GILLIAN

My Memorial Day read was An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin.  I didn’t have a clue what the book was about.  I’d heard it was good, but I must have been out of the studio the day it was reviewed on NPR.  I was pleased to find that the book was about the gallery world in New York City, encapsulating the perfect time in history to write about the buying and selling of fine art.  While Object of Beauty is a work of fiction, I got the sense that Martin has been privy to many goings on in the art world, and his appreciation for art shines through.  PicassoMio.com lists Martin among an important art collector in the U.S. stating he is a prolific art collector of mainly Contemporary works.    It seemed as though through his narrator, Martin was recalling the time he actually dined with the odd assortment of artist, gallery owner, press people and other collectors.  At any rate, he nailed the personality traits of the characters in the book, weaving a good story around art as a commodity.  Read the New York Times Review here.

My Memorial Day read was An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin.  I didn’t have a clue what the book was about.  I’d heard it was good, but I must have been out of the studio the day it was reviewed on NPR.  I was pleased to find that the book was about the gallery world in New York City, encapsulating the perfect time in history to write about the buying and selling of fine art. 

While Object of Beauty is a work of fiction, I got the sense that Martin has been privy to many goings on in the art world, and his appreciation for art shines through.  PicassoMio.com lists Martin among an important art collector in the U.S. stating he is a prolific art collector of mainly Contemporary works.    It seemed as though through his narrator, Martin was recalling the time he actually dined with the odd assortment of artist, gallery owner, press people and other collectors.  At any rate, he nailed the personality traits of the characters in the book, weaving a good story around art as a commodity. 

Read the New York Times Review here.

It was a pleasure to meet painter Leo Mancini-Hresko at his open studio event at Waltham Mills Artists Association.  He and his wife have just returned to the states after living in Florence, Italy for over 10 years.  His paintings are of the Italian and Greek landscapes, as well as portraits and nudes.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this work by a classically trained painter. It will be interesting to see how the landscapes and subjects evolve now that they are living in New England. 

It was a pleasure to meet painter Leo Mancini-Hresko at his open studio event at Waltham Mills Artists Association.  He and his wife have just returned to the states after living in Florence, Italy for over 10 years.  His paintings are of the Italian and Greek landscapes, as well as portraits and nudes.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this work by a classically trained painter. It will be interesting to see how the landscapes and subjects evolve now that they are living in New England. 

Prairie Winds was installed at the Gemberling Residence during my recent trip to the Mid-West.  The low-relief sculpted wall piece is inspired from native plant life found in the prairie, and on their surrounding property.  I was also considering connectivity, energy and growth found in the home and landscape. 

Prairie Winds

Steel, Bronze, Copper and Brass

36” h x 132” w x 4” d

2012


I am pleased to announce the permanent installation of Winding Walk at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, IA.  On Tuesday May 8, we enjoyed a lovely dedication and reception at the Hospice House.  I am honored that Winding Walk will be on the walking path for Hospice patients to enjoy, while also further enhancing the beautiful grounds. 

A huge “Thank you” to my long time supporters and benefactors; Maryanne Hamilton, Gary and Mary Gemberling and Mark and Becky Christy,  Genesis Health Services Foundation, Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Treiber Construction and my installation crew.

Visiting Iowa, family and Sunnybank farm has been special during this trip home.  Looking at farm photos with Grandma from the 1940’s was memorable.  I really adore this place.

Flourish is my current work in progress.  Here is a shot of over 70 pieces of stainless steel ‘paper’ that will surround the piece resulting in about 60’ of ‘paper’.  Capturing the graceful nature of a floating piece of paper has intrigued me, and has been depicted in my work lately.

Join me tomorrow at Somerby’s Landing Sculpture Park in Newburyport, MA for the opening reception and Artwalk from 3-6 pm.  The forecast looks like it will be a perfect day.  I will be near my piece and look forward seeing you there!

Join me tomorrow at Somerby’s Landing Sculpture Park in Newburyport, MA for the opening reception and Artwalk from 3-6 pm.  The forecast looks like it will be a perfect day.  I will be near my piece and look forward seeing you there!

Fellow sculptor Beth Nybeck is in town helping me build my newest stainless steel piece, “Flourish”.  Having another woman welder in the studio has been great and we are getting a lot done.  Our time together has just flown by, and I have really appreciated her hard work, expertise and enthusiasm.  Check out this video on Beth’s public art project, “Flight of Ideas” in Orange County, CA.

Fellow sculptor Beth Nybeck is in town helping me build my newest stainless steel piece, “Flourish”.  Having another woman welder in the studio has been great and we are getting a lot done.  Our time together has just flown by, and I have really appreciated her hard work, expertise and enthusiasm. 

Check out this video on Beth’s public art project, “Flight of Ideas” in Orange County, CA.

See more images from the exhibition here.

Read more details about “Flower of Lowell” by Hannah Verlin here.