Pedrero in the Press

"click the image to see it larger"

While I was in Connecticut the founder of COMMA gallery left me a message saying that my work "Celebrate Citrus" is a large image and looks great in Orlando Arts Magazine! (mine is tree and fruit image to the left) Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson sent an excited email about our work in the magazine and provided me with the image and interesting insight to our images on her blog. I don't yet have a copy and I am so thrilled to see it here online. We can all pick up free copies of the May/June issue at Borders and several art venues in Orlando. OR if you would like one you can request one from OARTS here.

I have returned back to Florida from being at my parent's house, with my father who continues a daily battle in illness, yet he can still laugh at funny jokes many of my followers have shared. Thank you. Speaking of followers if you are following me here and I have not popped in to say hello please send me a note I don't want to miss visiting you. If you are on twitter please follow me there http://twitter.com/robinpedrero and do the same let me know you are there as I am in the process of deleting some non actives to follow my followers. If you twitter you understood that line.

Very Very interesting....

"First Fruits" (the piece on top) was created when I was 16. It was confiscated by my mother so I would not sell it, which I am kinda pleased about now. I took the pic with my cell phone. Over the past few months while playing with acrylics, like "Juicy Thoughts" (above) I have been placing birds in table settings with questions crossing my mind like would someone even want a bird at their table? Yet I want, to the point I can say, I need the birds to be in these pieces. Now here at my parent's house I looked at "First Fruits" and thought Oh MY what do you know I'd already done that! And I continue to repeat themes and symbols in my work. These symbols speak for me in a visual language.

"Juicy Thoughts" is available for purchase at the Wolfe Gallery in Deland Florida.

Honor of Artsyfartsy Official Biz

"display it proudly because you are the models for today and future’s art
businesses…you deserve it."

Thanks to Bill Weaver of The Artists Center for giving me this honor titled, Artsyfartsy official biz! I am one of five artists selected in the first official Artsyfartsy biz titles.

"They recognize the nature of their journey and are always open to grow in ways that will help them, their supporters and our world. In doing all they do they represent the cutting edge of a new Art business paradigm." Bill Weaver

Would you like to know more about this program that honors and recognizes artists?
Go to http://www.theartistscenter.com/whats-an-artsyfartsy-biz/

Hey Bill - you had no idea but I have a dream I toy with about an ART BUS called artsyfartsy tours!!

Seeing yellow

When I was a child I took a single branch of forthysia and stuck it in the ground to grow. The branch grew to a huge bush up higher than the window. It is trimmed but it is there to this day. My mother wanted another so I did the same thing on this side of the porch and here it is today flourishing brightly. I adore them so much I just might paint yellow when I go to my Florida studio. That must be why I keep envisioning pushing yellow pigment with my fingers.

I notice my favorite flowers, the irises are coming up. There are tiny wild rose bushes, wild onions, rhubarb, mint, lilies, and even delicate strawberries found on the edge of the yard. I enjoy the flowering trees when I go for a walk. I notice there are more fences where once there were none. There are so many birds here! The robins are everywhere. And rocks, like the one in my pocket, but giant ones to climb on. The world is my playground.

Part II My Visit to Celebrations Gallery

I have a promo in my video description; I offer to send a gift to anyone who takes their picture at Celebrations Gallery and sends it and their contact info to me, by December 2009. The gallery has new works arriving regularly so Celebrations is always changing. One can savor the historic Victorian architecture and ambiance while the the art expands to all styles, contemporary, realistic, abstract, whimsical, florals, landscapes, decorative, jewelry, textiles, and collage. Jean and Jackie shared gallery plans in progress over some delicious Queen Catherine tea and wonderful chocolate biscuits. I can't wait to experience the new additions in all their whimsy and aromas, but I won't say more. Did you know Jean actually creates a flower bed, IN A BED! Even your purchase is decked out in contemporary bags, tissues, ribbons and wrappings to have tickled both Dr. Seuss and Martha Stewart. The pamplets and guides they gave me provided me with many additional places to visit in their "Quiet Corner". You won't leave there empty handed!

My first visit to Celebrations Gallery

I felt so renewed today after visiting Celebrations Gallery and Shoppes in Pomfret Connecticut. The opportunity arose for me to have some time away from my parent's house when my father had a guest and was feeling chipper and energized for the first day since his return from the hospital. I was greeted by owner Jean Barton, who was installing art with her husband on the front porch of the historic 1885 Queen Victorian home, which is now a gallery. My liaison Jackie Mahoney emerged and we met for the first time in person with mutual big smiles. Entering the building Cris Cadiz welcomed me. They are such a wonderful team! Even the giant door was a piece to behold, I promise to get a picture next time. The gallery is HUGE! I was not expecting Celebrations to have so many large rooms. Yankee Magazine has again included the gallery in a an article as a must see place in their March/April 2009 issue. Above the mantel in this room are some of my skyscapes. Below, on the other side of this room in the corner are a few pieces including my whimsical "House of Pears". My jaunt up to Celebrations deserves a part II post...

Super Cow, The Sequel

The walk

Created a few years ago, "Ripples in the Pond" is my "sacred space", a real place near my childhood home in Connecticut. Although this is more of a winter view I want to share with you my walk. I played and spent years in these woods as a child. This is where the wind softly whispers through the trees, you can see her rustle some leaves and gently move your way till blowing through your hair. Walking back to the second pond is always magically. We all rode our bikes, where now paths are wider and used for ATV's and strewn with party evidence of food wrappers, beer cans, broken glass, tires and ashes. Despite the old rugs and garbage that disturbs me, I walk in my nest of comfort amidst hills of leaves, rocks and trees. I can hear her coming from a distance, my comforter, moving the waters and branches. Life sparkles with energy, the tress say welcome back home, and I am embraced by the wind. All is good and right.

This is the place deep inside where art comes from, where spirit touches us.

Ripples in the Pond is listed here
for sale online at 1000 markets

The 20" x 13" image
is framed in black to a 28 1/2" x 22" piece.

by Robin Maria Pedrero

Spring

I have been watching and drawing spring while in Connecticut. The crocuses and daffodils wave hello, and lilies are shooting up. Trees are budding, birds singing, squirrels scurrying and even the bees are busy. A wasp sat down on the step next to my feet where I sat drawing on the porch so I drew it in several "poses". A squirrel came within two feet to be surprised by my presence and scattered down the hill.

While in Florida a few weeks ago we planted these incredible Yellow Straw Flowers (above). I'd never seen these before. They feel like crispy straw! They are such an interesting flower. They awaken with the sunlight and close up into round balls when dark. They are living but feel like home decor. And they are shiny bright, just luv 'em!

I am also keeping you posted on my father who seems to be doing very well today.

Maundy Thursday

I can't remember if this is a Rhea egg or an Emu egg. I painted a few of them in the early 90's which were also in a group project that was exhibited at the Appleton Museum. Eggs painted by artists were taken to the Tallahassee State Capital, if my memory serves me correctly, but I do not know where those are now. I have had this particular egg in my studio for years. I painted over parts and exposed some of the previous work for a new Easter Egg for Kimberanna's Easter Baskets. However the egg is still in my studio. Last week after an emergency call from my mother I took a flight home to Connecticut. I am here now in my father's office, which years ago was my bedroom, and years before that it was the kitchen during my childhood. I am awaiting Hospice to deliver a bed and oxygen for my father who is terminally ill. Sister Rita keeps telling my Dad there's always an Easter after a Good Friday. My father will be delivered back home via ambulance on Maundy Thursday. On the Christian day which the washing of the apostles feet is traditionally recognized my father comes home where we will care for him. My father who has always cared for me.