Intuition Design Studio was borne out of a 25 year relationship between Tricia Harding and Gary Meddaugh. In our years of marriage we have made our major decisions led forcefully by our intuition. Both of us retired from careers as managers and Tricia’s intuition led her to a new career in the arts using her management skills to serve not-for-profit arts organizations. But she found her driving force as an artist of paper. Books, collage and boxes all keep her mind challenged and alive. In recent years she has had to cede some of her studio space to Gary as he was drawn to working with silver and rocks.
We act as each others coach, critic, design suggester and support system and even work together providing custom boxes for commissioned jewelry. Our art is lead by our individual and collective intuition. Thus, Intuition Design Studio!
We act as each others coach, critic, design suggester and support system and even work together providing custom boxes for commissioned jewelry. Our art is lead by our individual and collective intuition. Thus, Intuition Design Studio!
Tricia Harding - Paper Engineer
I begin my artistic process by being part of the environment, whether it is out in nature or walking in a city. Once in the studio, I re-imagine my experiences into a work of art that can be observed by others. I am drawn to creating small and intimate works, most often abstract and influenced by geometric shapes and patterns.
The tools of my trade include collections of large sheets of paper, some bought and some handmade, ephemera and organic materials that are collected in my wanderings. Even the smallest scraps of papers are saved as these often are the final element that provide the finishing touch to a piece.
My recent work starts by creating monoprints using either jelly plates or mokuhanga wood relief printing. Once I have created a body of monoprints, I start deconstructing the monoprints (cutting them up) and then putting them back together in new ways. The last step is to find something that creates 3d depth and texture and a final dit dot to finish the work off
The tools of my trade include collections of large sheets of paper, some bought and some handmade, ephemera and organic materials that are collected in my wanderings. Even the smallest scraps of papers are saved as these often are the final element that provide the finishing touch to a piece.
My recent work starts by creating monoprints using either jelly plates or mokuhanga wood relief printing. Once I have created a body of monoprints, I start deconstructing the monoprints (cutting them up) and then putting them back together in new ways. The last step is to find something that creates 3d depth and texture and a final dit dot to finish the work off
Gary Meddaugh - Silversmith
In my professional life the composition of an artist statement was probably the most unlikely enterprise. I spent forty plus years in management and had no experience with art except to build doll houses and miniature horse stables for my two daughters. Both of them are now accomplished artists and I always enjoyed their work and envied their ability to express themselves in that way. My work whether leading personal growth experiences or managing an organization seldom if ever had an immediate product that could be looked at and touched and experienced. As I retired from this work I realized that whatever legacy I had in these endeavors I would not see and touch unless I was extremely lucky.
Then I took a course in beginning silversmithing and a bright light went on in my life. I started to pursue the many elements of silversmithing and spent two periods studying with two master silversmiths at Ghost Ranch in Abiqu, New Mexico. My work is greatly influenced by their teaching,
I work in silver and semi-precious stones using other metals as accents. I am drawn to color in stones and the patterns that their years of forming have created. I am also drawn to a lack of symmetry that occurs in natural things. I feel this invites the eye to notice elements it wouldn’t notice if the work was symmetrical. I create pieces that are silver only formed by hand, pieces that feature finished stones and pieces that have stones inlaid into the silver. I use color and patterns to interact with each other in a way that draws the eye to each. I love the detail and the finishes possible and I learn something new each time I work. The big payoff for me is the ability to see a piece that I created from start to finish, touch it and hold it and then share with another person. This process has made me wish that I had worked with my hands earlier in life, though I am not sad that I didn’t, as now I have more to discover about myself.
Then I took a course in beginning silversmithing and a bright light went on in my life. I started to pursue the many elements of silversmithing and spent two periods studying with two master silversmiths at Ghost Ranch in Abiqu, New Mexico. My work is greatly influenced by their teaching,
I work in silver and semi-precious stones using other metals as accents. I am drawn to color in stones and the patterns that their years of forming have created. I am also drawn to a lack of symmetry that occurs in natural things. I feel this invites the eye to notice elements it wouldn’t notice if the work was symmetrical. I create pieces that are silver only formed by hand, pieces that feature finished stones and pieces that have stones inlaid into the silver. I use color and patterns to interact with each other in a way that draws the eye to each. I love the detail and the finishes possible and I learn something new each time I work. The big payoff for me is the ability to see a piece that I created from start to finish, touch it and hold it and then share with another person. This process has made me wish that I had worked with my hands earlier in life, though I am not sad that I didn’t, as now I have more to discover about myself.
Fun Facts About the Artists
What music do you listen to when working together in the studio? Classic rock, world music, classical and even a few podcasts.
When alone?
