Maine Craft Portland
Opening Night First Friday Nov. 5, 5-9pm
On view through December 31, 2021
Craft Maker: A person who practices or is highly skilled in a craft; artisan
Gambit: A device, action, or opening remark, typically one entailing a degree of risk, that is calculated to gain an advantage.
Jim and I are thrilled to be showing our handcrafted chess set, featuring Jim’s gorgeous wood design and marquetry art along with hand-colored pyrography art for 32 unique pieces. In Reigning Cats & Dogs, a band of fight club cats inspired by pop culture disruptors, roadies and misfits face off a fashion-forward court and entourage of dogs who just want to play. The 32 pieces of this whimsical and functional wood chess set are shaped from curly maple, sipo, and holly and are appropriately weighted and felted. Each piece features unique pyrography art by Jim Macdonald (cats) and me (dogs). The board is made using handcut marquetry of bird's eye maple and fumed oak with a varnish finish. The outcome of the game depends... are you a cat person or a dog person?
Gallery patrons will cast their vote for Best in Show aka Checkmate Winner by November 28.
This group exhibition of handmade chess sets and chess-inspired art by Maine craft artists includes Peter & Sandra Asselyn, David Masury & Maria Wolff, Whitney Gill & Allison McKeen, Rebecca May Verrill & SE Hall, Jim Macdonald & Lucky Platt, Joe Rosshirt & Doles Orchard, Matanah Betko, Naomi & Gabe McNeill, Shannon Richards, Goodland Pottery, Jaime Wing, Trosko Design, JE Paterak and Valerie McCaffrey.
Cats from Reigning Cats & Dogs - design, pyrography and colored pencil by James Macdonald
Dogs from Reigning Cats & Dogs - pyrography and colored pencil by Lucky Platt, wood design by James Macdonald