Saturday






Visited Devins' chicken coop he has been tending to. The chickens were big, and fluffy, one of them likes to be hand fed. The hens produce eggs which Devin delivers to customers. It was nice to have a day to just hang out.
Meanwhile winter has blown in with a cool blast it actually feels like February.
























Earring challenge reception was a success. Moving forward, making rings and bracelets for awhile now.

As much as I would love to be sitting by the fire on this chilly night. Our rooms are full of dust and clutter as we are doing a renovation on our kitchen, small job big mess but in the end it will be nice.

Reception tonight






The Earring Challenge 2011

For the past year, Julie Brooks, Megan Clark, Suzanne Krill, Lillian Jones and Betty McKim have challenged themselves to create a pair of earrings every week. The 2011 Earring Challenge exhibit showcases the 260 pairs of earrings and the design development process that evolved from this commitment. The exhibition will be on display at the Pullen Arts Center from January 15th – February 28th with a reception on Thursday, February 9th, from 6 – 8pm.





Brooks attended NCSU in Raleigh, NC for 3 years studying zoology before deciding to explore her passion for the arts. This moved her to Greenville, NC where she graduated in 2002 with a BFA in Metal Design from ECU. After 3 years of working for Atlanta based enamelist Ricky Frank as a bench jeweler, she attended graduate school and received an MFA in Artisanry, with a concentration in Jewelry/Metal design, from UMASS Dartmouth in 2008. Currently, Brooks is a studio artist creating one of a kind sculpture and jewelry. She also teaches beginning to advanced metalsmithing courses and has exhibited nationally. Her work can be seen in the books: 1000 Rings, 500 Wedding Rings, The Art of Enameling, and upcoming this year Humor in Craft.


McKim uses predominantly silver interlaced with accents of gold and colorful gemstones. The surfaces are oxidized, satin finished and, or high polished. Each piece is hand fabricated combining various metalsmithing techniques. She particularly enjoys the process of making a series of parts and then composing them in a harmonious way, sometimes injecting an oddity or dissimilar point of interest.


Clark grew up in Durham, North Carolina where she became interested in visual arts at an early age. This interest led her to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2001 where she pursued a degree in Metals and Jewelry. After graduating in 2005, Clark relocated to Raleigh, NC, where she began her career as a jewelry artist and craftsman.

Since 2009, Clark has been working independently on her own designs and participating in art shows and exhibitions along the East Coast. She has developed a unique style that is both contemporary and timeless.


Krill came to jewelry primarily from a printmaking background, with an interest in printmaking techniques on clay, some of which she uses on the metal in her jewelry. 
She has been making jewelry for about 7 years. Krill has taken advantage of numerous classes and workshops taught by jewelry artists well known in the field which were offered both at Pullen Art Center and the Craft Center at NC State . She has also attended some sessions at Penland School of Crafts in Penland North Carolina.



Jones received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the the

University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, followed by a two year scholarship in metals at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA. She also earned a Masters Degree in Industrial Design at North Carolina State University.

She has almost 40 years experience as a jewelry maker, enamelist and illustrator.

Block Gallery & Earring Challenge Reception








Block Gallery has been hosting some impressive shows over the years. The space is very open, with a huge curved staircase, the gallery is the lobby/entry of the Raleigh Municipal Building so the art work is enjoyed and viewed by a group of people that might not otherwise seek out to view art. Currently Keith Norval has a collection of his animal painting in the gallery as part of a group show.The round bird painting was my favorite. Anna and Keiths' daughter Ingrid had a great time. She quite enjoyed running around the circular opening of the stairwell upstairs. Then took a rest on the cool speckled floor. Both Keith and Anna teach classes at Pullen and have studios at Artspace. Their art work can be seen all throughout the triangle.
We are pushing hard to get people to come to our Earring Show reception. February 9th 6-8. lots of earrings and just in time for Valentines Day. Winter has been slow coming in North Carolina this year. Makes it more enjoyable for getting out. So come join us next Thursday if you can.

Last day of January already













a recap of all thats been going on. Workshops, personal trainer, super warm weather, the earring show, new photo box, the debates #*+! ukh.....politics. Starting new projects. Gathering images, ideas for new work about reflections and shadows of memories. Those exposed and those that are secret, hidden contained, Boxes, lockets, organizing, compartamentalizing, I dont think that's a word but I know what it means. Eight sections , catrillion units, filterd vision . Where to begin? multiples, components, sketches, walks in the woods and time at the bench. Im excited about this journey and commitment and the uncertainty that surrounds it for now.

"Confident Bird" January 15, 2012


This is a little encaustic painting by Anna Podris titled "Confident Bird". I bought it for George for christmas and just got it back from the frame shop. Im feeling that as of today I can turn the corner of the new year. Finally, Im done with all my 52 earrings. I need to read this post next year and remind myself that it is usually the second week of january before all the holidays are over and Im ready to take on new things. These are my last three pairs of earrings that were finished using my new magnetic tumbler. I will now be on a journey of gathering ideas for a show I will be having at the Mahler Gallery next November. "Memories: Reflections and Shadows". It will be interesting to see where this takes me. I was awarded a United Arts Council grant for this body of work. I've applied to a couple of outdoor shows and had my work accepted in a juried show in Texas titled, Materials: Hard & Soft. All journeys begin with the first step which for me will be cleaning and reorganizing my studio so I can get started.

