Recap of my last year of MFA

This last year of my MFA has been very full on in a good way. It was a crash course in pushing artistic ideas forward through the different research methods; building a cohesive and concise body of work, further communication skills to support the concept and the development of the professional practice. All of these aspects came together for our final project and the goal was to put on a professional exhibition. First was the Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show where Ode to Intuición made its debut and The Scottish Glass Society awarded Laura Reid and I the Prize for Best Student of Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show 2013.

-Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show 2013- Ode to Intuición Debut May 2013

A month later for New Designers we traveled down to London to show our work among 3,500 newly graduates from all over the UK’s leading universities. In my experience, New Designers was a great platform that jumpstarted my artistic experience because of its exposure, chance to network with a very specialized crowd and all the opportunities that came from it. I am happy to say that I got awarded the New Designers Contemporary Glass Society Associate Prize and was shortlisted in the final 12 for the New Designer of the Year Award.

Also I was invited by Joanna Bird Contemporary Collections to go to SOFA Chicago this October and Collect London in May 2014 and be represented by her as my agent.

-New Designers 2013- Edinburgh College of Art Stand June 2013

 Shortly after all of that, we traveled back to Edinburgh for Graduation. So it was a great way to close up the MFA experience.

-MFA Glass Graduation Proof ;D- June 2013

All of these are amazing opportunities that otherwise would no have been possible and New Designers was a stepping-stone for greater things, not only in the UK but also internationally. Here are some of the pictures of the exhibits since then:


Stanislav Libenský Award 2013. Prague Gallery of Czech Glass. Royal Summer Palace at Prague Castle. Prague. Czech Republic. September 20th- December 1st:

-Stanislav Libensky Award 2013- Royal SUmmer Palace at Prague Castle September 2013


SoFA Chicago 2013 with Joanna Bird Contemporary Collections, Navy Pier. Chicago. USA.

-SoFA Chicago 2013- Joanna Bird Contemporary Collections stand October 2013

And some more new exciting exhibitions are coming up so I will keep posting and look forward to what new projects are on the horizon. Happy 2014 !! to all and hope this year is even better than the last :D

~ photos by julibd ~ 

New Book: Ode to Intución Series

I have been meaning to show you guys my newly printed book of the Ode to Intuición Series. I am very happy with the outcome because this compilation becomes the principal storyteller of the project and portrays my journey as an artist. It is a personal space in which ideas where proposed without any restrictions and consequently, these became frozen moments that synthesized the preciousness of that intuitive thought. 

Looking back, I am glad I gave myself the time to put this book together because the value of the bound collection of sheets is as precious as the final Ode to Intuición Series. Also it is a great way to communicate my research and demonstrate the essence of the series.

~ photos by julibd ~ 

Starting my Artist in Residence at ECA

This was a very eventful summer to say the least, and I am working on 'clip notes version' post to explain myself fully. But for now, just wanted a quick note to mention that I am very excited to be one of the Artist In Residence at the Glass Department at ECA, alongside Anne Petters (mixing the hot shop with kiln casting/ Pâte de Verre), Andrea Walsh (cast glass with bone china) and Carrie Fertig (flame working mixed with performance)! The group is very diverse in techniques and expertise, so I can't wait to see what will come out of this experience.

I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to be an Artist in Residence. This is a scheme specially designed to support emerging artists and designers with the chance to access the studio free of charge, develop new skills and further their artistic career; acting as a stepping stone from student life to the real thing. In exchange, we assist staff members and  support students in the development of their creative and studio practice.

My plan for this one year residency, is to continue to evolve my studio practice by expanding the Mix&Match Series and explore new possibilities in the studio. Also I will be exhibiting my work, expanding my experience and exposure as an up-and-coming artist l designer. In the photo above, I am in the process of creating a new piece in the studio (mixing & matching though play) and on the left is the final non-functional vessel and it is called 'Abejón".

~ photos by Ainsley Francis and julibd (respectively) ~

Degree Show Setup of [Mix&Match] Series

Officially my Degree Show work was handed in on friday and here is the evidence of the setup in stop motion and the behind-the-scenes action. For some more information on the final piece and all its creative process visit: Go Here!

~ photos by julibd ~ 

< Cold Working Samples > Small Tumbler

Hello there! I am very excited because I just finished my first year of postgrad studies! The best thing is that I decided to stay for the two year program so this means that I have had more time for the exploration of new techniques that I had never tried before. Of course, I fell in love with some of the most complicated techniques: glass blowing and glass engraving. These techniques will take me many, many years to master, but I've enjoyed them soooo much, that I am very excited to see where this leads me...

