Wire Works at the Gallery

Wire Art from The Heart

Dancing in the streets....

Peggy McKeever-Wire Works

One of many of Peggy's fabulous wire sculptured faces

In 2001, shortly after discovering her passion for creating 3 dimensional, mixed media sculpture in wire, Peggy McKeever also discovered that there was a women's artist co-op gallery on Abbot Kinney in Venice.  

It was shortly after Ten Women opened their second location that they were seeking new and exciting artists to join them.  At the time, Abbot Kinney was not "the place to be seen" that it is today.  In fact, it was pretty run down and was truly in need of TLC.  In spite of this and because of the original Ten Women on Main Street, Santa Monica, they drew destination customers to the new location.  So, after being juried in as a full member of the new Ten Women Venice Gallery, it was clear that Peggy's passion and incredible creations came together and were destined to be a success.

Peggy's delightful and collectible shoes

Wouldn't these hot mamma's look fantastic sitting on a shelf?

Peggy McKeever was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, the eldest of six children.  She moved across country in 1970 settling in Los Angeles.  The mother of two sons, she now calls Santa Monica her home.

Peggy always had an affinity towards the arts.  She didn’t do more than dabble here and there until, after a life changing transition, her creativity blossomed from a spool of wire and yarn that was given to her as part of a gift.  A rapid evolution of 3 dimensional forms sprang from her wonderful imagination after that. 

Peggy started combining the wire, yarn, fabric, vintage beads, jewelry findings, polymer clay and lots of ephemera to create a fabulous range of characters, figures, shoes, clothing and anything that could come alive just by twisting yards of wire.  It doesn’t take much to fuel her inspiration when sitting with her “stuff” and a couple of pair of pliers.  She is definitely influenced by feminine energy and the fashion that women love to wear.  Her incredibly constructed miniature shoes adorned with glitz and glitter are a collector’s item for sure. 

There is an incredibly flare to her work that is admired and sort after.  You can’t overlook her wonderfully expressive faces that are outlined in wire and ready to hang on your wall.

Or, the energy that she brings to her little women that, altogether on the shelf, seem to be dancing to music only they can hear.  You just can’t choose which one to take home with you, each one of a kind and unique.

Being a self taught artist, Peggy considers her, late in life found passion, a gift and a powerful healing experience that she feels blessed to experience and share with the world. 

A perfect gift for mom

Peggy's imagination is endless...

 

Screaming Woman Artworks

Ten Women Gallery embraces such a wonderfully diverse assortment of local female artists.  It's members display a high level of professional quality artistry and each of the 20+ talented women is proud to call our modest space home. It's part of what makes it all work.

The opportunity to have a space to show and sell our wares is, in itself, a unique experience.  I believe we all feel a tremendous sense of pride in what we have accomplished and feel gratitude for the experience.  We certainly are appreciative of our loyal followers and hope to gain a fresh recognition in our now, not so new, location on Montana Avenue.

Among our long standing members is Joann Libolt.  Joann has been selling her fascinating pieces created in clay for many years giving her the pleasure of a substantial following of new and repeat customers. She warrants special viewing and holds her position in the center of the gallery along with Glass artist, Susan Haskell.

A unique hand sculpted clay figure expressing the depth of tenderness of female energy

Here's what Joann has to say about herself and her art...

I have come to studio art in my mature years.  Graduating from college in the 1960's, I have worked in advertising, and helped raise some fantastic children.  I returned to school in my 50's and completed MA and MFA degrees after age 60.  Art, for me, is timeless.

Clay is my primary medium.  I often use mixed media to finish the pieces, but clay is the material I prefer as I work intuitively.  Sculptural work and utility ware are part of my art.  Often political issues become involved.

Joann shows strength in her expressive interpretation of feminine art

Much of the work is born from the emotions of a woman's life as she struggles to define and experience the depth of her life in a world that tends to define it for her.

Hand created, original imagery on Italian tile is another branch of my artwork.  The line drawings utilize a resist technique developed in ancient times called cuerda seca, which resists the surrounding glazes and under glazes as they are applied.  This creates a unique variation of Middle Eastern and Mexican tile work.  The glazes are layered and often fired 3 to 6 separate times to achieve the rich depth of color.

