The Beginnings of a Creative Expansionist - Raya's Story
I grew up in Ann Arbor Michigan in the 50's and 60's; benefiting from the excellent teaching and resources that were there. My father, an architect, brought home discarded plans for my siblings and I to use with our crayons and paint (those architectural right angles still show up occasionally in my work).
I've early memories of my art hanging in yearly school exhibitions at the Rackham Museum in Ann Arbor. I received such positive response to my art during those crowded first night openings; I said "yes" to the expectations that I would follow the "Artist's Path" throughout my life.
My family moved to Florida in 1968 and I spent a year in private study with teacher/mentor Jack Cartlidge (1925- 2006) a Professor and renowned Sculptor. I was 16 and Jack had me doing full size human figures in marble dust mixed with cement. A year later I went to San Francisco, California intent on following a life plan developed out of my talks with Jack; to not go to Art School as I'd always planned; but to travel a "purist" path following my own inner muse, by trial and error learning who I am as an Artist.
I was a San Francisco Street Artist at 19, paying my bills by creating and selling my jewelry, or as I called it "painting in metal". The next twenty-two years as a designer of jewelry took me from the creative freedom of selling my Art on the streets to working for Circle Fine Arts (a Fortune 500 Company) and other top manufactures of jewelry in the United States.
A move to Phoenix Arizona in the mid 80's opened the door to the Fine Art world when The Phoenix Art Press hired me to design art for their Accent Art Collection. I ended up managing their etching department and they sold my designs throughout the U.S. The incredible education I received from working along side fellow artists at Circle Fine Arts and The Phoenix Art Press was amazingly valuable for me.
In 1992 I connected with Arts Alive, a Fine Art Publisher, based in Scottsdale AZ. For the next seven years I created monoprints and originals on paper and canvas; my art was sold all over the world and my work was published by various poster companies. I continue to work with International Fine Art Agents while exploring new ways of expressing myself through my Art.
I moved to Santa Fe New Mexico in 1998. I occasional travel to Europe and take workshops with interesting and knowledgeable Artists. I'm happily pursuing my life's challenge to push myself into new creative areas of expression.
Many Thanks to all the great people who have helped me along my way!
Born:1952
Resides: Outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Education:
2007 Encaustic with K. Dubay, Acrylic with N. Reyner
2005 En-plein-air painting with A. L West and A. Handell
2001 -2000 Art History with N. Kriebl, Museum of Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM
1997 En-plein-air workshops with R. Roberts, Scottsdale Artists School, AZ
1996 En-plein-air workshops (4) in France (including at Monet's Garden)
1996-1994 Figurative & Still life painting, Scottsdale Artists School, AZ
1980-1983 Printmaking at College of the Redwoods, Mendocino, CA
1969 Sculpture, private study under J. Cartlidge, Sarasota FL
Exhibitions:
2010-1984 The ArtEXPO, New York, NY
2006 Pride Gallery, 2 person show, Lawton OK
2004-2003 FOCA Artist's Exhibition, group show, Santa Fe, NM
2003 College of Santa Fe Monothon, Santa Fe, NM
2003-1998 La Cienega Studio Tour, Santa Fe, NM
2000-1999 Chalk Farm Gallery, London, England
1996 Galerie Chabin, group show, Paris France
1995 Jackie Lee Art, Taipi, Taiwan
1985-1984 High Point, NC
Professional Experience:
2010-1992 Artist for Galleries and Art Publishers, creating monoprints, collage and original paintings on paper and canvas.
2006 Artist Residency, one month, Center for Contemporary Art, Sainte- Colombe -Sur L'Hers, France.
1992-1970 Jewelry Designer:
Freelance designer and model maker for various U.S. manufacturing companies, designer and model maker for Circle Fine Art Corp., various Gallery representation, assorted fine art craft fairs and street artist.
1985-1984 Etching Department Director Phoenix Art Press, Phoenix AZ
Published:
2010-1993 Posters, images for European and U.S. Modern Art Editions, New York Graphic Society, NY, Verkerie (Holland) and others.
1991 ERTE, Art To Wear-the complete Jewelry published by Dutton Studio Books. Though Raya's name does not appear in this book, 50 of the designs were done by Raya and ERTE signed her work as approval.
Collections:
1st Interstate Bank, Denver, CO
1st Interstate Bank, Phoenix, AZ
Jaberg and Wilk Law Offices, Phoenix, AZ
Point Hilton South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ
Point Hilton Tapitio, Phoenix, AZ
Point Hilton Squaw Peak, Phoenix AZ
The Boulders Resort, Carefree, AZ
Mid American Energy, Des Moines, Iowa
IES Industries, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Numerous other private and corporate international collections.
Current Representation:
Raya's Studio #6 at the Artist Tent - the Flea At the Downs, Santa Fe, NM
Wilde-Meyer Gallery, Scottsdale & Tuscon AZ
Progressive Fine Art, Publisher North America and Europe
Affiliations:
New Mexico Plein Air Painters
