Leonie Lacouette Clocks Featured at Smith Galleries

Smith Galleries, a gallery of jewelry, fine craft, art, framing and toys, features the handmade clocks of American artist Leonie Lacouette.

"Wanda" Clock by
Leonie Lacouette

Leonie Lacouette manages to strike a balance between concepts and influences that otherwise might seem like polar opposites-her elegant clocks successfully reconcile the strict geometries of Minimalism with a warm, approachable palette of colored patinas on the copper and nickel that predominate her designs. Created from a basic language of circles, squares, ovals, and rectangles, the clocks are not only beautiful, but often playful as well. In one design, the otherwise hidden movement of the pendulum swings gently back and forth, revealed by a perfectly circular hole punched through the face of the piece to create a dynamic (and unexpected) game of 'hide-and-seek'.
Over 20 years ago, Lacouette started making clocks, as a practical way to make a living while using the aesthetic training she'd received in art school. It all began when she needed a clock for her studio, and noticed an ad in a magazine for a company selling clock mechanisms. Ordering five, she used one to make her own timepiece, and then made four more to sell. They sold out immediately, and she's been making clocks ever since.

Leonie at work in her studio.

Working from her rural studio in upstate New York, Lacouette contrasts her life today with her youth, spent growing up in mid-town Manhattan. "I like the simplicity of my current work's design. Coming from Manhattan, everything was go-go-go, always accumulating more stuff-stuff-stuff, having lots of things. It feels great to have something simple and beautiful, a style that I can call my own."



Home showcasing on of Leonie's clocks.

Beauty meets functionality in these clocks as Lacouette continues to create new designs that refine the perfection of both. "I'm a mechanic as well as an artist," she says, "these things need to function, after all." Continuing her dedication to creating clocks that are modernist but affable, fusing geometric abstraction with softened edges and organic warmth, she hopes to extend the work in the future to include a broader palette of exotic wood veneers. Ever the good-natured perfectionist, Lacouette insists that "the main problem will be to make sure that they come from sustainable sources."

Smith Galleries is located in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Gallery hours are 10 - 5 Monday through Saturday. 843.842.2280

Smith Galleries on Hilton Head features the Prayer Towers of Holden McCurry

Smith Galleries is pleased to exhibit the Prayer Towers of Carolina clay artist Holden McCurry.

Holden writes..."I began making clay towers and shrines in the spring of 2011 after a trip to Mexico. Inspiration came from the colorful and creative forms found in the local artwork and architecture. Soon, my work evolved and I started making Prayer Towers."

The towers come in three sizes and each includes a hollow opening in the tower with a slip of paper to write a prayer, thought, wish or dream for someone you care about and then gift them with the tower and you special thought.

The towers are thoughtful gifts for weddings, anniversaries, graduations, valentines, birthdays, get well soon, thinking of you and they are a great way for a guy to propose!

Smith Galleries is located on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina and features the work of many artists making jewelry, kaleidoscopes, fine woodworking, paintings, art glass, and much more. Gallery hours are 10-6 Monday through Saturday. Be sure to like us on Facebook and sign up for our newsletter.

Bree Richey Jewelry at Smith Galleries

Smith Galleries is pleased to announce that the gallery is now featuring the jewelry of Bree Richey.

Bree Richey’s jewelry collection pulls directly from her love for Art Deco and modern architectural design. She often finds inspiration for her work in the clean lines of modern furniture, the fluid pattern of fabric, and the vibrant color of fine gems and pearls. All of these elements are apparent in her work, where metal forms and an array of colored gems are brought together seamlessly to create elegant and highly wearable jewelry.

Smith Galleries is located in the Village at Wexford on beautiful Hilton Head Island. Gallery hours are 10 - 6 Monday through Saturday. 843.842.2280

Smith Galleries Features Barry Honowitz Watercolors

Smith Galleries is pleased to announce that it now features the largest selection of art by watercolor artist Barry Honowitz either in gallery or online. See a slide show here of pieces currently available.

Barry was a good neighbor of Smith Galleries for several years at The Village at Wexford before he closed his gallery in the spring of 2009.

In 1987 Barry Honowitz moved from Southern California to Hilton Head Island to further his love for watercolor painting. Barry’s work hangs in many corporate as well as private collections throughout the country. Barry is a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. His background in design and advertising can be seen in paintings and promotional lithographs. He has more than 35 nationally published watercolors with images ranging from waterfowl to Harbour Town lighthouse on Hilton Head.