Earring Challenge finishing touches.











Finally finished three pairs of the "red rock series" this pair is red rock pebble and Lemon Quartz. The Earring Challenge show will be up by Jan 15. We have been working on the documentation, display and a few more earrings to complete the 52 each. Here is a sampling of the documentation that we will have for each of the five participants. Also I will collectively post all the earrings on the blog I have not posted yet.(there are quite a few) This poster is a draft I still have 6 more to insert which is why you see duplicates.

Happy New Year 2012

January 1, 2012. So much to be thankful for.. Great day spent working in studio and hanging out with George, Edward, Devin, Sophie and Woodstock. All the christmas decor has been put away. A new year, lots of things to look forward to. Mostly I hope I remember to live in the now, pay attention to the things that are important and relish in the simple beauty that abounds. Cheers:)




Rauschenberg, Caulder & Hammonds










Excuses, excuses been too busy to post on my blog and too busy and distracted to keep up with the blog documentation of the earring challenge.. and now its new years eve,eve and I have got alot of catching up to do. Yes everyone has been keeping up with their earrings. It was really difficult especially nov. & dec. But they will all be compiled and documented by Jan 15. So I wanted to post some favorite holiday images. 2011 was a really good year and has opened some interesting possibilities for 2012. So here goes with some of the fun distractions that have been keeping me busy. Had a great time in DC, very cold, (freezing) probably walked 10 miles. It is interesting that the art you love continues to speak to you. I am almost at the end of my second year of blogging, I find it gratifying to use this form of journalling to remember and analyze daily/weekly and sometimes mundane events and occurrences.

One week til christmas.

George got an iphone, so we are having fun with that. Nice night after shopping, sitting by the fire watching the movie The Station Agent.

Week 45, 46, 47 & 48












So far these are Suzanne Krill, first four. Megan next four then 3 pairs from Julie.

I just realized Christmas is 11 days away, not ready. Personally 3 weeks behind on earring challenge. 2011 is almost over, great year, looking forward to recapping the high points, lots of them will flow into and help shape 2012. I'm posting all the earrings that I haven't posted yet. After which I will insert mine. Just need to get moving on holiday traditional rituals. Tree up, lights up, some cards sent (might let that be late). Many thanks to everyone who came out to the shows, they were well attended and fun to do this year. Red rock earrings on the way. (this post in progress:)

Demystifying the journey





These photos were taken by Mary June Jones. Her photos really show the path, the fun, the cabin, the dorm, the fall color beauty, the rim with a little snow, and finally the sunset that we enjoyed that evening as we dined at the lodge. The waiter assured us no matter how tired we were that night after the hike we would feel great in the morning he was right.







week 43

Here we are. Betty, Sterling silver and aquamarine, Suzanne, nugold and silver rivets, Megan, sterling silver , Julie, enamel and sterling silver and Lillian, granulation and pearl. Nine more weeks boy has this year flown by. Next year, 2012, I plan on compiling these images, ideas and inspirations into a book. The show for these pieces will be at Pullen Art Center Jan-Feb with the opening reception Feb 9, 6-8.



Nature a blaze on the Company Mill Trail

Such a beautiful hike out at Umstead today. Everywhere you looked there were pretty colors and shapes. Next week Ill be hiking the Grand Canyon, and I look forward to photographing the bridge over the Colorado River, the final leg of the hike before arriving at Phantom Ranch. Ive done my research and trained by walking and hiking , this will be quite a physical and mental challenge for me.






week42


This is week 42. Oct 24-30. Somehow weeks and numbers got confused. But im hoping to go back on track. Sorry for confusion . I think this is a good looking week, Im so excited about this process and how well we have stuck with it, the next few weeks should be challenging.


Week 41


More later on this post we are actually on week 42 everyone but Megan was late and still waiting on Suzanne. Any way, here is what we have for now. In order of lateness:) Betty, Julie, Lillian and Megan. Just added Suzanne on to week 42, only 10 weeks left to the year and this earring challenge.


Favorite photos from last week


Busy week, lots of things going on this week. This ever so cute, young girl is a current printmaking student at Pullen. We all just loved her colorful batiked outfit. Hat and shoes to match, and her shoes even lit up. She is just as pleasant and smart as she is adorable. We are having our fair tomorrow and this is my son Devins' first show. He really likes to make mugs and jugs. Raleigh is growing with lots of construction going on, all of the inside the beltliners are watching the Cameron Village demolition.(Photo credit Devin Mckim). Here are some more portraits of poet/painter George Mckim. I couldn't resist the butterfly. I really don't have a great sense of color and when I saw that image I had to snatch it. It was a real test in reflexes, I couldn't quite catch it with the wings open. I have been trying to add a little zest to my earring photography. The little studs are on one of Anna Podris show cards. Now she really has a sense of color. Many years ago George studied painting at Skowhehan which is a painting and sculpture school in Maine. One of his colleagues who is currently a New York painter was doing a visiting artist program at UNCG. So we went to his art opening, lecture and reception. It was interesting. Enjoyed seeing his work. On display until Jan 8 2012.