Among the few clay artists the Gallery embraces, Joann has a defined quality that is clearly and  uniquely her own.  Her new pieces are always a surprise and thought provoking.  A special blend of beauty and personal expression...a wonderful contribution to the flavor of Ten Women Gallery.

Artist Summer Whitmer's new display

When we found our new location on Montana we needed to lfind new artists to replace the few dear old timers we lost during the move.   We are happy to have found Summer Whitmer as a new jewelry artist to join our artist family.  Here's her statement...

My love of jewelry and design began once I was able to dig in my grandmothers costume jewelry. I used to parade up and down the block covered in jewels and wearing her square dancing skirts. I am a third generation Santa Monican and come from a family of past jewelers. As I grew older I began beading on a loom, making my own designs to honor my grandmothers Shoshone heritage. I started gaining an interest in Native American satchel embellishments along with bracelets, necklaces and earrings. I later took classes in metal work, really appreciating the beauty in mixing metals. Each piece I currently design is a one of a kind and has a story of it's own. For instance, I'll place each gem or stone in a specific place for the sake of encouraging, stimulating, balancing or calming your being. More of my bolder work incorporates handmade Tibetan beads that have a uniqueness all of their own. Some you must hold or wear to really feel their magic! Know that I only work with a clear mind in a static free home. As a mother of a beautiful young boy, I am truly blessed and am overwhelmed with love. I work at night once he's asleep in a cozy, warm home with dog at feet. If I feel the stones have negative or charged energy, I cleanse them by steeping in salt. If you are into it, I can even smudge your piece before it comes to you. Please contact me if you have any questions. If you so desire, we can work together and I can custom a piece just for you, a hand stamped tag with up to three lines at 8 characters per line, with stones used for healing properties, or both :)
Be Well
Be Good
Be a Bold Buffalo

Summer's wonderful and newly decorated space

These are a few of Summer's striking necklaces

An example of her creatively hand stamped bar necklace

Add caption

Summer's pieces are a handsome statement to any outfit whether casual or for going out on the town.  A combination of stone, bone and silver is displayed on a variety of silver chains.  A must see when you come to visit.

Ten Women Montana is having a TEA PARTY!

Our post card image

Please join us for a 

Valentine Art and Tea 

Reception

Sunday, February 12, 2012

2:00pm until 5:00pm

Ten Women

1128 Montana Ave.

Santa Monica, CA  90403

310 393-6254

www.tenwomengallery.com

Visit Our Blog

tenwomenonmontana.blogspot.com

Like Us On Facebook

 www.facebook.com/TenWomenGalleryOnMontana

Open Daily 10am-6pm

What's In Ten Women Window?

Kara Taub, hand weaver extraordinaire has full attention in our window 

 

Kara has been an active member with Ten Women for quite a long time.  Her sweaters, scarves, hats and baby sets are sought after by faithful fans who purchase new designs for personal use and gift giving.
I witnessed a customer come in at Christmas one year and purchase a scarf for the 8 women in his office and one for his wife as well.  Made of quality materials and delicious color combinations, these items wear and last forever and never go out of style.  A sure bet gift for most on your list any time of the year.

Kara Taub received her training at the Middlesex University in England. After receiving her degree in Constructed Textiles in 1996 she established her own studio based weaving practice in London, which was then her home. Having moved back her native Los Angeles in November 2002, she continues to develop new ideas in fabric. In addition to producing her own ranges of wearable accessories and fabrics for the home, she undertakes commissions of woven art, ceremonial pieces, and industrial fabrics for private and commercial clients.
She has exhibited internationally including at Indigo in Paris, The Jewish Museum, New Designers, and Decorex in London, and The Whitworth Gallery in Manchester, UK. Her work has received recognition from Country Living magazine and she was a winner of the Liberty "One Off" craft competition sponsored by the UK retailer.

