'Woodchip': Furniture Artist Chip Gadek

30" Glass Top Cocktail Table
Dyed Maple with Wenge Accents
$750

Carnival Foyer Table
31" x 22" x 42" Color Dyed Curly Maple
$1,350

Off-Kilter Mirror
21" x 34" Satinwood and Wenge
$445

Raised in the shadow of New York City and deeply influenced by two older sisters who were highly involved in the arts, Chip Gadek learned at any early age the intoxication of creativity. “When I was a teen, I would play hooky from school and go to all the great New York museums — the Met, the Museum of Modern Art the Guggenhiem — I’d spend the whole day there," he says. "And even now, with 25 years of building high quality furniture, I still consider myself, first and foremost, an artist.”

Gadek's schooling took him to Colorado State University where majoring in Painting gave him absolutely no real world job abilities. After college, he moved to northern Michigan. While working as a graphic artist at a small printing company Gadek was selling two-dimensional work at regional galleries. Slowly, the paintings he was selling evolved into unique mirrors and tables. After 15 years, Chip left his job as a graphic artist to put all of his time into building ‘art furniture.’ Now with more then a thousand pieces under his belt, furniture is still what he wants to create. “I still paint for myself, but I really enjoy making things that can be used on a daily basis,” he says.

The artist now sells work in galleries throughout Michigan, Florida, Arizona and California. This is where he can work on new ideas, creating furnishings that push the envelope. And of course, this is where potential customers that might order special items, can see the beautiful handcrafted work that he offers. “My work is contemporary, but not modern. It has the ability to look good in any surrounding.” Like all fine craftsman, he only uses traditional joinery methods, such a mortise and tenon and dovetails; doing as much of the work as possible, by hand, including layer upon layer of hand-rubbed oil finishes.

For more information on Chip Gadek, or to see some of his incredible art furniture, visit either of our Gallery Fifty locations: 321 East Front Street; 231-946-0610 or 800 Cottageview Drive; 231-932-0775, Traverse City, Michigan.

Here are some examples of the kinds of work that have already sold. Ask about a commission.

Gallery Fifty introduces Kristen Jongen

Attempting Flight
24" x 36" Mixed Media on Canvas, $5,200

We've admired Kristen's work for years and have recently ironed out details for gallery representation — not only for her best-selling line of books and prints, but also her gallery wrapped canvas giclees and a few large original mixed media paintings. We plan hang her work at our Downtown location to start and then possibly do a larger show in the Mercato at the Commons in the fall.

Flying High
16" x 20" gallery wrapped canvas giclee, $525

Love is Still Bigger
24" x 32" gallery wrapped canvas giclee, $795

Trying Yes
24" x 24" gallery wrapped canvas giclee, $575

Kristen Jongen's inspirational work has rocketed to the forefront of the American art movement. She has been featured in national magazines and won acclaimed recognition for her raw and uncanny poetry. Jongen owns Soul Soup, a creative enterprise that features her original large format paintings, prints, limited editions and books. The artist and writer currently lives in northern Michigan with her three children and a host of unruly pets.

Kristen's work will be available after July 12th. For more information, call or stop into our downtown location: 321 East Front Street, Traverse City, 231-946-0610.

June/ July 2010 Virtual Exhibition: Rufus Snoddy

Innocuous
Mixed Media; 16" x 23.5"
$1,200

Summer Harvest
Mixed Media; 35" x 17.5" x 7"
$1,500

Rolling Up North
Mixed Media; 38" x 16" x 4"
$1,000

Specimen
Mixed Media; 24.5" x 17.5"
$1,200

Hidden Future
Mixed Media; 22" x 11" x 11"
$1,000

Ritual
Mixed Media; 27.5" x 18"
$1,500

Mickey Rat on the Yellow Brick Road
Mixed Media; 36" x 24"
$2,500

Camo Chic
Mixed Media; 35" x 11.5"
$600

Piece of Perception
Acrylic on Wood; 26" x 24"
$500

X
Acrylic on panel and wood; 25" x 22"
$800

Worm Man
Acrylic on Panel; 29" x 23"
$600

Enigmatic Elements
Mixed Media; 55" x 20.5"
$2,500

Remnants of Past and Now
Mixed Media; 57" x 19.5" x 7.5"
$4,000

Duality
Mixed Media; 16" x 18" x 9"
$600

Pissing On/Off The Bull
Mixed Media; 54" x 32" x 7"
$4,000

Journey to Cherryland
Mixed Media; 20.5" x 12" x 5"
$800

Trophies
Mixed Media; 60" x 31" x 11"
$3,500

Center
Acrylic on wood; 30" x 24"
$500


Conversation on the Hill
Mixed Media; 19" x 14" x 10"
$800

Tribute to the Seasons
Acrylic on Canvas and Mixed Media; 46" x 85"
$5,000

Texture with Detail #1
Acrylic on Board; 10.5' x 12.5"
SOLD

Texture Detail with Limb
Acrylic on Wood; 18" x 10"
SOLD

Post Urban - Northern Mid-West: New Work by Rufus Snoddy

Now showing in the Mercato, adjacent to Gallery Fifty at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons through July 31, 2010.

Rufus Snoddy moved from Los Angeles to northern Michigan eight years ago, and this show is his response to that change. The artist describes his "head space" as The Wizard of Oz meets Alice in Wonderland while creating this new body of work. Sticks, twigs and accumulations of nature have replaced the motherboards, industrial remnants and collections of urban refuse. Elements of urban angst have slowly morphed into serene textures of a more natural environment. Though Snoddy is "not in Kansas," nor L.A. anymore, he has been seduced by the Midwestern spirit and is loving it.

