LARGE SCALE
SMALL SCALE
CLIENT PHOTOS & DELIVERIES
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
I’m excited to share this video that explains my latest sculpture!
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’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
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!
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
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
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 