Christmas is almost here!  Doug and I are running crazy like everyone else this time of year.  New grandchild, decking the halls, out-of-town company, and the shopping stuff, wrapping present stuff are taking up some of the gallery time. So this Christmas week we are switching off high gear and doing a little coasting to the eve of Christmas.  We are so grateful for our wonderful family.  We have gotten to know so many people this year and new homes were found for some wonderful art work that passed through the Pearl.  This show ends the Dec. 29 and we will be closed for the month of January.  A little hybernation.......Merry Christmas all and Happy, prosperous, & loving New Year.  Be safe.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!

MERRY FROGGIN' CHRISTMAS by JOYCE SHEHI

THE DAYS ARE GETTING SHORTER AND THE WIND IS BLOWING COLDER...MUST BE THE SEASON FOR GIVING.  REMEMBER TO VISIT THE GALLERY FOR YOUR GIFTING NEEDS.  ALSO, REMEMBER THAT JOHN 3:16 AND THE FOOD BANK NEEDS YOUR HELP FEEDING PEOPLE.

DEC. 12th THE TOYS FOR TOTS  31st annual ABATE run will start from Expo Square in Tulsa. Lineup starts at 10:00 am and the route will follow 15th Street to Riverside, ending at the River Spirit Casino. Take your toys down there and look at the pile!  It's inspiring and impressive!  What a wonderful way to share.

WINTER GROUP SHOW DEC. 2-29, 2010

WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOME WONDERFUL ARTISTS SHOWING WITH US THIS MONTH.  BE SURE TO STOP IN...ART MAKES A GREAT AND LASTING GIFT.

SHOW OPENS TODAY

SEPTEMBER ROSES by A.M.WALTERS

OPEN HOUSE at THE PEARL

Saturday, November 6th we will have an Open House in conjunction with the Pearl District Festival.  Come see us 11-4.  We'll be enjoying the fall weather, some music, and let's talk art! 

"DIRT and HARDWOOD FLOORS" BOOK SIGNING

Barbara's next book signing is at Steve's on Harvard.

You can check out more information by going to our website www.pearlgallerytulsa.com and clicking on the link to Barbara's.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"Don't pay any attention what they write about you.  Just measure it in inches."  Andy Warhol

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"I had reservations about making art a business, but I got over it." Mary Boone

ONE OF OUR "UNEXPECTED" ARTISTS

If you haven't met J.T. DeShong at one of our openings, then you just haven't been looking.  J.T. is one of our "unexpected" artists because she does it all.  We have beautiful beaded bracelets which she makes, nudes, abstracts, the most colorful flowers and oh, yes...the little plump ladies that people have been collecting for the past three years at the Long Hot Summer shows.  J.T. has returned from Austin, Texas to her home in northeastern Oklahoma and we are so fortunate to show her work.  We'd love to show you the wide variety of art she has in this show.  

THE FALL GROUP SHOW CONTINUES

The group show continues to draw praise for the colorful and very good art.  When we begin selecting work for a show which, has no theme, it is extraordinary to find the universe is helping.  Don't know if it's the collective mind or what, but we are surprised every time to see the work flow one piece into the other. We are fortunate to have many artists with diverse medium who make our selection process much easier than one might expect.Come see the unexpected at the gallery.

The new FALL GROUP SHOW opens tonight!  We hope that you can join us this evening from 5-8 pm. and then you can go to the Tom Petty concert or out to dinner or whatever, but be here first.  We have several new artists from around Tulsa and you need to see their work. 

September 23rd Show opening

We have a wonderful show opening on September 23rd 5-8 pm.  There are more than 34 artists with great photography, jewelry, watercolors, oils, acrylics, and sculpture.  We also have two really interesting fiber artists making interesting dolls. 

Hope you'll join us.  

Keep watching to see previews of some of the work.

AUGUST 2010

THE GALLERY WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST.  IT'S HOT, WE NEED A BREAK AND TIME TO GET THE NEXT SHOW GOING.  NEXT SHOW: SEPTEMBER 23rd.  SEE YOU THEN.

Friday

So, here I am trading e-mails with my new good friend (not something one says easily in the last third of life) and talking trash about our glory days when I realize that this is what the mid-summer blahs are all about.  You should remember that life isn't going to always be hot and life isn't going to always be well defined, but it should be a journey re-visited. 