If you have noticed, I haven't posted much since I've been a little busy. But now that I'm officially in vacation, my only task is to photoshop a bunch of pictures to share my progress with you. So here we go!

This is a glass tumbler that was blown by Ingrid (our technician) and Meg (artist in residence). Since this was one of their trial pieces for their new line and didn't end up using, they gave it to me :D It has a lovely shape and I decided to engrave a simple pattern on the bottom. The coolest thing is that since the bottom of the glass is thick, the engraving is mirrored and therefor looks like it multiplied! Making this a very delicate and simple way to add intrest to your new set of tumblers.  

Let me know of you are interested in a set of these, we can make them specially for you and ship them over :0)

~ photos by julibd ~

< New Finished Work > White Curtain

I'm very excited to show off my new project! This is my most recent Commissioned work for Durman, a factory that produces PVC pipes, among other things. I used their own products to built this curtain and the outcome was: amazing wall art specially made  for their executive offices.
What do you think?

Description of the work:
Size: 38'' x30''
# of pipes: 885
# of metal rings: 1,292
# of hanging rods: 3
Weight: 27 kg


Title: "White Curtain" Commissioned work
Inspiration: PVC products/ colors, shapes & sizes.
Medium: PVC pipes, metal rings & stainless steel hanging rods. 
Year: Aug. 2011
Framed Dimensions: 38'' x 30''
Photography: julibd
Price: $- SOLD

Feather (Scrap Gold Leaf Paper Collection) < New Work in Progress >

Title: “Feather”  from the Scrap Chinese Paper Collection

Inspiration: Chinese paper.     

Medium: Scrap Gold leaf paper, wood & gold paint.     

Year: April 2011     

Framed dimensions: 15.5 '' x 7 ''     

Photography: julibd
Price:-

< The New Museum >

George Condo: Mental States

January 26, 2010 - May 8, 2011

http://www.newmuseum.org/exhibitions/431/
...worth taking a look! 
-photos by julibd -

< Random Snapshots > New York City Opera

MONODRAMAS

John Zorn/ Arnold Schoenberg/ Morton Feldman

New York City Opera 2010/2011 Dress Rehearsals

at the David H. Koch Theater  < beautiful venue! >

Lincoln Center Plaza Broadway at 63rd St. NYC

http://www.nycopera.com/calendar/view.aspx?id=12529

http://new.lincolncenter.org/live/index.php/visitor-information-overview


- photos by julibd -

< Random Snapshots >

 Bright Sunday colors from Soho and Union Square.

- photos by julibd -

1st Set of Paintings

Special thanks to the model: Sushi Durman

Title: “1st Set of Paintings”  

Inspiration: Freehand work.     

Medium: Acrylics & Canvas.     

Year: March 2011     

Framed dimensions: - 
Photography: julibd   

Price:-

In the name of Japan victims

Today I was having some tea with a friend at a Union Square cafe and on the table next to us, there were six japanese people doing origami. We approached them and started talking. They've been working on these Origami Birds in order to hit the streets and ask for people's help in the name of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami victims.

The origami bird I now carry in my bag, is a sign of HOPE. So if you see someone giving them away, be sure to contribute any way you can.
How You Can Help the Earthquake and Tsunami Victims in Japan


- photos by julibd -

Mixed Media Class Show!

- photos by julibd -

Traditional Gold Leaf- leftovers

<New work in progress>

Painting - Color Composition Class

<New work in progress>

Professor: Kikuo Saito

Class: Drawing & Painting - Color Composition

The Aura of things...

"...an aura is a field of subtle, luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (like the halo or aureola inreligious art). The depiction of such an aura often connotes a person of particular power or holiness. Sometimes, however, all people, or all living things, or all objects whatsoever are said to manifest such an aura. Often it is held to be perceptible, whether spontaneously or with practice..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aura_(paranormal)




This project came about when I found in the "reuse box" an old printer destroyed- 1,000 little pieces, so I took them. These were about to be trash, so luckly we crossed paths on time.


After staring at them for some time, their auras started to show and this is what I want to portray...

The Orquid

<Commissioned work>

Title: “Orquid” 

Inspiration: Metal tractor brake.     

Medium: Fused glass and metal base.     

Year: 2011     

Framed dimensions: 45 L x 35 H cm     

Price:- Commissioned Work
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Trapped Bubbles”

Title: “Trapped Bubbles” 

Inspiration: Golden mica effects.     

Medium: Fused glass.     

Year: 2008     

Framed dimensions: 13 x 11 cm 
Photography: Andres Garcia Lachner    

Price: $140