Portland Open Studios

Portland Open Studios happen every fall, and this is a marvelous way for kids to see artists at work to learn something firsthand about many different techniques.  This year, we didn't have a single day we could dedicate to visiting studios alone, so we went over the course of two different weekends.  Here are some of the highlights. 

We visited the studio of Carli Kruse, a very talented glass artist who uses lampworking.  Jasper saw one of her beautiful glass pumpkin pendants, and she kindly offered to let him watch her make another.   Lampworking uses rods of borosilicate, or scientific, glass, using a small torch that can heat a small area to a really intense temperature.

We also visited Fields and Fields Blown Glass, where Heather and John Fields were also making a pumpkin, but one the actual size of a small pumpkin.  It's a fascinating process that is very fun to watch.  They actually have videos of their process on their website.  While they do make some simple pumpkins for the season, most of what they make are vessels with  exceptionally sophisticated colorwork.







We visited No. 2 Print Shop, where Nancy Prior was showing off her gorgeous prints.  She let Jasper make a print on the giant press, which thrilled him!














We also visited Connie Whelan, who is a nature photographer.  She actually takes pictures underwater of coral reefs.  Jasper is currently fascinated with sea creatures, especially cephalopods, and she graciously took the time to show him the ones she has photographed, as well as showing him a book she owns of deep sea photography.  She explained that she must use a flash underwater, because the water filters out the visible spectrum color by color.   At the depths to which she normally scuba dives, 50-100 feet, she says the only part of the visible spectrum naturally filtering to that level is blue light, so a flash allows her to capture really vivid colors.  Jasper purchased a print from her of a lovely brown octopus.