Iowa Artisans Gallery hosts the exhibit, Debora Stewart: Abstract Pastel Paintings, & Mary Obodzinski: Raku, July 26 – August 26, 2012. Dubuque artist Debora Stewart is garnering national attention for her abstract pastel paintings, which have won awards from Pastel Journal Magazine and International Artist Magazine. Mary Obodzinski is part of the Illinois Artisans program and her work has been included in several publications, including three ceramic books published by Lark Books. Her Raku works include nontraditional forms, such as wall plaques, platters, lamps and architecturally-inspired vessels.
Stewart's pastels have evolved from representational to being an intuitive abstraction of nature. Her work is not an observational record but contains elements of an emotional experience in nature. Stewart’s pastels have been featured in publications such as A Walk Through Abstracts, Volume 3 by Sue St. John and Finding Your Style in Pastel by Jean Hirons. Stewart has been invited to teach a workshop and provide a demonstration at the next International Association of Pastel Societies to be held in June of 2013 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has also begun teaching workshops on abstraction in Canada and the U.S.
Obodzinski’s raku involves creating ceramic pieces out of clay, firing them to a certain temperature, then plunging them into combustible materials such as straw or newspaper. The interaction of the fire from combustion and the copper red glaze is unique to each piece. Obodzinski comments, “I am intrigued by the combination of the textures that I use on my 3-dimensional work, how it reacts so well in combination with the raku glaze & the fire. Each tile is an abstract painting and enters the realm of paintings & hung canvases.” A resident of suburban Chicago, she is influenced by the elements of design and architecture as well as the relics of the Mississippian period, a mound-buiding Native American culture that existed here in the Midwest.
Iowa Artisans Gallery was established by artists in 1984. The gallery features work by American artists and specializes in Midwestern artists. Daily hours are Monday-Wednesday 10-6pm; Thursday 10-7pm; Friday 10-6pm; Saturday 10-5:30 and Sunday 12-4. For more information, please contact the Gallery at 319-351-8686.