|
 |
Fused glass is an exciting medium; the layering of colors
and interaction of metals and other media within the glass creates
new and sometimes unexpected results. The glass layers will often
contain a partial image of a stencil or rubber stamp (courtesy of
Dreamweaver, Judi Kins, and Magenta) or a punched copper shape which
will then have additional hand drawn images on top which makes a
cross between collage and painting.
Primarily an abstract painter, I decided to venture into glass about
8 years ago after completing a series of paintings on several layers
of plexiglas (example below). The plexiglas paintings had parts of
the composition on each layer which was then sandwiched to form the
finished work. I wanted to expand on the idea of making a wearable
form with a similar look to the acrylic paintings and subsequently
found myself experimenting with fused glass. All of my glass work is
done in my Pacific Northwest studio and signed in gold, platinum,
and/or silver.
The barrettes feature several layers of glass, mixed media inside
the glass and depending on the piece, detail line work in 18K gold
or platinum on the top layer. The clip is attached using industrial
strength glue and is a high quality "Made in France" finding (The
French findings are top of the line and very durable ).
About the Artist:
With her grandfather being a painter and her father a woodcarver,
Christine Musser (nee Merrikin) has known she wanted to be an artist
since the age of 4. Shortly after graduating with a degree in
Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design, she moved into
a small live/work studio in Seattle (Fremont neighborhood) and began
painting abstracts on canvas, paper, and plexiglas (See below).
 In addition to her paintings, Christine also paints on silk (silk
scarves), creates fused glass wearable/functional art, makes mosaics
(current project is a 5x5' chessboard), polymer clay figures/switchplates,
and occasionally some freelance illustration work (and is at work on
her first children's book). When not making art, she enjoys reading,
chess, cycling, gardening, and woodworking. She also volunteers to teach art
to elementary school students and is a coach for a local FIRST Lego
League group.
Custom orders are welcome. Please contact Christine directly at
merrikindesigns@hotmail.com.
Private art
instruction (children) also available in her home (Cost: $35 per
student per hour, includes supplies)
PROCESS
Fused glass:
The glass becomes my “canvas” – which is assembled in layers,
sometimes as many as five. This layering gives the glass not only a
painterly but also a sculptural effect. Each layer may contain hand
drawn illustrations, stamped/stenciled designs and/or metallic/glass
elements.
The glass is fused in my home studio at 1500 degrees for 4-8 hours.
Once cooled, I grind the edges of the glass and then return the
piece to the kiln for firepolishing and/or slumping (the shaping of
the glass).
Silk scarves:
Like the glass, the scarves are one of a kind creations. For the
abstract pieces, I start with white silk and then create the
composition without a preconceived sketch of the final design. This
process is very similar to how I paint on canvas - the work becomes
more improvisational but yet the colors used are recorded so that
another scarf while not identical to the first can still be made to
match the original color scheme. After the initial layer of color is
applied, I then use gutta linework to add another layer of depth and
to create the overall design. Steam set dyes are then added by using
a watercolor brush. Once dried, the scarf is steamed for
colorfastness and then washed/dried/ironed.
Some of my scarves contain felted wool and/or silk fibers. The
felted accents not only add an interesting textural effect to the
silk scarf but also add an extra element of warmth .
Being the practical person that I am, all of my silk scarves are
handwashable. Simply wash by hand in cold water with Woolite or even
shampoo and then follow with a liquid fabric softener and rinse.
Gently wring the excess water out and line dry. While slightly damp,
use iron on setting 2 or low.
RESUME
EDUCATION:
B.F.A
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI. Graphic
Design/Illustration major. 1986-1990.
1989
Certificate in Bookbinding. Daniel Gibson Knowlton Co., Bristol, RI.
SOLO SHOWS (PAINTINGS):
June, 1995
Troll Art, Seattle, Wa.
Aug.-Sept.1995
Jim Howe – Fine Woodworking, Seattle, Wa.
Dec., 1995
Empty Space Theater, Seattle, Wa.
Sept., 1996
Troll Art, Seattle, Wa.
Oct.-Nov., 1996
Bright Street Pub & Cafe, Seattle, Wa.
Feb., 1997
Jim Howe – Fine Woodworking, Seattle, Wa.
Sept.-Oct., 1997
Art/FX Gallery, Seattle, Wa.
July-Aug., 2002
Art/FX Gallery, Seattle, Wa.
GROUP SHOWS (PAINTINGS):
June, 1995-
Participant in the Fremont Art About (Art walk. Open studio.)
June, 1996
Gallery 154, The Fremont Fine Arts Foundry, Seattle, Wa. “Exhibition
Fremont.”
July 1996
Gallery 154, The Fremont Fine Arts Foundry, Seattle, Wa. “Foundry
Direct.” Featured works by the resident artists of the Foundry.
July, 1996
The Black Citroen, Seattle, Wa. Featured works by Christine
Merrikin and Roger Wheeler.
Sept., 1997
SOLART. http://www.solart.com/artist/christine.merrikin. Web-based
gallery.
