INDIO METAL ARTS

artful objects for inside and out

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Artist Talk and potluck with Pacific Northwest Sculpture group

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The monthly PNWS studio tour and potluck is with Shelly Durica-Laiche of Indio Metal Arts on Sunday March 24th at 3 p.m. It is open to the public. This Oregon native has been working in metal for over 20 years and running her own business since 2012. Shelly will share how she began her journey as an artist, her process of creating and how a recent experience at Frogwood Collab was a transformative experience.

Shelly received a double major from Portland State University in Sculpture and Graphic Design. “I fell in love with steel when I took my first welding class at PSU. The properties of metal really resonated with me.” In her SE Portland studio she designs and builds both functional and decorative metal sculpture.  

“By taking inspiration from the outside world and turning inwards, I synthesize my experiences into three dimensions. I focus on the elegance of form, using a linear and bold graphic aesthetic, to say the most with the least amount of material.”

Salvaged steel is her preferred material for creating her diverse body of work. She also includes non-ferrous metals such as brass, aluminum and copper. She collects it from steelyards, the side of the road, by donation or through her travels.

“I’m inspired by the unique shapes of these found treasures. Scrap metal has an embedded history and character that folds into each design. Sometimes I know right away what I want to build while other times it takes years of contemplation. I’m driven by the design challenge of transforming these recognizable objects into an assemblage with a new voice. I seek for the viewer to be surprised by how a material is used in an unconventional way, far removed from its past life. The process is magic to me.” 

You may have seen her work during Portland Open Studios, Modern Home Tour or Association of Landscape Designers Tour. Her work has exhibited publicly at Milwaukie City Hall Sculpture Garden, Oregon Society of Artists and Happy Valley Sculpture Garden. She has a piece in the permanent collection of the Wonder Garden at the Hoffman Center for the Arts. Some of her gallery exhibitions include the Sherwood Center for the Arts and the Alberta Street Gallery. She is currently showing at Dragonfire Gallery, Side Street Arts and the Attic Gallery. She is a current member of the Pacific Northwest Sculptors Group as well as the Creative Metal Arts Guild.

Shelly also teaches art welding and accepts commissions for custom projects.

http://www.indiometalarts.com

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Indio Metal Arts Studio Tour: Sunday, March 24th at 3 p.m.

Bring a dish to share, drinks or a desert. Please bring your own plate, cup and silverware.

5040 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202

ARTIST TALK FOR ANOTHER REALM

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Please join me, Sunday the 23rd of October, for an artists talk at Sidestreet Arts gallery, 3-4PM. I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with and learning more about these talented artists. If you missed the opening of Another Realm, this is the perfect time to experience the exhibition before it closes on the 30th.

Artists include: Erica Gibson, Kendall Clay, Melody Bush, Anna Magruder, Jeanne Steffan, Sharon Jonquil and me.

Sidestreet Arts 140 SE 28th Ave., Portland, OR
Open Wednesday – Sunday 12-5PM
Shop the show online.

Updates: show opening this Friday the 7th, location announced for the Rain Spark seasonal gallery!

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Hi all! Thank you to everyone who came out to my Open Studio event. What a special weekend I’ll never forget. I also appreciate all the folks who came out to the summer shows. I’m still catching up and am looking forward to sharing more about those incredible experiences in my spring newsletter.

For now, I have some special events to share with you as we head toward the holiday season.

Artistic Portland Gallery has returned to our regular celebration of First Thursdays! Join us this Thursday the 6th, 4-6pm. See some of my new work there. Featured member artists Ann Mackiernan (glass) and Mark Clifford (photography) will be speaking about their work on display in the main window. Guest artist and abstract painter Andrea Lopez is exhibiting this month in the Annex. There is so much to see by all 24 local artists in our collective. 4110 NE Fremont, Portland.

