Tom Roche and Pam Troutman, Amapola Gallery’s Featured Artists for March, are united by seeds. Both are inspired by the color, texture and feel of what seeds can bring forth.
For Tom Roche, seeds produced the trees whose wood he shapes. Tom creates dynamic crosses whose physical inspiration is the grain, flow and color of exotic woods: purple heart, redheart, bloodwood. He combines these with copper heated to produce color and pattern, and with brass for the rich effect of gold without the prohibitive expense. Though a few crosses are free-standing most are wall pieces. Ideas for the designs combine life experience and pure inspiration.
Pam Troutman creates wearable art by working with tiny glass seed beads. Using intricate bead embroidery and bead weaving techniques, Pam combines seed beads with stone, pearl, polymer clay and larger glass beads in stunning necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. A cuff bracelet features carnelian fish swimming in a seed bead sea. Several pieces incorporate unique uranium-enhanced neon green glass beads, even more exciting viewed under a black light. Wow!
Come experience “Seeds to Inspiration ” 10 to 5 daily through March, and meet the artists at their reception, Friday, March 1 from 4 to 7p.m. at Amapola artists’ co-op Gallery, on the Plaza in Old Town at 205 Romero N.W. (505) 242-4311 and amapolagallery.com.