Tricia: I switch back and forth between female and male vocals like Sting, Indigo Girls, Mark Knopfler, Joan Armatrading, James Blunt, Anjani Thomas, Leonard Cohen, Madeline Peyroux. And then some relaxing jazz and classical when I need to calm my mind.
Gary: Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Emmy Lou Harris, Axe Files and Fresh Air podcasts
What started you on your artistic path?
Tricia: From a young age I always loved creating things - weaving & ceramics were my passion in high school. Then I took a long hiatus to college, work and athletic endeavors. I was lucky enough to retire relatively early and since my first day of retirement I have been explore my creative side.
Gary: I have always been interested in silver and took a silver smithing class at the local community college. I became aware that this made me feel really good about myself and the process. I was hooked and continued to look for opportunities to learn more.
Who has influenced you and your art?
Tricia - I would say the biggest influence in my life came from my mother and her side of the family. Art and artist were all around and my mother started exploring her creative passions as her kids got older - she was a wonderful calligrapher and paper artist. She was a big fan of mine and in her mind I never made a bad piece of art. I miss her support on a daily basis.
Gary - My lovely wife, my daughters who are both incredibly creative and accomplished artists
Who are some of your teachers? -
Tricia - Rachel Fox, Jackie ??, Lorraine Jones,
Gary - Judith Foster and Dale Smith, both taught at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. I always learned several tricks of the trade from a wonderful silversmith in Walla Walla named James Carlsen.
Who is Grayson and what is his role?
Tricia: Grayson is a dog
Gary: And he makes sure that we get out each day for a long walk and he loves regardless of the success or failures we have in our studios.
If there were unlimited hours in a day, what would your perfect day look like?
Tricia - Get up early, take a hot tub with a cup of tea, go to the studio to make a daily meditation card, eat a delicious breakfast made by Gary, then go back to the studio and work all morning. Mid day would include a walk and a workout session, then back to studio for a few more hours and then cook a yummy dinner that is shared with friends. During the summer, since there are more hours in the day, I would also spend a few hours working in the garden and maybe even get in a round of golf!
Gary - Exercise, Golf in the summer, studio time, cooking good meals and doing something with people.
Favorite Artists?
Tricia - Richard Diebenkorn, Picasso, Lillian Pitt,
Gary - Charles Loloma and Ben Nighthorse Campbell - both native american silversmiths
What music do you listen to when working together in the studio? Classic rock, world music, classical and even a few podcasts.
When alone?
Tricia: I switch back and forth between female and male vocals like Sting, Indigo Girls, Mark Knopfler, Joan Armatrading, James Blunt, Anjani Thomas, Leonard Cohen, Madeline Peyroux. And then some relaxing jazz and classical when I need to calm my mind.
Gary: Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Emmy Lou Harris, Axe Files and Fresh Air podcasts
What started you on your artistic path?
Tricia: From a young age I always loved creating things - weaving & ceramics were my passion in high school. Then I took a long hiatus to college, work and athletic endeavors. I was lucky enough to retire relatively early and since my first day of retirement I have been explore my creative side.
Gary: I have always been interested in silver and took a silver smithing class at the local community college. I became aware that this made me feel really good about myself and the process. I was hooked and continued to look for opportunities to learn more.
Who has influenced you and your art?
Tricia - I would say the biggest influence in my life came from my mother and her side of the family. Art and artist were all around and my mother started exploring her creative passions as her kids got older - she was a wonderful calligrapher and paper artist. She was a big fan of mine and in her mind I never made a bad piece of art. I miss her support on a daily basis.
Gary - My lovely wife, my daughters who are both incredibly creative and accomplished artists
Who are some of your teachers? -
Tricia - Rachel Fox, Jackie ??, Lorraine Jones,
Gary - Judith Foster and Dale Smith, both taught at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. I always learned several tricks of the trade from a wonderful silversmith in Walla Walla named James Carlsen.
Who is Grayson and what is his role?
Tricia: Grayson is a dog
Gary: And he makes sure that we get out each day for a long walk and he loves regardless of the success or failures we have in our studios.
If there were unlimited hours in a day, what would your perfect day look like?
Tricia - Get up early, take a hot tub with a cup of tea, go to the studio to make a daily meditation card, eat a delicious breakfast made by Gary, then go back to the studio and work all morning. Mid day would include a walk and a workout session, then back to studio for a few more hours and then cook a yummy dinner that is shared with friends. During the summer, since there are more hours in the day, I would also spend a few hours working in the garden and maybe even get in a round of golf!
Gary - Exercise, Golf in the summer, studio time, cooking good meals and doing something with people.
Favorite Artists?
Tricia - Richard Diebenkorn, Picasso, Lillian Pitt,
Gary - Charles Loloma and Ben Nighthorse Campbell - both native american silversmiths