‘Funny Sheep’ Grazing at RASgalleries
- from Wine Country This Week -
July 31, 2009
The vineyards of Napa Valley have “Wooley Weeders” in the winter to organically clear weeds and RASgalleries in Yountville has “Funny Sheep” this summer to nurture the soul and bring a smile to your day, everyday. New to the gallery, ceramic artist, Renata Allen, creates whimsical sheep with human-like faces reflective of different cultures and with a warmth and charm that is certain to please.
“I first met Renata at RASgalleries when she came in looking for a piece of art a friend had told her about. We got to chatting, she mentioned she was a ceramic artist who creates sheep and I knew it was meant to be,” says RASgalleries owner, Ronda Schaer. “You see, I grew up on our family’s sheep ranch in the hills of Sonoma County and the sheep bring fond memories of those days. Sheep are such peaceful creatures and I would become attached to certain ones in the herd because they had such beautiful and unique faces. Much like human faces have certain characteristics, so too do the sheep.” Each of Ms. Allen’s sheep (AKA her “babies”) has a personality and no two are ever alike. Ms. Schaer continues, “In my present flock, I have one with a huge grin showing white teeth, another having sleepy eyes and cigar, while another sits contemplating it’s inner soul.”
Renata Allen moved to Napa Valley in 1994 from her native country Poland. Our quiet, rural environment allowed her time to develop her instinctive passion for sculpture and while studying at Napa Valley College she learned to express her feelings using raw clay bodies such as bisque, stoneware and low fire clays. Her “babies” are created from hand built forms of coils and slabs which, when combined with her glazes, manifest an earthy tone, texture and mood in each original piece.
“I seek always to empower my work with a life and breath of its own. Thus my pieces reflect my own heart and soul frozen in a moment of time,” said artist Renata Allen.
See the new and expanding flock at RASgalleries, 6540 Washington Street (next to Bouchon Bistro), Yountville, Napa Valley 94599. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Tuesday. For further information, please phone (707) 944-9211.
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