This Friday I’ll be at Sidestreet Arts to celebrate the opening of, Another Realm, which includes a new collection of my primarily sculptural works. Join me for the First Friday Art Walk, 5-7pm. I’ve been looking forward to this show all year as the theme was so inspiring. Each mixed metal assemblage is over 90% reclaimed materials, including brass, stainless, copper and steel. Many of these sculptures have never been exhibited before. If you were at my Open Studio event, you probably saw some of these works in progress. This group exhibition includes artist: Melody Bush, Erica Gibson, Sharon Jonquil, Anna Magruder, Jeanne Steffan and me. It runs October 5th-30th, Wednesday-Sunday 12-5pm. 140 SE 28th Ave., Portland. 

Lake Oswego’s Rain Spark Gallery is back and has found a new pop-up location for the holiday season! We were fortunate to secure another storefront on State Street downtown. The address is, 180 “A” Street, next to Salt & Straw. It runs November 1st through December 24th with the hours of operation being Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. Check Rain Spark’s Facebook page and my Instagram for the list of scheduled events such as artist talks, demonstrations and the return of the Lake Oswego Community Treasure Hunt. This fun tradition places handmade porcelain ornaments in 45 locations throughout Lake Oswego. This year’s theme is a butterfly. Read the daily clues to find the location of each ornament. Rain Spark Gallery is always a cozy, warm and friendly place for holiday shopping. See you there!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to schedule a studio visit. Enjoy the holidays if I don’t see you.

Thank you all for supporting me in the 10th year of Indio Metal Arts!

New Work, Community, and Remaining Shows of 2019

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LARGE SCALE

Captured Stone, Oregon Agate, oil tank, reclaimed agricultural steel, 6'Hx20"W
Captured Stone, Oregon Agate, oil tank, reclaimed agricultural steel, 6’Hx20″W
Planetary, kinetic 63"Hx38"W
Planetary, kinetic 63″Hx38″W
2 Fizzy Grid trellises, reclaimed materials, 6'Hx2'W
2 Fizzy Grid trellises, reclaimed materials, 6’Hx2’W
2 Bubbles in the Seaweed trellises, reclaimed materials, 6'Hx2'W
2 Bubbles in the Seaweed trellises, reclaimed materials, 6’Hx2’W
Copper Whirling Orb, 29"Wx45"H
Copper Whirling Orb, 29″Wx45″H

SMALL SCALE

Sprig Bundle with Red and Blue Flowers, 30"Lx10"W
Sprig Bundle with Red and Blue Flowers, 30″Lx10″W
Songbird on Willow Branch, 24"Hx5"W
Songbird on Willow Branch, 24″Hx5″W
Poppies with stainless steel, 3'-6'H
Poppies with stainless steel, 3′-6’H

CLIENT PHOTOS & DELIVERIES

Lotus Orb, 4'Hx29"W
Lotus Orb, 4’Hx29″W
This Stainless Whirling Orb is set in a side yard rock garden.
This Stainless Whirling Orb is set in a side yard rock garden.
Planetary set in a lush landscape by the front door.
Planetary set in a lush landscape by the front door.
A creative client tuned this Yarn Orb into a fire pit. What a great idea!
A creative client tuned this Yarn Orb into a fire pit. What a great idea!
SQ Monolith, 5'Hx16"W
SQ Monolith, 5’Hx16″W

WORK IN THE COMMUNITY

ASSOCIATION OF LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS TOUR, June 21st. Seven Portland area private gardens were available for viewing on a self guided tour. I had the pleasure of placing work throughout the gorgeous landscape of one of the homes. Thank you to the Smith’s and Elida from All Oregon Landscaping!

Orb Tower, 3′-7’H Association Of Landscape Designers Tour 2019
Raised Beds, 12″x12″
Yarn Orbs, 10″-28″W Association Of Landscape Designers Tour 2019

PORTLAND MODERN HOME TOUR, June 1st. I built this piece for a client as their home was being remodeled by M.O. Daby Designs. It’s mounted in the cavity of a pocket door and is visible when the door is closed. This home was among the 8 included on the tour.