I have extraordinary dreams in the month of August and some are prophetic.  I once called a manicurist friend to tell her to take extra care touching peoples hands because I saw her getting very sick.  I don't know if that's what caused her to use the disinfectant spray with all of us, but she listened; didn't laugh and didn't get sick. While that's not the prophetic thingy, I tend to pay attention to my dreams when the temperature rises and the boggy month of August is upon me. I woke up last week, full awake, because I thought someone had shouted "pay attention".  I will. 

Yes, it's hot. But it isn't any hotter than say 1979 when my oldest and dearest friend from college lost her home air conditioner. I took her a box fan and a six pack of orange Crush.  I thought she'd cry from joy. Yes, it will come the autumn and the changes will come with harsh winds, turning leaves and then a softness we will all rejoice in. Halloween and little children in costumes at our doors and if we are lucky that will be Indian Summer.   Breath. Trust.  Look to the blue sky and know that Oklahoma has it's own color, like Italy.  We are the Paris of Oklahoma, we live in Tulsa.

LONG HOT SUMMER CLOSES JULY 29th

While the summer heat may continue for a few more months this wonderful show will be closing in a week.  We've had great fun with the art on display; it's put a smile on my face more than once walking through the gallery. We are glad to see the art going to new homes, hope that one of them is yours! 

If you are not amazed when you see "Flower Child" sitting in the gallery, well, I'll be amazed.  Clayton Keyes is a wonderfully talented ceramicist.  When Clayton tells us he has something to show, we show it; and so it was with this work.  We've had so many requests to stay late or open on Monday to see this piece that you shouldn't miss it either. Just come see what Nudes and Whimsy can inspire!

We've got a wonderful new artist in Susan Sommer-Laurca.  She is the official artist of the 2010 Winter Olympics, 2008 Summer Olympics, the Triple Crown and the Cattle Baron's Ball. And should you think that not enough, she has begun a charity for animals in her spare time.  We hope you will come in and enjoy her work.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"Life is pure adventure and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as ART."  Maya Angelou

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

The opening was a great success and we thank everyone for coming out and supporting our wonderful artists.  If you missed the show, it's not too late.  We will be open after the holiday our regular hours, Tues.-Fri. 11-5 and by appointment.  

Have a safe and happy Independence Day.  Fly your flag and thank a Soldier, Marine, Airman, or Seaman for their service.

THE LONG HOT SUMMER

If it's not hot enough for you yet, then get over to the "LONG HOT SUMMER" show which will open Wednesday, June 30th!

Yes, that's Wednesday!  The 4th of July weekend starts right here at the Pearl.  We have outstanding art for every taste.  Nudes and Whimsies really work well together.  You'll appreciate the fanciful naked Bunny and Chipmunk of Megan Bell, the amazing work of Susan Sommer-Luarca (she's the official artist for the 2010 Winter Olympics), and  Bryan Cooper's dark and quirky images. Many of the usual suspects will be here too so expect to see Allie Jensen's watercolors, Jeannie Graham's nude and her wonderful long necked gals, Lauren Pope has two pencil sketches you shouldn't miss.

If you aren't familiar with J.T. DeShong's "Little Women" get here early because the collectors of these babes will.  J.T. has also got the most sought after accessory of the summer in her beautiful beaded bracelets.  Oh! and please don't let me forget that she paints too.

Darren Maine has come from Stillwater with three remarkable nude drawings.  He's been busy with his new daughter and we are so happy to welcome him back.

I could go on and on, but you really should just slide on by for the opening 5-8, Wed., June 30th.  

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"You should go into the studio everyday to work and if you aren't inspired, clean your brushes."

                                                                                                 Norman Rockwell

What I've been up to this week

I don't know about you, but the weather has been too humid for me.  Only one half of the front beds at home have fluffy new mulch and the other is stacked with mulch bags.  If you close one eye it looks nice.

The weather hasn't squelched my desire to spruce things up though painting the den is out of the question.  I cast my eye about for a task and there it was; my cluttered, dysfunctional sewing counter.  I've always wanted a magazine perfect organized and chic workspace.  I carry quite the fabric habit and have unruly large buckets of fabric in many phases. I have uncut flannel, cut squares for quilting, applique pieces, some fabulous fabric I intend to make a fall jacket out of this year surely...you get the picture.

I also have fabric that people have dropped off. 

