Having had to upgrade my computer system, I am still working on understanding this new  (for me)system.   So this is my first Blog entry on this unfamiliar machine!

So, in 8 days is the Book Signing for  well known artist, Bruce Lowney:     Friday, June 17th from 5 -7 (in THE the time is given as 6 - 9!  but the 5 - 7 pm is  usual on Canyon  Rd.  If necessary we' ll be there beyond 7 pm.    

aSEAgallery will host a Reception,  Saturday, May 7th, from 3 - 6 pm  for artist Carol Hoy's new Encaustics

April 17 th Sunday - we're in one of those mid -Spring unseasonable (unreasonable?) cold spells...but that's pretty normal for April   ["April is the cruelest Month, bearing lilacs out of the deadlands, mixing memory with desire, stirring dull roots with Spring rains..."    from Prufrock,  ]*  we sure need the moisture so us locals are content with the week long cloud cover!   And despite the cold,  lots of people are out visiting galleries in Santa Fe,  and yesterday the gallery had not just one but two good sales:  the first,    2 Steinhoff etchings and the other, Friedrich Geier's Rickies 2nd Dream  to collectors from Pennsylvania.    Hardly anyone buys on [* In this rather bizarre polarized political climate poetry studied more than 50 years ago, creeps into mind. ]
After all this is a gallery of "politically engaged artists" and  my commentary on the ABSURDITY (the computer does this to me when I start typing too fast),  moral bankruptedness and downright insanity of Congress authorizing billions to upgrade our whole arsenal of nuclear weapons in this time of civilization being on a precipice ....global warming threatens survival, little expenditure on our crumbling infrastructure, education, etc.  was finally published by  the New Mexican under Opinions, My View. Empires always eventually crumble, and greed and power grabs don't steer the 'ship of state'  into a sustainable harbour.  (image borrowed from Leonard Cohen)  MS

This is a celebration of A SEA Gallery's    1st 6 months in this Canyon Road  location [hasn't been lucrative, but RENT has been paid, plus the more expensive utilities, as well as lots of building improvement/repair.]    Everyone who comes in likes the space, 'charming' is the  most frequent adjective.  I've even done a little painting of my own work outside, and look forward to more.

SO...      I'm going to present a Monthly Special:  one piece  that is discounted 35 %     March's painting will be   Calling my Camels    encaustic  13 1/2 x 10 1/2     normally 1200.     for    813.      (savings of 437.) It's a sweet little painting.  

Apologies to my wonderful artist, George Arntz,   my misspelling of his name on the October Blog was partially my dislecsia (sp? not in my dictionary!!!)   and my having to   rush as well as my discomfort with being on the computer too much  (we artists are not left brain enough for this technology,)  and not yet figured out how to edit a post (I will...have done it before ...just not often enough to remember, but it will happen,  and soon I will do a more complete post!      Now I must go outside!   Monika

Roseplasma   -   Drawing by Friedrich Geier whose show will feature a Closing Celebration Saturday
February   5th from 3-5 pm.    The 2nd image is Wurzelmaennchen   Call A SEA Gallery for more
information : 505

988-9140

November 23 -  We returned from Europe Nov. 13th [Friday - but we were lucky in that we left Paris on the 12th!]    We all  abhor the violence that kills innocent people and must also face our responsibility in it's origins.  I personally feel more bombing is not going to stop terrorism;  to me bombing people, buildings, animals and the earth is terrorism also.  My own art has addressed this for over 30 years,and so have many great artists, like Goya and Picasso.  We spent wonderful hours at the Picassso ,  the Louve and Dorsee   Museums.   We also visited the house  where Van Gogh died and the cemetery where his body lies.  I cried.

Visiting Friedrich Geier's studio [and home]  was a very special high point and purpose of the trip.  I had met and spoken with him in Basel, Switzerland in the Spring of 2013, and have shown 5 of his 'Drawings since February of  this year, to great enthusiasm for the unusual, stunningly original and beautiful works.  I was awed at viewing over 20 works and being able to select with him a dozen new pieces which are now showing since November 21, in A SEA Gallery.  Every viewer is dee

Meadow Depths

Greeen Mantle

Glances & Expressions

ply moved and impressed.

A SEA Gallery has been in it's new space for 6 weeks [moving a gallery is almost as intense and complex as moving our home of 30 years.   I'm still organizing but the gallery looks great.  We had a small, intimate "re-opening"  celebration, which was never-the-less very satisfying as guests stayed long and pleasant conversations accompanied the new layout of paintings.  George Arntz, one of whose primary collectors lives in Santa Fe and has  urged me to consider his,   has sent me 3 paintings including the large "Master Jackie"  which remains very timely with Mars in the news and the hawkish Republicans (and Obama?)  pushing for endless war.     A SEA hopes to host a full show for Arntz later in 2016.  In the meantime I am looking forward to visiting Friedrich Geier this coming week in Munich and picking out the 10 paintings (technically drawings in color )  for his show opening up November 21 through February 5th, 2016.

Usually I would be amazed [and dismayed]   how fast July seems to be winding down but since I finally signed the lease and paid the necessary 1st, last and deposit on the new gallery space last week, I am even eager for September to come when I will move!   So August is my last month in the Railyard!  The gallery has benefited from being here and I have learned a lot and met wonderful art lovers and collectors while here.  In the last two years sales have diminished substantially and other than the "high end" galleries the Railyard did not become a good alternative space for art galleries.    I personally feel that the cell tower atop the hotel 1 1/2 blocks from A SEA Gallery has not benefitted business.  

I'm so relieved that the move location and basic schedule is  finally settled!     Business really slowed down and of the guests looking at the gallery fewer are active collectors.     While I do not need to leave my studio yet, now I can start to organize that part of my move as I have a space for the studio also.    It will be so good to have more studio time again.    August will be my last month in the Railyard;   I had not intended to do the gallery here alone but rather adapted to the circumstances. I thought a Co-operative would survive the economic 'downturn' well enough, but sales and interest were not sufficient.  The 'collective'   idea is still valid because I am not representing artists primarily  for their sales, but the quality and focus of their work.  Sales are necessary to support the artists and pay gallery expenses, but they are only one part of the whole, which is giving deserving artist the chance to have their work seen and appreciated.     So with this move I will balance interaction with the artists' work, the public and continuing my own art.

Kathleen Richards Watercolors

Last night's Railyard Artwalk which is the last for A SEA Gallery in the Railyard,  featured Kathleen Richards'   unique, beautiful Watercolors.   It was interesting, well attended and fun, with serious viewers and appreciative discussions of the work;  two sales occurred and more are forthcoming.  The show will continue through August 22.   Images will follow.  
In the meantime,  the gallery will prepare for it's move to 836 A Canyon Rd.,  September 1st, assuming the present occupants  leave it in the desired shape.  I'm locking forward to the move as well as having my studio on the same premises.