Abby’s mom’s Mother’s Day Wishlist
Don’t forget to stop by The Architect’s Wife for more great gift ideas, furniture and more!
Sources: Harmony, Cherlyn Wilcox; Chocolate from La Chatelaine; Silk Scarf, Brika
Don’t forget to stop by The Architect’s Wife for more great gift ideas, furniture and more!
Sources: Harmony, Cherlyn Wilcox; Chocolate from La Chatelaine; Silk Scarf, Brika
If you’re looking for Theresa Stirling, you’ll likely find her frolicking in the woods of the Pacific Northwest or paddle boarding on the canal near her home in Washington state. This is the world outside her studio and the source of inspiration for her gorgeously layered encaustics which have graced the walls of our furniture store. The Architect’s Wife recently had the opportunity to chat with Theresa about her work.
How long have you been working as an artist? 15 years, with a more serious emphasis in the last 6 or so years. Prior to that, I had a career in the biotech world.
Where did you learn the encaustics art form? Why are you drawn to this technique? I had seen it around (and loved it!) and learned encaustics from other local wax artists who were willing to let me learn in their studios and from intensives through Pratt Fine Arts in Seattle. I am primarily drawn to this technique because of its beauty and texture. Wax layers have a luminosity that you don’t see with other art mediums, and after 13 or so years, I am still learning, still playing and trying new techniques. Wax is wonderful to manipulate, you can melt it and layer it, sculpt it and then add fire with a blowtorch. It requires a certain finesse which I love.
Can you walk us through the encaustics process? I melt high-quality beeswax in cans on hot plates. Next I add color to the wax with pigment sticks and oils. At any given moment, I will have as many as 20 colors to paint with. I use a photo-encaustic technique, which means I adhere an image to the substrate first, then slowly add many thin layers of pigmented wax, sometimes up to 20 or 30, fusing each with an industrial blowtorch to the layer of wax below. The original image is my guide until it is slowly submerged in sheet upon sheet of wax, then I go freestyle! I have also been experimenting with a cold wax medium in conjunction with hot wax (a technique I haven’t seen anywhere else). This combo along with the use of oils in the wax, has opened up exciting new possibilities in my work. The beauty about my approach is that it is so flexible. If you want a painting of your horses bounding through a field I can recreate that. If abstract art is your thing, I can do that as well. (See below for some great videos on Theresa’s process!)
Is encaustics your first love? Or are there other mediums that you like to work in? Encaustics is my first love. It has captivated me for many years, in part, because the applications feel endless. It also has a sweet fragrance, which is intoxicating. I have been dreaming of adding encaustics to ceramics, but have not yet begun to experiment with this technique. Stay tuned! I have a fondness for all the earth’s elements- clay, found wood, natural fibers, rocks. One day I would love to incorporate these natural elements in my work. My kids keep trying to teach me to knit, but, thus far, it hasn’t stuck!
What is a day in your studio like? A day in my studio is quite cozy! The fire is on or the windows might be open, and the sweet smell of wax and natural dammar [resin] waft through the space. I try to create a tranquil atmosphere to inspire my work, which means the candles are lit, the tea kettle is warming and my favorite music is turned up. The applications of wax are almost hypnotic — the technique creates a rhythm by which my art flows from. We live in the woods near the water and this process truly mimics the world around me. The space is generally calm until our sweet rescue dog wanders through followed by the pitter-patter and laughter of our kids ambling through with an urgent plea for help in their quest to find frogs. All in a day’s swirl! And I love every minute of it.
Where do you draw your inspiration from? My primary source of inspiration comes from time spent in nature; walks on the beach, hiking forest trails, paddle-boarding and observing art in nature. My husband and I built our dream home here in the Pacific Northwest on a gorgeously pristine, forested canal where wildlife still roams freely. It is our sanctuary. Our deliberate choice to slow down, do things with presence and care is also a cornerstone for my work. Not only that, but I draw inspiration from good health – feeling healthy is the foundation for everything I do. The daily arc of parenting; great, solid relationships, studying others’ work and their creative process informs my work as well. Another important way I draw inspiration is by doing good in my community. I give back thousands of dollars each year with proceeds made by my art and donations to animal shelters and schools. That feels good and is energizing to me.
What advice do you have for young artists? For young artists exploring, my advice would be to have as much fun as you can. Surround yourself with patient makers who are willing to teach. Be boundless with your willingness to try different styles, mediums and multiple techniques to create. Explore and try it all: watercolor, soldering, metal-smithing, ceramics, foundry work, sculpture, oils, fiber arts. Don’t be too concerned with finding your own voice right away. Now is the time to immerse yourself in experimentation so you can figure out what you are passionate about. Staying open is where inspiration and direction are born and it’s fun! And, don’t forget to make time to create!