"Hey I found this cloth in my closet and thought you might like it." 

"You don't mind if I cut out my new PJs and sew them up here?" (Um that was last year, they are still here.)

The Martha Stewart in me said to start with shelving.  Now the shelves won't hold the buckets of fabric, but they will hold the other stuff that is used in processing the material.  Oh, and they will hold things that just migrate to my work space, like the purple wig, the Halloween tree, the poker chips.

Yesterday I cleaned up my space.  The shelves look so beautiful filled with the newly organized books, embroidery backing, my treasure chest of threads, and now the label maker has a place.  The work top is cleared and my sewing machine and embroidery machine have all that glorious free area around them.  I've got a new rug which will keep my chair from rolling out the door due to the uneven floor. The buckets have been sorted, labeled and stacked. Truly an afternoon well spent. Bring on the cameras!

You might wonder then why I'm writing this and not full steam ahead with some project.  It's too nice to work in silly!  

I think I'll go sort the file cabinet.

The Long Hot Summer 2010

The Long Hot Summer show opens this month, Wednesday, June 30th 5-8 pm.  You'll want to save the date and come to see Nudes and Whimsy. 

Vacation!

Isn't it just perfect that about the time I'm ready for a break Memorial Day happens?  Well, in light of the perfection of it all I've told Doug that we must take some time off.  We will be closed from May 26 thru June 4.  We will open refreshed and with yard work accomplished on June 8th.  Ready to dig into the next show.  See you then.

This Land

 "This Land" published their first newsprint edition and it's Big, Bold and Beautifully written.  Pick one up if you can find one.  It's "relevant readings by Oklahoma writers, artists and thinkers".  Front page story:  Growing up gay in the Oral Roberts Family.  The center inside is Tulsa: Who owns downtown. There is a terrific story called "A Beaver's Tale" which every midtown resident either knows about or should.  Did you know there is a skunk whisperer in Tulsa? 
 If you can't find a hard copy you can go to their web edition and enjoy there.  http://thislandpress.com/

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"I realized that all the really good ideas I'd ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.  So, I went back to Iowa." Grant Woods

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

 "I have a Social Disease.  I have to go out every night.  If I stay home one night I start spreading rumors to my dogs." ANDY WARHOL
Go to Mayfest tonight!

Two Weeks!

We have just two weeks left of this beautiful show.  If you've not seen it...well, you just must!  We have wonderful "master style" paintings by Larry Clingman. There are exciting abstracts by Patty Porter and Woody Stevens.  Elizabeth Belknap has given us five very nice photographs of monkeys from her Costa Rica trip which make a stunning set or just buy one because it makes you smile.

C

We have Tim Lang, Celeste Vaught, Allie Jensen, A.M. Walters and Sharyl Landis.  Julie Miller is showing three breath taking  landscapes and the list goes on with the best of local art and artists. 

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"Art is made to disturb.  Science reassures.  There is only one valuable thing in art: the thing you cannot explain." Georges Braque

Shawn Wilson and the art of Sumi-`e

Shawn Wilson has been a professional artist for 25 years. A native Oklahoman, she moved to New York at 18 years old and within a short time was regularly selling her pen-and-ink drawings to New Yorker magazine.  She studied sculpture at New York's famed Art Students' League and over the years has shown sculpture in galleries in New York, San Francisco and Atlanta.  We are very fortunate to have Shawn showing with us at the Pearl.

Sumi-`e is Japanese ink brush painting which Shawn studied with one of the few bona fide masters here in the U.S., Koho Yamamoto of NYC.

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5 x 5 TAC

I always get excited about the TAC 5x5 event.  If you don't know it's local artists creating 5" square work that sells on May 5th at 5:55pm for $55.  It's a wonderful fund raiser for the Tulsa Artists' Coalition.  Get in line early! 
So, when last I spoke of my own donation of the St. Catherine's box, I had been taking a survey of what tempts. Food, food, food, and one woman of a certain age told me "young men".   The story of St. Catherine is charming, sorta. Her grave smelled so sweet that after two weeks they dug her up and sat her in the chapel.  She's there today still in Bologna.

Time is cycling out! The Pearl has a bike team for the Tour de Cure Diabetes bike ride this Saturday, May 15th. If you'd like to join the team or make a donation:http://main.diabetes.org/goto/pearlgallery

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"IMAGINATION  WILL  OFTEN  CARRY  US TO  WORLDS  THAT  NEVER  WERE, BUT  WITHOUT  IT,  WE  GO  NOWHERE."  Carl Sagan

Show Opens to great Reviews!

