We have been so fortunate to display the latest work from Helene Fielder and Noah Saterstrom. Helene’s clay sculptures and Noah’s figurative oil paintings are very complementary as displayed in the front section of the gallery. The opening reception was well attended and we were thrilled sales were made for each artist during their show. Yes, we love when art sells, but it’s also about showcasing art for the pure joy of the creation.
Helene’s collection is based on a goal she set in the spring to make 50 teapots over the summer; a huge endeavor for an artist working in clay and without a studio assistant. This is the first large body of work Helene has created since her husband Ray, a talented landscape painter, died two years ago. For Helene, the process began as a time to focus on building sculptures, instead of functional work. As the summer moved along and she dove deeper into this project, the focus and design of each teapot grew and morphed into a beautiful avenue for her to show love and appreciation to the people in her life. Many of the pieces were influenced by friends, family and fellow artists and those special relationships are translated in the detailed designs. The images on our website are beautiful, but nothing compares to seeing them in person.
Noah’s collection focusses on the images inspired from old family photographs found in his grandmother’s attic. The figurative works showcase the End of Summer many of us can recall from our own upbringing. They include gardens in full bloom, days at the lake or pool, and family vacations. He truly captures the moment time stood still for his family. The figures have vague facial features, so you can imagine your own family during those times. It’s truly like walking down memory lane.
As we take down the artwork this week and reset the gallery, I feel like I’ve been embraced by the love that was used to create these beautiful pieces. I struggle to decide what pieces to keep and which to send back to the artists’ studios. I feel like they should all stay, but that’s not an option. I have held on to some special pieces I hope you each can stop by soon and take a closer look. Maybe you can find a small part of their story to take home with you.
- Kim Caron