Applications Due for 2016/2017 Mentorship Program!

Ash Street Project Emerging Artist Mentorship Program (ASP:EAMP) is now accepting applications for the 2016/17 mentorship year, which runs September 2016-July 2017.  

What we are looking for:  Our program is non-traditional and organic in nature.  In addition to what is stated on the website, we look for artists who are driven by a clear, attainable goal for their 11 months with us, and are relatively autonomous in their making.  The success of the Ash Street Project is strongly rooted in community, and for that reason we consider what each applicant can contribute to our program. 

Our application process is very straight-forward, with the interview an essential component. This allows us to determine whether we are a good fit for you, and vice versa.  The ideal is for the interview to take place on site at the Ash Street Project, so that you can see the site and meet with both Thomas and Joanna.   If this is not possible, we may opt for a skype interview or meeting at NCECA.  

We have just three spaces available for the upcoming year, and will begin reviewing applications following the Kansas City NCECA  Please note: Thomas will be co-lecturing with Ursula Hargens (MN NICE) in "Outside the Academy" (a lecture on alternative education) tentatively scheduled for 12:30 on 3/18 in Conference room C/D.  Please consider attending this lecture if you are at NCECA, and make an appointment to talk with Thomas.

All applications will be reviewed and decisions made by May 1, 2016.  Please refer to the EAMP section of our website for further details of the program.  For further communication, please email: info@ashstreetproject.com

Changing Topics Conversation: Art and Fear

Artists participating in the discussion of "Art and Fear" : Ivan Carmona, Aleka Tomlinson, Ben Skiba, Thomas Orr, Paige Wright, Jordan Pieper, Horatio Law, Dirk Staschke, Joanna Bloom (not pictured).

This month we gathered to discuss personal perspectives on the topic of " Fear " with artists working in a variety of media from functional ware to installation and public art. Perfectionism seemed to be a common stumbling block, with one artist offering a personal tale about the freedom they found in deliberately befriending imperfection.  A valuable reminder was that though “sometimes you need that person that loves everything you do, you (also)  need a trusted source you respect to talk to you about your ideas, process, work".  Thank you conversation attendees!

Tom Beardman Scholarship Update

Many of you are familiar with the story of our late studio partner Tom Beardman; how he was with us when we first moved in to the big, cold space on Ash Street.  He witnessed its original incarnation, a matrix of rooms with dark walls and a floor painted with enamel paint, Jackson Pollock style.  He was there for the demolition and makeover, and joined us for our first years with no heat or hot water. Tom was the self-proclaimed, unofficial caretaker of the space.

These days when people visit what is now The Ash Street Project, they often remark on the magic of the space, its light and general good feeling.  We like to think of this phenomena as the essence of Tom.  We know he would be so pleased to see how far we've come, and to know of his namesake scholarship, created to help people so much like himself.

The support we have received this year has been overwhelming. We have had such good feedback, and with it people sincerely invested in seeing Ash Street flourish. We are grateful for each and every person who has walked through our door!  

Since our last recap less than a year ago, the Tom Beardman Scholarship has raised well over $3,000.  These funds came from individual donations, t shirt sales and an especially generous contribution from visiting artist Jean-Nicolas Gerard.  

As we look back over 2015, we would like to acknowledge the following people for their donations and in-kind support:

Jean-Nicolas Gerard

John Shea

Chris Pate

Jonathan Steele

Lisa Orr

Victoria Christen

Denise Mullen

Judy Teufel

Christina Kemp

Julia Crocetto

Shiloh Gastello

Christine Clark

Matthew Causey

Dan Anderson

Jim Skutt/Skutt Kilns

Jamie Francis

Thank you Ash Street Project Community!

For more information on The Tom Boardman Scholarship, please click on his name in the first sentence.  

Visiting artist: Jean-Nicolas Gerard

For the month of November, we had the good fortune to host  Jean-Nicolas Gerard,  from Valensole, France.  In his time with us, Jean-Nicolas experimented with Thomas' iron-rich terra cotta clay body, new slips and commercial underglazes. The results were a vast departure from the lead-glaze palette he typically works with at home. He was quite pleased and is looking forward to a return visit with further exploration.

There was so much to observe and absorb from Jean-Nicolas, from his openness to working with new materials, to his desire for simplicity.  The culmination of his visit was a fantastic French meal created by Agnes Fouquet,  served on Jean-Nicolas' freshly made pots.  This was an extraordinary time that we all will hold dear to us.  We are already looking forward to the next visit!

