Leah…I have been intending to blog about you and your glass work for the longest time but never had the camera at the right moment or you were not at the Portland Saturday Market when we were passing through on our weekend walks. FINALLY I had the chance today to visit Leah Pellegrini of LEAH GLASS and we had such a wonderful time catching up!
Leah and I met a number of years ago when I took a short glass working class at a studio she was working at in downtown Portland. We hit it off right away and discovered we both have a crazy passion for color and movement. Leah’s mobiles are inspired in part by Alexender Calder’s work who we discovered we have a shared passion for as well. My house has always been full of mobiles that move with the slighest breeze from a passing dog ….and of course my head bonking into them all the time in the garden!
I also took a class from Leah on creating components with the torch for adding to my fused glass pendants. I adore Leahs lampworking and wish my eyes would let me experiment more……… but this blind woman, with a loaded torch, NOT the best idea….lol. Too many close calls gave me a healthy respect for you bead artists out there!!
Bryan and I met up with his friend Jenna at the market and they shopped while Leah and I caught up on this first day of the market remodel. OMG it’s so beautiful , perched right on the waterfront now instead of under the bridge. A stunning fountain serves as a “living room” of sorts RIGHT IN FRONT of Leah’s booth.
ABOVE: BRYANS FRIEND JENNA
Her location is absolute perfection and her booth is an instant draw with it’s brilliant colors, tastefully suspended under a stark white tent. The shadows play on the white and colors reflect all over the display
Leah and I were discussing that this piece above would convert well into a “rain chain” I want to be the first to buy one Leah!!! I have just the place for it in front of my studio window with water piped to the top, dripping down in my raised pond. It will be backlit too!!
This is Leahs earring display. Just as I was photographing the little cuties, another litte cutie stepped into the reflection of the mirror..HI LEAH!!! Love this shot!!!
Here the earrings are in focus. Very cute and lightweight too. The black ear wires really add to them!
You can see why mobiles look as good outside as they do indoors. I love the play of light
I have never met anyone with a smile like Leah has!! It is electric and so open and kind!!! This photo will always be a fave of mine!!
This was a HUGE mobile in red and black. I need one of these too… to hang under my pergola!!! This photo shows off the shadows so nicely
I need, I want, I need I want!!!
ABOVE: BRYAN ,LEAH AND AND JENNA CHATTING…BRY’S FIANCE KATE WAS THERE TOO IN A WAY..ON THE PHONE
Leah…thank you for taking the time to chat and catch up. I know your days at the market are busy ones and you have no idea how nice it was to see you again. I need to come down to the market more often!!! Your work, as always is a CLASS ACT!!!! Thank you for the continued inspiration Leah…… through your art , artistry and friendship!! Check out Leahs website at http://leahglass.com
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And below click the arrow on the video to see the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (PDX TOP 10 Destinations) as Bryan and I saw it on Thursday. It was a picture perfect day and we had such a relaxing time. I noticed in the video all the kids playing with the ducks were little boys with their mothers……it seemed so appropriate since this is the last visit my son will have with his mom before he is married. sniff
See the photo of his wedding band below. Bry had a custom band made with a rare mahogony type of wood and an inlaid core of a fine metal (can’t remember what it was offhand)
Day at the Rhodie Garden, Portland Oregon 8/20/09 from Sandra Miller on Vimeo.
BRYAN TOOK THESE TWO IMAGES WITH MY CAMERA
