SHEMER MUSEUM and ART CENTER presents MINI MASTERPIECES EXHIBITION

The Shemer Museum and Art Center, 5005 West Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ has invited In Vino Veritas I and Reality to be represented in their Mini Masterpieces Exhibition. The exhibition opens with a reception on February 21 from 6-8 PM. The exhibition runs from February 21 – March 21, 2019. Carol plans to attend the opening reception. We are honored to be a part of this exhibition.

In Vino Veritas I
$3,690
11.25″ x 6.25″ x 6.25″

Reality
SOLD OUT, 1 Artist Proof Available $3200
6.5″ x 4.75″ x 4.75″

New Alleman Gallery Partnerships in 2019

The studio has entered into partnership with two additional fine art galleries beginning in 2019. We are excited to be working with these two galleries and extend representation of the work within Oregon and begin representation, for the first time, in Montana.

Samarah Fine Art
16 Baker Avenue
Whitefish, MT  59937

 

McMinnville Center of Art
626 NE Baker Street
McMinnville, OR 97128

Love Blooms in Exhibit at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum

Love Blooms will be included in the 2019, 40th Annual Crafts Exhibition at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. Fifty works – representing 13 states – were chosen for the exhibition from 214 works. The 2019 juror is Luiza deCamargo, Associate Curator at the Society of Arts and Crafts.  The exhibition opens with a reception on February 8, 2019 from 7-10 Pm with musical entertainment by The Dusty Ramblers. The exhibit will be shown in the Dobson Main Gallery and runs through April 21, 2019.

Love Blooms
$1975
8.5″ x 4.75″ x 4.75″

Tucson Museum of Art Acquires Graceful One for Permanent Collection

Graceful One
14.5″ x 7″ x 7″

The Tucson Museum of Art has recently acquired the bronze vessel titled, Graceful One, for their permanent collection. This piece was inspired by the graceful weeping bottle brush tree. We are delighted to have this piece receive this recognition and take home within this incredible museum’s permanent collection. Read inspiration below:

The slightest breeze will move their delicate branches, even if unnoticed by most. Things are always moving, I believe, in gentle ways as well as larger, more obvious ways, on our behalf – and for our highest good. Most often in the midst of these movements, we are completely unaware of the infinite synchronicities beyond the human eye.  Branches of the weeping bottle brush do indeed move with the slightest breeze, reminding us of the incessant presence of grace, moving quietly and powerfully in the background of our lives.

These graceful, weeping branches also hold a unique habit of shooting seemingly barren branches, only to pop a brilliant bloom at the tip. This distinctive, luring, feature gives rise to deeper reflection. How often do we look upon something or someone, as ‘dead wood.’ neglecting to leave room for mystery, grace, or miracles simply hidden from the human eye? And how often have I experienced seasons of feeling as though nothing were truly alive within me, and then suddenly, one small or large event, person, experience or word, sprouts a new bloom of life, and everything feels immensely different – enlarged?

The genus name for weeping bottle brush means ‘beautiful stamen.’ The stamen is the pollen producer – the heart of the bloom.  It is a beautiful, scarlet bloom that gave name to the species because of its physical likeness to the common household bottle brush. Bottle brushes are used to clean those deep, dark corners so difficult to reach with any other tool.  We too, I reflected, often need some very special tools (grace, courage, compassion, love) to both reach and cleanse the deep, dark corners of our interiors. And often, this deep cleansing brings with it a share of weeping and of ‘letting go.’  A center core (Heart) holds the thread-like stamen of the bloom. Through both our weeping and our blooming, we too, are indeed held by a center Core.

While sculpting the vessel, I felt stuck at one point and surprisingly disconnected to it. When I first started sketching the surface of the clay with my needle tool, I thought I was creating a haven for several hummingbirds. I very much liked the idea of creating a haven for those incessant pollinators, as they fly wildly, their wings tracing the symbol of infinity. I knew well of their attraction to this tree of ‘beautiful stamen.’ Yet I could not see them in the branches and foliage I was sculpting. Thankfully, I have learned to surrender to the clay and that interior voice above my own limited projections and expectations. I sat, slowly spinning the vessel on the turntable and listening. Within minutes, a small voice within said, “you are missing a deeper connection to the heart of the piece”. I went to the keyboard and googled ‘weeping bottle brush stamen’ seeking a seed of clarity and clicking on the first reference I felt drawn toward. It opened a site, Nature’s Flower of Life and I was immediately guided back to the essence – the Heart – of this vessel. I found the words on the page giving voice to all that I held inside me.  I smiled, realizing once again, a tree had chosen ‘me’ to speak the words I most needed to hear again this season. The words of Solara Zwaneveld, a healing therapist in Australia, gently led me to yet another deeper wisdom of the weeping bottle brush.

