I think these videos do a great job of showing what went into building this latest sculpture. It’s a 6’H steel figure based on a piece from a Kwakuitl village known as Fort Rupert, Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada.
Author Archives: indiometalarts
Figure Commission Completed for Spring
I’m very excited to be delivering this commission next week to a property on the edge of Forest Park with a view of the Willamette River. What a beautiful setting!
My client has an interest in native art from around the world. He owns a collection of hand carved wooden pieces acquired during his travels. He wanted a life-sized figure for the landscape in that style. We went through several books of images to find this First Nation’s figure which I recreated in steel. The original black and white photo of the piece was taken in 1894. It’s from a Kwakiutl village known as Fort Rupert, B.C., Canada. I’m grateful to spend the time exploring this style of work from the first people in the PNW, a region I call home.
To simulate the rough aged wood I used all reclaimed materials esspecially with texture: steel from underground oil tank, reclaimed diamond plate, defunct water heater tank. 6’H x 18″W.
Cover of the Sellwood Bee for Portland Open Studios
I’m excited to be on the cover and inside the Sellwood Bee. It’s a local SE newspaper that’s been reporting on the community since 1906!
I was interviewed during the 2018 Portland Open Studios Tour. It’s an annual event where 100 artists open up their work spaces and invite the public in for demonstrations and discussions. It’s a self guided tour for two weekends in mid-October.
My fellow Pacific Northwest Scupltors member Craig Dorety, a light artist, was also featured. A total of four of us participated in the event around the city.
Thanks to the BEE for stopping by! And thanks to Portland Open Studios which is always a real treat for artists and visitors alike.
Portland Open Studios, 2019 – Sellwood Bee
The Furball: Caturday Night Fever
I’m so excited to participate in the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon’s, Furball: Caturday Night Fever. It’s their biggest fundraiser of the year. It provides critical funding for FCCO’s well respected spay/neuter program for feral, stray and pet cats.
Me and several friends have donated a piece of art to their special event held at the Portland Art Museum on May 4th. Their live and silent auctions will feature over 100 packages of art, get aways and cat related gifts. Join in the fun with food, drinks and disco dancing! Get your tickets through their website. See you there!
Red Bird in Nest, 3’H on base
5 Recent Commissions Plus a Client’s Review
I really enjoy working with clients to bring joy to their lives through metal art. Sometimes people know exactly what they want while other times, through a consultation, a sculpture is arrived upon. Here are some recent pieces brought to life through this process.
Bamboo Forest – 95″H x 32″W.
The client wanted a piece that would be visible when the pocket door was closed. It had to be thin yet pop visually. Through a consultation I suggested this concept. It brought the outside landscape to the interior.
Reed Trellis- Steel rod of various diameter, 6.5’W x 6’H.
This was designed to be an elegant way to hide the neighbors garage. The evergreen clematis will be trained onto it.
Spiral Gate, 36″Wx42″H.
This homeowner has an affinity for the spiral design. I plasma cut this based on a pair of earrings. It was then custom fit to mount into the side yard gate.
Eiffal Tower – 8’H x 42″W
My client honeymooned in Paris with her sweetie. For their 1st anniversary she surprised her with this gift, an Eiffel Tower trellis for the garden.
Eternal Om – powder coated red with bell – 48″H.
During a tour through my studio the idea for this piece came to life. They found exactly what they were looking for.
CLIENT REVIEW: I met Shelly at The Home and Garden Show in 2016. I was attracted to her display of hearts that she had welded because I collected hearts for my husband after his stent surgery in 2013. Shelly had unusual and beautifully formatted hearts made of different metals, including barbed wired and I thought that was a serendipitous material to shape into a heart. I liked that Shelly used recovered and recycled material for her art and I also heard the passion she felt for her chosen art form. Even with our years apart in age and world experiences, I felt a camaraderie with Shelly and saw and felt her warmth and joy for the sculptures she created and for those with whom she worked. I knew I wanted a Shelly Durica-Laiche sculpture in our front yard.
She listened to my musings and almost intuitively understood my desires and made a beautiful gong that brings joy to me everyday as it reminds me of my upbringing in Japan.
Shelly brings talent and heart to her art!
Lake Oswego Reads 2019
I’m excited to be participating in the Lake Oswego Reads program. I’ve created this piece, which will tour the state at 9 locations throughout the year. What a treat to share in this experience with so many talented artists, then in turn share it with the public!
