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GALLERY HAPPENINGS February 2008

Original Art in Downtown Moab

Cat’s Lair Collection, located in McStiff’s Plaza, is a new art gallery in Moab, Utah. This is a fine art gallery and unique gift shop featuring local, regional, and international artists. You will find here beautiful and unique works of original art: jewelry, pottery, wood and metal work, paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, fused & blown glass, azurite crystal roses, hand-spun wool & silk, light & color.

We are starting our second season with the newest work of Goedele Vanhille, interesting new jewelry by Olga Martinova and a beautiful pottery by Sharon Brown Mikkelson.

Goedele Vanhille
Goedele Vanhille’s mother tongue is Flemish, and her work is born of schooling in Belgium followed by association with the likes of Dennis Parks and Paul Soldner in the United States.

Goedele always works a lot of high-fire “Crackled” glaze, old chinese type of glazes, called “Oilspot,” “Teadust” and “Shino” - a Japanese type of glaze. She has also worked with a very unique type of glaze called “ Crystalline”. Which at certain temperatures crystals start to form in the glaze and produce some of the most spectacular and unique designs on every piece.

While producing functional ceramics as a staple, she has pursued an ongoing interest in the concept of the “Pitcher (called “Jug” in Britain) and has exhibited in shows as far away as New Zealand and Italy.

“My pieces are inspired by a fascination for the natural world. I am intrigued by the ideas of containing but being willing to give, of winking at functionality, of hovering between pot and sculpture. Thrown pieces ‘grow’ into a fusion of form, texture and essence, evoking ponderment, wonderment and smiles.”

In a last few years forms of her pottery are constantly changing, reflecting transformation in her and her life. Every time we visit her studio and see her new work, we always think - this is the best, but the next visit she will amaze us with something even more unique. We are glad to have her newest work now for every one to enjoy.

Olga Martinova
Olga Martinova is a canyon country artist who designs and creates fine art jewelry using many of the metals, semi-precious stones, and minerals found in the desert, including the rare and wonderful Azurite crystals that come from a mine in Lisbon Valley south of the La Sal mountains.

A native of Leningrad, USSR. (now St. Petersburg, Russia once more), a vibrant city with a rich artistic tradition, Olga grew up surrounded by art and artists. For the past three years,she sold her jewelry from Accent Creations, her gallery and studio that was located on the mezzanine above the old Slickrock Cafe.

Olga’s jewelry expresses many dazzling and powerful designs, which are inspired by the light and colors of the spectacular, red-rock desert of southeastern Utah. Her beaded chokers and pendants and bracelets are delicate yet substantial; there is a tactile pleasure in the heavy coolness of the stones and beads against ones skin. Olga fashions the materialsthat have been used by humanity for adornment for thousands of years, into beautiful, wearable art with a 21st century edge. Her strong designs are naturalistic, resembling leaves and vines and desert thunderstorms, but her materials and techniques result inpieces that are sleek and modern. Her new designs are incorporation of fiber techniques into a metal.

She also spins wool and silk. Often you can see her spinning when you walk into the gallery. She give demonstrations to customers who never seen this ancient art practiced in real life.

Sharon Brown Mikkelson
Sharon,a Utah native, completed her MFA degree in Ceramics and Textiles from Utah State University. Sharon works with high fired porcelain. Porcelain is a hard durable ware designed to be used and last a lifetime, yet refined and beautiful. Sharon’s work is designed to be used as well as being aesthetically pleasing. She feels the function of the work enhances its value. She enjoys the connection and intimacy of knowing her work is being used daily and appreciated by others.

“The potter as an artist faces the unique challenge of drawing or painting on a three dimensional surface. As images of horses encircle the surface of my pots, I see them in continual motion. I am interested in creating movement, rhythms, and textures on my pottery that reflect my natural surroundings. This fascination with natural images and movements compels me to keep exploring the possibilities,” Sharon said about her work.

Of course we have something special for people who love to play and create with fibers - hand-spun wool and silk!

We also have a nice selection of stone and glass beads for all the people who like to express their creativity in jewelry making.

If you’re passing through Moab, we’d like to invite you to take a few minutes to stop in and enjoy the refreshing experience of original art!

In Eddie McStiff’s Plaza, when you see the big yellow cat above its rocky lair, you know you’re in the right place! Cat’s Lair Collection, 59 South Main St.,Moab, UT 84532,(435) 259-2458 www.catslaircollection.com

 

Cat’s Lair Collection
59 South Main St.
Moab, UT 84532
(435) 259-2458
www.catslaircollection.com

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