"Pissarro in the Field"

The second of the two Spalt Guitars is named       "Pissarro in the Field". Breathtaking piece, in the words of Artist Paul Schmidt...

"Lucien Pissarro, son of Camile Pissarro - well known French impressionst painter often called the "father of impressionism" began as a painter but during the 1880's became enthusiastic about woodcuts and wood engravings. (Embedded in the redwood burl of this outstanding electric guitar) this five - color woodcut from 1897 (catalogued in Fern - #92) was entitled variously "In the Field" or "Gold Cloud". The poetry of this astounding print spoken through its language of colours and composition thrilled me immediately upon viewing it.  The gold was reminiscent of Tiffany, and the muted glow was consistent with so many of the other works of art l'd selected. Mango, koa, walnut, redwood burl, poplar, and Macassar ebony (bridge) comprise the woods selected to enliven this instrument, along with the silver, pearl, abalone, Catalin knobs and bone switch. The son-gold yellow orange pickups mirror the character of the lithograph, which weds golds, greens, blues, yellows and browns to form its disposition.  The pearl inlay shaped into gynkgo leaves-inspired-kites sweeps through the body and into the neck for a graceful and strident theme that compliments the stirring quietude of the art.  Bountiful, bold, gentle, and startling in its beauty."

Electrifying Electric Guitars!

"Mucha Summer" by Michael Spalt

Wow, all I can say about this incredable piece of art. I am not a guitar player, but you don't have to be to appreciate these beauties, two of which are here on display in Ironstone's Heritage Museum for an undisclosed period of time.

One of 13 from Michael's "The Nouveau Series Guitars", "Mucha Summer" focuses on the original Mucha "Summer" lithograph which is suspended over gold-leaf and festooned with pearl. This guitar features mother-of-pearl and abalone cat tails flowing through the figured Brazilian rosewood. A stylized dragonfly lights on the Indian rosewood pahntom soundhole with its translucent wings revealing the abalone cat-tail stem beneath.  The glass exhibits a moonlit soft rainbow of strong orange, purple, blue, green, pink, yellow, amber - all luminescent huse floating over the gold-leaf, inspired by the lithograph both in actual colour and mood of the peaceful-warmed summer moment. The earthiness of the Brazilian rosewood is reflected in the colour of the bridge pickup while the water motil is captured by the glass and the blue neck pickup.  The Catalin knobs and resin switch are set in myrtle burl neighboring the Macassar ebony bridge.

These are must see to believe masterpieces.. and the sound spectacular as well!

Ironstone wishes all a peaceful Memorial Weekend

We at Ironstone wish all of you a peaceful and reflective Memorial Weekend. Remember those who have given their lives and futures for us. As we celebrate this weekend, remember those still in the trenches. Send them your best wishes, your thanks and your goodwill as they struggle against odds some of us will never have to comprehend, thanks to their sacrifices.

Last days of May... Lots of new beginnings

Finally after much planning, Ironstone's Heritage Museum WWII exhibit is Open!  Titled, WWII A Small Window, this exhibit portrays small windows into WWII. Weapons used, treasures carried, what they wore and what they thought, just small windows into WWII. This exhibit will run through August.  Check out the slide show to the right.

Also opening this last week, Our Main Galleria presents the surrealist paintings of Melinda Englebrecht.  These very powerful and emotional paintings represent the beauty of the odd juxtapositions to every life and every happening.  Stop by if you have an opportunity. These paintings are very beautiful.

Passport weekend was a beautiful weekend with passport holders catching the Gold Fever, panning with Mario on the creek.  Need I say more!

We are now gearing up for our first concert June 6th. Volunteers will be contacted next week with assignments and all are ready to rock and roll! Are you? Check out the bands on their official websites just to the right of this column. I heard a few new ones myself!  What a Great Concert Season this year!  Hope to see you all here.  Phone is ringing and a bus pulled up.. Gotta go!