Bees Everywhere!

Its been an extremely busy January for me this year..I have been out in stores Engraving For Hennessy US. It's the Chinese New Year this Friday and Am now so excited and in the mood to celebrate New year once again! 

 

Finished a couple pieces but have not been able to put them up...

Here are some Bees on a fragrance bottle

Butterflies butterflies....

One of my best sellers is Fragrance Bottles and I started my new collection for 2014 with this stunning Art Deco faceted shape from Oleg Cassini. The body is 4" tall by 3" wide. 3 inches x 3 inches x 4 inches. Very elegant and stunning and a great addition to anyone's collection! Also makes a great Valentines Day gift..if your shopping around..or Mother's Day or a just because!!!!! 

Feels like Summer....

With the weather out here in Southern California almost at 75 Degrees, It definitely feels like summer..the days are nice and warm and oh so pleasant..this weekend was huge for me in many ways. My Aunt who passed away almost a week ago was laid to rest on Friday..she was the last surviving member of my dads siblings..I missed them all so much more this weekend:( May she Rest In Peace. 

I also did an in store event at Hawaii Market for Hennessy following the Chinese New Year Celebration. Loved the people and the Atmosphere was great! Below are a few samples from the event..

Happy Me 2014 Year...Hennesy Engraving Event

It's 2014, funny as we begin the New Year everyone has this resolutions that they have made and others take the liberty to make some resolutions on your behalf. When I was growing up this was the case...I was always told what my New Years Resolutions were by my elders, In Kenya. I have come a long way and my resolution this year is simply.."A Happy Me year". Years bring so many changes to our lives and some may be tougher than others but I want to start by bracing myself for what 2014 has to offer...

Today I start engraving for Moët and Hennessy for the Chinese New Year.   Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4712 begins on Jan. 31, 

Chinese New Year: 2014

The Year of the Horse

4712 (or 2014) is the year of the horse Some samples I've done...

Elephants...First Love!

I don't remember being this busy last January as I am this year..hope this is a sign of a good start for 2014. I have been working from my studio the last two weeks which I love because I can get so much done. As always I use it as my time to catch up on Pandora and listen to music full blast and just be at piece with myself in my space...

Started worked on Male figures as well this week and I must say it's quiet a challenge! Hope to have the pics soon. Am currently working on HandBlown glass from Krosno, Poland and they are all blue in color...my first piece is a Flower vase with an elephant and birds in the background...

The pictures are of the work from start to completion...the vase measures 11" by 3" wide..

finished...

Back to the drawing board...

Working on a show or rather several shows that will take place this year...this morning I went back to basics...concentrating on my first show in February. It will be out in the desert, I love the desert. I just completed a show there late last year..very successful so I guess that gives me a good reason to return. I also have couple store visits pending this month for in store engraving. 

My mind was blank as I started so I turned to a mordern art book, went through Mordern Art to early 18th century art..love Paul Gaughin...

Couple hours later am very inspired...I will  start working early tomorrow. Received calls from couple great friends that I met while engraving in Bloomingdales, made me reflect on how chance meeting from working together with people who you would otherwise never meet lead to great friendships! I am forever grateful for all the wonderful people I met in the various cities...you all left a special mark in my life, wishing you all the best in 2014. 

Below are some of the pics I managed to capture on my store visits...

Crystal Perfume bottle engraved with Flowers...

I feel very relaxed and content as I start 2014. I've been away from my home studio for sometime and it feels good to be back working! I am starting on a whole new collection some of which I will use at the 2014 Desert Art Festival on Presidents' Day. My first Show this year. For a list of all my upcoming shows visit 

www.akokoart.com

I try to update it as much as I can regularly but sometimes best thing to do is email me! 

I started working this morning on a perfume bottle to get me back in the groove!.....

Ready to engrave, I always sketch directly onto the glass...

Half way there, the good thing about drawing directly onto the glass is that the art work fits perfectly on to the glass and you are working the image to suit the piece and not the other way round...I will engrave on the lid to make the engraving/design look complete with the design of this beautiful crystal perfume bottle. 

Rough skecth with a black permanent marker is my guide line...it does not have to be perfect! 

Finished piece with dubber lid engraved 

Quick pics of finished piece taken with iPhone!