To view the Goldmark Video about Jean-Nicolas, please click on his name highlighted in first sentence.

2015 Entrance Show

What a fun night!  Thank you all who came out last night to support our four emerging artist mentees.  It was a great evening and we couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to work with this very talented group of young artists.  If you didn't make it out, the show will remain on view for through the end of the month (Holidays excluded).  Gallery Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:00-4:00.

Changing Topics Conversation: The Creative Cycle

Artists in "The Creative Cycle" from L to R: Ivan Carmona, Aleka Tomlinson, Jordan Pieper, Ben Skiba, Horatio Law, Liz Nielson, Lisa Conway, Jamey Hampton, Joanna Bloom (not pictured), Thomas Orr.

This month we approached the subject of the creative cycle from a variety of perspectives.  Guest artist's disciplines spanned the realm from ceramics to web design, installation to modern dance.  Here's a very abbreviated synopsis:

The following quote provided us a point of departure for discussion:

The Creativity Cycle is one that starts with loosened construction and sets the stage for creative thinking.  The loosening releases facts, long taken as self evident, from their conceptual moorings.  The Cycle terminates with tightened and validated construction.

This concept seemed to resonate with our artists.  To this was added a number of ideas that leaned towards the debunking of the myth of creativity, including the science of how certain body movements fire the brain to create and how the pressure of deadlines can act as a creative land of opportunity.  The discussion circled back, as it often does, to the importance of putting work "out there", a necessary step in determining what needs to happen next.

Thank you, artists, for your time and energy in contributing to a great discussion!!

 

Catching Up:

After two months full of travel, it is great to have everyone back in the studio at Ash Street Project. Here's a short synopsis of what's been going on, and a few upcoming events to watch for.  Please follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter for further event information.

OREGON ARTS WATCH COVERAGE OF ASH STREET PROJECT:  In September, we received some press from The Oregonian's online Oregon Arts Watch.  Grace Kook-Anderson did a fantastic job of getting to the heart of our vision for Ash Street Project.  You can find the article here.

 THOMAS TO SAN FRANCISCO: In early September, Thomas spent a week in San Francisco installing his work for the traveling Craft in America  exhibit, Art and Other Tactics, at the Museum of Craft and Design.    This show launched in L.A, and is now in San Francisco through March of 2016.  

JORDAN PIEPER recently returned from  a three week trip to western Europe to research 18th century porcelain,  His travels took him to Delft and Limoges, The Victoria and Albert, and many other sites .  Jordan has tentatively scheduled a public presentation for mid November at Ash Street Project.  Details to follow.

MENTEES ENTRANCE EXHIBIT: The Ash Street Projects EAMP Entrance Exhibit is scheduled to open Thursday, November 5th.  Details to follow.  This show represents the work our artists were doing upon entering the mentorship program.  

SITKA: Ash Street Project Artists Thomas Orr and Ivan Carmona will have work in the Sitka Show this year at the World Forestry Center.  This benefit show opens Friday November 6th.

JEAN NICOLAS GERARD:  It is with profound enthusiasm that we anticipate the arrival of our fall visiting artist Jean Nicolas Gerard.  Nicolas is a potter from Valensole, France.  He will be working with us for the Month of November.  As always, the public is welcome to join us for lunch during these (or other) times to meet and converse with our artists.  Note Lunch info below.

REVISED LUNCH SCHEDULE: Brown bag lunch at Ash Street Project is a time that the public can come in and meet and participate in informal conversation with our artists.  We do ask that you come during our scheduled lunch window, 12-1, Monday-Thursday (and by appointment Fridays).  At 1 pm, mentees meet with Thomas for individual advising, or are typically back at work.  

A New Group of Mentees

Ash Street Project is thrilled to welcome four new mentees ( L>R: Ivan Carmona, Ben Skiba, Aleka Tomlinson, Jordan Peiper) to our 2015/2016 year.  This dynamic group of artists arrived in early September, and set right to work creating their work spaces and getting to know the ropes.  They come to us from diverse backgrounds, all with a solid understanding of ceramics, and all working in the industry in various facets.  More information can be found on these artists in the participants section of this website, as well as our link section.  You can also click on each artist's name, as highlighted in bold, for a link to their website. 

