“Juniper”
John Fetkovich

When presented with a thing of beauty, everyone recognizes it immediately. Thus it was so last month during The Guild’s jurying process when we viewed John Fetkovich’s color photograph, “Juniper.” After several oohs and aahs, we all let out a collective sigh.

These days, the idea of beauty is often dismissed by the contemporary art world. But I believe that beauty is significant and important in our daily lives. A thing of beauty, whether it be a sumptuous piece of glass, a vase of daffodils, or a photograph, provides daily nourishment of the spirit and a calming of the soul.

Let us be thankful for the artists who grace our world with so many beautiful things. (As for me, I think I must have “Juniper” on a wall that I look at every single day. A thing of beauty.)

“Nut Dishes”
Kari Radasch

My mother used to make Chex party mix for her bridge club gatherings. These evenings were special occasions. The house was cleaned spic and span, and I got to wear a Sunday dress.

Mother was an early devotee of Russel Wright and his marvelous dishes in pinks and greens and blues. I remember sneaking handfuls of Chex party mix from those serving dishes! Today, I have my own collection of Russel Wright dishware; they serve as an on-going reminder of distant evenings and the company of friends.

Artists, who appropriate their ideas from many places including the past, provide us with the modern-day version of Mr. Wright’s sensuous curves and bright-colored dishes. I particularly like Kari Radasch’s “Nut Dishes”. They are completely contemporary, and yet suggest memories of Chex party mix and bridge clubs.

“Floats”
Dale Chihuly

Last week on a trip to Seattle, I visited ‘The Boathouse,’ the site where Dale Chihuly presides over the creation of his numerous art projects. Chihuly, who is famous for his elaborate blown-glass installations, is also a prolific painter and printmaker, and The Guild is honored to carry several of his limited edition prints.

I like to think of my home as my own personal canvas, and Chihuly follows that philosophy to the extreme. The Boathouse has served as both a home and a studio for him over the years, and it best exemplifies his artistic character. It is filled with exuberant color and his numerous extravagant collections.

I left Seattle with my head filled with visions of color. Now, if I can just convince my husband that every room in the house truly needs to be re-painted…

“Fern Sink & Botanical Tiles”
Suzanne Crane

Once, at a friend’s party, I ducked into the small powder room and discovered there a wonderful surprise – a handmade ceramic sink crafted by an artist. It reminded me, once again, that the smallest detail is an opportunity to delight.

It is the care and attention to details that turns a home into a sanctuary for living. My friend’s powder room sink was personal and thoughtful, a welcoming gesture to visitors as well as a form of self-expression.

William Morris, the father of the Arts and Crafts Movement, said, “We should have nothing in our homes that we do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” His statement, made near the turn of the century, was a call to arms then, and rings true in our lives today. In fact, his ideal is even more meaningful in our modern world as we strive to combine utility and beauty in the objects of everyday life.