carmen's gallery newsletter - "Art Matters"

This was an infrequent but highly prized publication that we liked to use to surprise those on our mailing list. 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.

Artist News from carmen's gallery...

Debra Howard  just had her paintings featured in "American Scholar", a very erudite publication!  Here are some shots from the carmen's gallery painting workshop she taught on Feb 28-29.  What fun and quite a learning experience for all involved.  Here are just a few of the painting students below.  The results were spectacular and we have new painters in our midst!  Paula Moeller, Roxanne Cumberland, and Scott Nance (Carmen's brother) were all first time painters and all three show a lot of promise.  Consider joining us for our next workshop with Bethanne Cople on April 23 and 24.  All levels are welcome.

Carmen with color sampler	Heather Maertens shows off!	Laurie Ford, painting lawyer	Paula Moeller - first time painter!
Sylvia- always perfect	Roxanne..come out and play	Lunch break!	Artist Debra Howard and her new work

Wesley James Drake had a painting accepted in a Scottsdale show...very prestigious.  AND, they are using his art in the announcement flyer for the show.

David Cheifetz has been accepted in a "very cool" San Francisco gallery on Nob Hill.   

Marius:  Marius is painting fast and furiously for a museum show in Paris this month.  We still have many of his beautiful oil paintings for sale at the gallery.  It is the work of a master of Cubism and if you haven't seen his paintings, do yourself a favor and come in!

"Provence Landscape" - Marius oil on canvas	"Champs d'Elysee" - Marius oil on canvas

Carmen steps out:  Carmen has been selling her paintings in the gallery in the last couple of months.  Stop in and see what you think.  Here are a few examples of her style(s) below.  (And can you believe she's brave enough to show hers right under Marius'?)

"Magical Night" - faux encaustic	"Villa Laundry, Donnafugata" - acrylic	"Tribal" - faux encaustic

Candace Corona Pentz, framer and gallery assistant:  Candace is our custom picture framer at carmen's.  You'll also see Candace  in the gallery on weekends as she serves as gallery associate as well.

Sylvia Koskey  is the fashionable and charming part time staff member at carmen's gallery.  Sylvia helps 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. (At left, from left - right:  Candace, Carmen, & Sylvia) photo by David Wright

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

A note from Carmen on losing her beloved mare, Mystic. "Mystic's Promise", known and loved as Mystic, was my wonderful friend.  I could turn to her when all was wrong with the world and she always could make it better.  At 25, she was racing around like a young thing the day after Christmas and a few days later she was gone.  She apparently had colic and the doctors at the Equine Hospital in Leesburg couldn't solve the problem without major surgery, if at all.  Saying no to the surgery was the most difficult decision that I've ever made.  But, as with Buckaroo, she's not hurting anymore and she will always be in my heart.  She was my girl.  Thank all of you who showed such love and support for Mystic and for me.

Since we lost Buckaroo, Bella became queen of the gallery.  Her reign is over.  She has now been joined by 3 feral siblings:  Picasa, Calypso, and Sayla.  She can hardly believe that they dare walk in her queendom, but indeed they do.  They were rescued from a boat at Calvert Marina and delivered to us to tame.  We've pretty much done that and more.  They don't want to leave our side.  And, they love Bella.  We hope that she reciprocates soon...		Our new kittens are very loving and want constant attention.  They help us with EVERYTHING!  They love typing, painting and lunch.   So, the gallery is full of fun furry female felines.   Pictured at left from front to back:  Picasa, Sayla, and Calypso. Below:  Sayla self feeds, Picasa helps with bills, and Calypso & Sayla take a break from the tough gallery schedule.

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 a new "child" her home thanks to her gallery association.  We had a client whose cat, Oreo, had to find a home.  Candace took the cat home to a not so happy husband, but now Candace, Allen, and especially Oreo are settled in and very happy.