Smith Galleries would be glad to help you with any of your needs pertaining to Barry's work. Email barry@smithgalleries.com

Gallery hours are 10-6 Monday through Saturday. 800.272.3870

Natalya Romanovsky Art Featured at Smith Galleries

Smith Galleries is featuring the art of Natalya Romanovsky as part of a special exhibition at the gallery. See slide show of entire exhibition.

Pictured at left is Fish, an original oil on paper measuring 15" x 15".

As an artist Romanovsky places a lot of emphasis on design. She sees beauty in the world and sets out to capture it through paintings that stress harmony between color and form.

"I want to transform the beauty around me into shapes. I try to think of my work as a process of simplifying something huge into a manageable pattern."

Through her art she attempts to create these patterns being careful not to tame the wilder energies of life. Art should always have a little mystery in it. In her paintings a mysterious and intriguing ambiance exists, reminiscent of something surrealistic leaving the viewer to find a simple meaning of life in each work.

Smith Galleries is open from 10-6 Monday through Saturday. Join our E-Club, you'll be glad you did! And be sure to ask about our new Rewards Program the next time you are in the gallery. 800.272.3870

Virginia Wood's Art is Featured at Smith Galleries

Smith Galleries is featuring the art of Virginia Wood as part of a special exhibition at the gallery. See slide show of entire exhibition.

Pictured is a original oil & pastel painting measuring 16" x 18".

Virginia Wood loves the lyrical nature of her work.

"Music is very important to me and it influences the way I create. My art is visual music and I build the pieces stroke by stroke the way a song is built note by note. Whether I'm working alone or in a busy studio I simply get into a composition and then flow with it."

Wood is also fascinated by the subtle shifts in form within a kaleidoscope and often imitates the effect with her pastels and monoprints.

Smith Galleries is open from 10-6 Monday through Saturday. Join our E-Club, you'll be glad you did! And be sure to ask about our new Rewards Program the next time you are in the gallery. 800.272.3870

Colby Smith Door Knockers

Colby Smith door knockers are an elegant addition to your home's entry. They are all hand cast in solid brass by Colby himself here in the United States. What began at an evening high school foundry course in 1976 has evolved into a studio craft that makes these original door knockers a functional art form. This craftsmanship is distinguished by: multiple metal casting methods, alloys, finishes and patinas, mechanical and welded assembly and hand-tooled texture and detail. Production is limited to the finishing done by Colby and his wife, Jane. Each piece is signed. They will last for generations and each comes with all necessary hardware. See them on our website here or view them as a slideshow here.

Hulet Glass Chocolates Arrived Today

We have loved Hulet Glass chocolates for many years and have today added them to our glass selections at Smith Galleries. You know a beautiful gift of glass chocolate says it all. It is a symbol of love and romance that lasts forever. A unique box of glass chocolates is appropriate for any occasion. Satisfy your passion for glass today. Drop by the gallery soon to see the entire selection. Write us a note if you are familiar with Hulet Glass chocolates.

Pottery by Amelia Stamps Arrives Today

We are very "picky" when it comes to choosing pottery for the gallery. Some of you may recall that I (Wally) was a professional potter for many years. Perhaps I should dig up some old pictures of my work and post them on this blog for you to see? Should I?

We were excited to discover Amelia Stamps at a show we went to in May. Not only do we really like her work, but we also found her to be delightfully charming. All of her pottery is thrown on the potter's wheel and is made from a white stoneware. Her craftsmanship is flawless. The work we commissioned her to do arrived today and we had a great time unpacking it and getting it ready for you to see in the gallery. We do not have any of her work posted on our site yet, so the "Tea Set" above will have to satisfy your curiosity for now. Stop by the gallery to see the entire collection.

Kelly Davidson - Glass Lampwork Jeweler

We have been busy today photographing the work of Kelly Davidson. New to the gallery, she is an incredible lamp work artist who makes beautiful glass jewelry. Kelly lives just across the water from Hilton Head in Beaufort. She grew up here on Hilton Head and is the daughter of our most famous "shrimpin' boat captain" - Captain Woody Collins. We have just finished posting a good portion of her work on our web site. Check it out and let us know what you think. Pictured is her "Carmen Miranda" necklace and matching earrings...fun!