What are some of the challenges of working for yourself and what advice do you have for young artist/entrepreneurs? One of the challenges I’ve faced is having faith that there will be steady work ahead. I try to remind people that a good portion of the business of art takes place behind-the-scenes and is pretty mundane — think email, photoshop work, inventory lists, pricing, social media, PR, website maintenance, outreach, networking, finding venues to show my work, shipping, etc. I would suggest young entrepreneur artists be aware that it takes business acumen and dedication to be in art as a business. Following through with people is of utmost importance me. I want people to know they can rely on me and that I will follow-through on my promises. My motto is: under promise and over deliver every time.
Be willing to fail spectacularly. Failures can be tough (and humbling) in the moment, but inevitably you learn so much from those missteps. Stay with it and don’t give up. I meet many people, often women, in the midst of successful careers who ache to do something more creative, but they aren’t sure how to take that leap from hobby to making their creative passion in to a business. I’m a great example that it can be done, it just requires focus and determination. There’s a great quote from Chuck Close that says it all, “Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work.”
On average, how many hours do you put in to a piece? Such a great and loaded question (laughing)! I once heard an artist say, and I agree, “A piece literally takes a lifetime to create; that is what I bring to it, from all of my experiences and intentions. You, the viewer, also bring a lifetime of your own to appreciating it…” On average, I spend about a week on a medium sized piece. I have a couple large pieces for a corporate client that I’ve worked on for a couple months now. Each piece is deeply nuanced. The process is a labor of love which cannot be rushed. That said, I try to manage my studio time well and efficiently.
Because I have a full life with two young kids and own a health-care business with my husband, I tend to work intensively on projects.
Is it difficult to part with some of your pieces? (smiling) Mmmm, sometimes, but I am so happy and honored that another person likes them that the joy of sharing my work with others mostly overshadows my desire to keep them. I always tell myself (and my family) “there is always more where that came from…” And, yet, ironically, guess whose home is lacking current art? It’s a classic case of the cobbler’s children having no shoes! My family teases me about this incessantly and feigns tears when a piece walks out the door. To be honest, the last 3 collections I have made in collaboration with you all are so dreamy! I could easily see them living on my walls. The projects I’ve worked on in collaboration with AW have been incredibly rewarding. I love the fresh and raw sophistication these abstracts possess.
The Architect’s Wife is fortunate enough to have six new pieces from Theresa here in her Bozeman shop. Make sure you stop by to appreciate her work in person. Love Theresa’s work as much as The Architect’s Wife? Ask how Theresa can make a custom piece to perfectly coordinate with your space!
To take a closer look at Theresa’s fascinating process check out these videos:
Whale Wolf Bison
The Architect’s Wife had the pleasure of sitting down with the talented, young artist, Ben Pease to discuss his work. Based here in Bozeman, Ben is an undergraduate art student at Montana State University. He is an up-and-coming local artist who currently has a show at the Emerson Center for the Arts through April 29th.
Ben Pease at work on a new piece titled “Apsaalooke War Party.”
The Architect’s Wife: How long have you been painting?
Ben Pease: I started around 2004 while in high school, and within the last four years I have focused primarily on Native Art.
AW: You live here in Bozeman, but where are you from originally?
BP: Hardin, MT just past Billings. I am from the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Nations.
AW: How has your heritage influenced your work?
BP: My work is about Indian culture and how we got to where we are now. I am exploring our past and our future, and specifically how our past affects our future. I draw inspiration from learning about my culture. I’ve recently taken on the task of narrating Aboriginal struggles through my artwork. I am drawn to contemporary storytelling and feel a strong desire to educate. My art is a meditation on the history of the American Indian and the influence of European colonization, both the good and the bad.
AW: What would you like people to know about your heritage?
BP: My ancestors say that we are not American Indian and our culture actually goes much farther back. We use the term BiiLuuke which translates to “the people.” Meaning we are all the people of this world, and there should be no boundaries. We are all here to share this earth and this human experience.
AW: You incorporate a lot of artifacts in your work. Where do they come from? And how do they add meaning to your pieces?
BP: Many of the things I use are found in antique or junk shops. I also work with a local picker who searches for pieces for me. Artifacts I collage into my paintings include buffalo nickels, food ration tickets, vintage ledger paper from historical Montana records and Anaconda newspapers from the early 1900’s and much more. Individually, they have historical significance and these found objects help me tell the story of my native/aboriginal roots and how they relate to and were affected by European colonialism. Each of my pieces is a vehicle for this theme.
A vintage Buffalo Marshal badge Ben found in an antique shop in Bozeman.
AW: How has your work been received in your hometown of Hardin?
BP: Everyone back home seems to gravitate to my work. They see it as an educational tool for younger people in our community.
AW: What is the most challenging thing about being an artist?
BP: Time management is my biggest challenge. Juggling running a business, attending college, social media, networking is tough. I manage all this while trying be there for my family, it’s a constant balancing act.
AW: What advice do you have for aspiring artists, especially young artists in your hometown?
BP: Follow your dream. I’m not one to sit behind a desk or push papers. I love sports, so I played football for four years of college. I am passionate about art and educating my people about our history. So I am focussed on my art now. Follow what feels right to you. Have a good work ethic. Persistence and hard work will lead you to where you’re supposed to be.