Artist Statement
Northern Michigan is a long way from Los Angeles, evidenced by the colorful reactions I often get when bringing up my city of origin. The most common reactions are those of overwhelming traffic, way too many cars and way too many people. Most L.A. natives have these sentiments also. Other reactions might include the typical urban issues of crime, vice and corruption. The clichéd “Land of fruits and nuts” has also been heard rolling off the lips of some. All of these, clichés included, fueled my creative drive while growing up and living in el cuidad de Los Angeles. So, some may wonder what the affects of relocating to Northern Michigan are having on the creative inspiration of a transplanted west coast visual artist. I am one of those.
Having worked and lived here for eight years, a budding Michiganian, this is the first work I have done from the perspective of a genuine hybrid. As with Los Angeles, my day to day living environment has had much influence on my sensibilities and direction. The Wizard of Oz meets Alice in Wonderland is somewhat descriptive of the head space I have been in for the past two years while creating most of this work. Trying to find place and direction as an African American male, after following a now ex-wife back to her home, was a bit like Alice following the white rabbit with the watch.
Living on the northern bays of Lake Michigan is often dreamlike in its beauty and charm. It's also simultaneously confusing in its provincial seasonal rituals, to one who grew up in a place of constant seventy degree weather. The seemingly slavish-like devotion to hunting and fishing seasons is at odds with my city-dwelling sensibilities. Worlds of gang culture, movers and shakers and the commonplace nattily attired gives way to a world of farmers, outdoor recreation and camo.
I have learned to embrace the grays and whites of winter and celebratory colors of fall. Northern cool blues and greens replace the western warmth of reds, ochres and browns. The melted snow and other of Mother Nature's liquids are absorbed by the soil and our souls. Spring blossoms, and preps for harvest fill our world. They are slowly replacing the Pacific Coast's Urban-Chic yields of asphalt, vanity and beaches. Sticks, twigs and accumulations of nature replace the motherboards, industrial remnants and collections of urban refuse. Symbolic textures of urban angst are slowly morphing into the serene textures of a more natural environment.
The political climate is the one constant. Dogma tends to be more conservative in these parts than the west coast. But the “Mickey Rats” are found on the “yellow brick road” as they are found in the “Hills of Beverly”, just not as often. It is becoming commonplace for me to feel like Alice, swimming in a pool of my own tears and offending those who are swimming with me by talking about the things I love.
Though “I am not in Kansas” nor L.A., I am being seduced by the Midwestern spirit and loving it.

Introducing Beehive Kitchenware

Quotes Measuring Spoons
Made with love. Four standard measuring spoons on anodized aluminum ring. Increments are engraved on the back of spoons handles. Hand cast in lead free pewter. Please hand wash. Comes in gift box.
$48.00

Heart Tea Strainer
This tea strainer includes instructions for a perfect pot of tea and comes with a charming heart-shaped rest. Hand cast in lead free pewter. Comes in gift box. Hand wash.
$60.00

Bird Cheese Markers
Four lead free pewter markers with stainless steel tines. This boxed set includes additional standard paper labels so you can write your own or print from your computer. Hand wash.
$52.00

Bird Condiment Spoon Set
Set of two little spoons are perfect for scooping and spreading. Hand cast in lead free pewter. Gift boxed.
$32.00


Bird Coffee Scoop
One-Tablespoon measure hand-cast in lead free pewter. Waking you with a cheerful bird, this morning coffee scoop comes with a handy hook. Gift boxed. Hand wash.
$35.00

Lemon Juicer
A new twist on an old classic! Our juicer is made of solid hand-cast aluminum with a polished finish. Please hand wash. Comes in gift box.
$36.00

Meadow Boxes
These cute little pewter boxes features a meadow and bird motif on a hammered surface. The inside bottom of the box is lined with deep red felt to cushion your tiny treasures. Perfect for storing small items on your dresser, or as a gift box for a special piece of jewelry. Oval box is 3 x 2.25 x 1 inches. Round box is 2.5 inches.
$42 - $46 each



Baby Spoons
Four different baby animals adorn these sweet little spoons. Animal silhouettes on front and back help small hands grip onto baby's first spoon. Hand cast in lead free pewter. Comes in gift box. 4 1/4 inches tall. Choose duck (a), chick (b), bunny (c), or pig (d).
$22.00 each

Baby Cups
We are so pleased to introduce our wonderful heirloom quality baby cups to coordinate with our baby spoons! Hand fabricated in lead free pewter. Comes in gift box.
$80.00 each

Art Walk: Amy Kerr Hardin

"Franklinia," 48" x 60", $2,000

Gallery Fifty Downtown is thrilled to be featuring Amy Kerr Hardin's beautiful floral oil paintings during the DTCA Art Walk on Friday, May 7th. For nearly four decades, Amy has been addicted to the art of oil painting. Her habit started at the age of twelve when she saved her allowance money to purchase a paint-by-numbers kit from the local dime store, and she proceeded to completely ignore the printed outline and simply flipped over the cardboard, to design her own painting.

Amy soon discovered a local parochial high school that had a top-notch art department. Although, she is not herself Catholic, she begged and pleaded to be allowed to attend this special school. Under the guidance of some very talented teachers, her painting skills blossomed and matured. She learned how to stretch canvas, paint with palette knives, work on enormous murals, and hunt down original subject matter.

Her paintings articulate a depth of field through strong foregrounds that create a dynamic tension and a sense of space rarely found in typical photorealism. Amy’s floral paintings seem to be alive with the wind, and her beach rock studies give the impression that one can actually reach out and feel the cold wet smoothness of her subject.

"Anemonie," 48" x 60", $2,000

"Fish Pond I," 24" x 48", $1,200

"Beach Stones II," 24" x 36", $1,000