The Center for Organogenesis unites scientists from many fields who work together to study organ formation, organ function and organ disease. The goal of our research is to use new information gained from these studies to design new and effective strategies to treat disease and repair damaged organs. In the course of this work, we use the microscope and special stains to examine tissues for alterations in structure or function that are characteristic of health or disease. We often marvel at the beauty of these tiny biological structures and share them with you here as Bio-Artography, a fascinating combination of art and science.
Archive for June, 2009
U of M Organogenesis - Ann Arbor, MI
Thursday, June 25th, 2009Scott Nelles - Elk Rapids, MI
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
In 1974 while living in Seattle I began my career in the foundry. Seattle had a number of small non-ferrous foundries catering to the fishing industry. I determined that I would learn this trade and apply it to making art. Since I had started in the leather business I bought and sold a lot of belt buckles. Making belt buckles would be my way into the art foundry. Fraser bronze of Seattle was a father and son operation and they were very helpful in getting me started. I would make patterns for my buckles and John Fraser would show me how to improve on my methods and then cast the buckles for me. After finishing them in my basement workshop, I would make road trips around the country selling the line of buckles and so began my life in bronze casting.
With some years of practice and observation I decided it was time to open my own foundry. I moved back to my home state of Michigan where I could be closer to my family and friends. Through the years 1978-2000 I built and grew the business to the point of employing four full time people and selling my sculpture nationwide. In 2000 a series of unforeseen events caused me to question everything in my life and I decided to implement a big change. I placed a small classified add in a foundry trade magazine to sell the patterns and the rights to make my line of products that I had been producing since 1978. A very nice man with a large foundry purchased the line and still produces it under the name, Nelles Bronze Sculpture. In the meantime I put myself to work on creating an entirely new line of pieces. It is this work that is showcased by the toy cars, boats, candlesticks and small animals that I now make in my studio. Both lines of work are available for purchase from me and in galleries nationwide.
Michigan Silversmiths Guild - Detroit, MI
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
About the Michigan Silversmiths Guild
The Michigan Silversmiths Guild was founded in 1948. Guild members include craftpersons proficient in the fields of metalsmithing and jewelry, and serves to broaden the knowledge of its members’ craft and to facilitate communication with other metalsmiths.
The Guild sponsors lectures and workshops by artists and teachers established in their fields. These activities have included lectures and workshops covering box construction, iron working, shell construction, plastics, repousse, titanium, stone setting, casting, etc. The Guild also sponsors juried exhibitions of work produced by members. Workshops are usually held on Saturdays at the Center for Creative Studies, Detroit; Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills; Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti; Wayne State University, Detroit, or the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Lectures and/or slide presentations are held at any one of the above locations.
Christine Reichow - Estero, FL
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Florida watercolor artist, Christine Reichow, grew up in rural Michigan where she developed a love of nature. At an early age, her father taught her to observe the nesting birds and to identify their individual melodic warbling. The name of each tree, plant and flower became familiar to her as a result of her father’s influence.
Christine was inspired by her mother, a life long artist, to study art and design. She chose to major in clothing and textiles at Michigan State University and created hand-dyed and hand-woven pieces using natural textiles. Upon completion of her studies, she continued to be an active member of the Michigan Weavers Guild and began painting on silk to create one-of-a kind clothing. Her unique “wearable art” was displayed in prestigious boutiques from Detroit to New York. She opened her own boutique in Howell, Michigan where she sold her pieces along with other artist’s work for ten successful years.
Christine moved from Michigan to Florida where the wonders of nature inspired her to paint. With the ability to blend colors and create luminosity, watercolor became her media of choice to showcase Florida’s natural beauty. “I strive to stir emotion. My desire is for the beholder to experience the serenity of a landscape, the splendor of a bird, the richness of a flower.”
Christine is a member of the American Watercolor Society, Florida Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society, Watercolor West and Signature member of the National Watercolor Society.
Her nature watercolor paintings have appeared in numerous magazines.
- Covers of Watercolor Magic, Sunshine Artist Magazine, Florida Women’s Digest and Natural Awakenings
- Finalist in Watercolor Magazine’s 2006 competition and North Light Books 2006 competition
- Watercolor Magic’s 2007 Online Competition both First Place and Honorable Mention
- She has been featured in The Artists Magazine, Wildlife Art magazine, Bonita Living and n Magazine
Her watercolor prints and original watercolors are showcased in collections at:
- Shadow Wood Preserve Clubhouse, Fort Myers, Florida
- Bear’s Paw Clubhouse, Naples, Florida
- Monarch Beach Hotel, Santa Monica, California
Christine’s fine art can be seen at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, fine art shows and on her website.