Ivan Carmona: Ivan comes to us as a recent graduate of the Oregon College of Art and Craft.  With a focus in figurative sculpture, Ivan is wanting to use his time at Ash Street Project to apply the knowledge he's gained in undergrad to work through new ideas and further position himself as a gallery artist.  When he is not in the studio, he assists Dirk Staschke, Anne Crumpacker and other established local artists. 

Ben Skiba: Ben recently completed his undergraduate at University Wisconsin, Madison.  His current  sculpture and assemblages emphasize the processes and materials within studio practice.  While  he continues to explore this work at Ash Street Project, Ben will be employed by Mudshark with slip-casting work and will assist studio artist Brian Jones.

Aleka Tomlinson: Aleka found us through our connection to one of her mentors, Lilith Rocket, where she was employed in production work. Lilith's model sparked a passion in Aleka to consider creating her own production line.  She has come to us in hopes of honing that goal.  Aleka is both the Operations Manager and a production artist at Pigeon Toe Ceramics.

Jordan Pieper: Jordan completed his BFA at the Oregon College of Art and Craft in May. His vessel-based work is influenced by 18th century European porcelain. This week, Jordan will embark on a three week research trip to western Europe where he will continue to study 18th century porcelain production.  This trip will help inform his work at Ash Street Project. Jordan currently assists ceramic artists Brian Jones in Portland and Jeffry Mitchell in Seattle.  

Changing Topics Conversation: Getting Started with New Ideas

Artists in "Getting Started" from L to R:  Dennis Meiners, Ben Skiba, Jordan Pieper, Aleka Tomlinson, Ivan Carmona, Thomas Orr, Grace Weston,  Joanna Bloom (not pictured),  Suzy Root .

"Getting Started" is a topic we like to revisit each year at Ash Street Project, and this September was no exception.  We invited several Portland artists to join us, each bringing their own experience and history to the table.  One underlying theme that emerged was how to deal with the interruptions, innate to studio artists, whether they be due to a move or the back and forth of a supporting job.  Though it is hard to find definitive solutions to some of these issues, a consensus was reached that success is directly proportionate to time in the studio.  It is always valuable to see where these issues intersect between seasoned and emerging artists, and getting started (or maybe restarted) seems to be a universal challenge.  

Thank you all for your inspiration and honesty.  Again we are so grateful to have such a rich community from which to draw.

A Conversation with Muralist Jade Rivera

Just a few weeks ago, Ash Street Project had the good fortune to be part of Portland's city-wide,  Forest For The Trees mural project.  Each summer, this non-profit group brings artists from all over the globe to work on walls throughout our city.  We are so grateful to have been selected to provide the palate for Peruvian painter and muralist, Jade Rivera. 

Jade had a mere 6 days to complete the piece on Ash Street's west wall.  Watching the process was fascinating.  Where many muralists work with spray paint, Jade used a brush for most of his painting, adding a roller only for large areas of color and when he felt pressed for time.  This gave the piece a decidedly different feel than many murals.  

Jade started painting when he was 14, at which time he was drawn to graffiti.  A gifted, prolific, self-taught artist, he has filled notebooks with sketches, drawings and paintings for the past 18 years. The “WORKS” section of his website shows the incredible trajectory that his work has taken in in this time.  He is a great fan of manga/anime, and claims Hayao Miyazaki  his greatest influence.  If you look back to his earlier works, this reference is quite apparent.

Now at 32, Jade paints murals all over the world.  He tries to limit it to five murals a year.  In the US, you can find his work in Miami (Art Basel), New York, New Jersey, L.os Angeles and now in Portland.  Jade has asked that the subject matter of the Ash Street mural be open to the viewer's interpretation.  However, he did share that this is his favorite mural to date.  

Summer Session 2015: Looking Back

As with all carefree, summery things, Summer Session 2015 had to come to an end.  It seemed to fly by, and yet the two weeks were very full, providing enough time for quite a bit to be accomplished.  Our invited six artists fearlessly joined our core studio for two tremendous weeks of making. With no specific outcome required, each visiting artist brought their own approach to the mix.  Time was used to sketch out ideas, create molds, test clay bodies and glazes, collaborate, and expand upon pre-existing bodies of work.