This is an annual event sponsored by the Lake Oswego Public Library in which their chosen book is interpreted by 20 selected artists. This year it was The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez.
‘The artwork will be exhibited at the Lakewood Center January 28th – February 27th. There will be a reception and presentation at 6PM on February 4th in the Lakewood Center Entryway gallery and on the Headlee Mainstage. The reception is free and open to the public. Each artist will be given an opportunity to express to the audience what part of the book inspired them and a bit about their artwork technique. The viewers have the opportunity to purchase the pieces throughout the run of the show.’– Spotlight Magazine
2019 exhibit schedule: Lakewood Center of the Arts, Lake Oswego Public Library, Oregon City Library, Salem Library, Stayton Library, Sandy Library, Scio Library, Silver Falls Library, Wilsonville Library.
The following passage can be found in the program’s brochure. Please stop by February 4th to see my presentation where I will share more detail about my process.
“This steel sculpture along with the following poem, of the same name, represent the concepts I returned to in my mind while reading Henriquez’s novel.
Woven
Infinite.
Textured dramas entwine.
All traveled distances.
Terra and sun provides.
Resources limited.
Ribbons of paths and whys.
Woven humanity.
Finite.”
– Shelly Durica-Laiche
Art After Dark at Artistic Portland
Art After Dark is from 6:30-9PM on every First Thursday of the month. Come celebrate with the artists. It’s an evening of music, drinks, food and art! Husband/ wife duo The Sweet Peas will return to play 7-9PM. All gallery friends invited!
Next is January 3rd. Stop by and say hi, I’ll be at counter for the event. See you there!
Artistic Portland 318 SW Taylor Street
(If you arrive early Bowl Painting is from 2-6. All proceeds go to Sisters of the Road Cafe.)
Rain Spark Gallery is Open for the 2018 Season!
I’m excited to be part of the Rain Spark Gallery again this year. This is a lovely seasonal gallery with finely made, unique artwork by 35 artists.
It’s open 7 days a week, November 1st – December 30th. Monday – Saturday 11-7PM, Sunday 11-5PM.
Stop by and say hi while I’m working: Thursday the 6th 3-7PM, Thursday the 13th 5-7PM and Sunday the 30th 2-5PM.
Lake View Village, Suite 124, 390 N. State Street, Lake Oswego. It’s two doors down from Sur La Table on Ave ‘A’.
Portland Open Studios Tour 2018
The Portland Open Studios Tour is happening! Join me in celebrating my 5th year anniversary during the tour. I love working in my studio creating metalwork! I want to thank all the people out there that support my work and thus make it all possible. I’ll be hanging out giving demos, talking art and process, with snacks on hand. I look forward to seeing everyone!
October 13th/ 14th & 20th/ 21st, 10-5PM.
5040 SE Milwaukie Ave, 97202.
I’m studio #12 in Community #2. Check out the map for the fabulous artists in my neighborhood as well as the nearly 100 artists citywide.
The print map is in the October issue of Portland Monthly Magazine, OUT NOW.
You can also download the tour app for $4.99.
In the studio working on a commission, 2018
Portland Open Studios Tour 2018
Just Added a Fall 2018 Show!
Please join me at the Charbonneau Country Club in Wilsonville for three beautiful days of art. It’s a fundraiser for the art programs at Canby and Wilsonville high schools. Celebrate on November 2nd for the opening night champagne reception in the gallery. Return the 3rd & 4th for the artisan market. Hope to see you there!
REMAINING SHOWS OF THE YEAR
LOCAL 14 at the Left Bank Annex, September 29th – 30th.
PORTLAND OPEN STUDIOS at my studio, 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave, two weekends in a row, October 13th & 14th and 20th & 21st. Pick up the October Issue of Portland Monthly Magazine for full map!
CHARBONNEAU ARTS FESTIVAL at Charbonneau Country Club, 32000 SW Charbonneau Drive, Wilsonville, November 2nd – 4th. JUST ADDED!
RAIN SPARK GALLERY a beautiful seasonal gallery with finely made, unique artwork by over 30 artists. Lake View Village, Suite 124, 390 N. State Street, Lake Oswego, November 1st – December 30th.
INDIO METAL ARTS 