Spring is here! As the days are getting longer, are you feeling more active like I am?
April brings two large events for which I have been creating a new body of work.
If you are preparing to get in the garden, come out to Hortlandia April 5th-6th. This event, sponsored by the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon, combines art and garden supply makers together with 39 specialty plant vendors. I will be bringing all new trellises, plant stands, free standing sculptures and other landscape elements.
Below I share my involvement with a university and an elementary school. I juried the student open call art show at Linfield University. I was also in the curriculum of the TTSD Art Literacy Program to inspire metal sculpture for K-5 at Byron Elementary.
Check out my latest commissions in the newsletter below. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to create custom metal work for clients. Please contact me if you would like help bringing your vision to life!
So happy with this stained glass frame and centerpiece I designed and installed. Thank you Carrie and David for the opportunity to create this intoxicating addition to your veranda! More on this project in the upcoming spring newsletter.
2 Bubbles in the Seaweed trellises, reclaimed materials, 6’Hx2’W
Copper Whirling Orb, 29″Wx45″H
SMALL SCALE
Sprig Bundle with Red and Blue Flowers, 30″Lx10″W
Songbird on Willow Branch, 24″Hx5″W
Poppies with stainless steel, 3′-6’H
CLIENT PHOTOS & DELIVERIES
Lotus Orb, 4’Hx29″W
This Stainless Whirling Orb is set in a side yard rock garden.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
INDIO METAL ARTS 