I read and reflected on her words regarding the healing qualities of the weeping bottle brush flower essence:

“The energy of the Weeping Bottle brush soothes and relaxes the muscles, allowing a letting go [cleansing] of the tension of holding onto struggle and fear associated with survival of being within this human body. When the body relaxes into a state of peace, the pulsating energy of the seeds of truth that lie behind the illusion of life’s dramas, opens the way to re-membering the Divine Being of Light that you [we] are.

I see the doctrine of signatures of this beautiful, vibrant red flower in the multitude of red thread-like stamen that make up the flower. These, I was shown, to be likened to many threads of energy connecting each Hu-Man Being to the Source of all of creation [and to one another], from their heart centers.”

Used with the generous permission of Solara Zwaneveld, www.flowersforhealing.com

I reflected, with Solara, on the profound qualities of all those scarlet threads as our common bloodlines. When I cleanse a part of myself, I was reminded, I cleanse a part of all of us. And when I weep, I never truly weep alone. And, in this process of growing in peace, we are able to profoundly recognize our common divinity. We are woven together by grace.

Graceful One in her vessel form, opens herself to both receive and to give. She opens herself that she might open a part of all of us, to give and to receive, cleanse and bloom, and remind us of Who we are and all we share, through grace.

    

Womb of Life at Haggin Museum Exhibition

Womb Of Life
7.50″ x 5.75″ x 4.25″

Full Sun: American Women Artists Illuminate the Haggin is the exhibition title of the 2018 American Women Artists Master and Signature museum exhibition, and Womb of Life has been selected as a part of this exhibit. For this exhibition, members of American Women Artists (AWA) were asked to create artwork that was inspired by (or reflects)  a selection of 13 paintings from the Haggin Museum’s 19th – 20th-century art including works by William Merritt Chase, Albert Bierstadt, Rosa Bonheur, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and other notable artists.  This juried exhibition includes nearly 100 pieces of artwork that include paintings and sculptures from notable women artists in North America and Canada. The exhibition opened August 2, 2018 and will continue through September 16, 2018. The Haggin Museum is located in Stockton, CA.

 

I submitted Womb of Life, in response to The Juniata River painting by George Inness. Womb of Life invites us to embrace EACH of life‘s events as our utter nourishment for growth, as we are held, protected, nourished and grown toward a new birth within the Womb of Life.

Transitions II invites us to Warmly Welcome Life Transitions

Transitions II (42″h) holds an impressively beautiful, inviting and warm presence in the Broadmoor Gallery, Colorado Springs CO. This large, open piece is an invitation to OPEN OUR ARMS WIDELY to both notice and embrace ALL of life’s incessant transitions, large and small, on nothing less than a soulful, grateful breath.

In our lives, each of us experience transitions of varying degrees – some celebration times, some grieving, others simply challenging in diverse ways. Sometimes we even sense a transition, without being able to name it. When this happens our first response may be to ignore it or deny it- while by doing so, we open the doors wide to allowing fear to navigate our path ahead (seldom a wise navigator).

Our life transitions, instead, I believe are sacred nudges. Nudges with seeds of empowerment, if even in an invisible manner at the time. Noticing and embracing each of life’s transitions fuels and nourishes us in quiet, while profoundly powerful ways. Of one thing we can be certain – life holds transition upon transitionthe only question is in how we will each receive the often hidden gifts within each and every transition. Resistance (or completely ignoring them) ultimately only denies us the immense gifts. Simply trying to “get through them” can numb our spirits (though sometimes we need a short spell of stepping out of life’s rhythm to be able to fully integrate the essence of a larger transition).

An open heart of gratitude, trust and acceptance fuels our souls and deepens our spirits; allowing us a truly intimate, truthful, and ever growing  and deepening experience of joyful, grateful living on this earth. Most resistance is simply our egos insistence that we know better than ANY other Power, exactly how life should unfold for us. May you be nudged to notice – to embrace and appreciate, the best you can – each and every both large and small transition as you travel this journey we call life. May you find a renewed peacefulness in your acceptance -and in your deepened gratitude for the gifts of Life.