Kara's wonderful display inside the gallery

Choose between several styles of scarves and some with matching caps in a variety of color combinations

A lovely display ensemble

New Year Featured Artist

Caroline Vidal is one of three new artists that have joined Ten Women on Montana since reopening in our new home.   I wanted to start the new year featuring someone new and because I do not know much about her art, I'll let Caroline tell about herself and what she creates in her own words...

ARTIST STATEMENT

Porcelain is synonymous of purity, softness, sensitivity and solidity. It requires precise technique and rigor in the elaboration of shapes. I throw my pots on an electric wheel, trim each pot several times in order to obtain thin delicate walls. I then bisque fire in an electric kiln followed by hand glazing of each pot with homemade glazes. The pots are stacked and high-fire in a gas kiln which is manually controlled allowing a lot of variations in the outcome of glazes. I look for refined and feminine shapes so that my cups, bowls, tea pots are both delicate and strong thanks to the solidity of high-fired porcelain clay. The noble whiteness of this clay allows me to elaborate a whole range of glazes that I mix with raw materials. As this “made in the USA” experience started less than a year ago, many new shapes and colors are emerging everyday.

I was born in France and was brought up in South East Asia. After graduating with a BS in Boston , I worked for 10 years in Japan and France in Industry. Ceramics started off as a hobby and it soon turned into a passion. So one day I decided to turn this passion into a career.

After a year of ceramic schooling at La Maison de la Ceramique in Mulhouse France, I set up my own studio in the Burgundy countryside in France. I elaborated and produced functional ware in red high-fired stoneware from 2001 to 2005.

In 2003 I opened a second studio in Paris France and thus shared my time between countryside and city life.

In 2005 I closed my 2 studios to follow my husband to Berlin Germany where I discovered porcelain.

In 2006 my husband and I moved to Santa Monica where we “made” our “masterpiece”: our son. I thus spent the next four years bringing him up as a full time Mum.

In January 2011 I set up my new studio in Venice. I decided to start where I left off in Berlin, namely with the magic of porcelain.

Caroline's space filled with her gorgeous porcelain creations

I'm sure Caroline's artistry can be appreciated through photos, but it is worth coming by the gallery to see her display up close and personal.  Each piece is very special indeed and make wonderful gifts.

The Old and The New

Since opening on Montana the latter part of the year, Ten Women on Montana Gallery has made huge strides in establishing ourselves in our new neighborhood.
Due to the holidays there were so many people out and about seeing what was available in the stores for possible gift giving.  We had people who were walking there dogs up the avenue or strolling with baby carriages who stopped and peeked in to see what we were all about.  Our long time customers came by that were happy to find us again and new clients that knew of us but didn't have a chance to get down to Venice to see our art.  It has been delightful to receive so many welcoming words to encourage us and assure us that we made the right move.

Here are just some creations from a few of our talented artists that were on display for sale throughout the holidays.  Some of these items will still be available if they haven't already been purchased and lots of new things coming in for the New Year.

Caroline's beautiful porcelain pottery

Elaine's unique and popular fabric purses

Fa

Elaine's small purses to insert in her wonderful larger purses or to use alone

Clay sculpture by Joann

Expressive clay creations by Joann

Who could resist this comical clay creation by Joann to use for decoration or trivet

Beautifully decorated gourds by Karen

Peggys fun and whimsical wire creations

Stunning hand fused glass by Betsy

Bibi's wonderful world of the imagination on wood and canvas

Bring nature inside with Mannig's sculptures and mobiles made from all things natural

A variety of fabulous paintings, prints, cards by Isabelle

Peggy's wonderfully imaginative figures and faces in wire

Summer's unique hand stamped meal jewelry

Trace's hand blown glass drops

Beautifully designed hand blown glass pendents by Trace

Summers one of a kind jewelry that makes a statement

Endless Tomorrows by Renee

Renee's abstract mixed media painting

Renee's expressive mixed media jewelry

Now that 2011 is hours away from being over, all of us at Ten Women on Montana want to wish all of you, our old and new friends, Peace of Mind, Perfect Health, Time to Celebrate exciting and wonderful things, Prosperity and Good Will and lots of Love throughout the New Year.  God Bless us all.  Happy New Year!