September Featured Artists
Port Townsend Gallery features the handmade glass beads and glass paintings of Michael Barley, and the black and white photography of Will Kalb during the month of September.
Michael Barley
“Banana Head” fused glass painting
by Michael Barley.
In his previous life, artist Michael Barley was a potter, but was always fascinated with glass. In the 1970s and 80s, Barley lived near the Pilchuck Glass School north of Seattle and would visit the campus to watch the glass artists at work. In 1990 he had his first lesson in making lampwork glass beads and he was hooked. Within a year he sold all his pottery equipment and never looked back. “I found that I love the immediacy of bead making,” explains Barley, “and I never tire of experimenting with the endless combinations of color, shape, texture, and techniques.”
Barley primarily uses Italian Moretti glass in his work, but a current favorite is the Japanese glass called Satake glass. The artist remarks that he loves “its soft colors and almost dreamy effect.” Barley also incorporates cut glass, including dichroic glass, as well as silver foil and other materials to achieve special effects. In addition to his glass beads, Barley will show some of his fused glass paintings during his exhibition
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Will Kalb
“All Terrain Vehicle” photograph
by Will Kalb.
Black and white photographer Will Kalb loves walking around with a camera to enhance what he sees around him. With camera at the ready, Kalb is able to capture almost anything that catches his interest: from nature and landscapes, to teddy bears on motorcycles and amusing signage, the artist also delights in photographing people in non-formal ways. He enjoys working with subjects who have, as he puts it, “wacky ideas of their own.” He admits that he is “often amazed at what they will do in front of a camera.”
Kalb feels like the best description of his art came from a friend who, after reviewing the artist’s portfolio, said, “Will, you photograph the light. Whether you are photographing flowers, landscapes, nudes or junk, you photograph the light.”
In preparation for his September show, Kalb has been going through his many roles of film and finding negatives which, for whatever reason, got overlooked in the past. The artist plans to bring these forgotten images to fruition.
Come and meet our featured artists at a reception during Gallery Walk, Saturday, September 5th, from 5:30-8pm. Light refreshments will be served.
Port Townsend Gallery is located at 715 Water St. For more gallery information, phone 360-379-8110, or visit www.porttownsendgallery.com
715 Water St. Port Townsend
OPEN daily at 10 AM
(360) 379-8110 |
