first fridays - Karen A. Chase

First Fridays: The Snowflake Man

January 6, 2012 By Karen A. Chase

For 2012, I made a wish and some resolutions. I wished for a little snow, and I resolved to focus on fewer things and learn more about my camera and photography. All of those were made because I heard about my First Fridays artist of the month, Wilson Bentley.

A self-educated farmer in Vermont, Bentley was the first person to photograph a single snowflake in 1885 . His obsession with the world of photomicrography and the tiny crystals led him to snap pictures of more than 5000 individual flakes. As you might have guessed, no two were alike. We learned that from Bentley’s work, and so Bentley became known as The Snowflake Man.

At the time that he began his work, he didn’t have all the fancy equipment even little ol’ me has. He rigged up a microscope to a bellows camera, stood out in the cold for hours at a time, sifted through falling flakes and one-by-one captured what fell around him. Bentley said, “It seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others.”

That’s the point of photography, isn’t it? Not just to document the world, but to capture it as you see it so your vision can be shared. Photography expands our world, because like the snowflake, no two viewpoints are alike. What do you hope to see, do or share this year?

You can read more about Wilson Bentley on the museum website or order a book of his photos while you wish for a few winter flakes.

Snowflake Man — This undated photo provided by the Carl Hammer Gallery shows one of the snowflakes recorded by Wilson A. Bentley. (AP Photo/Carl Hammer Gallery, Wilson A. Bentley)

Wilson Bentley and his bellows camera. Courtesy of Snowflake Bentley Museum.

First Fridays: Heirloom Originals

December 2, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

It’s First Friday again. (How on earth is it December already?) As the holidays approach, and gift-giving time draws near, I’m featuring artist and friend Jennifer Hays. Jen and I worked together years ago in a small ad agency. She’s now a Senior Art Director in New York, but on the side, she, like most designers, pursues another art form. For her, it’s hand-made jewelry under the label Heirloom Originals.

Jen’s pieces are like nothing I’ve seen before. They are a mix of old antique chain, chandelier pieces, vintage scarves, rare findings, and salvaged leather. She hunts down the individual elements, takes them apart, twists, gathers and clips them together to create brand new creations with antiqued yet sturdy chains, clasps and hooks. Each necklace or bracelet is unique–no two are alike because parts are simply found–sometimes in bundles, but sometimes alone and neglected and waiting for her to come along to scoop them up. The collection is constantly updated with newly discovered textures, colors and materials.

With Jen’s creative eye, each finished piece is art directed and lovingly photographed by her as well. Close-ups show knots and details. Glass lies on wood to show structure. Necklaces strung on a vintage mannequin give a sense of length and wearability–showing Jen’s practical side.

If it’s a one-of-a-kind gift your looking for, made by the delicate hands of thoughtful American designer, using repurposed materials, look no further than Jen Hays. Her pieces are limited, so shop early.
Her Heirloom Originals are on Etsy and on Facebook.
(If you’re curious, you can also check out Jen’s day job creative projects at WorkAndThings.)

: Close up of a reset crystal, chandelier pieces and edgy chain.

: The Lariat necklace featured on Etsy.

Jennifer Hays wearing her own creation at a jewelry show in New York.

The Ultimate Jobs Creator

October 7, 2011 By Karen A. Chase

Many cities around the country hold First Friday events when artists showcase their work. For Compositions, I’ll be featuring an artist for the first blog of each month, and this month it simply has to be in honor of Steve Jobs. My life would not be what it is today without the inventions and vision of Steve Jobs. It was an Apple II my artistic fingers first found. My first business expense was a $2500 Apple G3 desktop. Six years later I humbly traded it with a friend for a new i-pod Nano. With my MacBook Pro I’ve traveled to Paris, Canada, across the US, built my business and my portfolio, and written a book or two.

Perhaps my greatest influence from Steve and Apple was in creativity. There are many rules when it comes to composition–for writers, for photographers, for designers and artists–and he was known for bending, snapping and blowing them all. By forging new boundaries with his work, he enabled me to try new things with mine. The commercials, the packaging, the colors, and technology all showed me I could build things that are both smart and beautiful. More importantly, when I strive to create something worthwhile, I have seen how it helps others discover their own worth.

He didn’t just talk about creating something different. He didn’t just talk about building jobs. He didn’t just talk about making the world better. He actually did it. Just as he said he would in this 1997 commercial. Thankfully.

Now it’s up to us. How will you pay it forward?