Whether your a collector or a casual observer most of us are fascinated by seashells.  Shells of all sorts carry a varied history, and it all dates back to around the
16th and 17th century, when keen eyes discovered their possible and potential value. Shells for their beauty and intrinsic value suddenly became the island trader's sole source commodity. Its said that the Dutch were among the first patrons to be captivated, although many may argue it was the elite of Paris society. Regardless, the new world was soon introduced to the decorative possibilities of shells, not only for ornamental pleasures but atlas to adorn oneself from head to toe. Craftsman from notable factories began designing extraordinary jewelry created from natural pearls and Mother of Pearl. Soon the world was hooked by the dazzling array and the shiny allure seashells provide. By the 1940's in this country plastic imitations were a dime a dozen, why every grandmother had at least several chokers, bracelets, and earrings all crafted so brilliantly that they closely mimicked the real thing.
Today, shell jewelry is the iconic symbol that represents summer, its worn casually and seriously with all attire. Maybe today before you head out the door, throw on that pearl necklace or a pair of dangling shell earrings, remember its the perfect pairing to summer!

    "A picture is worth..."                                                                                  Inez Dunn©2015

                               

Collage: A work of art in which various materials are arranged and placed together on a surface.
We create collage all the time, it shows up on our dinner plates, on the walls in our homes, even in our gardens. Nature give us the best examples of collage we see it in every forest, desert, and especially along rugged coastlines. Discarded and fragmented bits of Earth's creations juxtaposed to one another are all around us, almost perfect arrangements appear everywhere reminding us that the simplest natural beauty is in the everyday; and most often can be found just outside our windows. One of my favorite ways to approach collage is with assorted papers and GOLDEN gel medium. I like to start with a large piece of heavy paper that I tape down to a sturdy surface. I then tear-up small pieces of tissue paper, gift-wrap paper, aluminum foil, xerox recipes and then I mix the torn papers together just like a raffle waiting to be drawn. Next, I will compose random happy words on my computer using any combination of fonts, some in script, some in bold or italic and then print these out. I will later cut the words out with a pair of scissors and add these to my torn paper pieces. To apply the gel medium to my substrate I use an old sponge instead of a paintbrush then I lay down my torn paper pieces. Once everything is completely glued down and dry I will draw over the collage using charcoal pens or pastels crayons, and I might include a mixture of light colored acrylic paints. If I want to add additional layers I will continue with wax or a watered down sealant to my design. Collage is an assemblage of what feels right and looks aesthetically pleasing to you and its really about making that reconnection to nature. The great thing is your inspiration is already all around you and if you need more of it then just take a look right outside your window!

It's summer

Stepping into summer                                                                                                Inez Dunn©2015

Okay, I guess its summer...we all know summer in Alaska is an experience like no other. That's because there will be days here that will rival any southern climate. But most days will actually be more like spring, and then there will be many, and I mean many days that will look and feel like fall! Ask any Alaskan and they will tell you that sometimes a cold June day is colder than a cold October day. This is Alaska after-all, some say if you don't like the weather just wait about a half hour, it will change! We are an adaptive society, and living here requires we acclimate ourselves to some curious behaviors: such as the marathon pace we hum to, a  pace set all summer driven solely by the maddening gain of daylight; its like living under a dimmer switch that gets brighter and brighter amplifying and accelerating everything, minute by ever increasing minute. The other behavioral challenge is our inventions for cancelling out all that light! I'm talking about trying to rest-up, restore, and sleep. When I first moved to Alaska I was advised to purchase a lot of aluminum foil because this is what Alaskan's use to cover their windows at night, I was told that aluminum foil is ideal for "blocking out the light". That was a very long time ago, and I don't think I've ever seen foil on any window since.  Although, I have seen bedrooms where every possible nook and cranny was taped, draped, and sealed in order to block out even the thinnest crack of light. These nightly routines (which are performed while its very light outside) can sometimes teeter on  the ridiculous, its like spending a lot of time wrapping a Christmas present and once its under the tree you see a big gap in the paper, and then you have to re-wrap the gift all over again!!!  Okay, I guess its summer.

April's Fool                                                                                          Inez Dunn©2015  

  

In the month of April all Alaskan's get fooled.We stagger anxiously into the broadcast light of spring, with teasing warming temperatures that usually end abruptly by erratic snow showers. Golden lawns everywhere brighten into avocado green, and young verdant shoots of Elderberry and Willow awaken casually. The temperatures in April vacillate anywhere between 26 degrees and sometimes even as high as 50 degrees. Fooled. Most of us have been planning our gardens picking through last years seeds, dreaming-up the possibilities of new veggies and pungent herbal starts. Only to be met by yet another spring snow fall, blinding our eyes by jokingly painting the surrounding landscape in a wash of brilliant white! Fooled, again! April can be a real downer, but it doesn't have to be...In the Tarot deck to get the "Fool" card is choice. The card depicts an unknowing, care-free wanderer simply idle in thought, a bit deceptive, transient, and completely spontaneous. I guess these are the exact same traits that would sum-up April, and come next year I'm pretty much thinking,we'll all be fooled once again! Happy garden planning to all!!!

Spring Ahead

All the reasons of spring                                                                             Inez Dunn©2015 

A small metal spring will give and coil back again, keeping what it is attached to form & function. The season of spring is very similar she gives and nurtures keeping our spirit fully functioning. Below I have a list of words that give meaning to much of what this season is about. Remember just like the hands of a clock we spring forward and we fall back. This rhythmic movement brings us closer to all things forgiving so, today lets toast to March 20 and maybe, just maybe, get some spring back in our step!
Readjust
Reaffirm
Reawaken
Rebuild
Recharge
Reconnect
Redefine
Reevaluate
Rediscover
Rekindle
and even Rewire!
Happy spring to everyone!!!

Valentine's Day!

Milagro No.10                                                                                                             Inez Dunn©2015

Milagro No. 12                                                                                      Inez Dunn©2015

 

 

 

 

Milagro No. 15                                                                           Inez Dunn©2015

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

May all things heart-shaped, sweet and joyful reside with you. These are my Valentine's for all of you faithful followers and believers in my art. My art has matured and advanced all because of the continual support and encouragement from people like you. Milagro's are religious symbols their tradition is an ancient one belonging to the peoples of Iberia, who lived along the coastal regions of Spain. The word "Milagro" means miracle. This iconic art form has many varied interpretations everything from healing to love offerings and even prayers for the sick. I simply fell in love with the intricate design of the Milagro its shape and symbolism. As I began to create my first heart, dozens followed and I'm still drawing more. These computer generated drawings are my versions of these beautiful religious icons. May the simplistic imagery of my drawings bring to you the same amount of joy as I received in creating them. Happy Valentine's Day to all!