The lady in pink..

Last month I took a picture of the cutest lady on a pink bike on 1st Avenue and 1st Street in Manhattan. After jumping off the sidewalk, and into the street, I kindly asked her if i could take a shot with my phone. The traffic light was turning green and she had to make a move, but said sure, and smiled for me anyway. (top photo) The moment happened so quickly, the single shot came out great and I knew I wanted to post it, but I never got her information and wasn't sure what to say really. I wanted to blog about it last week, but for some reason felt it was better to wait.

This evening, I strolled around Greenpoint in Brooklyn with my bike and my friend Paulo. I discovered my wait was for a reason. We came across the lovely lady as she was calmly standing in the middle of the street with her bike. She said she was just taking pictures of her favorite building, which happens to be the same building Paulo and I were admiring. I instantly noticed her 108 sticker and smiled and we talked some more. The conversation shifted to numerology and the magical multiple powers of the number 9. Details of the conversation surprised us both and we found ourselves weirded out by the coincidence of the number 99 and the same street name in 2 different neighborhoods. It left us in shock and we laughed as we parted ways. I finally got her information and this time, my blog entry is more complete. Her name is Sheryl Yvette, and her bright, wonderful energy inspired me greatly. Here is the second amazing shot I took of her last night. Isn't she just adorable?!!

What? The world is about to end? Dance anyway?

The 3rd edition of Disconnect is said to be landing again in GREENPOINT. There have been more sightings of aliens in New York and there is also talk that the world is about to end..? Really? Well, my friend Paulo Rojas has installed an army of robotic people, weird oddities and plenty of laser beams to ward off the evil end. There will be music for the masses, drinks, ODD creatures and apocalyptic ART to stimulate your senses. Bring your shields or just yourselves and dance til the END.

GREENPOINT ART GALLERY

SATURDAY MAY 14, 2011

GesamtkunstWERK a.k.a. WERK a.k.a. cantspellit.com

Last weekend I visited G E S A M T K U N S T W E R K a.k.a. WERK in the Lower East Side. Thanks to my friend Sabo, I was introduced to the lovely ladies that run this store and have had the pleasure to display my glass jewelry there. If you happen to be in the city, they are located at 9 Clinton Street, NYC just south of Houston.

Time Out New York just voted them as #1 Indie Handmade Boutique in the city! Fantastic I say. This little store has more unique treasures in it than you would expect being a small place, but once you're in there, you will discovering a multitude of creative art pieces. Several designers and artists are represented and it's a great place to get a special gift for a special anyone. Catchy gift cards, matchbooks turned magic, vintage film (real film) transformed and sewn into sturdy hand bags, rings shaped as french bulldogs, journals with diagonal lines, t-shirts for your brother, and even more for your mother.

Check out the store for yourself. If you're interested in purchasing any of my jewelry there, and you've read this, tell Allie and Lu to give you a 9% discount and that I mentioned the sale via my blog. The discount will end May 21st so get your ass in there before it's too late!

G E S A M T K U N S T W E R K

www. c a n t s p e l l i t .com / 646.476.9100

9 Clinton Street [between Houston and Stanton] NYC 10002

Stephan Doitschinoff

I've been exposed to several things relating to Brazil having worked and spent nearly nine years in New York. One of my closest friends Azu, a.k.a. Zuzuka Poderosa has not only tried to teach me to cook Moqueca, but has also exposed me to several cultural flavors of Brazil. I had an overdose of good taste one afternoon when I discovered her own signed copy of CALMA: The Art of Stephan Doitschinoff.

The book is AMAZING! Stephan's work seriously moves me for many reasons that can only be felt and not explained. I could easily get real cheesy right here, start blaming my passion on the fact that the placement of my Venus is in a water sign, complain that my rising is in Pisces and begin using words that will leave you with the wrong connotations. Instead, I will simply end with: I love his work so much that I would consider tattooing his art somewhere on my body.

More Electroformed Bling

Here is another cool shot of one of the necklaces I recently made. The glass links are flameworked borosilicate glass with colors: amber/blue, clear and moonblue. 2 sections of this piece were copper electroformed separately and I added oxidized sterling silver and rose gold vermeil to complete this piece. The photography and sweet corset is by Art & Discord.

Art & Discord meets Charlene Foster's Glass Jewelry

There's so much I could to say about my collaboration with Theresa Wall Duggan of Art & Discord. I don't even know where to begin..

The work came out great, Lexy Bisket was an amazing model and there were so many good pictures that came out of one shoot. So many of them, that it was difficult to edit them down. One reason it's taken me so long to post any of them is the fact that there are far too many great images, that I haven't been able to decide which ones to post. Other reasons for delay may include being an analog girl who has yet to master the art of blogging. #ipromisetotryharder

So, to get the blog ball rolling with these amazing pictures, I will start with posting one of Theresa's favorites. Enjoy!

XX

Sacred Heart #99

I noticed this yesterday walking in my hood.

9 is my number and double nines still = 9.

Numerology is cool and so are Sacred Hearts.