A huge thank you to our six visitors Victoria Christen, Judy Teufel, Dennis Meiners, Brian R Jones, Dylan Beck and Lisa Orr for being open to coming and making together in our studio, and for creating a fantastic debut Summer Session.  And thank you Ash Street Project hosts Ted Vogel, Chris Lyon, Matt Causey, and Brett Binford for creating the welcoming and at times even hilarious backdrop.  And thank YOU, community, for supporting the cup sale and dropping in for daily brown bag lunches!  Year one was a huge success and we look forward to doing it next year. 

In our recap discussion with the artists, it was decided that there would be a follow-up show.  Since it is too soon to process the ways in which this time influenced the artists' work, we tentatively have the exhibit scheduled for February of 2016.  In the mean time, please visit the links section of our website for more on each of these artists.  

Matthew Causey Sets Out For New Territory

The time has come.   Ash Street Project's outrageously animated resident artist, Matt Causey, is preparing to exit and take on the world. It simply will not be the same without him. As many know, Matt came to us as one of our first visiting artists.  Yet, as it often goes,  things shifted for Matt during his time in Portland.  The decision for him to stay on as a long-term Resident was logical.  

When Matt initially came to Portland, he was known for his cleverly illustrated black and white pots and wall boxes.  These gems exude Matt's hilarious and outspoken personality and his copious illustrational talents.  His "Famous Potter Series", as profiled by Garth Clark (click here), are fantastic caricatures of Pete Voulkos, Beatrice Wood, George Ohr and the like.

Similarly, Matt had been making face jugs that riffed on the influences of both his southern upbringing and his love of folk art.  His version of the face jug, had an animated sensibility so uniquely his own.  

But over time, Matt became interested in how he could adopt methods to reproduce work without painstakingly hand-painting each piece.  He felt he had lived that experience, had the base knowledge, and now wanted to work towards production that he might, at some point, simply oversee.  

Over the course of his time at Ash Street, Matt experimented with everything from slip casting and decals to clay bodies and firing temperatures.  Factoring heavily into the experimentation and discussions were honing the options for selling work, from brick and mortar venues to craft shows to on-line sales.  At a small business workshop he attended at ADX, he connected with CrowdSupply, a local crowd sourcing business, and together they visioned his new product line.  His clever new "emojugs" are having their debut "sneak leak" this week at several fun local locations (see Facebook post).  This will also be a chance to wish Matt well, as he heads off next week to North Carolina and France in search of more permanent digs.  You can follow Matt's adventures by following him on Facebook or Instagram, where Emojugs have their own page!  

Summer Session Preview

We are truly excited to be getting ready for our first Summer Session here at Ash Street Project.  The Summer Session was an idea we hatched in an effort to shift the studio environment with the season's inherently different pace and rhythm.  Each summer, we will invite six artists to come join us for a two week period.  This is an open time for them to discuss, create, and share in an exchange with each other, our studio community and the community at large.  This summer, from July 13-24th, we are pleased to be hosting the following six artists.  Please click on each name for a link to their website, and see below for a couple of additional details relating to community participation.  

                                                                  Austin, TX:    Lisa Orr

                                                              Portland, OR: Brian R Jones

                                                        Portland, OR: Dennis Meiners

                                                         Portland, OR:   Victoria Christen

                                                          Portland, OR:   Dylan Beck

                                                          Portland, OR: Judy Teufel

There will be a reception for the artists on Tuesday, July 14, from 6-8pm (and a limited number of cups for sale created by each artists) as well as daily brown bag lunches from noon - 1pm.  Please feel free to come on by and see what we are up to!

Collaborative Residency: Dan Anderson and Jason Sturgill

About a year ago, at the Half Pint Cafe across from the studio, we were introduced to  illustrator Jason Sturgill.  He had seen Matt Causey's work in the shop and was asking Marko (the owner) about it.  As it turned out, he happened to be the son-in-law of ceramic artist Dan Anderson.  In short time, plans were hatched for Jason and Dan to come to Ash Street Project and participate in  a collaborative residency..  

This week was the culmination of this project.  Jason, who has worked for Nike, Laika, Wieden & Kennedy, Dark Horse Comics, and teaches at PSU, brought his illustration/design knowledge to the mix, so as to literally add a new layer to Dan's signature industrial vessels.  This was new terrain for both of them, with Dan typically wood firing his work to create its rich surface history.  At Ash Street, he was undaunted by the limitations of the electric kilns and worked with low-fire, conventional underglazes and glazes.  He will return to sandblast the surfaces, in an effort to try and recreate that history.  Jason both hand painted images and designed decals, with help from local source Ellbergen, as the final layer on top of Dan's work.  

