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Alex McDermott

Stuck in an Ice cube tray

12/31/2013

 
Writing this at 2:40 Iowa time, accompanied with a glass of wine.  Was supposed to fly out today, however the flight was cancelled due to the airplane having mechanical difficulties.  Which in turn, screwed my connecting flight. The next flight out is in 2 days, so will be spending the new years with my inlaws. It's hard to keep a smile on my face, knowing that this wasn't my idea of how I wanted to spend Christmas break.  I took one for the team or the family.   It's 1 degree outside and the roads are icy with snow- feel like I'm trapped in an ice cube tray. With very slow internet and no cellphone coverage. 

But I realized a long time ago it's never about how I feel.....  If I voiced my opinion, I'd be a bitch, so I'll just keep quiet and try to aspire to be a "Stepford Wife."


forever teetering on the brink of lucidity, yet remaining impervious to strict decipherment

12/21/2013

 
Last week I made the poor decision to swing by Costco and pick up a few gifts...  While trying to navigate the mammoth sized cart amongst the crowds of people, a person smiled at me and told me "we are just wandering through the aisles".
I laughed, smiled, and thought to myself.  Yes, we are all here searching for something- perhaps happiness disguised in a colossal size marketed box.

Glass is amazing

12/15/2013

 
I just finished casting the forms I'm making for 3X2.  Will be showing them to my collaboration partner Bonnie AuBuchon tomorrow.  Working with glass can be challenging, however very rewarding.  The details glass can pick up in a casting is astonishing, like fingerprints and small bumps. The material is so versatile, and comes in such an array of colors- walking into Gaffer Glass, Olympic Color Rod or Bullseye is a candy store for the eyes.  It's no wonder why artists call glass seductive!  

Picasso's blue period 1901-1904

12/10/2013

 
Picture
The Tragedy- perhaps some of his most emotionally charged work.  

December's been a busy month, I'll have more photo's of my glass coming in January.  

I'm working on three different projects, all at the same time..  The magic is still happening, and the kiln is still firing!

The Process

12/6/2013

 
Picture
Today I had lunch with a fellow kiln caster, Eddy Radar.  It was good to see her since she moved- we always have something to laugh about, and today was no exception.  We reminisced our Pilchuck experience, and failed glass castings.  If anyone has cast glass before they have a great understanding for "The Process"  It really is something to witness.

Sherri Gamble, a friend and fellow kiln-caster has the whole process posted on her blog www.sageartistry.blogspot.com  This weekend and every weekend until December 22, Sherri will be giving demo's and hands on lessons at Redmond Town Center's Border Books Building. If you are in the area, swing by and check out her work.  www.valaeastside.org Sherri is a wealth of kiln-casting knowledge! 


Pictured is Sherri's cast glass bones..  They are f-ing cool and unique!  I have one- and use it as a bud vase. 

STEAM

12/5/2013

 
I SO wanted to go to the Seattle art walk this evening!  Instead, I ended up making color tiles for the new clay glazes at my sons school.  I guess it's all about priorities, and well, teaching art to kids is a big one.  Why you might ask?  Well, kids are cool...  They are not afraid to try something new. (Unlike most adults)  and with education funding at an all time low, art is number one on the chopping block. 

 It's sad if you think about it-  What happens if you take away creativity, and different thought processes? 

The article published in Wired UK basically sums my feelings about art and the need for creativity...  (Link underlined below)

Steam instead of Stem


December 02nd, 2013

12/2/2013

 
Got a call from LA artist and friend Corey Stein today..  We met at Pilchuck a few summers ago, she does amazing beadwork-and I'm not talking about the small stuff you see on earrings..  She constructs huge works with tiny seed beads!  Anyway, she's commissioned me to cast her some crystal bear claws for a public art installation- I believe she is assembling some kind of life size bear.  Can't wait to see the final piece come together!  You can check her work out at CoreyStein.com.

Until then....  I'll be drinking tea and looking under rocks and sofa cushions for my lost voice! 

December 01st, 2013

12/1/2013

 
Picture
 Been fighting a head cold...  This morning I woke up without a voice..  Although vision is unfaltering.   Hopefully will be back up soon :(


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