Found to Finished - with Keith Lo Bue and Thomas Mann

An exciting weekend was had by all on the 2nd and 3rd of June here at Sydney Jewellery School as Thomas and I brought 16 brilliant students on a whirlwind trip through found object and metal techniques.  I can only hope those involved had as good a time as Tom and I did presenting. 

The challenge: all were given one of these plastic vials, which were to be modified into a wearable piece that would hold a real or imaginary flower or other content. The students' results were pretty spectacular: 

It was a weekend that flew by, and was full of laughter and energy. It left me inspired to go back to my own work with renewed enthusiasm. Thank you to all the attendees. Thanks also to Roz for getting it off the ground and to Tom for his knowledge and friendship.


Keith

New Lo Bue Workshop #7: A FLARE FOR TUBING

Finally, in my list of new workshops to debut this month:


A FLARE FOR TUBING

A custom-made tube-rivet is a rare combination of aesthetic beauty and functional utility. Spend an evening with jeweler Keith Lo Bue and learn to make this simple and elegant connector that will take your work to another level!

Where and when:
 

September 23rd, 2011:
Art Is...Petaluma - Petaluma, California   Info Here

New Lo Bue Workshop #6: SETTING A RECORD - Or, A Lesson In Entrapment.

My sixth brand-new workshop, to premiere in Danbury, CT this October:


SETTING A RECORD. Or, A Lesson In Entrapment.

Discover a myriad of ways to cage, cradle, encase, snare and otherwise set the most unlikely of gemstones: the found object. This exciting 2-day workshop takes participants on a spontaneous and thrilling journey of connecting materials of their own choosing to create utterly one-of-a-kind settings. Join artist Keith Lo Bue and learn to elevate the humblest cast-off to the status of a jewel.

Where and when:

October 7th-8th, 2011: Art Is...Who - Danbury, Connecticut   Info Here

 

 

New Lo Bue Workshop #5: UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Fifth in the list of new classes starting next month:

Unfinished Business

Anyone who's made assemblage artwork has got at least a few pieces that just seemed to peter out, and remain in an artistic limbo of incompleteness. 

In this brand-new workshop led by found-object artist Keith Lo Bue, students will bring those troubled artworks in with the goal of unblocking the flow and seeing them through under Keith's guidance.  A group process will be established, with plenty of individual focus from Lo Bue.

Where and when:

October 9th, 2011: Art Is...Who - Danbury, Connecticut   Info Here

 

New Lo Bue Workshop #4: LIFE IN THE MIX

Another new workshop premiering next month:

LIFE IN THE MIX

Let found-object jeweler Keith Lo Bue take you into the world of submerging organic materials into pools of epoxy and polyester resins, learning the tips and tricks to get fascinating and beautiful one-of-a-kind imagery.

Where and when:

September 22th, 2011:
Art Is...Petaluma - Petaluma, California   Info Here

October 10th, 2011:Art Is...Who - Danbury, Connecticut   Info Here

New Lo Bue Workshop #2: THE WAXED-LINEN SAILOR

Second in my listing of brand-new workshops premiering next month:

THE WAXED-LINEN SAILOR

 Many artists use waxed-linen thread to bind and attach - but after joining Keith Lo Bue for this day of sailor's rope-rigging techniques scaled down small, you'll want to feature this strong and versatile medium front and center!  

Students will encase, weave and otherwise embellish a host of found materials with these fascinating and beautiful designs. No previous experience needed - just simple tools and enthusiasm.

Where and when:

September 24th, 2011:
Art Is...Petaluma - Petaluma, California   Info Here

 

New Lo Bue Workshop #1: FORGING: A Smashing Introduction

Here's the first of a series of posts I'll be running in the next week to let you know about SEVEN new workshops I'll be premiering in the US starting next month!

FORGING: A Smashing Introduction

In one action-packed day, artist Keith Lo Bue will give you a good working knowledge of forging (flattening and shaping) wire. You'll learn proper technique, safety and invaluable tricks that will become a vital part of your creative expression... Come find out why so many people are falling in love with their hammers!

The supply list can be found here.

Where and when:

September 25th, 2011:
Art Is...Petaluma - Petaluma, California   Info Here  

October 11th, 2011: Art Is...Who - Danbury, Connecticut   Info Here

March 16th, 2012:
Art Is...You Sydney - Sydney, Australia   Info Here

A Brand-New Online Workshop: TOOLS OF THE TRADE.

Jewelers, sculptors, mixed media makers, creative explorers of all stripe:  I'm thrilled to announce my first online workshop - TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Essential Tools for Artists. This is the online adaptation of my class of the same name which has been getting rave response in the US and Australia for the last eight years. 

How many of us have a tool - a Dremel, a power drill, a jeweler's saw - that sits, practically unused, in a corner, because we don't know how to properly use it?

In this course, which runs over an eight-week period - July 16 to August 27, 2011 - students will watch practical and detailed demonstrations of drilling and shaping metal, wood, plastic, mica, bone, stone, glass, ceramic and shell safely and efficiently. You'll learn in plain and easy-to-follow detail what tool to use for what material.  In addition, the amazing jeweler's saw will also be explored, with easy-to-follow instruction on how to work with it and understand its basics.

I've been filmed in my studio here in Sydney, where you'll feel like you're sitting in a chair at my side as we thoroughly explore the world of the most essential tools for makers of objects. 

This also marks the first opportunity for those outside the US and Australia to take a workshop with me - I've long yearned to get to Europe to teach, but until that opportunity knocks, this will be the chance. 

The event that the workshop takes place within, called ARTFUL GATHERING, is the first 'online convention' of art classes ever presented. Sixteen teachers' classes will take place under the same virtual roof during those six weeks. An exciting idea, and one I'm proud to be involved with.

So whether you're a beginner in creative exploration, or an old hand looking to get some great new insights into your tools, this workshop is packed with great tips, information - and many of my own low-tech variations on traditional methods - that will enhance your own creative path.

The dates again are July 16 to August 27, 2011.

For more information, and to register:

http://artfulgathering.com/

I hope you'll join me!

Keith

A New Podcast Interview

Recorded yesterday via Skype over at the Voodoo Cafe. Apologies in advance for any rather obtuse/diffuse moments, I'm just not a morning person... Thanks, Ricë, for the interview and for the thoughtful questions. Enjoy!

Wire you not with us?

 Hello! The weekend before last I held a weekend workshop in chain-making here in the inner west of Sydney, which I'll be repeating next weekend.


Here are some images of what went down.

 

Thanks to all the terrific students! And a special thanks to my beautiful daughter Mira, who assisted ably, and made some great friends and wirework.  I'm looking forward to more fun next weekend...