“World of Color” – Travel Photography by Erika Sheehan and Kiln-Formed Glass by Joel and Lori Soderberg
In May, Gallery North presents “World of Color,” an exhibit highlighting the work of photographer Erika Sheehan and glass artists Joel and Lori Soderberg (JLS Glass Studio). The works of these artists celebrate the majesty of our world through color.
Born and raised in Seattle, Erika Sheehan's love of photography began as a summer camper in the early 1980's. Honing her composition skills capturing horses in the pasture, friends playing by the river and the camp’s log cabin, she discovered her passion. Her second love, travel, was discovered on a post-college trip to New York City. Erika now combines her two loves as a travel photographer. Each new location brings color and fresh new sights. Photography allows her to bring memories back from each adventure. Erika chooses to print her images on canvas instead of paper which adds texture to her photography, enhances the color saturation, and gives her work a contemporary look.
Some of Erika’s latest work comes from a recent trip to southern France, including images from a 19th century French farmhouse. The colors on the walls, of the antique kitchen wares, the masonry, all transport you to a bygone era kept alive in this tiny slice of the French countryside.
Husband and wife team, Joel and Lori Soderberg of JLS Glass Studio, work collaboratively on their very colorful and expressive fused glass creations. After experimenting in pottery and bronze sculpture, glass emerged as their medium of choice. Using their travels as inspiration, Joel and Lori have developed a strong, colorful style that reflects the influences of the folk art of Poland, the structure and forms of Italian glass, and the bright colorful mosaics of Barcelona, Spain. Joel and Lori continue to study and explore various fused glass techniques such as painting with crushed glass frit, enamels, and glass “combing” where the heated glass is manipulated with stainless steel tools to form patterns.
The glass artwork in this show will feature Joel and Lori’s iconic combed glass sculptures, surfboards that incorporate their hand-pulled murrini pieces as well as colorful, functional pieces. Additionally, this show will mark the debut of the Signs of Spring collection of glass butterflies, flowers and a limited assortment of home and garden décor.
The artists’ reception for “World of Color” is Saturday, May 5 from 1-4pm at Gallery North. The artists also will be present at Gallery North during Art Walk Edmonds on Thursday, May 17 from 5-8pm. This exhibit is open daily through May 31.
