carmen's gallery newsletter - "Art Matters"

This is an infrequent but highly prized publication that we like to use to surprise those on our mailing list. We try to time it to come out just as our customers begin to forget we're here.  Rather than mailing our newsletter now, we're putting it online.  We would like to use this space to give you a smattering of news about this and that around our gallery and a few personal notes so you might get to know us better.

Gallery look updated:  We've had the entire downstairs painted with the exception of one room.  Drop in and see what you think of our new look!

Artist News from carmen's gallery...

David A.N. Cheifetz - This man is breaking records!  Named as BEST emerging artist in 2 categories by Artist's Magazine, Cheifetz is getting kudos from Southwest Art Magazine.  In the Sept issue he will be highlighted and we'll have an ad about him.  We just received new works, including the beautiful ones shown here.

"The Pitcher" - oil by David A.N. Cheifetz	"The Passage" - oil by David A.N. Cheifetz

Debra Howard..Artist in Residence on Tangier Island

Debra Howard took her husband, dogs and boat and moved to Tangier Island for the year.  The Museum there is hosting her as "artist in residence", and already it seems to be a fruitful experience.  She's been there less than a month and has painted 5 new paintings for her show here on Nov. 13.  She has also eaten her first soft crab after learning about crabs in detail from Ed, her new waterman friend.  The school children on the island dropped in to pay her a visit at her house and to welcome her.  The photos here show that she's acclimating pretty quickly.

Ed teaches Debra how to hold a crab without being pinched.	Debra chooses her soft shell crab lunch!

Carmen just returned from a 2 week painting stint in Sicily, where she studied under the tutelage of Corcoran School of Art's Steve Cushner as part of the Cultural Study Abroad program.  What a fun learning experience.  We plan to show some results of the participants' efforts here at the gallery on Sept. 18 (ArtsFest weekend) from 7-9 p.m. and hope you will join us.   (At right, Carmen and new Dutch friend Lidy Van de Leur attempt painting!  Notice Lidy's apron... advertising for carmen's overseas!

Candace Corona Pentz, framer and gallery assistant:  Candace is an artist and we welcome her as our  framer here at carmen's.  You'll also see Candace  in the gallery as she will serve as a gallery assistant as well.   August marked Candace's first anniversary here.   If you haven't met her, you've been away too long!   In her spare time, she is a foster mom for Dachshunds!

Sylvia Koskey (shown at right) is the fashionable part time staff member at carmen's gallery.  Sylvia will continue to help us out during gallery shows and special events.  She and Carmen are painting buddies (or budding painters?) as well.  AND...she makes gorgeous "Magpie" jewelry that we sell in the gallery.  What a talented lady.

AND about our pets at carmen's.....

	We lost our little Buckaroo (at left enjoying the attention that he demanded) and we miss his great personality around the gallery.  Bella  (see below) thinks she's just fine going solo!

Bella is queen of the gallery now.  She just turned 13 on May 26, the birthday that she shares with Carmen.  She is very helpful at any task.  Check out some of her favorites below!

Bella helping with the computer work.	Bella with Buckaroo's photo	Bella helping in the wrapping room!

Love those animals and support RESCUE pets!

    As you must be able to deduce, Carmen and Candace are true animal lovers!  To that end, carmen's welcomes P.A.W.S. to the gallery to adopt out homeless pets during some of the island's busiest times.  The animals have been saved from "death row" at the pound and are fostered by volunteers, given shots, neutered/spayed/micro-chipped, and carried to various functions until they are adopted permanently.  P.A.W.S. volunteers contribute endless hours to this cause and we're happy, at carmen's gallery, to be able to give them a visible adoption site.  Please, if you're thinking about adopting a pet, give P.A.W.S. a chance. 

Candace just recently received 2 new "children" in her home.  She and her husband, Allen, are foster parents for dachshunds. Their latest, Karma, just arrived from Easton.  Now that's reaching out to help!

Many people ask about Carmen's "home" pets.  Well, here they are...an entire feral rescue colony! 
 

Pablo (Picasso)	Diego (Rivera)

New pet personalities coming to carmen's?  Well, maybe not.  We thought that  Pablo and Diego were coming!!  However...they won't slow down!  They're too fun loving to have at the gallery and they're getting used the the other animals at carmen's house.  Seems the home population  has found 2 new pets.  Oh well, no new paws could fill Buckaroo's shoes, but for 2 kittens who were living in a groundhog hole, they're pretty cute, don't you think?  Another happy ending!

We miss you very much.

xoxoxo

It is with great sadness that we tell you that we lost our Buckaroo in May.  He was profiled in the Calvert Co. Recorder on June 10 and we, along with many of you, will never forget him.  He had such a unique personality and we have received so many poems, cards, and comments about our beloved.  If you have a fond memory of him, please let us know.  He is greatly missed at carmen's.