Artist of the Month, August 2013: Andrew Granger

Text by Melanie Bernier. Photographs by Melanie Bernier and River Cortes.

Canoe, 2011. Earthenware with underglaze.

Handbuilding with earthenware connects an artist to the natural world. This may be part of the allure for Andrew Granger, an Eagle Scout and avid camper.

The plasticity of the medium allows him to create representations of what might be found on a walk in nature. Seemingly crude at first, these sculpted rocks (above) are textured with lacerations which suggest fissures, and have been treated with a gunmetal underglaze. The results very specifically convey mudstone or shale. A rearing cobra and coiled rattlesnake are more energetic examples of Granger’s natural theme.

Rearing cobra, earthenware and underglaze.

Coiled rattlesnake, earthenware and underglaze. 

These architectural sculptures (below) are both straight-forward and whimsical, as they lead us to imagine ancient ruins uncovered in a remote and tropical landscape. The obtusely angled, pocked building blocks again portray natural stones which have been collected to raise a miniature civilization.    

Granger’s pottery has the same hand-worked quality of his sculptures, and his designs are often completed with a painted natural spiral. The high contrast underglaze finishes make these functional pieces really pop. 

Andrew Granger’s work can be found in our craft store in Brookline, MA. Learn more about Granger and his work on our website. 

Staff Pick: Skirt by Janet Inman

Photographs by Melanie Bernier
Gateway's Fabric Studio Manager, Ashley Brown, brings you this month's selection:

Summer is breezy and bright, and so is this cute A-line skirt created by Janet Inman. The palette that Janet used is brilliant for summer, and the neon colors she selected are trending this season. Janet constructed a random pattern of pinks, greens, reds, blues, greens, and oranges.

The idea for this skirt came directly from Janet’s last project in the fabric studio. She created a unique set of toddler’s overalls. She created many stripes below a sun. When asked what these decorative stripes were, she exclaimed, “A rainbow!”  The rainbow overalls were such a hit that she wanted to create more from this theme of rainbows, and she chose to work on a skirt.

She executed this skirt perfectly. The colors are not arranged in the predictable order of a conventional rainbow.  The spontaneous pattern keeps the skirt fresh and appealing. The quality of the stripes are not rigid and straight like those you would see manufactured by a machine in the big box stores. Instead, this skirt has varying thick and thin lines, giving the skirt a whimsical, artistic quality. This skirt will keep you guessing, not all colors wrap around to the other side, at times there is a sharp shift in color. Because the skirt is not predictable, it catches your eye and keeps your eye moving with curiosity.

The skirt makes a versatile piece for any wardrobe. It matches well with many color shirts making this piece a welcomed addition to any closet. This piece was quickly snatched up and purchased upon completion. However, all hope is not lost, Janet enjoys doing commissions! Contact us today about commissioning an item of your choice.