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My colorful ceramic sea creatures cover a villa in Spain!!

handmade ceramic sea creatures and fish on the Villa's exterior

I was commissioned to create handmade ceramic sea creature wall decor for the exterior of a villa on the sea in Spain. This was quite an undertaking requiring months to create. I had to design each piece so that it could be attached to the exterior wall, look fabulous and survive being shipped to Europe. My client requested 35 fish all different some swimming in one direction- others in the opposite.

colorful ceramic starfish
colorful ceramic starfish

Each sea creature must be exciting and different.

When I create my wall sculptures; whether fish, turtles, owls or other wonderful animals, my intention is use textures and color to make a piece of art that interests any viewer. I use stamps that I have shaped and sculpted, jewelry, zippers, and odd bits of things with useful textures to cover the animal in a way that enhances their structure. Usually people purchase a single wall sculpture to add zip to a room-inside or outside, others will group several on a wall. This was my first commission using sea creature decor as architectural ornamentation. And it turned out great!

handmade ceramic octopus

The client was so pleased he reordered twice as many more! 20 crabs, 10 octopus, 4 turtles, 10 star fish and  30 more fish!

outside of villa with ceramic fish

fish on wall looking toward the sea

Figuring out how to make delicate sea creatures like crabs and octopus so they would be durable, meant some engineering improvements like clay slab backing.

clay sea creature crabs
sculpting and imprinting designs on crabs
colorful handmade ceramic crabs
colorful handmade ceramic crabs

blue and green handmade ceramic crabs

The other sea creatures presented other challenges but were fun to figure out and create!

ceramic squid sculptures
ceramic squid sculptures

a variety of handmade ceramic octopus

handmade green aqua crab

I love doing commissions, whether is tile, sculpture or paintings. Your ideas are a spring board offering me an opportunity to design and discover.  If you would like sea creatures to hang on your wall, or to use as architectural detail give me a call. I am happy to work with you to determine colors, subject matter and construction. Prices will vary depending on the level of labor and complexity. We will quote the price based on each job. 


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Come Together . A handbook for daily action to stem Climate Change

handbook-for-individual-action-to stem-climate-change

Out Spring 2021 . order now  and I will sign your book. Green Writer’s Press . 170 pages . ships by Oct 1, 2019

Come Together is a useful handbook for a greener future is full of things you can do now to help stem climate change. It is an engaging handbook to launch a movement of individuals to tackle global warming by simply retooling our daily actions. Take easy proactive steps develop a long term perspective based in civility, integrity and an invigorating love for our earth. Save money, lose clutter, live well, feel happy and healthier as you pull for the planet.

page-samples-showing-market-bag-tricks-fro shopping
interior spread . Little things add up!

 

A useful handbook for a greener future
Make smart changes through a bottoms up strategy for now where each of us is empowered to make a difference in little ways that trend to big solutions.The Movement of One is both the individual and all of us connected in this common goal. Pass this book on. We are the change.

interior-spread-from-book-Come-Together-on greener-travel
interior pages on greener travel . 

 

We need to Come Together to stem climate change

Find actions you can take to reach out to others in a positive way to go forward together. We can agree on one common goal. That we must address the health of the earth and take steps to live more mindfully on a daily basis. Come Together addresses how to tackle areas in both your home or office to simplify, declutter and create greener, healthier spaces. All areas of your day, from travel to shopping and eating better are covered. Learn to make your own personal care products and about the health benefits of essential oils. Save money  and remove toxic products from your home by using simple ingredients to create better cleaning supplies then chemical leaden commercial ones. 

how-to-recycle-hazardous-materials-commonly-found-in -your-home
how to recycle hazardous materials . things to avoid if possible

 

Take control of what you expose yourself and your family to

Learn about toxins that are not only bad for you, but can easily flow from your home into water supplies and the water we drink. It is as easy as changing your mindset to care. Pro-active practices make it easy to avoid buying into our addiction to plastic and false conveniences.

Read this book and pass it on- the earth will thank you. Earth day should be every day!

Out Spring 2021 . order now and I will sign your book.


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The Journey is the Thing

Danasimson.com The Journey is the thing, double sided beveled glass ornament with a hare riding on a tortoise image. Twisted wire handle and bead detail.

I created this image- of the tortoise and the hare hanging together on their journey to illustrate-  that no matter our differences-whether we race thru life or wander-if we can seek a common pace and work toward a greater good for all-joy is found in walking and talking together.

“The Journey is the thing.”-This quote is from Homer, born sometime between the 12th and 8th centuries BC, possibly somewhere on the coast of Asia Minor.  This is still an important notion to recall in these divisive days- so …Lets take the long way home and consider the possibilities.

Find this and more lookinglass ornaments- handmade double sided-beveled glass- with two of my images-or an image and notion side- with a glass bead detail- ready to hang anywhere-great gift.  $25.

https://www.danasimson.com/product-category/gifts/ornaments/

Also available as pendents.

 

https://www.danasimson.com/product-category/gifts/jewelry/


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Dana in Baltimore!!

Danasimson.com Baltimore show

You can see my art at two venues in Baltimore in the month of May.

this weekend!! Saturday & Sunday May 14 & 15, 10-5pm at an amazing mid-century modernist house; 11011 Baronet Rd.  Owings Mills, MD, I will be exhibiting with 8 other wonderful artists:

You are invited to come!!   https://www.facebook.com/agatheringofcraftsmen/owlCsm

 

Currently at Fleckenstein Gallery . through May 28, 2016 

FL1smPersonal Myths

Fanciful Paintings and Ceramics by
DANA SIMSON
May 7th – May 28th

3316 Keswick Road • Baltimore, MD 21211  (410) 366-3669
info@fleckensteingallery.com

Tuesdays-Fridays 11:00am – 7:00pm 
Saturdays 11:00am – 5:00pm, 

& by appointmen

Closed Sunday and Monday


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