"The Offering"

 With over 100 entries from other artists, only six works of art were selected for an “Award of Excellence”.  Richard Thomas’ “The Offering” received an “Award of Excellence”!   Richard entered The American Juried Art Salon 2009 Spring/Summer Show and last year he received an “Award of Merit”.  Thank you to The American Juried Art Salon for the recognition!

Richard Thomas, Sculptor, working on "Rush to Crush"

Carolyne Hawley (www.hawleyfineart.com) , a local artist from Morongo Valley, also participated in the El Paseo Art Walk at Richard Danskin Galleries.  She is a renowned equine artist and produced a beautiful equestrian figure while demonstrating her talent to the crowds.

Richard Thomas, Sculptor, with Carolyne Hawley, Painter

Over 250 people came into Richard Danskin Galleries for the Art Walk and were warmly greeted Geoff and Val Douglas, gallery owners and Jeanie Faillers, gallery administrator.  The patrons were very friendly and we appreciated the opportunity to share our work.  It’s always a pleasure to welcome new collectors. 

Carolyne Hawley, Painter, Richard Thomas, Sculptor with Geoff Douglas, Owner of Richard Danskin Galleries

Richard Danskin Galleries, Palm Desert, CA

In addition to the two sculptures currently featured at Richard Danskin Galleries, two other sculptures, “Grand Opening” and “Grapes of Joy” will be presented  for this special event.  Richard plans to introduce to the public for its premier debut, his latest work-in-progress, “Rush to Crush”  This sculpture highlights Richard’s creative sculpting techniques while bringing together a playful trio;  Bacchus and a pair of Muses, for a grape crushing full body hug of joy!  Please come join us on Thursday, May 6th for a delightful evening.

Blooming Mustard in January!

 This now common vineyard plant adds nitrogen to the soil and helps keep the dirt in place during the rainy season.  The Napa Valley Mustard Festival coincides with the blooming wild mustard as it runs every year from late January through March which means we get to enjoy the wonderful blooming mustard at its peak!  Richard Thomas, Sculptor and Sheri Ziebell, Richard’s wife, captured these pictures at a popular photograph viewing spot off Highway 29 just north of Yountville in the center of Napa Valley.

Magical Mustard Nestled Among the Old Vines

The Offering at Mustard Magic

We’re pleased to announce that Richard Thomas’ latest sculpture, “The Offering” was accepted into the juried Napa Valley Mustard Festival Visual Art Competition and was on display at the opening night of the Mustard Festival at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, CA.  The opening event for the Mustard Festival is  “Mustard Magic”, a gala event to kick off a two-month season of sensational food, wine and art events.  Richard’s sculpture, “The Offering” looked incredible under the lights in the Vintners Hall of Fame at the Culinary Institute.  Since the evening was “The Offering’s” premier debut, she drew a lot of attention and admiration from the party goers.

"The Offering" Being Admired

After an evening of fun and frivolity, “The Offering” was taken to St. Supery Vineyards and Winery where she will remain on display through March, 2010.  Another edition of “The Offering” was delivered to Art On Main Gallery in St. Helena (www.imagesnapavalley.com) where the sculpture proudly stands to greet all visitors to the gallery!

Richard Thomas with his wife, Sheri Ziebell at Mustard Magic

Barb and Bart O'Brien of O'Brien Estates (www.obrienestates.com) with Sheri Ziebell and Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas, Sculptor, Barb and Bart O'Brien celebrating and enjoying "A Night of Unrestrained Reserve"

Saturday evening, October 17th, was ”A Night of Unrestrained Reserve” hosted by Bart and Barb O’Brien at their beautiful estate winery in Napa, CA.  (www.obrienestates.com) The evening began with wine, of course (!) and a dazzling sunset.  Bart and Barb O’Brien very graciously offered to display Richard Thomas’ sculptures in their tasting cellar where the event was held.  Richard’s bronze sculptures, “Loving Life” and “Early Harvest” were a hit with party goers.  The romantic theme of the sculptures and Bart and Barb’s love story seem to go hand in hand.  The O’Brien’s  visited Napa Valley on their third date over 20 years ago and fell in love with each other as well as Napa Valley.  The rest is history! For a real treat, you must sample their flagship wine, “Seduction”, which is absolutely amazing!!

Richard Thomas, Sculptor with David Yorgensen, Winemaker at O'Brien Estates

Richard Thomas, Sculptor with his wife Sheri Ziebell, toasting to O'Brien's Seduction (with "Loving Life" in the background!)

Sanford and Karen Decker at The Getty Center

Decker Studios, a  Fine Arts Foundry is the foundry that fabricates Richard Thomas’ bronze sculptures.  Decker Studios, located in North Hollywood, CA, (www.deckerstudios.com) , is owned and operated  by Sanford Decker, a hands-on sculptor himself, as well as a consultant to the Getty Center in Los Angeles, CA.  Richard Thomas, Sculptor and Sheri Ziebell, Richard’s wife, had the honor to hear Sanford Decker talk about the art and fabrication of bronze sculpture in conjunction with the exhibit:  “Cast in Bronze:  French Sculpture from Renaissance to Revolution”.   His talk was interesting, informative and he had the audience captivated as he traced through the history of bronze sculpture.  Richard and Sheri had the pleasure of spending some time with Sanford and his wife Karen and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together.

On Friday night, September 4th, Richard Thomas, Sculptor, exhibited his completed bronze sculptures and worked on two of his “in-process” sculptures at Art on Main (www.imagesnapavalley.com) in St. Helena, CA.  Cheers! St. Helena, a social event, brought nearly 4,0000 visitors to Main Street in St. Helena to enjoy live music, a marching band, shopping. food, wine and naturally art!

Richard Thomas explaining the clay to bronze process to guests

Richard was more than happy to field questions from the visitors who were genuinely interested in his sculptures.  The spirited people who came to Art on Main were happy, friendly, full of smiles with lots of laughter and enjoyed the gallery atmosphere and wonderful art.  Art on Main gallery owners, Tom and Nancie Brown were at the gallery for the event, as well as Suzanne Perkins, Gallery Director.  Sandy Maus, Director of Marketing for Tin Barn Vineyards (www.tinbarnvineyards.com) graciously poured wine tastes for the streams of people flowing into the gallery.

Sheri Ziebell withRichard Thomas, Sculptor, posing with Richard's "Grapes of Joy"

Suzanne Perkins, Art on Main, Richard Thomas, Sculptor, Sandy Maus, Tin Barn Vineyards with a smiling, toasting Bacchus

David and Judy Breitstein

Our good friends and collectors, David and Judy Breitstein, proprietors of the Duke of Bourbon www.dukeofbourbon.com in Canoga Park, CA  have donated an extraordinary wine collection to the Culinary Institute in Napa Valley.   “A History of California Wine:  The David and Judy Breitstein Collection,” was unveiled on February 20, 2009 at the Vintners Hall of Fame at the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone, in St. Helena, CA.  This exhibit is the first major educational exhibit to document the rich history of the California wine industry as told through unopened bottles and informational placards.  Quite an honor for the Breitsteins to have it placed in the Vintners Hall of Fame!

David Breitstein says, “I see wine as art, and each bottle in the Collection has a story to tell of places, people, varietals and moments in a continuum of the California wine industry.  I hope that visitors will come away with a new sense of the unique history of California wine as told through these treasured bottles so expertly displayed at the CIA.” 

Richard and Sheri are proud to be associated with the Breitsteins and raise a glass to toast them in their honor!