“Ostrea” by Emily Miller.

A  large-scale sculpture inspired by the gnarled shells of oysters, the fluted ruffles of nudibranchs, and other beautiful and mysterious sea creatures. Sculpted with outdoor architectural stoneware ceramics. Weather-safe and water-tight. Recommended to protect from freezing. Signed by the artist.

 

 

But wait, there’s more.  See, there’s three! 

Ostrea I, Ostrea II and Ostrea III.

20″ to 30″ wide, each

 

 

Lookie here,  Emily Miller’s “Ostreas” have ocean inspired bottoms, as well.

 

Q: What is the meaning of the word “Ostrea”, you ask?

A: “Ostrea” is the Latin name / classification for oysters and the title of a set of large-scale sculptures I created, inspired by the gnarled shells of oysters, the fluted ruffles of nudibranchs, and other beautiful and mysterious sea creatures. The tactile contrast of smooth and rough surfaces is an ongoing theme in my artwork. I use these contrasts to explore ideas of inner and outer spaces, playful discovery, and delight in the unknown. Fun fact about the Ostrea: I like the rough, hidden underside as much as the top glazed surface!  –-Emily  Miller

 

 

Order from Chaos by Emily Miller

In addition, the 2018 rope basket project with a new palette of Pacific Ocean rope collected from Oregon, wilder and more eroded, weathered by months or years at sea. Cleaned, unraveled, and restitched, the colorful rope became a collection of unique baskets accented with local stones and other beach treasures.

Reclaimed fishing rope, 2018/ Mint Green basket

4.5″ high x 6″ diameter

Green and white fishing rope gathered from the Oregon coast and accented with a local beach stone.

“It begins with days spent hauling rope from the tide line in all weathers, connecting and collecting from other beach clean-up crews. A quick soak in water to loosen the sand, mud, and surface grime, then the long, meditative process of untangling knotted nests into their separate lengths. Each length slowly unwound by hand into its three segments, a second longer soak and scrub in hot soapy water, and a final rinse where the water runs clean. “ —Emily Miller

 

Fun fact:  Karynn Kozij, introduced as the 2017 Fairweather emerging artist with her Octopus ocean debris art, gifted Emily her recent beach debris.

 

Read what Eve Marx wrote about Karynn’s art: View from the Porch: Art from the ‘Octopus’s Garden’

Artist transforms marine debris/Date: 2017-08-18 Seaside Signal

Story The Daily Astorian | Signal News
http://www.dailyastorian.com/SS/news

The Daily Astorian | Signal News

http://www.dailyastorian.com/SS/news

 

 

Photo credit: Katie Frankowicz/ The Daily Astorian

Unlike plastic bottles or larger items, microplastics can be difficult to recycle and plague Clatsop County beaches. And, so,  too, Neal Maine, Seaside naturalist, “re-gifted”  ocean debris to Emily Miller, artist. 

 

 

 

 

“I have spent my life on the coast, and all my artwork has its roots in my love of the sea. I see the coast as a border between the known and unknown, amid constant cycles of change. My work explores these transition environments as a marker of our place within the larger network of natural systems. I believe that joyful exploration of the unknown creates a positive, active environment that enriches our relationships with ourselves, each other, and our world.  I am a lifelong artist with a passion for materials.”  —Emily Miller

c. Emily Miller