9/97 - 3/98
Art/FX Gallery, Seattle, Wa.
10/98
Women's Art Group Show, Seattle Design Center, Seattle, Wa.
CRAFT SHOWS (FUSED GLASS/PAINTINGS/WEARABLE ART):
2000-2004
Redmond Saturday Market
1997, 1999, 2002
Museum of Northwest Art, MONA Style Wearable Art Show, La Conner, WA
2002
RAGS Guild, Tacoma, WA.
2003, 2004
Hilltop Holiday Show, Bellevue, WA.
2004, 2005
Pickering Barn Craft Show, Issaquah, WA.
GALLERIES/STORES (WEARABLE ART):
Museum of Northwest Art, La Conner, WA
Pacific Science Center, Seattle, WA
Seattle Opera, Seattle, WA
Elements Gallery, Bellevue, WA
Imagine Gallery, El Pedregal, Scottsdale, AZ
Art/FX Gallery, Seattle, WA
Frank & Dunya, Seattle, WA
Rebecca's of Sarasota, Sarasota, FL
The Marketplace on Broadway, Ocala, FL
http://www.merrikindesigns.etsy.com (Merrikin Designs store)
http://www.vintagebuttons.net/dichroicbuttons.html
COLLECTIONS (PRIVATE):
Tom Brokaw
David Horsey, Seattle, WA.
REPRESENTATION:
4/98-8/99
Women’s Art, Seattle, Wa. Fine art representative for Seattle,
Puget Sound, Tacoma, Wa.
4/98-9/99
Angela Pershnokov, Seattle, Wa. Apparel representative for silk
scarf line(Mind’s Eye Cravats) in Washington State.
7/98-8/01
Rebecca Timpel. Rebecca's Accessories, Atlanta Apparel Mart,
Atlanta, Ga
AUCTIONS/BENEFITS:
Apr., 1995
Very Special Arts Washington. “Art Hook.” Redhook Ale Brewery,
Woodinville, Wa.
Nov., 1995
Group Health Foundation. “Celebrate the Arts. 1995 Benefit Art
Auction & Dinner.” Seattle Sheraton, Seattle, Wa.
Nov., 1995
Children’s Hospital Guild Association. “Light Up a Child’s Life
Auction.” Four Seasons Olympic Hotel, Seattle, Wa.
July, 1997
Group Health Foundation/Woodland Park Zoological Society Auction,
“1997 Jungle Party,” Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Wa.
May, 1998
Children’s Home Society. ”Here Comes the Sun.” Fairwood Golf and
Country Club, Renton, Wa.
Jan., 2003
Junior Women’s League of Tacoma, Tacoma, WA.
Mar. 2008
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Cole's Champions, Fife, WA.
Nov., 2008
Harvest for Education, Rosa Parks Elementary School, Redmond, WA.
Nov., 2009
Harvest for Education, Rosa Parks Elementary School, Redmond, WA.
ORGANIZATIONS:
1994
Member, Art Not Terminal Gallery, Seattle, WA.
1995
Member, Fremont Arts Council, Seattle, WA.
1996-8
Member, Fremont Art About, Seattle, WA.
2009-
Member, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
FREELANCE EXPERIENCE:
1988
New Directory of Apartments and Condominiums, Providence, RI.
Photographed condominium complex in color. Published in 1988 edition
of directory.
1988
New Directory of Restaurants, Providence, RI. Designed cover of
publication (illustration and layout). Unpublished.
2009
Label for Ragged Aces Ale. Illustration created in Adoble
Illustrator and Photoshop.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
1989
Rhode Island School of Design Museum, Providence, RI.
Assisted instructor of children's art class. Assisted with
development of lesson plan. Prepared materials needed for class.
Instructed children in use of materials. Critiqued students’ work.
1989
Prospect Heights Housing Project, Pawtucket, RI. Part of Attorney
General James O'Neill's "Straight to School" program. Taught class
of 20 pupils with 2 other R.I.S.D. students on site. Developed the
curriculum with intent to build students' self-esteem. Critiqued
students’ work. Encouraged use of unfamiliar materials to create
artwork. Displayed students’ work in exhibition at housing project
at the end of the semester.
2008-
Volunteer art instructor at Rosa Parks Elementary School, Redmond,
WA. Develop lesson plan to reinforce classroom curriculum. Instruct
students on use of various materials. Display student work in
exhibition at end of the school year.
AWARDS:
1989
Certificate of Appreciation for “Jumpstart Yourself Straight...to
School Program”, Department of Attorney General, RI..
2009
Designed label 2009 Brew magazine label competition (http://www.byo.com/component/resource/article/1942-2009-label-contest-winners).
Won Honorable Mention.
MISCELLANEOUS:
2006
Appeared on "That's Clever" (HGTV Network). Demonstrated silk scarf
painting technique and fused glass process. Episode #: HCLVR-219.
Scarf demonstration can be seen here.
Fused glass barrette demonstration can be seen here.
|
|