As is typically the case in these short term residencies, time flew!  Dan returned to Illinois today, and Jason is soon headed to London for a comic and illustration festival.  It was so wonderful to witness the collaboration of two different art forms coming together like this.  There is so much to be learned from watching the problem solving process that is unique to collaboration.  We are grateful that Dan is a part-time Portlander, and hope that he (and Jason) will be in and out of Ash Street when time allows.  

Note: Please scroll over names, etc. for links to sites.

Changing Topics Conversation: The Ethics of Selling One's Work

Particpants in "Ethics of Selling" from L to R Front:  Kim Murton (artist), Joanna Bloom (Ash Street Project), Thomas Orr (Ash Street Project), Victoria Christen (artist), Dan Anderson (visiting artist ASP), Second Row L to R: Aldin Huff (artist), Mariel Pitti (Museum of Contemporary Craft), Brett Binford (Eutectic, Mudshark, Portland Growler), Ted Vogel (artist, Lewis & Clark), Chris Lyon (Eutectic, Mudshark, Portland Growler), Jason Sturgill (visiting artist ASP), Mary Lou Zeek (artist, Mary Lou Zeek Gallery), Very Back, L to R:  Careen Stoll (artist), Matt Causey (ASP resident).

May's conversation was well attended, with our base crew, two resident artists (Dan Anderson and Jason Sturgill) and a representation of artists and gallerists from the community.  The discussion helped both artists and gallerists share perspectives on the challenges of their jobs.  We weighed in on the many ways an artist can sell work, from on line shops to virtual galleries to craft shows.  Many attending seemed to favor working with galleries.  We discussed the contractual agreement artists hold with galleries, and how important it is that there is a mutual respect.  As for the conundrum of when work is ready for the market, both sides of this issue were put forth.  Some felt strongly that the artist "has to be out there" rather than "existing in a cocoon", while others voiced that every artist needs a good shard pile, and that "when work is fresh, it's easy to put back in the pug mill".   

Thomas' Work, from Glass to Installation, Part of TravelLing Craft in America Exhibit

Well the dust is finally settling now that hundreds of ceramic tea bowl's have been boxed and crated out of the studio!  Art and Other Tactics: Contemporary Craft by Veteran Artists opens next week at the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles.  This exhibit will travel California for the good part of a year.  Here's a brief description in the words of the curator, Emily Zaiden: 

The first major exhibition to explore the powerful role that craft has played as a channel for creativity, expression and transformation in the lives of artist veterans since World War II, Art and Other Tactics: Contemporary Craft by Artist Veterans will convey the contributions of artist veterans and the pathways that craft has taken through their visionary work.  The exhibition will examine the way that military service has impacted the outlook of artists over seven decades and led numerous veterans to pursue creative channels.  Bridging between earlier craft philosophy to current day practices, at its core, Art and Other Tactics will explore how craft is a constructive antidote to the war experience.

Thomas' work will be in good company.  Other artists included are Thomas' mentor Paul Soldner, William Daley, Otto Heino, Peter Voulkos, Phil Cornelius, and Val Cushing. Among these greats are many younger artists that Thomas has had the good fortune to get to know: Jill Allen, Ehren Tool, Giuseppe Pellicano, Drew Cameron, Jessie Albrecht and Daniel Donovan, to name a few.

This exhibit opens at the Craft and Folk Art Museum in L.A. on May 23rd and then travels to the Museum of Craft in Design in San Francisco where there will be a second opening in late September.  Please see the Craft in America website for more details.

 

Combat Paper at Ash Street

Last week Drew Cameron came to town to bring his Combat Paper project to PNCA and Oregon College of Art and Craft.  Combat Paper workshop participants, with the help of Drew and an ancient Holland beater, pulped into paper a variety of materials (often uniforms) that connote the spirit of a loved one.  We were fortunate to have several days with Drew and the crew at Ash Street Project.  Our stop was a low-key respite at the end of this series of public events.  Drew was interested in using our time together to experiment with sculpting pulp into clay forms.  We were game and the results were promising. 

