Equine Series

Even before the Derby and the debut of California Chrome, we have been working on our new sculptural Equine Series. I've been passionate about horses all of my life and when Rick completed a class with the Murano Maestro, Pino Signoretto, at Pilchuck in 2013, we knew we were ready to sculpt them in glass. The sculpture challenges Rick to move beyond blowing to include hot sculpting, manipulating the hot glass and adding hot bits and parts with the help of our daughter, Hannah. She graduated in art from University of California, Santa Cruz then traveled South and Central America before settling in with us to improve her glass working skills. Hannah and her Dad are quite a team! We still have two horses (lawn ornaments) in their 30s living with us and Rick can touch and study their structure first hand before heading for the hot shop. Currently, we have Hannah's boyfriend from Buenos Aires living and working with us too. You never know where life leads. Meanwhile we are busy filling orders and sculpting too - even through this hot Auburn summer. We will be demonstrating a horse Friday night August 15 from 7 to 9:30 and Fawnridge Winery will introduce their new Artist Series label. Join us for an evening of fun if you are able.

Shorebirds!

Happy to be back to hot sculpting Shorebirds!

Torso

We were excited to be able to see one of our hand blown and hot sculpted Torsos in place. What a creative idea to create a niche where a medicine cabinet used to be! It is so fascinating to watch Rick sculpt a Torso. They are definitely the most difficult piece that we do.  And, once in a while, Rick loves a challenge!

SAGE is available in our studio. She is 12"H, $1400.

Making the most of an installation day!

Pendant Chandelier installation in a beautiful home in Galt - We created three pendants for their kitchen earlier and made a chandelier to compliment them. The colors are grey, bone and dark topaz - a rich combination. The canopy was hand forged by David.

Since it was a Sunday, I decided to make it a day to explore! Rick grows grapes and makes Zinfandel wine. Since Lodi is known for it's Zins, we began at the Wine and Visitors Center www.lodiwine.com. They suggested Michael-David www.michaeldavidwinery.com where one of our favorite Zins is made - Earthquake Zin. Yummy! They suggested a special treat - Jessie's Grove. The  land was purchased and settled in the late 1880's and Jessie's granddaughter spins interesting family history stories while you taste wine on the patio. Some of their Old Zin vines are 120 years old.  www.jessiesgrovewinery.com As dusk approached Rick and I made our way to the Isenberg Crane Reserve to watch the Sandhill Cranes come in to roost for the night. They are about 3' tall and their wine span is about 6 feet. Very impressive! Many had already begun the journey north but you can see hundreds here from November through February. I  plan to go back next season. The Reserve is just off I 5 near Lodi. I enjoyed shooting "abstracts" out the window on the way home.

2014 begins with much needed rest!

 35 years ago we hiked the Na Pali Coastline on our honeymoon! This time we managed a mile in. Far enough to see spectacular views. Our "Love Shack" on Kauai was about four feet from the beach. We had huge wave warnings - 50' by midnight. I was packed and slept in my clothes ready to evacuate at any minute. Rick just laughed. Of course they just reached 30' by morning. Absolutely spectacular! No swimming. Not even surfing.  Rick's distant cousins are neighbors of the Princeville Botanical Gardens and what a treat to see all that they have accomplished! Amazing plantings everywhere. They even make chocolate from their cacao. Truly though, our reason for the visit was to see Rick's Mom. She has managed to reach 90 so time with her is precious.

Refreshed and back in the studio!

Full Moon Rising over Diamond Head - Oahu

Huge storm waves hitting the Na Pali coastline on Kauai

Princeville Botanical garden - 8 acres of incredible plantings

Sunrise from our "Love Shack" on the beach near the end of the road on Kauai.

Happy Holidays and a peaceful New Year!

What a busy year.....We are still busy working in the studio and will continue. Planning on a brief break so that I can summarize 2013 and upload recent projects to our website. We truly appreciate the support of all of our collectors, galleries, art consultants and wonderful community of Auburn. Enjoy your Holidays and have a peaceful and productive 2014!

Nicholson Blown Glass « Good Day Sacramento

 Hard to believe Rick and Hannah were up early enough to demo for Good Day Sacramento this morning! Tons of fun preparing for the last two weekends of Open Studio before Christmas. Click on the links if you want to check it out. Meanwhile, Rick is taking lunch with his eyes closed on the couch!


Nicholson Blown Glass « Good Day Sacramento
Nicholson Blown Glass Pt. 2 « Good Day Sacramento

Sharing our daughter's creative spirit!

Please check out our daughter Hannah's blog that follows her art and creative projects. Loving her new jewelry! She is helping her dad in the glass blowing studio as well! A joy to be around. She will showcase new jewelry and paintings at our upcoming Holiday Open Studios.

swiminsidethesun

Seattle Trip to Pilchuck Auction

Chihuly Glass Museum and Garden

Crystal centerpiece at the Pilchuck Auction

Desert! Pilchuck Auction

Kubota gardens - South Seattle

Downtown Seattle in the Fall

Mt Hood on the flight home

Large ice crystals - part of the Pilchuck Auction theme

California Quail

What a grand trip to Seattle! Rick and I traveled to the Pilchuck Glass Auction where our California Quail was featured. Rick has been a part of The Pilchuck Glass School since he was a TA in 1981. In August, he and Chris studied with Murano Maestro Pino Signoretto. We visited the new Chihuly Glass Museum and Garden. Special time was spent with cousins through the weekend. We are refreshed and ready for a busy Fall season of glass making!

Orrick Installation complete

We had a fun day in San Francsico today! First we installed a project in a beautiful building downtown San Francisco - Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Global Law Firm. Then we wandered through Yerba Buena Park. SF MOMA is closed and adding on a huge new area. So we had Japanese lunch outside before returning to the studio. More work waiting for us here!

SF MOMA

Rick Janet and Hannah Nicholson

10th floor view!

Through the Yerba Buena waterfall.

Japanese lunch outside on a beautiful day in SF

"Pathways" Lake of the Pines Clubhouse

We are happy to be a part of the Lake of the Pines Clubhouse Grand Opening! "Pathways' lives at the front entry as you enter the lodge.

View from the Clubhouse

Newly remodeled Clubhouse

Installation Day - David Redmond up the ladder!

Pathways Installed!

Grand Opening