I was a closet Artist, and I will be for the rest of my life.

Earth Goddess, Lampwork glass by Sheila Morley

Looking back at my “quietly being an Artist” time period…..

In the 80’s I discovered my passion for creating art. In the 90’s I decided to make it a career choice. In LATE ’97 (After Art college) I realized I needed to purchase health insurance and build a studio. I took the best paying job I could find in 1997. (I knew it would take a while to get established.)  So, by 2004 the studio was done.

All the art from this time period (my 80’s to 2004) is still in my possession today. (Except for the few pieces I sold or gave away.)  Studies, mostly with pencil, some clay, some ink… The drawers and boxes of art are almost ridiculous!  I am not sure why I didn’t give it away, or even try to sell it. To me, they are just studies, I guess. One thing for sure, in the back of my head, I did not think my work was good enough to sell, and I always thought “what if it doesn’t sell? How will I pay the bills?”…it became a worry, (not a productive thing for me to concentrate on). I took a job to pay my bills, and continued creating when ever I could.  I could not be objective about my own art for a very long time. Not until after Art school, really.  It was all personal.  The older I get, the more I realize how other people can relate to my personal experiences. I have seen my work becoming more Universal. I can see it speaking to its audience now. 

I was (and still am) determined on a very passionate level to create art.  I have tampered with copper pipe, ceramics,cement, stained glass, bronze, paper casting…the list goes on.   (Hands down, melting glass is the best. Working with glass you can do all of those techniques. You can do everything with glass; structurally and visually.) If these passionate creations can help support my family, so be it. For now, I think it is great, that at the very least it pays for itself, and puts food onthe table (usually; right now internet sales are WAY down!).

After all that, I just now realized that I am a closet Artist. (And, just imagine how many there must be?)  The creation process is a passion. And I am so excited to celebrate it every single day.

I am going to be a closet Artist forever, for the rest of my life! For today, I am on line here blogging, and trying to do some family fund raising…. in real life, I am out there (after the other job, two kids, a home…), I will always be creating; I will always have a closet art stash. Some of it, maybe only I will see. Until I am gone, and it becomes antique. It would be cool if my work supports my extended family some day. (And it is really cool that I am not starving today; as my Dad says, “We are not taking part in this recession.”)

With that said, I have decided to share some more sketch book study, and some ‘NEVER been seen before in cyber space’ sculptures.

Yup! My old art is coming out of the closet, looking forward to some constructive crtiticism in 2009. 

This next week is all about getting some autocad drawings done of a new lab at Michigan state University, and preparing for holiday events. 

Wish you all a happy holiday season. Peace, joy, Love…

(Oh! and if you are a closet Artist…closet art can make a great Christmas gift!)

(That there Earth Goddess is for sale at the Etsy shop!)

Michigan glass SHOWS! DEMONSTRATIONS~mandrell implosions

Soft glass mandrell implosion by Sheila Morley

I have been wrapping my beads with sterling silver wire. This is it! Neat wrap. Very little tool mark. Still polished!  In no way do I claim the title as “jeweler”…. I definetly am getting these how I like. (A couple hundred beads later)

This is available at my Etsy shop for a holiday affordable price. 

Holiday’s!! ONE WEEK AWAY is one of my yearly Holiday show. AT THE DEARBORN GLASS ACADEMY!!

December 6 (Santa from 2 to 4) Open 10 am to 4 pm.

December 7 Open 10 am to 4 pm

 (My 2nd year, and I plan to be back next year!!)  My work is going to be beside some of the most very talented in my town! I am proud to be there! AT THE DEARBORN GLASS ACADEMY!! (They just updated some pictures on the HOME page! You can see Chris and Michelle! Super hip people that make art as a product line, and an element inside numerous corporate head quarters! Um…hello! These two are a success. Come check it out!) Dearborn, Michigan is right outside Detroit. Saturday and Sunday! Art, glass melting, demonstrations, craft classes!

It is a big building with lots to see!

Another show going on the same weekend. (My work is not there…) Friday, December 5-and throughout the weekend  Epiphany studio is open. April and Jay. April from up north (Interlochen, MI.) and Jay from Lahser high school (Bloomfield hills, MI) They met at the Center for Creative studies, graduating in/around 1997 with Fine art glass sculpting as the specialty. 

They are very talented. April has a sculpture line that I admire Very much!! (I just know I would love to talk back to one of her sculptures with a sculpture. Yeah, really! I share the content desire she has. Except I am a little bit more illustrational, and she is a bit more “essential”…Or “the essence” of a form.  I hope to be at that level some day.

I am really hoping to make it to Epiphany studio! I will be setting up for my show at Dearborn on Friday….not sure I will make it…; If not, I want to go there  and see the work they have been making all year. I bet a bunch of new EXTREEMLY AWESOME pieces are for sale. They open by appointment.

I can tell already it is going to be a VERY busy week.

Happy holiday’s! hope you can find the perfect gifts!

Many New designs for Christmas…….

Birmingham, Michigan Glass show and demonstrations

bead on a glass pedestal

NOVEMBER 1ST, 2008; from 10 am to 5 pm.

One time a year in Birmingham, Michigan! Winter Wonders! Glassact (Southeast, Michigan Glass bead makers guild) has been putting on this show for many years!!

Many glass Artists will be there showing unique works! This is my 3rd year in this show, and I am really looking forward to being there. I am ready to start Christmas shopping.  One of a kind little works of art make great gifts. (And remember! This is a great time to support the Michigan economy by buying local!)

Demonstrations will be going on all day long.  Mark Vandenberg always makes a great figure. or creature. Last year he made a giraffe! Demonstrations go on all day long!  I will be at the torch between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.  If you come by, come say Hi! If you come while I am at the torch you can request a demonstration!! (poke!)

Last year we had the earth charter  singing songs in the church next to the show.  Very great experience. Hope they come and visit us again this year.

I will have many BEADS and jewels for sale. Not just my work either! I carry a taste of Angilinabeadalina’s work, a few of Vonna’s beads, and Vicky (my sister-in-law), and Julia (my cuz!) make beautiful jewelry. (with Fine sterling, gold, and some of my beads!)

It is going to be a great show! (Always is!)