contact & gallery info newsletter events calendar gift shop interior design gallery artists & artisans custom picture framing what's new

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.

	Bella is still under the impression that she's the queen of the gallery.  Oh yes... actually,  she is!  That's her at left in her "Margaritaville" collar.  She and Buckaroo think being a gallery cat at carmen's gallery is the way to live!  "Laissez les bon temps rouler"!!
Gallery kitty "Bella" enjoys her status as queen kitty at carmen's gallery.  She shares the throne with Buckaroo!

Artist updates....
Scott Powers and Wesley James Drake return to China as special guests of that country.  They'll be leaving on April 1 for a 3 week painting journey where they will be escorted and feted by the Chinese government.  More to come on this very prestigious invitation.

Again, Scott Powers and Wesley James Drake (didn't I tell you they're hot, young, award-winning artists?!) were featured in the Feb 2008 edition of American Artist Magazine.  They are top notch, well respected, plein air painters and this article certainly reinforces that!  If you get a chance, we have a copy in the gallery.  Check it out!  Congratulations, boys!

carmen's gallery staff.....New Orleans is still very much in our lives.  Carmen just returned from JazzFest in New Orleans.  Not only did she love getting back to her second home, but she saw not 1, but 2 Jimmy Buffett concerts.  Needless to say, she came back happy!  Of course, Laura took great care of the gallery in her absence.

Jason Snyder, our very special framer and resident artist, just took a short vacation to Colorado.  We think he's a bit crazy to leave the island for 50" of snow, but......  he came back refreshed and seems to have had a great time.....give Carmen and Laura warm water, tropical climes, and a boat drink or 2!

Laura Howard is gallery manager in the Solomons Island gallery.  Laura left the field of mental health to land at carmen's.  She's the one described by clients as warm and wonderful.  Laura makes lovely jewelry (sold at carmen's, of course) and seems happy to be surrounded with art, loving kitties, beautiful landscaping and a wonderful boss!  We hope you'll love it here for a very long time, Laura.
 

About our pets...

        Customers and friends continue to ask about JoeBob, our favorite iguana in the world.  Sadly, we lost him to kidney dysfunction a couple of summers ago.  He's with us in memory and in the back garden of the gallery.  Buckaroo and Isabella certainly keep us occupied now.  They're the greatest cats on the island, as I'm sure you know if you've been to carmen's lately.  Buckaroo never met a person he didn't like!
 

Kali, (left) is a Katrina rescue kitty that Carmen took responsibility for in New Orleans.  She was wearing a well worn collar, had very little hair, and missing a tooth. Carmen, being the cat lover that she is, was persuaded to "adopt" her.  Kali ended up with her own boarding pass and flew to Solomons to be part of carmen's Maryland menagerie!  Sadly, we lost Kali recently.  But, we know she had a very good end of her life and she's still with us in our thoughts......

Love those animals.

    If you know Carmen, you know she's an animal lover!  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.  Many people ask about Carmen's "home" pets.  Well, meet 2 of them below...Kiki came from P.A.W.S. and they don't get any better than her!  (Not shown yet are kitties Tucker and Bela.)