Tag: artist

HGR Customer Spotlight: Gerald Fitzpatrick

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HGR has some of the most interesting and engaging customers around. From big businesses and industrial manufacturers to hobbyists and artists, we’re constantly amazed at how our customers utilize their purchases.

Our customer Gerald Fitzpatrick originally worked in prosthetics, making artificial limbs, and has since retired. Now in his free time, he has leaned into learning metal work and is creating art with industrial surplus.

Gerald fabricates metal sculptures and alternative fashion from industrial supplies that he finds in our Euclid Showroom. From O-rings and sheet metal to grommets and light fixtures, Gerald is hands-on in using these elements to create wearable art that graces runways and fashion shows.

Continue reading HGR Customer Spotlight: Gerald Fitzpatrick

Cleveland native comes back home to build large-scale textile printing studio

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Dan Bortz textiles

(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Dan Bortz, artist)

The Time Change Generator in Cleveland is a fine-art-focused, oversized textile screen printing studio being built by me and my partner. I’m originally from Cleveland, but I left home in 2008 to attend California College of the Arts in Oakland, Calif., where I met my long-term partner, Lynnea Holland-Weiss. Continue reading Cleveland native comes back home to build large-scale textile printing studio

Q&A with Waterloo Arts Fest Artist-in-Residence Angela Oster

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Artist Angela Oster

When did you know you were an artist?

I’ve always loved to draw and make things, but it took a while to consider myself an artist. I think it was after I developed the habit of drawing every day that I had the confidence to call myself an artist.

How did you get your training?

I have a BFA from The Cleveland Institute of Art and took vocational commercial art in high school. I also did a mentorship with Dan Krall, an illustrator and animator. I also practice a lot on my own. Continue reading Q&A with Waterloo Arts Fest Artist-in-Residence Angela Oster

Stained-glass company serves regional customers for more than 30 years

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Pete Billington of Whitney Stained Glass working on a skylight

When you walk into the entry of Whitney Stained Glass where the uncut glass of every color is stored, it’s like entering a secret garden or the back, private, work area of a museum. There’s magic taking place, and things of beauty all around. The talent of the five full-time and two part-time employees is astounding. All have been with the company for at least five to six years. They make, restore, install and store stained glass windows and doors, as well as skylights, chandeliers, mosaics, lamps, backsplashes, and other unique restoration projects. The current and second owner, Pete Billington, says that working in the stained-glass business takes a specific skill set: drawing and illustration ability for new work, an understanding of geometry, handiness, having a good “eye,” attention to detail, construction ability, no fear of heights, carefulness, and the ability to lift and carry heavy objects. Continue reading Stained-glass company serves regional customers for more than 30 years

Call for industrial artists to deck out HGR’s offices!

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metal armour with rusty gears and cogs artwork

As you may know or have read about in past blogs, HGR has invested in building out a new back office for executives, HR, payroll and other internal departments. It is designed with manufacturing and industry in mind. We also will be starting a complete renovation of our front Sales office where customers come in to make purchases and drivers come to pick up loads for delivery. That project is expected to be complete late this summer.

We need some two- and three-dimensional art for the walls, a clock, a coat rack, an A/V stand and other items that keep to the industrial theme, including machinery, our building’s history, Nickel Plate Road railway, etc. We have lots of machinery badges, blueprints and equipment schematics that we would like to display. Like any office, we need art, decorations, plant stands, and functional items.

I know that we have many artist and maker customers who shop here for material and inspiration. If you want to showcase your work and get some notice by the people who walk in our doors every day with photos, proposals or ideas. We have a modest budget; so, we are looking for lesser-known artists and makers who just want to be part of HGR’s future. We can trade store credit or marketing services, too!