Sheri Ziebell, Richard Thomas, Sculptor with Andrea and Jay Sternberg at O'Brien Estates

Richard Thomas and his wife Sheri Ziebell were fortunate to visit O’Brien Estates with their friends as well as collectors, Andrea and Jay Sternberg.  Of course, some wine tasting was in order (oh, so delicious!) as well as a fun and informative tour of the wonderful O’Brien’s estate by delightful Rena.

Richard Thomas, Sculptor with Rena from O'Brien Estates

Sheri Ziebell, Amanda Safford, Richard Thomas, Sculptor

Richard Thomas, Sculptor and his wife, Sheri Ziebell, had the pleasure of visiting Raymond Vineyards in beautiful Napa Valley on July 24th.  They were given a personal tour by Amanda Safford, the incredible Tasting Room Manager.  Amanda treated Sheri and Richard to a delightful and delicious wine tasting while taking in the 95-acre vineyard with spectacular breathtaking views in every direction.  Richard and Sheri also had the great fortune to meet Jean-Charles Boisset, President of Boisset Family Estates, a family-owned collection of estate wineries.  Jean-Charles was gracious enough to share his vision of the property improvements at Raymond Vineyards which sound fascinating and will bring an even richer family, community feel to the winery. The visit was inspirational for Richard Thomas, as he is always thinking of his next sculpture.   Sheri Ziebell, Richard Thomas’ wife was clad in purple; her favorite Napa color and Jean-Charles was captivated by the purple and emphasized his love for purple by showing off his purple socks as well as purple shoes laces!!

Sheri Ziebell with Jean-Charles Boissett showing off their Purple!

Richard Thomas, Sculptor with Suzanne Perkins, Art on Main Gallery Director, discussing "The Offering"

On a recent visit to Napa Valley, Richard Thomas, Sculptor and his wife Sheri Ziebell, had an opportunity to visit with Suzanne Perkins and “The Offering”.  The sculpture looks wonderful in the gallery and has received a lot of attention since her arrival.

Sheri Ziebell with her husband, Richard Thomas, Sculptor, posing with "The Offering"

Admirers of "The Offering" at the Artist Reception

Richard Thomas discussing "The Offering" with Natalie and John from Grgich Hills Estate

All the artwork submitted into the juried competition is placed on display at St. Supery’s second floor gallery where the artwork will remain until the end of March, 2010.  The event is a time for the artists to present their work and mingle with guests.   Richard Thomas, Sculptor and Sheri Ziebell toasted with Tim Howe, Artist, and his wife, Patricia Radford.  Tim Howe (www.timhowestudios.com) is a painter who is also represented by Art on Main in St. Helena (www.imagesnapavalley.com).

Tim Howe, Artist and Patricia Radford congratulating Richard Thomas on "The Offering"

Tim Howe, Patricia Radford, Richard Thomas and Sheri Ziebell

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!)

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

High Level Meeting between Suzanne Perkins, Art on Main and Richard Thomas, Sculptor

Richard Thomas, Sculptor  and Suzanne Perkins from Art on Main in St. Helena, California, www.imagesnapavalley.com (click on ”What’s New” under Art on Main for Richard Thomas) are in a high-level serious meeting discussing the next sale!  Suzanne had just completed a sale of Richard Thomas’ “Loving Life” so Richard and Sheri stopped into Art on Main to congratulate her.  We really appreciate Suzanne’s efforts in representing Richard’s sculptures and feel we have a great team supporting us!

As we always say, “Life is just too short to be taken too seriously!”

Suzanne Perkins with Richard Thomas, Sculptor, on a more serious note - but not too serious!