One of Ben’s pieces, “Indian Police” at The Architect’s Wife.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Ben’s work, stop our furniture store to see a few of his pieces or hurry over to his solo show at the Emerson Center before April 29th. He will be a featured artist at the Out West Art Show (one of the premiere Western art shows in the country) in Great Falls, MT next week from March 16-19. Not only that, but you can also see his handiwork at MAP Brewing. Next time you’re there, take a gander at the mantel above the fireplace.
The Architect’s Wife is honored to have made Ben’s acquaintance and even more honored to have his work in her shop. Keep an eye on this local talent; he is an artist to watch — AW can’t wait to see where this accomplished painter is headed!
When Pat Hoffman of Hoffman Artworks stumbled upon the vintage ski collection of a couple Bridger Bowl ski patrollers he knew he had discovered something special. He saw before him the evolution of skis and bindings and a love and passion for skiing. The collection dates back to the 50’s with old Hickory sticks and leather straps and picks up again in the later 60’s. He brought the project to The Architect’s Wife and she teamed up with Dan Armstrong to photograph this one-of-kind collection.
This compilation is designed to spark a conversation among die hard skiers and lovers of the sport. The ski, the pole, the boot are objects that become symbols to ignite a dialogue, a memory, a love of snow, and a love of our mountain culture. And for the millennials, “It was important for us to redefine vintage, in this case, to mean something to a new generation of skiers. The goal was to photograph the skis that veteran powder hounds relate to from their history and keep that history alive.” said Hoffman.
If these boots could talk. A set of leather ski boots, part of the collection of vintage ski boots, skis and poles photographed by Dan Armstrong for the Architect’s Wife.
About the Artist’s Involved in this project:
Pat Hoffman grew up in Great Falls, MT helped art direct this project and is a local artist and art teacher at Bozeman High School. To see some of his handiwork check out The Lark Hotel in downtown Bozeman.
Dan Armstrong is a photographer who grew up in Montana. His work has taken him all over the world.
Don’t miss this unique collection of skis at our downtown furniture store.
V-Day is just two days away and The Architect’s Wife has gathered up some of her favorite Heart Day inspired things!
1. Love this heart purse from A Beautiful Mess! 2. Who’s the anchor in your life? Heart Anchor bottle opener from yours truly. 3. Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake from Wild Crumb! My Friday is not complete without a treat from WC. 4. Party in a box from Oh Happy Day! Such a fun and EASY way to surprise your bestie or crush. Don’t miss the animated gif – so cute! 5. Nothing says LURV like HOT PINK. The Chelsie Chair from yours truly.
ONE COUCH, TWO WAYS
It’s 2016 which means it’s time for a reset!
Out with the old in with the new, as they say. One of our favorite things to do at The Architect’s Wife is to watch the transformation of a key furniture piece by simply swapping out accessories. Switching up the pillows in your living area, the art on your walls, lighting or even a small side table is a great way to refresh your living area look. Our anchor in this room is the Hudson sofa in rich chocolate leather by one of our favorite vendors, Gamma. In the left-hand image, we’ve paired it with some Swiss Army Pillows in orange and black and added a faux sheepskin blanket to accentuate the deep brown tone of the sofa. The armchair that features walnut accents ties in with the brown theme as well.
In in the right-hand image, the Architect’s Wife has pulled gray and brown together. It’s an unlikely pairing, but it totally works thanks to the area rug that has pops of peach and subtle grays as well as brown tones. The silver fox faux fur pillows emphasize the gray/brown pairing and a third pillow that is predominantly silver but with faint hints of brown further prove that a brown/gray combo is a match made in design heaven!
Stop by the shop and let The Architect’s Wife help you create a new look for the new year!
By all accounts, it’s been a fantastic 2015 for The Architect’s Wife. Our first full year of business in Bozeman has been immensely challenging and rewarding, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of this awesome community. It was fun to take a look back at the past year and relive some of our best of moments. Here’s a snapshot of some of the highlights from our year:
Here’s a snapshot of some of the highlights from our year:
(left to right, top row to bottom row)
1) Food Truck Fridays! Every Friday this summer Bozeman’s finest mobile eatery’s served up hot and tasty food to all you Bozemanites, and it was some serious fun.
2) “Incredible Remodel” award from The City of Bozeman Beautification Advisory Board. We are so proud of this building and its transformation. It’s our favorite labor of love.
3) Pop-Up Dinner w/the Food Studio. Chef Daniel Wendell prepared a 10-course meal and guests dined by candlelight and gorgeous floral arrangement by Katalin Green. It was amazingly delicious.
4) Our very first commercial starring our girl, Lucy. She’s a natural, don’t you think?
5) The Wreaths!
6) American Rustic book signing event w/Audrey Hall & Chase Ewald — such a great event!
7) One of our most popular posts starring “The Girls!” watching over our swanky Laid Back Arm Chair and Cream Max Sofa.
8) One of our favorite interior design projects and fave new restaurants: Feast Raw Bar & Bistro.
9) Our most popular Facebook posts — Lucy strutting her stuff on the SuperNova at Bogert Park.
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