Gayle has exhibited locally and internationally for over 20 years. She studied at Alfred University and Penn State and was the first student to graduate with honors in Studio Art from UNC Wilmington. She worked as a studio assistant to renowned artist, Marco Zubar while in Pennsylvania. She has received the Woman of Achievement in the Arts award and in addition to being published in several Ceramic  journals and magazines, has been invited to and attended International Artist Colonies in Germany, Brazil, South Africa, Macedonia and Paris. Locally, Gayle was one of the Co-Founders and Directors of No Boundaries International Art Colony. This is a non-profit group who invites international artists to get together on Bald Head Island every two years for expression and dialogue through their art. Her art has been on exhibit in collections and galleries throughout North Carolina and the United States. Internationally she has been featured in collections in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Spain, South Africa and Macedonia. At UNCW, the Randall Library has a collection of her working papers and manuscripts which document her career.

While I photographed Gayle during our session she was working on the piece that will eventually hang at the NC State Bar Foundation. It depicts people from all walks of life. She works in several mediums, oil paint, ceramic, mixed media and ink. This particular piece is clay which has a liquid finish applied to it called terra sigilatta. Terra Sigilatta is made through a sedimentation process of clay particles. A deflocculant is used to change the electrical charge of each clay particle, which causes them to repel each other. The finest clay particles that remain on top are terra sigilatta. Coloring oxides are added to the base clay and the terra sigilatta adds a unique gloss, low luster finish, which also acts as a sealant. You will notice in a few of the photographs, small colored ceramic tiles. Gayle uses them as her palette library so she has an idea how the terra sigilatta and colors will portray on the clay. Its a fascinating process and I was in awe of the amount of work and attention to detail that is required to produce such a piece.

Once again I was really honored to have met and spend time with such a talented creative. I had great fun during the shoot and had to force myself to leave so Gayle could continue to work. The scope of her current project seemed a daunting task to me, but you could see the passion the woman has for her art. Enjoy the following photos and if you’d like to know more about Gayle, visit her web site at www.gayletustin.com.

Sedona is a special place with good energy, amazing red rocks and beautiful vistas. We had several memorable hikes, visited some energy vortex areas and took a day trip to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. It was a calming, restorative trip and I would highly recommend Sedona as a destination not to be missed. We hope to return. Below are some photos of the Sedona leg of the trip. I hope they give a sense of the beauty of the area.

Montezumas Castle

The Jerome Grand Hotel

Old Car parked outside the hotel

The Main street in Jerome

I liked how the light was hitting these Cottonwoods.

Cathedral Rocks

This view of Cathedral Rocks is from the opposite side of Oak Creek and is approached from Verde Valley School Rd. Its a great hike.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

This small chapel stands between two pinnacles and is a very calming and beautiful structure.

Sunset reflecting off the rocks from Airport Mesa

Another View from Airport Mesa

The Climb to the Boynton Canyon Vortex

This was the view as we climbed to the spot of the Boynton Canyon Vortex. We met a gentleman named Robert who was sitting atop of the far left spire playing a Native American flute. As one who has taken an interest in the Native American flute, it was a special moment to hear such melodic sounds coming from such a special place. He said he comes twice a day to play. The Boynton Canyon Vortex is said to  balance a persons masculine and feminine sides.

Rock Totem

One of many rock totems in the area of this climb erected by visitors.

View from the top of Boynton Canyon Vortex

Looking up to Boynton Canyon Vortex

Grand Canyon, South Rim

Managed to capture this Elk as we were driving in Grand Canyon Park

The following are of the Grand Canyon from various vista positions. I like some of them for the vertigo feeling you get when viewing the image. It is a magnificent place.