Transitions II is currently on display at both The Broadmoor Galleries in CO and The Mark Sublett/Medicine Man Gallery in AZ. These two pieces will be the final pieces available for purchase before the edition closes. Transitions II is suitable for either indoor or outdoor placement – on a pedestal or simply, as seen above, on a secure, hard surface. It is hoped to be a constant reminder to open our arms WIDE, and with gratitude, to each transition in our lives.

Transitions II; 42″h

Transitions II on pedestal

Plein Air and Sculpture Show at the Broadmoor

Carol will be present at the upcoming Plein Air and Sculpture Show hosted by the Broadmoor Galleries, at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. The show opens on Friday, July 13th and runs through Sunday, July 15, 2018. Come visit with the numerous artists – learn more about their creative process and inspirations. The Broadmoor Galleries, with its exceptionally professional and knowledgeable staff will assist you with starting or adding to your art collection; while providing a most relaxing and inspiring opportunity to appreciate the diverse and extensive offerings in various mediums.

  

Haggin Museum Exhibition

Full Sun: American Women Artists Illuminate the Haggin is the exhibition title of the 2018 American Women Artists Master and Signature museum exhibition, and Womb of Life has been selected as a part of this exhibit.

For this exhibition, members of American Women Artists (AWA) were asked to create artwork that was inspired by (or reflects)  a selection of 13 paintings from the Haggin Museum’s 19th – 20th-century art including works by William Merritt Chase, Albert Bierstadt, Rosa Bonheur, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and other notable artists. AWA artists have taken their inspiration from the work of art, the artist’s greater body of work, or the theme of the painting. This juried exhibition will include nearly 100 pieces of artwork that ranges from paintings to sculptures. The exhibition opens August 2, 2018 and will continue through September 16, 2018. The Haggin Museum is located in Stockton, CA. An opening reception will be held on August 2, from 7-9 PM.

  Womb Of Life
$1850
7.50″ x 5.75″ x 4.25″

I submitted,Womb of Life, in response to The Juniata River painting by George Inness. The Inness painting interprets a landscape setting in Harrisburg, PA – an area very close to my birthplace. Effortlessly, I slip into memories of similar heart-warming landscapes while gazing upon it.

The Juniata River, representing man in harmony with nature mirrors the essence of my work.  When painting it, Inness had recently returned from a study trip to Europe, after which his attentions shifted from expressing objective forms to an intentional aim for spiritual expression through his work. He grew preoccupied with the inner world – as have I, throughout my development as an artist and writer.

Womb of Life, with three trees, not unlike those in The Juniata River, represents the trinity (mirrored in the limited edition number of 111). Trinity reaches broader than a Christian context. Symbolically, it includes the essences of beginning, middle, end; father, mother, child; and birth, life and death; etc. The spiritual essence of Womb of Life, as echoed in the Companion Poetry, is the suggestion that absolutely every experience in our lives is simply an experience, as we are held within the womb of life  being nourished, protected, and grown as we await a new birthIt invites us to consider a spirit of gratitude rather than resistance toward all experiences in our lives. The trees reflect natures’ pure acceptance in living this truth.

Carol at The Broadmoor Gallery Plein Air Event in July

The Broadmoor Gallery is hosting a Plein Air Art Event on the grounds of The Broadmoor Hotel on July 13 – 15, 2018. This year the event includes three bronze sculptors, and Carol is one of the three that will be in attendance. The setting of the galleries and the hotel are exquisite – especially during the lovely, warm summer days.

The gallery is open 365 days a year from 9:30 AM to 6 PM…..stop by the gallery during this event enjoy and appreciate watching the painters in action and speak with the sculptors as well.

 

Aries Maple Earns Award

Aries Maple, earned the award of BEST METAL ARTWORK in the 27th International Miniature Exhibit held at the Seaside Gallery, Outer Banks, NC.  Top miniature artists from 5 continents, 8 countries, and 36 states in America entered their original works of miniature art for this show of over 500 works of art.  All works were original  – no reproductions.We are proud to receive this recognition for Aries Maple that speaks about our willingness to GO FIRST while others around us are not so inclined….read the inspiration to learn more.