A Shade Better

Actually more than a shade better! Great sketching at Sue Johnson Lamps on Solano Avenue in Berkeley. An almost unlimited supply of subjects both in the store and in the workroom. A beautiful and well lit place to sketch. _ Cathy McAuliffe

Let there be light

Another happy sketcher here from a visit to Sue Johnson Lamps in Berkeley last week. For over 48 years, Sue's been creating beautiful lampshades of pressed layers of mica and other materials. She combines them with most wonderful sculptural elements imaginable, creating one-of-a-kind lamps that are a joy to own and to sketch.

Thanks, Sue, for a most enjoyable opportunity to sketch your creations.

Lights for the soul: Sue Johnson's Lamps

Visited a cozy lamp shop owned and operated by Sue Johnson. I was delighted to meet Sue. As she talked about her craft I could tell how much she loved her work. She is a true artist. It is no wonder she has been there since 1972!

As I sat in the midst of her shop I noticed that the lamps came in all shapes and colors,  and I was surrounded by a wonderful golden glow that shone through lamp shades made of mica or parchment. I especially liked the animals, and figurines that some of lamps supported. The owls were my favorite and I learned they reflected Sue’s love of birds. She is quite active with the Audubon Society too. -- Vivian Aldridge

Sue

Sue Johnson Lamps

As Micaela said (below) we had a light-filled evening sketching the wonderful lamps at Sue Johnson Lamps on Solano Avenue in Berkeley.

Return to Sue Johnson Lamps

Sue is in the store late while her annual sale is on, and so we were able to drop in with our sketchbooks to capture some of her beautiful hand-designed, and made lamps. There is something wonderful everywhere you look. I loved this bear lamp, which strongly reminded me of the Northwest Indian art of British Columbia. It is a ceramic lamp with an experimental "snowflake" glaze making unusual patterns. I tried to capture the evening feel with the African mask lamps, modifying it a little on the computer to get the lamps to really "glow".

the bear lamp

my co-sketchers thought this was fine as a line-drawing.

constellation of lamps

Sue Johnson lamps

There are so many wonderful, unusual lamps, in all sizes, shapes, and colors - it's almost overwhelming. I had to concentrate on one small area of lovely lamps.

Sketchbook 2-page spread with lamps, 5x16"

Last night we visited Sue Johnson Lamps in Berkeley, a shop that has specialized in custom, artisan-made lamps and shades since the 1970's. Sue generously held the store open late for us to sketch there, and even offered us tea and persimmon pudding. We all fell in love with their amazing variety of hand-crafted works of art that also happen to light up.

Be sure to see my sketch buddies' very different drawings from the evening below (and soon, above) and for more about the evening, visit my blog, JanasJournal.

Animal Lamps

The animal lamps at Sue Johnson Custom Lamps and Shades were especially beguiling.
Please see fellow sketchers earlier posts.