by Elizabeth Monks Hack
Whimsical, wonderful, and a little wild! Welcome to “Hot Glass and Warm Fuzzies,” the art of Joellen Chrones, at the Cypress Gallery this month. Visitors will experience the delicious taste of her brand “Sugarless Treats,” a formidable art version of all-sorts candy. With a wide assortment of shape, color and texture, Chrones’ preferred media of fused glass and felted wool prove delectable.
Chrones has worked in the realm of art glass for over thirty years, using a variety of techniques; glass blowing, stained glass, lampwork, and the fusing of glass. “Fused glass” is a process by which layers of glass are stacked and fused together in a high-temperature kiln. It is on display here in all its colorful glory.
Chrones’ creative language employs motifs that are often humorous, or delicately ethereal, or sublimely abstract, and sometimes all three in one piece. Wall plaques of playful animals in bright opaque colors are placed next to platters of abstract designs and transparent layers. Mobiles and wind chimes hang from the ceiling, birds are perched on stands, and little glass houses huddle on a glass shelf in a fanciful neighborhood.
Also on display is a surprising corner full of playful felted wool hats and bags, with extraordinary details of fringe, braid and repurposed neckties. Chrones learned to knit when she was a young girl, and states she “never stopped loving the feel of making things in my hands.” An abundance of lovely beaded and glass jewelry, along with a series of comical greeting cards, complete the exhibit. The creative hands of Joellen Chrones have seen a lifetime making wonderful things for us to enjoy and possess.
On other gallery walls this November are paintings that radiate the warmth of fall. The season’s lush orange in particular. George Kreutz's “Bountiful Harvest” and Joe Goetz's “A Pause in the Harvest” glow with the color. Lee Hill uses a startling orange fence to set off a magnificent charging bull, in “Taurus.” In contrast, but still the color orange, is Valerie de Mille's understated “Going in Circles,” a delicate psychological study, using the simple circle and an iconographic human shape to express, perhaps, a lost way.
And Linda Gooch's watercolor in a hand-crafted frame, “Pumpkin Patch,” won the People's Choice award for October. How fetching those orange pumpkins look next to its complementary blue ribbon!
Another treat this month is a fabulously painted and upholstered chair, donated by Lee Hill as an auction item. Entitled “Dia de los Muertos,” it is animated by a floral design, skull finials, and calaveras dancing on the seat cushion. Come in and make your bid.
As I wander throughout the gallery I am struck by the abundance of fine art, fun art, and gift art we have for sale. I am impressed by the variety of media and form creativity takes. I am humbled by the generosity of our members who offer affordable art classes to adults and children. Don't pass us by during this season of giving – make the Cypress Gallery your first and last stop!