It’s a lovely day here at Copper Leaf Studios, and we’re having a moment of Zen.  With show season on pause, a rush of copper anniversary orders completed, and the heat wave broken to reveal a perfectly beautiful summer day, it’s a time to relax and soak in the moment.  The school year will be starting soon — around here, a seasonal milestone more significant than the equinox — and in the blink of an eye things will be busy again.

I love times like these, not just for the break, but because I get to rediscover what inspires me as an artist.  It takes a moment of stillness to hear the inner voice, but once tuned in, it is a familiar refrain.

I’ve been working small this time, experimenting with the Wenge boxes again.  There is something very Zen about them — how the lid glides along its track, the weight of the metal against the wood… they have a lovely smell from the finish, and the smooth brown grain is the color of coffee or dark chocolate.  I’ve been pairing them with smaller versions of some of my black and white images to create a set of keepsake boxes.  They are the perfect size to store a handful of beach glass, a dozen tea bags, or anything that feels calming and makes the world seem right again.

click to purchase or for more info

I also made a few boxes with simple designs in vibrant colors.  My daughter gave me the idea for these next photos ~ she is on a sewing kick right now, turning old jeans into hip teen messenger bags and purses.  I wanted to emphasize the rich saturated colors of the box lids, but also give a sense of scale.  I think they just might be some of the best product photos I’ve taken:

I have a few more designs to experiment with, and hope to have a lovely range of colors and textures soon.  In the meantime, if you like what you see, please pass it on!

Take care and have a great week~!

Chris

Good afternoon all!

Given that most of my recent posts have focused on local items and events, I thought I would tell a global tale this time. I’ve often wondered what it would be like to live during a different era, experience the “good old days” (whenever they may have been) and know how a simpler life might feel against this skin.

But the truth is, I’d probably get homesick pretty quickly. I love living here, now. I love the interconnectedness of the world. I love having a true understanding that deep down, we are all alike — and yet so incredibly different. The internet is an amazing solvent, allowing people of all ages, races, cultures, religions, and viewpoints to dissolve into one huge puddle full of ideas and inspiration.

So in honor of the wonderful people I have met across the globe without ever leaving my comfy chair, I’d like to take you on a tour of my world.

Portugal

Hot off the presses, I’m so excited to announce the arrival of my book!!  (And by “my book”, I mean the copy they gave me as a thank you for using my artwork on the cover.)  I must admit, it is quite a fun thing to see your work on the cover of a book — especially one from another country.  And I know at least two of you reading this who are the proud owners of some of the pieces in the photo!  The authors, Demyan Belyaev and Zoran Roca from Edicoes Universitarias Lusofonas in Lisbon, Portugal, write this about the image: “The metal astrolabe featured on the front cover was invented in Portugal and became instrumental in the success of Portuguese maritime expeditions that led to the discovery of Brazil and the sea route to India.  Will Portugal again be able to leap forward and tread the path of knowledge-based development, as it once did?”  Luckily the book is in English, as I’m embarrassed to admit my Portuguese skills are just shy of dangerous.  But very excited to learn more about the history of this device that has fascinated me for so long.

click above for info

Australia

I’d like to take a moment to say a special “hello” to my Aussie readers — that I even have any is a testament to the power of the internet!  I’ve been thinking about you a lot recently — given the recent heat wave the U.S. has experienced, I think I can speak for most of us when I say “we wish we were there”!
And politics aside, whenever the value of the U.S. dollar goes down against the $AUD, I get a rash of orders from Down Under.  You all know your currency conversion, and you love your Art Cards!  So this lovely new mini astrolabe is dedicated to you!

click above for info

United States

Today I shipped out six packages to six different states.  What a testament to the vastness of the internet, and what a privilege to have the opportunity to create things for people across the country.  That people like you allow me support myself and my household doing things that I love is something for which I will forever be grateful.

Back to Ohio

To celebrate the return trip, here is a copper corporate award I recently finished that is flying its way to its recipient as you read this.  If you are local, please join me at Lakewood Arts Festival on August 6, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  Held on Detroit Ave. between Andrews and Marlow, in front of the Lakewood City Center.  This is a dynamic and exciting one-day show that I am thrilled to be a part of — if you can’t make it, please cross your fingers for beautiful weather!

Whever you are, take care, and have a great week!

Chris