Pourquoi m'as-tu abandonnee? By Bettina Rheims

I took this picture with my phone via hipstamatic magic of a postcard i found rummaging through my roommate's art work in her room. I was intrigued by it immediately, after all, how could you not be? For the longest time i convinced myself this piece was a painting and i still wanted to believe it was. I only now researched the artist and discovered Bettina's Rheims' amazing photography. Look her up, she's got some sexy stuff. The original piece is dated January 1996 in Paris. I love how the woman here has her septum pierced and considering this was done 15 years ago, the flannel shorts have not outdate themselves yet either. The english translation of the title is Why hast thou forsaken me?

Glass, Copper & Rose Gold Vermeil Chain

I recently created new work using a copper electro-forming technique with Nic Gabay, A.K.A. Snic in Philadelphia. Here are some photos of a black glass link necklace with Rose Gold vermeil chain. Photographed by Mark Bennett.

Marina Abramovic

Yesterday I went to the MOMA to see Marina Abramovic': The Artist is Present. This exhibition includes several of her performances over the past 40 years. On display are photos, videos, installations, sound pieces, solo and collaborative works made with Ulay Laysiepen.

Marina reminds me of the intensity of performance art and I am extremely moved by her work. It was mind blowing to see all the footage together and to really capture her experiences of using her body as a piece of art. She pushed herself to the limits and in many cases risked her life in the process. It was a pleasure to have been in her presence yesterday, and she has surely opened my eyes to a different light.

The photo above is from 1974 titled Rhythm 5. This is one experiment that didn't quite end the way she wanted it to. Due to the petroleum-drenched star, the smoke and the fire, Marina lost conscious because of the lack of oxygen. A doctor and some of the audience members realized she was unconscious when the flames came very near to her body and she remained still. Apparently, she commented on her experience saying, "I was very upset because I understood there is a physical limit: when you lose consciousness you can't be present; you can't perform."

If you get a chance, go see her. She's sitting in a chair and she's been sitting in that same chair since March 14th. This is her longest performance and it runs through May 31st.

Revenge of the Goldfish photo by: Sandy Skoglund 1981

Years ago my friend Sarah Best sent me a postcard of this image. It has been with me for close to a decade, always relocating with me and always on my wall in my bedroom. The photo brings many of my own interpretations relating to dreams, water, emotion, nostalgia, pisces rising, vibrant color, childhood sadness, loss, stillness and fascination within a single photo. I really love this image. Even the thought of the process which went into making this scene makes me so happy.

Paulo Rojas "I deserve it ...'cause I am gorgeous"

Paulo is a friend of mine. I sometimes find him brilliantly funny. This piece of work that he recently made had me seriously cracking up. Enjoy!!

Photo by Grace Roth

This is a photo by Grace Roth.

It's a close up of one of my prism link necklaces with black and clear glass.

I think it's cool.

GLASS 'N' ROSES COLLECTION

I'd like to invite everyone to come take a look at the new art that will be on display at the annual

International Expositions of Sculpture Objects & Functional Art

(S.O.F.A.) EXPO New York 2010 at the Park Avenue Armory. There are a number of galleries that will be featuring work from all over the world and in mediums that that'll just blow your mind!

Urban Glass will be representing the new Glass 'N' Roses Collection this year which I created in collaboration with leather worker Greg Hopkins of General Heritage. I will be there with bells on, tending booth half days. The rest of the time I will be scoping out the other galleries (I'm always amazed with the new work each year...really). So come on down and have yourself a visual sensation & experience some fine art for yourself !! ;)

P.s... It'll feel good. Plus the park is near by and the flowers will be in bloom! Like BLAM!! Like Spring in yo face!! (I'm sure). $25 entry includes an amazing catalog of the many wonderful creations featured at the show.


for more info:
http://www.sofaexpo.com/

I hope you all can make it!!
All the best,
Charlene

Architectural Digest Home Design Show

This last Saturday, I was invited to the Architectural Digest Show at Pier 94 off 55th Street. I had no idea what to expect, but it was a beautiful day & I walked up the west side highway to check it out. I was happy to run into some fellow glass artists I know from Urban Glass & also Michael Schunke from Nine Iron Studios. I am always inspired to see artists I know making & selling their work and constantly striving to make a living with the skills that require their precious hands. You are my heros.

I took a few photos using my phone (very average picts) of some of the featured dining sets in DIFFA's DINING BY DESIGN. It sparked ideas in my mind for sure. Have a look, pretty cool stuff:

Easy Street Brooklyn Fine Art Glass Pipe Sculpture Gallery in Williamsburg New York City

Click this link and check out the Easy Street Blog:

Easy Street Brooklyn Fine Art Glass Pipe Sculpture Gallery in Williamsburg New York City

This last Saturday, March 13th there was another opening at Easy Street in Williamsburg.

It was a crazy rainy night and the wind was vicious with everyone's umbrellas, but the rain boot trek was worth it. The current show with Mr. Gray & Tristan is definitely worth taking a look at before the next show in April.

So, do it.

International Playground

International Playground has found itself a permanent location in New York City.

The shop/showroom will be opening @ 13 Stanton Street between Bowery & Chrystie.

More details coming soon!!