More Large Designs

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 52   Location:  Sold to Collector

 

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 56   Location:  Sold to Collector

 

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 62   Location:  Sold to Collector

 

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 70   Location:  Sold to Collector

 

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 73   Location:   Portiera Designs

 

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 74   Location:  Portiera Designs

I began to experiment with adding lacing and antlers.  I always keep the natural edges, brands and unique characteristics of the leather.

To me they make the pieces more interesting. 

My First Gallery Collection

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 45   Location:  Sold to Collector

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 48   Location:  Sold to Collector

 

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 51   Location:  Sold to Collector

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 57   Location:  Sold to Collector

 

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 55   Location:  Sold to Collector

Here are a few of the pieces in my first gallery collection.  These sold quickly at a local fund raiser and two new galleries.

 

 

My First Large Gallery Piece Sells

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 49   Location:  Sold to Collector

I began to create larger one of a kind pieces to sell in galleries.  This is one of the pieces in that first group.

A close friend of mine fell in love with the piece and purchased it.  That gave me the confidence to allow myself  to enjoy creating more of the free form style I enjoyed in the beginning.

The Swan

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  Gallery 50, The Swan   Location:  My Private Collection

One day after cutting out a large number of pieces I was left with a strangely odd shape.  Bored with the same old shapes it seemed to call to me to mold it and see what would happen.  This was the result.

A friend of mine called it a swan and the name stuck.  The story of the ugly duckling that turns into the swan seemed to fit nicely.

A couple of years ago a gentleman offered me a handsome sum for this piece.  Without thinking I blurted out that it was not for sale.

Later I realized why.  The workmanship reflects the challenges I experienced with my sight.  It remains in my private collection as a reminder of how blessed I am to have restored my vision.

Antler Gift Line Is Born

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  My Antler Gift Line   Location:  BearFeather Studio and numerous outlets

We live in a small rural town in Montana with a population of about eight hundred people.  Summer tourists provide most of our income.  Since my retail outlets were local I found it necessary to expand my business to other markets.

Unable to drive to show my art I turned to the internet to find new retail outlets.  I found eighteen that first winter.  Several of those continue to represent me to this day.

I continue to search for new outlets and welcome all wholesale inquiries.

My First Collection

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  My First Collection    Location:  Sold

It was a year and a half before my driving privileges were restored.  Constantly changing sight forced me to learn to do many things differently.

My entire focus in life shifted.  I learned to ask for and receive help since I could not drive or see well enough to read a menu.  I found new ways to do the things I wanted to accomplish.

I focused more on giving thanks for the blessings I already had and the bowls grew along with my new consciousness.

I created an artist statement to accompany each piece along with a tag stating it was handmade in Montana by Penny Hall.

A couple of local outlets represented me and my pieces sold very well. 

My Second Leather Bowl

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  My Second Bowl    Location:  Sold at Auction

I donated the second bowl I created to a local fund raiser where it brought $450.00 toward the cause.  I was shocked.

I decided to make several pieces and try selling them at our local arts festival.  It seemed like a good way to make some extra money to help with medical costs.

A few days before the show my retina detached.  I was in bed recovering from yet another eye surgery unable to attend the show.

I was also unemployed due to the eye problems and needed a way to create income.  So, I began to search for outlets for the pieces I had already created.

With the help of Blind and Low Vision Services I learned to use magnifying tools and lights to assist me as I began to build my new art business.

How It All Began

Artist: Penny Hall     Item:  My First Bowl    Location:  My Private Collection

I saw a photograph of a leather bowl when searching for something to do in between eye surgeries.  I was fascinated by the fact that the leather would hold its shape.

When the doctor told me I was legally blind I did not want my mind to accept it.  I wanted to do something to prove to myself I was NOT blind.  So, this seemed like a really good project.

It turned out to be better than I ever imagined.  I had no idea at the time what a journey lay ahead of me.

This is the first bowl I created.