We were so pleased to read an amazing review of GJ’s work by Robert Amos in this morning’s Time Colonist. Heading into our second full week of the show at Dales Gallery. We shot lots of video yesterday and hope to have a few new films on GJ’s YouTube channel next week.
Tiny Flying Ship detail, hand-cranked kinetic sculpture by GJ Pearson.
Chew, kinetic sculpture by GJ Pearson.
Bluebird of Happiness on the wall at Dales Gallery.
Here are pics of the seven paintings I have at our show. They are watercolour and ink on 140lb Arches Hot Press paper. Except for no.I, which is a bit larger, they are approximately four by six inches.
Ocean Garden I, Denise Nicholls, 2008
Ocean Garden V, Denise Nicholls, 2013
Ocean Garden III, Denise Nicholls, 2013
Ocean Garden IV, Denise Nicholls, 2013
Ocean Garden II, Denise Nicholls, 2008
Ocean Garden VI, Denise Nicholls, 2013
Ocean Garden VII, Denise Nicholls, 2013
Last week GJ and I set up our new show at Dales Gallery, a block from our studio in Chinatown. The show is mostly of GJ’s kinetic sculptures spanning the last few years of work. He also has some of his sigils and paintings and we made some prints and postcards as well. I had a couple abstract watercolours from 2008 and painted five new ones as well. We also included a few copies of a hand-bound book I made of GJ’s Spirits of the Mechanical Age sculpture series from a few years ago. We had a great day at the opening on Saturday. Lots of visitors seemed delighted in our work, especially in the magical nature of the kinetic pieces. Here are a few pics. Will post more pics of specific pieces and links to new videos throughout the next week.
One of two versions of the invitation I designed for the show.
Personal Worship Device by GJ Pearson.
Three newish graphite pieces by GJ Pearson
GJ’s sigils and graphite and watercolour paintings along with a new kinetic piece Tiny Flying Ship.
My seven Ocean Garden watercolour paintings.
We hung samples of the prints we had made along the back wall.
I LOVE this little oil lamp my beloved GJ Pearson made many years ago. For some reason we haven’t lit it in a really long time. So, now we are using it every night and it’s delightful!
Bud Light with metal wind-up duck and sad spider plant. © GJ Pearson
A few more new pieces…
Wire-wrapped by GJ Pearson Canadian 1957 coin with silvery pearls, onyx and lepedolite. © Firehorse Designs 2013
Wire-wrapped coin and pearls, detail. © Firehorse Designs 2013
Wire-wrapped coin and pearls, detail. © Firehorse Designs 2013
Peachy-pink pearls and faceted glass with a chandelier crystal pendant. © Firehorse Designs 2013
Clear chandelier crystal with pearls, detail. © Firehorse Designs 2013
Brown pearls braided onto red threads with miscellaneous stones and a carved brown jade pendant. © Firehorse Designs 2013
Pearls and carved brown jade pendant, detail. © Firehorse Designs 2013
Here are a few of my newest pieces. Hoping to make at least a dozen more before a special event at Arrogant Pirate, the shop which carries my designs.
An amber-coloured chandelier crystal hanging from pearls of amber, silver and grey colours with amber- and clear-coloured faceted glass. © Firehorse Designs
Amber chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs
A single clear crystal chandelier drop hangs from amber-and silver-coloured pearls and clear- and amber-coloured glass. © Firehorse Designs
Clear chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs
Small white pearls and green stone on red thread with coin, resin cinnabar and a pale jade Buddha. © Firehorse Designs
Pale jade Buddha detail. © Firehorse Designs
The chandelier pieces hanging at Arrogant Pirate.
The pale jade Buddha hanging at Arrogant Pirate.
This piece was commissioned by a friend who had a special memento coin from her family. GJ wrapped the coin in wire and I hung it from gorgeous blue apatite stones and moonstones with pale teal embroidery floss. © Firehorse Designs
This antique watch chain with medallion and encased coin wanted to be hung as a necklace. I added a smokey-blue length of suede into which I sewed tiny seed pearls. I also added a grouping of pearls to the chain. This piece was commissioned as a gift and the recipient was very pleased. © Firehorse Designs
Another of my favourite neighbourhood haunts is Trade Roots, a furniture and home decor shop at 545 Herald Street. Their small space is full of gorgeous antiques, furniture custom crafted from reclaimed wood and fixtures, and imports. This welcoming and inviting shop is also a great place to find unique gifts!
Trade Roots: one of our favourites. Chinatown, Victoria BC.
Beautiful postcards and packages of assorted buttons and interesting bits and bobs.
I dream of sitting at this desk with all its magical drawers.
A large selection of super-cool lighbulbs.
I love their line of metal shelves and cabinets from India.
Reflections of our wonderful neighbourhood.
A recent install of maple and pipe shelving at another neighbourhood treasure, Arrogant Pirate in Dragon Alley.
More new work from the last few weeks, also all over at Arrogant Pirate. In the next week or so I hope to take some pictures of these being worn so the length can be seen.
Gorgeous teardrop pearls and brass bells necklace. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Pearls and Austrian coin wrapped by GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Pearls and British 1943 florin coin wrapped by GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Pearls and Austrian Mozart 25 schilling coin wrapped by GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Pearls and Canadian Centennial Bobcat quarter wrapped y GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Pearls, jade, wood and painted bone. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Pearls, mother of pearl and coin. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Here are a few new pieces from the last few weeks. All have gone to Arrogant Pirate in Victoria and are available there.
Anklets with gorgeous teardrop pearls and brass bells. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Piratey anklet of silvery pearls and wooden skulls. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Bracelet of blue-grey pearls and moonstone. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Larger jade rounds with small jade drops and aventurine flower detail bracelet. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Double row of woven small green jade with aventurine flower detail bracelet. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Bracelet of grey, silver and gold pearls with Baltic amber heart. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
Sea tones stone bracelet. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.
…and it represents my jewellery and GJ’s art! Just across the street is the lovely Dragon Alley which has 12 live/work town homes, most of which currently have shops or services in their ground floors. Arrogant Pirate is the newest of these. Opened by our friend Maelynn, the boutique has unique, one-of-a-kind art, jewellery, antiques and oddities. Steven Mehle, whose shop and studio is in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, has his jewellery represented as well as mine. In a later post, I will showcase more of the shops and services in this unique tiny alley in Victoria BC.
Our journey with Arrogant Pirate began when GJ was asked to create the boutique sign.
The lights are low to capture the light cast by GJ’s newest sculpture, “Trip to the Moon,” a lamp and kinetic sculpture.
GJ’s “Little Sister” sculpture among some of his paintings and drawings.
One of GJ’s hand-cranked flying machines atop one of the locally-made showcases.
A close-up of GJ’s latest piece, “Trip to the Moon.”
Denisekathleen's Weblog 