Bamboo Forest – laser cut design detail
Bamboo Forest – laser cut design set in recess of pocket door- 95″H x 32″W

FULL HOUSE FOR CAREER DAY. Thanks to the 8th graders from Bridger Elementary School who stopped by WatershedPDX to see the space. They had the chance to talk with several artists and other small business owners. It was a pleasure to meet them all and share my story with them.

ARTISTIC PORTLAND I’ve exhibited with this co-op for three years and am so proud to work with these 40+ fabulous artists. I’ll be doing a demonstration with several other artists 11-4PM as part of the day time festivities. Stop by for cake and celebrate with us. There is so much planned.

DANGER GARDEN I’m so grateful to have my work mentioned in Loree’s web blog. I had the pleasure of meeting her at Cracked Pots last year where she picked up one of my Condo Planters. What a delight. Thank you!

SHOW SCHEDULE 2019

MULTNOMAH ART CENTER GALLERY Pacific Northwest Sculptors present, “Unmatched Pairs”, which is a collaboration between its members. There are 10 pairs of artists. On exhibit will be one piece from each person and one of their collaborations. September 6th – October 1st. Opening reception Friday, Sept. 6th, 7-9PM.

FALL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS in Troutdale at Glenn Auto Park, September 21st & 22nd. I’ll be doing demonstrations under the pavilion with 3 other Pacific Northwest Sculptors.

ArtReach Gallery.  Pacific Northwest Sculptors joins the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association in a group show called, “Making Space“, October 12th-15th. This is in conjunction with the International Sculpture Conference held across the street at the Portland Art Museum. Opening Reception October 12th, 1-4PM.

LOCAL 14 at the World Forestry Center, October 4th – 6th.

PORTLAND OPEN STUDIOS at my studio, 5040 SE Milwaukie Ave, two weekends in a row, October 12th & 13th and 19th & 20th.

RAIN SPARK GALLERY seasonal gallery in Lake Oswego, 310 SE State Street, #108. I’ll be giving an artist talk December 26th during the 5-7PM reception. October 24th – December 29th.

SHOW SCHEDULE 2020

OSA MONOTYPE PARTY Honored to be included with 35th other artists to raise money for the non-profit, Oregon Society of Artists. All artists create prints on Saturday that will be hung that night for the reception. It’s going to be fun time. Hope to see you there!

Opening Reception February 1st, 6pm – 8pm.

First Thursday Reception February 6th, 6-8pm.

2185 SW Park Place

HOME AND GARDEN SHOW Invited to showcase 7 of my largest pieces in the landscape exhibit section of the show at the entrance, the Expo Center, February 20th- 23rd.

CELEBRATION OF CREATIVITY First Look Gala includes live jazz and hors d’ oeuvres, $10.00. Free entry Friday- Sunday. Southminster Presbyterian Church in Beaverton, March 5th – 8th.

BONSAI AKIRA OPEN STUDIO Come and visit the display garden in its glorious springtime beauty. I’ll have my work among the plants and bonsai. April 25th, 11-5pm. On Ellis directly off Milwaukie Ave.

LAKE OSWEGO FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS  at George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego,  June 26th – 28th. cancelled

SALEM ART FAIR & FESTIVAL  online virtual show, begins at 9AM and ends Sunday at 9PM, follow this link to attend July 18th & 19th.

CHARBONNEAU FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS online virtual show with music and art, October 1st – 31st.

THE GATHERING OF THE GUILDS which includes my guild, the CREATIVE METAL ARTS GUILD will be held at the Oregon Convention Center, May 1st – 3rd. Six guilds will show their work: Wood, Glass, Bead, Weavers, Metal and ceramic. See me in Booth 1-M. cancelled, possible virtual show.

RAIN SPARK GALLERY seasonal gallery in Lake Oswego on State Street. New website for online sales in progress now, check back for updates.

Thank you for all your support.

Enjoy the Summer Season!


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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


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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


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Lake Oswego Reads 2019

‘Woven’, 24″W x 11″H, steel, 10 lbs.

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

 


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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’.