Experience Her Passion
Dawn Adams & Dale Steffey - Bloomington, IN
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Dawn Adams and Dale Steffey have been collaborating on works in glass since before 1980. Dawn received her Masters in Fine Arts from Indiana University in 1981; Dale received his Bachelor of Science from IU in 1975. Being independent artists allows them to choose where to work and live, and they make their home in Bloomington, Indiana. Their work, however, resides in private and public collections across the northern hemisphere. What began for them in 1984 as experiments to enhance their stained glass panels has evolved into their fused glass reliefs for the wall. Decorative and colorful, sometimes primitive and mystical, their images in fused glass speak of their emotional response to life and evoke in the viewer a sense of timelessness. The art of image- makffig in fused glass is surprisingly adaptable to a painterly approach, in spite of the limits dictated by the material. Utilizing shapes, colors, and patterns, this technique affords them a wonderfully challenging format for exploring their aesthetic sensibilities. The glass fusing process involves Dale cutting shapes from sheets of flat glass, and layering them according to a design Dawn has drawn. She embellishes the design using small glass pieces, crushed and powdered glass, glass enamels, and torch worked glass stringers as patterns and shading, and then Dale fIfes the assemblage in the kiln. It is a process that is many centuries old, but only in the past 20-30 years has it been extensively explored as a contemporary artistic medium. On some pieces Dawn does an additional fIring of glass resin paints for more detail or depth. Their work draws from a continually expanding pool of influences - including but not limited to folk and ethnic art, icons, mosaics and a large group of painters from many eras and movements. Often their themes stress growth, nature, spirituality and joy. Because of their desire to create a special environment for each piece, Dawn paints a frame that has been carefully chosen to house the work. Several works have the glass image continued with paint creating a unified image with two media. In either situation the frame becomes an integral part of the work, and the end result is Art that attracts closer attention from the viewer on a number of levels.
Jo & Billy Nelson - Hastings, NE
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Diane Aronoff - Ann Arbor, MI
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Using the techniques of traditional color photography, I create abstract images of flowers in reconstructed settings. Selecting blooms from my own garden, I design imaginary pools and otherworldly gardens uisng natural light, a macro lens, shells, ceramics and especially water. My camera is a vintage 1970’s all-manual Canon FTb. I use Fuji Reala film for its exceptional ability to capture the vibrant colors of my compositions. My images do not involve the use of any photographic special effects, hand coloring or computer/digital manipulation. I strive to imbue my photographs with painterly qualities and a sense of mystery and enchantment.
Since 2000 I have exhibited my work at various Chicago area art fairs including Old Town, 57th Street, Wells Street and Fountain Square in Evanston.
Michele Smith - Indianapolis, IN
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
My sculptural work is in part influenced by an obsession I’ve had since childhood of fantastical stories in fairy tales, mythology and folklore. Aesthetically, I am also influenced by anything vintage, especially old toys and dolls. Taking bits from stories I read, hear or remember and infusing my own experiences, thoughts and observations creates something completely new with roots rich in ancestral reflection and common human encounters.In addition to employing my first love of sculptural ceramics, I’ve also recently discovered the joy and freedom of working with multiple mediums such as wood, paint, metal, wire, paper, fabric and found objects. Initial thoughts and sketches are always a starting point, but method and material have begun to actually inform where a piece will eventually end up conceptually. All my ceramic work is handbuilt and multiple kiln fired with various stains and glazes as well as some post-fire treatments.
The most recent pieces I’ve created have become somewhat satirical in nature, looking at the dualities of human behavior… how we present to the world one reality which can be in stark contrast to our true nature and what we keep to ourselves. We all have our vises, shortcomings, tragedies, triumphs or accomplishments and so often we think we are alone in those experiences. The characters I am creating are themselves stories of individual commonalities and are fully aware of their own ridiculousness. Hopefully my curious world will lure the viewer into connecting with our shared existence… and maybe to also laugh at our inherent complexities.
Every art piece available through Mud Spun Studio is hand made individually by me and with my high quality standard. Each piece is genuinely well crafted and carefully packed to ensure the piece you receive is exactly what you imagine, or more.
Gillian Kemper - Oklahoma City, OK
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
Marie DesJardins - Lafayette, LA
Thursday, June 25th, 2009
My unique line of jewelry is totally hand fabricated from primarily found and recycled materials, in the French Acadian area of Lafayette, LA…fondly known as Cajun Country! I’ve studied the craft of metal smithing and design, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Metals and Jewelry and a certification from The Gemological Institute of America. My jewelry has been shown in fine galleries and major art fairs throughout the U.S. for the past 21 years.
All pieces are original designs and individually hand fabricated from sterling silver, copper, and brass. All of the copper and about 90% of the brass is recycled and obtained at local scrap yards and other industrial sites.
I begin the transformation process with sheets of metal. All pieces are hand cut and a wide variety of texturing and colorization techniques are used. After, the pieces are shaped by hammering on jeweler’s stakes. Colors are achieved through several heat and chemical processes and result in each piece being unique and vibrant. Some of the finishing processes include hand filing, buffing, polishing and hand etching. All brass and copper pieces are lacquered to seal in the color.