If you missed the opening last night, shame on you!  There was so much to see and friends to visit with and I think everyone had a good time.  I was right about "Reaching for the Sky" selling, we are happy to say.  You should stop by and at least see it in person.  We will be open this Saturday 2-4 for the "Earth Day" happening behind us brought to you by Living Arts Studio. Should be a nice day with drumming, high flying acts and joy!  

Show Opens April 22 from 5-8 pm!

This Thursday!  You won't want to miss this opening night at the Pearl.  We've got really wonderful new work to see and besides...it's just fun!

Patty Porter's "Red Tadpole"

This is one of the new paintings you can see at the opening of the Spring Show Thursday, April 22, 5-8 pm.

The Pearl will open the Spring Show April 22 from 5-8.  This is the image for the poster and postcard. It's predicted that this painting will go maybe even before we open!

Reaching for the Sky by J. T. DeShong

Quote of the Day: Francisco Goya

"Fantasy, abandoned by reason, produces impossible monsters; untied with it, she is the mother of the arts and the origin of marvels."

Nightingale UnBirthday party

I recently served as one of the art judges for the "UnBirthday Party" at the Nightingale Theater, an Alice in Wonderland themed costume/art fund raiser for ArtBeat Magazine.  There were wonderful works available for silent auction sale.  The three winners of the show are here at the gallery through May 20th. They are available for sale. Megan Bell, a very new and promising artist, made these delightful sculptures for the show.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:   "I think the very earliest influence was a horror of having to work in a bank or an office, a desire for a free and creative life." Frank Auerbach

Don Thompson's Photographs

Don Thompson's black and white photographs of  flowers are amazing, crisp and incomparable.  If you've not seen Don's work you are missing an "Ah" moment.

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which  ones to keep." Scott Adams

Lynn Grissette

Sumi-`e and Shawn Wilson

Woody Stevens

Woody Stevens

"I try to apply colors like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music." Joan Miro

This is so true of Woody Stevens' work.  Sometimes the notes are light and sometimes playful, the colors are always sturdy and the words, like all Woody's titles are important. 

Celeste Vaught is amazingly busy painting Tulsa "Brick x Brick".  Here is another from her collection of Tulsa iconic buildings.  Go over and check out Celeste's Blog.  There is a link at the bottom of this page.

The Sun

The warming days are finally here.  Did anyone else notice that we didn't have any of those glorious 70 degree days right after Christmas or the New Year?  I did and I remember thinking we weren't in Oklahoma anymore, Dorothy.  So the "Dancing Chickens" and the colorful "Poppies in White Vase" by Joan Matzdorf are here to brighten us all and cheer on the Spring.  We are getting new work in the gallery every week and are looking towards the April 22nd show with great anticipation.  Hope you are also. And great news!  The Cherry Street Farmer's Market is staying on Cherry and adding new vendors. 

"A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art." Cezanne

Don Thompson is one of the artists we are privileged to show at the Pearl. He has a new book out called "Hush Someone's Callin' My Name". There is a fine article by James D. Watts, Jr. in the Books section of the Tulsa World, Jan. 31, 2010 which describes in Don's own words his journey in making this book. 
Don is having a book signing this Saturday, Feb. 27th 11-1 at Aperture Photo 1936 S. Harvard.  Drop by and meet the artist and buy a book.
Support local art! Support local artists!

Tsunami, the powerful painting by Patty Porter is a fine example of imagery and movement which she brings to all her work. Abstracts should excite the viewer, invite you back to find something new each time you look. That's what Patty accomplishes; her work is bold and enlightened.

Dale Ragland captures the action and excitement of the rodeo with his painting. This piece is Black Dog, one of three works currently on display in the gallery.

Around the gallery in February

We are so pleased to have many of Celeste Vaught's Brick x Brick works in the gallery this month. The painting here is the Philtower Entrance. Celeste's mission is to "meet Tulsa by painting as many of its interesting places as possible".

Please stop by the gallery and see her work as well as that of Joan Matzdorf, Woody Stevens, Shawn Wilson, Patty Porter, Don Thompson and many others. Our hours are Tues-Fri 11-5 and always by appointment.