Handmade glass bowl by Christine Downs.
“Glass is mesmerizing. Did you know it is not a solid? Scientifically it is considered a supercool liquid due to its unique crystalline structure. There is no other art medium like it.” CD
Handmade glass bowl by Christine Downs.
“The combination of color & light alone is magical. Its depth and visual allure pulls us in, seduces & invites the sense of touch. We want to swim in it, to feel its warmth or coolness, to look at the world through it. When such visceral responses as these are experienced, I have created a work of art.” CD
Handmade glass tray by Christine Downs.
“The beauty of Oregon, the western landscape, rivers, trees, ocean & my own backyard feed my aboriginal eye & fuel my creativity on a nearly daily basis.” CD
Handmade glass platter by Christine Downs.
“Rich pattern and simplicity of design is a dichotomy I strive to balance. My work often entails cosmic, geometric, zoomorphic & vegetal symbols such as spirals, mandalas, leaves, and other universal symbols and elements of sacred geometry.” CD
Handmade glass platter by Christine Downs.
“Using a variety of techniques, I add visual texture & richness to my works. Combining sheets of glass with glass powders and granules called frit, I often create patterns or images in the glass, removing glass granules as I draw. This “scraffito” technique’s results sometimes resemble monotype printmaking or wild gestural drawing.” CB
Handmade glass painting, framed, by Christine Downs.
“Recently I have been using glass powder mixed in a gelatinous medium to actually draw lines or “paint” with a palette knife as one would with acrylic paint. A technique I employ is embedding designs created by copper sheet or wire between two sheets of glass. The mass of the metal between the two sheets of glass introduces another element to the design: bubbles! Only partially controllable, bubbles add an airy lightness to many of my works.” CD
Handmade glass tray with fluted edge by Christine Downs.
“My pieces are typically fired at least three times. I sometimes fire a piece, cut it up & re-fire the cut-up elements into a new design. I am always experimenting, in partnership with the glass for inspiration, and permission for what it will allow me to do. As they emerge still warm from the kiln, I sometimes embrace these beloved “artifacts” to my heart. My work is dear to me.” CD
November through 24
MADE Art Show and Sale
Fairweather House and Gallery
612 Broadway
Seaside
“Made” an exhibition for the one-of-a-kind and the unexpected works made by Northwest hands. Alluring, distinctive and exquisite products, never-before-seen, with just the right dose of imperfection to suggest a human element in the creative process.
“This is the time of year, before the gift-giving season, the gallery digs a bit deeper into the subject of the handmade, with a reverence for artisans who are producing exclusive objects, artisans who have made craft cool and luxurious.”
Featuring harp maker Duane Bolster, calligrapher Penelope Culbertson, glass maker Christine Downs, paper crane maker Peggy Evans, quilt maker Cherry Jones Harris, and mixed media maker JoAnn Pari-Mueller.
Glass display featuring the work of Christine Downs, Mike Fox, Carolyn Lindberg, and Fedor Zubanov. Oil paintings by Sharon Kathleen Johnson. Jewelry by Mary Bottita.
Welcoming pine needle artisan Martha Denham and wood turner Tom Willing.
Introducing metalsmith Nikki Hall and potter Marcia Hudson.
For more info go to http://www.fairweatherhouseandgallery.com
Christine Downs lives in Southeast Portland with her husband. She enjoys spending time making glass art, gardening, and traveling. During the school year, she makes art two days per week with kindergarten through 5th grade students at Pioneer School. Students are typically placed here in this program due to unsafe behavior.
She taught at Portland State University, Graduate School of Education for many years, preparing candidates becoming special education teachers and continues substitute teaching at her favorite places when possible. For years, Christine was obsessed with Interpersonal Neurobiology. She taught entry-level PSU Interpersonal Neurobiology courses, Learning & the Brain & co-taught Meditation & the Brain with Caverly Morgan, founder of Portland’s Peace in Schools.