To culminate the paper making events, an exhibit was held at the Ash Street Project gallery space.  Drew, Jessie Albrecht, Mark Pinto (Coming Home Project), Aaron Hughes (Warrior Writers), Giuseppe Pelicano and a host of other veteran activists, held the space for the evening as they shared readings and discussion with the community.  Thank you Giuseppe, for many of the images.

Update on the Tom Beardman Scholarship

It has been well over a year since we launched the scholarship in honor of our late studio partner Tom Beardman (see earlier blog post).  The nearly $2000 raised over this period was generated through t shirt sales, sales of work, and several generous individual contributions.  

The Ash Street Project T shirt program has been a great success.  From the Maldives to Sayulita, Santa Monica to Santa Fe, we have loved receiving your t shirt pictures!  Keep them coming!  We will be rolling out the 2015/16 T shirt (mystery) color on May Day.  Thank you all for spreading the word and being so supportive.  

This year's first round of scholarship money has been designated to offset tuition for program participants.  All of our incoming 2015/16 mentees will be working part-time while completing the program, and the need for assistance is strong.  We continue to measure how the money is best spent, as well as investigate non-profit status and other ways to help support our donors.  THANK YOU DONORS!

Ash Street Profile: John Shea Headed to University Wisconsin Madison Grad School

John Shea was a special student at Ash Street Project this year.  He had studied with Thomas at OCAC, and went on to work for Bullseye Glass and Mudshark Studios.  During this time, he had his sights set on going back for an MFA, and came to us for time and space to create a new body of work and put together a portfolio to apply to graduate programs.  John was accepted to his first choice school, University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he will study with Paul Sacaridiz and Gerit Grimm.  We took a moment to talk with John about his time at Ash Street.  Here's some insights he shared into his process and why he chose to work with us:

"I came to Ash Street because I needed to improve my portfolio.  I needed a space outside my own studio that had a lot of conversation happening, that would let me interact with other artists, ensuring high quality work.  I wanted to take advantage of the exhibition space, which provided a goal with a concrete end date, allowing me to show what I was working on at that time...and get feedback on it.  The experience was all good.  The lunch talks, the evening conversations on Thursdays were really nice. "

What's next for John?

"Three years of just working, which will allow me to explore some ideas Thomas and I talked about and not have to work (at a job).....working with an expanded field of Professors again.... I would love to teach.  I am pushing myself towards a place where I can apply for teaching positions."

Congratulations John!  We look forward to seeing what the future holds for you!

Ash Street Project's First Mentee, Aldin Huff, Prepares to Exit

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since Aldin bravely jumped on board as our first mentee at the Ash Street Project.  It has been a fantastic experience for all of us, watching Aldin's work grow while we simultaneously grew as a program.  He will always be a part of us and it will be hard to see him go. 

Aldin came to us shortly after our doors had opened.  He was confident that the mentorship program was the right fit for him and that this alternative model was the way he needed to learn.  In hindsight, we think he was spot on.  His interests in the program were diverse, driven by a desire to pursue connections with professional artists.  He explored an interest in curation in the exhibit "Purple", which he took from concept to execution.  He assisted artist Ryan Labar in the installation and break down of two large ceramic shows in the Pearl District.  He did some teaching at Ash Street and traveled to Joseph, OR to help a group of international artists, visiting the LH Project, with a week-long woodfire.

  We asked Aldin if he would reflect back a bit on his experience, and share just a few thoughts.

"I always wanted to work with my hands.  At a young age, I loved making swords, etc.  This was my motivator through school.  But art school (felt like it wouldn't be) the way I was going to succeed.  I (decided to seek out) other teachers I trusted that were participating in the art world and directly pursue (work) that way".

Aldin's situation was somewhat unique in that he came to us having done some glass work, and as it turned out, decided to use his time at Ash Street to continue with this medium.  His work grew from tiny glass rings to intricate 3d guns and life-size motorcycles.

"I wanted to figure out that technique (torching stringer).  I saw drawbacks with clay.  Stringer was more practical than glass, less equipment and expense.  Ultimately, Ash Street Project gave me the freedom to come into myself, (to discover) what kind of artist I was, and what kind of artist I wanted to be". 

We are in awe of the growth we have witnessed in Aldin's work.  Aldin's desire, at this time, is to do some traveling, expand his horizons, and set up a studio in Bellingham, Washington.