The pencil mirror was delightful enough but the moment I saw Karen Johnston‘s new ruler mirror, below, I knew I had to blog about her wonderful work for a second time. The Oshawa, Ontario-based artist continues to push the boundaries of her craft, experimenting with ever more surprising materials. Talk about adding value! Johnston is a modern day Rumplestiltskin spinning straw into gold.
The ruler mirror manages to be both butch and fem, not an easy beam to straddle. There it is below in Johnston’s favorite staging ground, her own living room, which is in a constant state of metamorphosis, a process I track on her Mosaicworks blog.
The artist’s latest creation, below, finds her experimenting with beads, which has created a conundrum she has yet to solve. As gorgeous as the piece undoubtedly is, it’s a nightmare to transport owing to those exquisite but fragile spokes. Johnston has some ideas for how to improve the structural integrity of the piece and when she has the problem licked I predict it will be one of her biggest sellers. Her work is available exclusively through Toronto’s posh 1212 or through Johnston’s website where you’ll find a client gallery of images showing how the mirrors look in purchaser’s homes. Johnston’s mirrors sell for around $2,500 in case you’re in the mood for a splurge.
March 10th, 2011 at 7:59 am
Thanks Chris! A lovely start to my day.
xox
P.S. You scooped Design*Sponge.
March 10th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
M says: I have seen the mirrors in person and they are even more impressive.
And … what a good writer you are, Chris. I hope you are applying your skill in other media.
March 10th, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Thank you, M. Readers will think you’re my mother ; )
March 10th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
What great creative stuff she does. Thanks for keeping us posted .
Best – Cate
March 11th, 2011 at 10:59 am
The ruler one blew me away. It looks amazing from a distance and not so bad close up either!
March 12th, 2011 at 9:50 am
I loved it when I first saw it too…pure talent.