Kaleidoscope - Artist Profiles

In working in this wonderful world of kaleidoscopes, fabulous and inspiring people have entered our lives. Judith Paul and Tom Durden are 2 such people for Karl and I.

Judith and Tom were an unlikely love story to start but they have built an incredible life full of color and love. Judith’s background is in color. Color preservation to be exact. She is a highly respected restoration artist and has restored paintings in many exclusive and famous art collections. Tom brings engineering and precision to match Judith’s color palettes. This combination implodes within their fabulous kaleidoscopes.

Exterior of Monet's Japanese Bridge Kaleidoscope

Interior Image with Iris from Monet's Japanese Bridge Kaleidoscope

Monet’s Japanese Garden is an lovely example of how this works.
Delicate lavendars, blues and pinks bloom inside the object cell with a unique arc for a mirror system.

Youtube Video of Monet\'s Japanese Bridge by Judith Paul

Judith has so much inspiration, she has plenty to share! Christine Feehan has been the latest person to be inspired by Judith. The most recent book is Spirit Bound

The main character is Judith Henderson, a painter and kaleidoscope artist whose main love interest is Thomas Vincent…..

Judith’s life is filled with color and love. This book is inspired by this and we are honored that Judith includes is in a corner of her vibrant life!

In early October, we had a wonderful afternoon on the Northeast Iowa Artists Tour. Our destination and purpose was the art glass and kaleidoscope studio of Peggy and Steve Kittleson.

We are always amazed by hot glass work. Peggy allowed us to take video which is hosted on YouTube.
Peggy Kittleson Lampworking Glass

On this gorgeous Saturday afternoon, we had the opportunity to learn the back story on Mystic Resolution and its full inspiration. Watch here.

This Mystic Resolution Parlor Kaleidoscope by Peggy and Steve Kittleson is a rare kaleidoscope limited to only 5 pieces. The one shown here is #4 in the series of 5.

Karl and I here at Kaleidoscopes To You just love our Flip Camera technology. It allows us to capture so much more of the kaleidoscopes that we feature and now we are beginning to capture interviews with artists. This allows you the rare opportunity to learn even more about how and why these kaleidoscopes are so fabulous.

At the most recent Brewster Kaleidoscope Convention, Karl had the opportunity to interview Sue Rioux; a fabulous stained glass artist. During this interview, Sue talks about her work throughout almost 30 years of art. Her training is as sculptor and painting; however her work in the late 70’s is predominantly flat panel stained glass installations. Then Sue saw the brass kaleidoscopes of Janice Chesnik in a gallery in southern California. Sue began using brass tubes with her stained glass to create kaleidoscopes as well and then the glass inspired Sue even more.

Sue’s work since the mid 90’s has been flat panel stained glass construction with beautiful barrels or oil filled barrels for the chambers. Sue also fuses glass and dichroic glass in her kiln to create beautiful components for her kaleidoscope exteriors, barrels and interiors.

Take a look at Miraposa.

Miraposa by Sue Rioux

This creation showcases all that is fantastic and unique about Sue Rioux’s kaleidoscopes. The fused and dichroic glass soldered into this exquisite turning barrel.

Miraposa Barrel

The technique and solid construction of the body and the mirror system.

Miraposa Eyepiece

The vibrant colors.

Miraposa Interior

Thinking today about kaleidoscopes as an art form. A kaleidoscope is a media for art inside and outside.

Some kaleidoscope artists are inspired by great paintings. Here Carolyn Bennett has interpreted Van Gogh’s Starry Starry Night into a bright and modern kaleidoscope inside and out.

Van Gogh Starry Night Exterior

Van Gogh Starry Night Interior

And to top it all off, she’s a great person! With a great sense of fun and compassion! We are honored to consider her a friend and a colleague!

Sara Bareilles Kaleidoscope Heart Beautiful new song by Sara Bareilles! Kaleidoscope Heart. We have many kaleidoscopes that could match such a lovely and enchanting song. Take a look at this scope embellished with a heart by David Kalish.

Heart Teleidoscope by Kalish

Here’s my favorite durable and handcrafted kaleidoscope!

Carolyn Bennett has designed these great acrylic kaleidoscopes for years and she continues to adapt these kaleidoscopes for different themes.

Here is an Old World Map Themed Kaleidoscope.
She has the photograph or map sealed underneath the high grade acrylic. You roll the entire kaleidoscope as you view its interior images.

CBennett LS Old World Map Kaleidoscope

CBennett Interior Image from Old World Map Kaleidoscope

This kaleidoscope is designed to have enough room for some texture and dimension underneath the acrylic. This version of the Sea uses handmade paper. The texture looks like it is under glass. The dimension and shadowing is precious. The acrylic cylinder seals it in with all the security of a museum exhibit!

CBennett Liquid Suspension Sea Kaleidoscope Exterior with Hand Made Paper

CBennett Object Cell with SeaShells and Sand

Carolyn can also create custom versions for you. Invitations look amazing sealed under the acrylic as a custom momento of that special occcasion! Feel free to browse Carolyn’s section or email jean@kaleidoscopestoyou.com

Corki’s work has always been amazing and we have featured her scopes and jewelry for a long time. Check out some of her current pieces of artwork at our website;

Corki Weeks Kaleidoscope Artist Profile

Corki Weeks is one of the most prolific and creative kaleidoscope artists of the last 30 years. Her work has spanned brass, glass and mixed media for kaleidoscopes ranging from tiny necklaces to large parlor kaleidoscopes. Her knowledge base and warm and open personality have earned her a top spot within the hearts and minds of the kaleidoscope community. Corki is known for developing new and creative mirror systems. Her latest whim is taking down a path of beads and curved and slumped dichroic glass angles. These are appearing within the mirrors and on object cells on her kaleidoscopes and around the necks of those admiring the kaleidoscopes as well as admiring Corki. Corki Weeks is a top kaleidoscope artist.

Kaleidoscopes To You 507 Hwy 65 Manly Iowa 50456 U.S.A. www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com 1 641 454 2068

David Kalish

Here’s the maestro of the Wedding Kaleidoscope, David Kalish at work in his studio!
Karl and I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to the Bay area where David has been designing and producing kaleidoscopes for over 20 years. His most successful design, the Wedding Kaleidoscope is an incredible and unique wedding gift as it allows to separate perspectives of the same object cell.  Here is David examining an object cell for the color proportions in his studio up in the Oakland hills. 

Here’s David precisely cutting the mirrors for his new design which I’ll tell you about next.

Here is Hypochondriac!  For anyone in the medical arts, the perfect gift is here!
A mix of over the counter pharmaceuticals are sealed within the object cell along with chrome or brass plated Caduceus.  This gives you a whole new view of pain relief!

Here’s David’s new design that incorporates fabric, called SoftCell.  The object cell is a beautiful piece of silk fabric that can be drawn through the cell to create fantastic images.
You can use a silk scarf of your choice to change the colors!

Kaleidoscope artist, NJ Enterprises represent the designs of Nancy and Jean’s fabulous teleidoscopes

which are created out of teak, ebony and paduak woods from India.  This wooden kaleidoscope design has only a clear marble at the end so it creates a kaleidoscopic view of whatever you see.  This design in a kaleidoscope makes for a memorable promotional gift as it reinforces a “new perspective” or a “whole new vision”.

Whichever design you choose, each one has an exquisite layer of lacquer to showcase the beauty of the exotic woods.  Each teleidoscope comes with a complimentary wood base and is enclosed within its navy gift box for secure shipping and beautiful presentation.

A teleidoscope crafted by kaleidoscope artist, NJ Enterprises, makes a fantastic and memorable gift."