New HPD Facebook Fan Page... Come join us!

>> Thursday, November 5, 2009

Now that Facebook has created fan pages for businesses and visual artists, H. Palleiko Designs is finally migrating the group page over to our new fan page.

Stop in and join us to get the latest  updates on new metal work as well as photography. Get inspired from online galleries of other artists work created by HPD and maybe find a new craft or two that you would like to try.

See you there!

To be taken to the HPD Facebook fan page click here

Read more...

Why do I torture myself?

>> Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Instead of working on the last few bits of my Lark entry/Cellular v. 1.0 piece, I found myself fighting with my camera again. In my defense I am waiting for DHL to arrive with an item I ordered that I need to complete the piece.

This morning I found myself shooting winter squash for this blog post when I made a spur of the moment choice to take a few photos of corn husks. The lighting was perfect; despite struggling with my camera, which, as you all know, is on it's last days, I was able to get a few decent shots before I gave up...



 




For more pictures from today's corn husks click here.

I should probably get back to finishing that jewelry piece. The deadline is one month away and it still needs to be photographed.

Read more...

Playing with my camera... again.

>> Monday, November 2, 2009

Inevitably I always find myself back behind the camera lense. I really think that eventually I will find myself doing more photography than metalwork. It's been a slow progression but I find myself thinking more about photography than I do about metal.

I have been thinking that this upcoming collaboration with artist Liz Huston might be the catalyst I need to really take the leap into photography full time. My problem really lies in the fact that I like to work in a wide variety of mediums. But ultimately being behind the camera is what I love the most.

Here are some photos of Moon Jellyfish that I took today at our small local aquarium here in Santa Monica, CA:

Moon Jellyfish

Moon Jellyfish

Moon Jellyfish

Such beautiful creatures! I don't so much care for their sting but I could stare at them for HOURS!

Read more...

C'mon baby and light my fire...

>> Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Today I had the fantastic experience of meeting with super woman and photographer/digital media artist extraordinaire Elizabeth Huston.

I was able to catch Liz in action at the Main Street Ten Women Gallery in Santa Monica while she photographed some "firewood" for upcoming pieces she is working on. "Firewood" is the term Liz uses for for different textures and images she photographs. Ultimately being used in her digital photographic montages, Liz manipulates and takes apart the images and then reassembles them for the final piece. Each unique original piece of art work can take more than 50+ hours to complete; many times a lot longer.







With an exhibition opening November 7th at George Billis Gallery in Los Angeles, our conversation turned to various ways of displaying and mounting/framing artwork for exhibition. It's interesting to me the way an artist's mind works -- this seemingly benign conversation twisted and turned, ultimately culminating into Liz and I deciding to take on a collaboration.

I left our meeting feeling inspired, with the fire of creativity having been ignited. I am looking forward to this collaboration with Liz despite the fact it means leaving my zone of comfort I have so happily been sitting in for the past 10 years. Hint: I will not be doing jewelry work.

Be sure to check out Liz's artwork at George Billis Gallery:
The Illusionists
Featuring Liz Huston, Jared Joslin,  Carol Golemboski
November 7 - December 19, 2009
Artist Reception
Saturday, November 7, 5-8pm
George Billis Gallery LA
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA  90034
310.838.3685
“As I have practiced it, photography produces pleasure by simplicity. I see something special and show it to the camera. A picture is produced. The moment is held until someone sees it. Then it is theirs.” Sam Abell

Read more...

Breaking the rules...

>> Tuesday, October 20, 2009



Today I had the pleasure of teaching some soldering techniques to the incredible mixed media artist Elena Mary Siff. This California artist's resume spans some 30+ years and has yielded some impressive works.  As an educator and artist in film, bookmaking, Siff's career has also included advocating for individuals with special needs.

With so much experience under her belt, I have to admit it that it is always a somewhat humbling experience to teach someone with so much more wisdom than I. Elena is an artist that likes to break the rules and push the boundaries. This couldn't be more obvious in her soldering technique.

As someone who has been trained in all the "proper" methods of torch work, I was challenged by Elena's free spirit when it comes to creating art. She is a self proclaimed  "breaker of rules" and doesn't like to be told what to do. I can relate to this kind of personality from personal first hand experience.



Soldering can be very meticulous and exact, two words that I don't think are part of Siff's vocabulary. I learned that teaching her how to solder is going to mean breaking most of the rules. Other than being meticulous about every surface being clean, I think everything else about soldering is going to be challenged by her very strong aesthetic.



This is good for me -- a retraining of sorts. It is making me challenge myself and look at the process of creating in different shades of gray. There is no more black and white...


there is Elena's way.

For more information on Elena Mary Siff and her work click here

Read more...