Artist of the Week: Julia Harrison

Blue Belle, 2006, 2.5 x 1.5 x 5"

maple wood, gouache, lacquer, wax, nickel, magnet, epoxy

This exquisitely hand-carved wearable art is made by Seattle-based artist and jewelry maker Julia Harrison. Creating in wood and metal primarily, Julia also teaches jewelry and wood-carving classes. I'm amazed that she can pull these animated shapes forth from a dull block of wood, reducing the lifeless material to produce such a vibrant form. You can see more examples of her work on her website: www.juliaharrison.net

The Dozen Rosebuds, 2005

various woods, gouache broaches, also wall-mountable

Mirabella, 2005, 2.5 x 2.5 x 5"

maple wood, pearls, gouache, varnish, wax, nickel, magnet

Daikoku, 2006, 2 x 1.5 x 1"

pear wood, gouache, wax, nickel, magnet

- Cathleen 

[Images courtesy of the artist's website.]

The One Eye That Got Away

This hand-painted vintage anatomical eye model caught mine on Etsy two months ago. Just look at all those moving parts! Alas, it sat languishing in my Favorites folder far too long, and in a blink it was snapped up from Agent Gallery Chicago last month. I've been searching for another, but trust me, I haven't seen any this cool. Ahh. Non-Purchasing Regrets. I, too, have had a few. 

- Cathleen