Spring Brings Light and Color to Lakewood Gallery

I'm so happy that spring is finally here! The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and the trees are beginning to bare their leaves. I took our big sign out of the front window and was blinded by the bright sunshine streaming in. Contemplating what to put up for a new window display, I brought some of our glass art pieces into the light and saw them come alive for the first time in months! That settled it for me, I loaded the front window with bright, cheery, blown and cast glass pieces in all colors. I didn't stop there... I hung on the walls some beautiful little floral original oil paintings by Karen Luke Fildes, flower field originals by Francoise Dubruille, and tulip fields by Rie Munoz. To top off the spring look in the gallery, I hung a uniquely framed wedding portrait by local photographer Kris Allen.

It is amazing how some light and color can energize a person! I was inspired to create feature displays for three glass artists that we represent at Lakewood Gallery & Framing. The first is Marcus Harper, a Browns Point artist who works with glass that is cast and cold-worked. We are so used to seeing blown glass in this region that his work is an interesting departure. With a focus on layering color and texture, his pieces are typically thick blocks of glass with a depth that can only truly be admired in person. After the pieces are cast, Marcus cold works them with a saw to give more texture and interest. Marcus recently had his work acquired by the Smithsonian Museum.

We have represented local glass blowing artist Jeau Bishop for many years and customers are sure to recognize his work from seeing it here. Jeau's glass is beautiful in color and grace and almost appears to be liquid at times. The colors change readily as the piece is moved in and out of the light giving it a life of its own. Jeau produces a wide range of size, color and texture and has even created a system for his disc-shaped pieces to be hung on a wall.

Finally, we are featuring the blown glass and jewelry by the young people of Hilltop Artists. Hilltop Artists has been helping at-risk youth for ten years by teaching them a skill that allows them to express themselves in a healthy way. We are proud to feature this student-produced work and encourage you to directly support their program by purchasing their glass. Priced very accessibly, this is a great way to own a beautiful piece of art while supporting our community.

I invite you to stop by the gallery and bask in our light and color - I know I'm definitely enjoying it!