Planning for Kimberlee Rocca's solo exhibition Picking up the Pieces began in February 2020 when she first invited us in about seeing some new ideas. Her aha! moment of discovery, with her experience in foil imaging for the past 30 years, was exciting and fresh and warranted the culmination of a show.

In this blog post, we collected images of what we'll call Phases 1-3 of the process for the exhibit. Also featured is her wonderfully chaotic studio; marks of a playground for a multidisciplinary artist. Messy, bright, and plenty of vertical space to dream big.

It only seemed like yesterday that the clock turned from 2020 to 2021, and now in the blink of an eye, it's already February! But with everything that has happened insofar, I think it's appropriate to say we all deserve to treat ourselves and our loved ones to something extra special.

So with Valentine's Day fast approaching, we've curated a unique selection of artwork that's sure to bring a bit of euphoria and delight into your lives - be it cheeky with just enough wit, or subtle with the blush of springtime warmth, or even something that will make a bold statement.

New Arrivals by landscape artists: Preston, Mitchell and Stoeffler. Perfect for the snowy season and looking toward what spring might bring.

Our first "studio visit" of the year without a doubt needs to be where bright and colorful works live.  Thanks to the pandemic and for everyone's peace of mind, we 'visited' virtually through 2020 and collected images and video of Mary Zeran's space. We were fortunate enough to see how she created her installation for her 10 year exhibition at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. This was also a great opportunity to see the birth of the new print series featured in Mission Happiness.

HO, HO, HO-ly crap this year's been tough. If you're giving the gift of something handmade, why not go one step more and get it framed? It's like putting the perfect pair of shoes on with the rest of the outfit.  You can always gift something to yourself this year, too, as a special "I made it through 2020," treat. Now's a perfect time get something started.

As we barrel into a season of gift-giving COVID style, here's a few notes on what we offer for you:

• We have designed plenty of frame packages from afar! Email us with your ideas and style and we'll use all of our creative design experience to collaborate with you on your project.
• There's a non-contact pickup and drop off location in the vestibule of the gallery. Call ahead to arrange a time.
• We will gift wrap your project! just ask! ...complementary as per usual
  
• We're offering free local non-contact delivery (we're considering 'local' 30 mile radius in proximity to the gallery)

Check out some of our favorite frame designs below!

Gilded Pear Gallery will be closed until Friday, November 27th, due to staff testing positive for COVID-19.

The staff was exposed to the virus at some point during the week of November 1-7; if you were in the gallery or in contact with us during that week, we recommend that you get tested. We will remain in quarantine until staff fully recovers, per CDC guidance, and it is safe to thoroughly clean and reopen the gallery again. We sincerely apologize for any harm we may have caused as this pandemic spreads throughout our community. When we return from quarantine, our continual efforts to keep our visitors safe by requiring masks, daily gallery cleaning, and keeping appropriate distance from guests will remain in effect- with utmost diligence.

The season of feasting and togetherness is just around the bend. And whilst gathering with friends and loved ones is perhaps​ something the majority of us must forego this year, we hope this collection of harvest-themed artworks will nonetheless bring plenty of warmth into your homes.

Whether it's a woven piece reminiscent of fruit and veggie baskets, or a nostalgic landscape of colourful fields and forests - we are sure to have something to keep your heart just as full as your bellies!

Since we didn't have the pleasure of visiting his studio, we asked if David Kupferman would share a few photos of his space while working on some of the new works in Endless Planes.
 
Spacious and well organized, it seems to reflect the deliberate and precisely imprecise nature of the artworks themselves. David's work uniquely depicts crushing waves of energy- ostensibly falling into and out of frame and yet confined to it. It's fun to imagine what colors and gestures lie just outside of the windows of his workspace.

Read more below

"Phantasmagoria" - originally a form of niche-horror theatre, it has, over the centuries become more commonly associated with the unlimited scopes of imagination - be it whimsical, mischievous, or even bizarre.

As the days shorten and the nights get longer, our minds are sure to give way to more fantastical musings. Will you be surrounding yourself with the warm elements of fall? Celebrating the more spiritual and spectral customs in life? Or perhaps, anticipating the colder months ahead?

Wherever your tastes may lie, our artists are sure to provide you with an abundance of phantasmagorical artworks, pulled straight from the imaginary realm. So why not bring the stuff of dreams into your reality?

Have you seen our new arrivals at the gallery?

If you haven't, we've recently acquired a few lovely pieces from Mauricio Lasansky and Grant Wood, as well as exciting new works from Mary Koenen-Clausen and Kristin Stoeffler.

Make sure to visit the artists' page to view more works.

We checked in with Julia about her works in the upcoming exhibit Endless Planes and were presented with a question: "Would you like some wine?"

This question perfectly outlines Julia and her artwork. Inviting and casual, the world outside falls away as you're carefully led into her  isolated travels through paint, texture, plains, mountains, and the lake. Her personality is etched into the paint by way of brush stokes, and the coloring and composition pull you into a serene landscape of nothing-and-everythingness.

What a joy it was to chat about her new works. The love for intended seclusion and the act of painting is felt and seen. Read more below for the first peek.

Our custom framing service really knows no bounds. We can frame most anything, no matter the size or how intricate. And, in all reality, it's never easy and we know it. However, this was a challenge unto it's own!

The timeline for 4 giant posters did not seem overly complicated when they were dropped off and designed at the beginning of August. However, we would have never expected that a Derecho would hit our city and knock out power, phone and internet for as long as it did and slam our frameshop schedule right into the preparation for our current exhibition. Read more below for the details and how we got it all done!

With September upon us, autumn fast approaching, and much of eastern Iowa still reeling from the aftermath of the derecho, Gilded Pear hopes to offer a spot of solace in these ever-changing times. We invite you to peruse through a carefully selected collection of autumnal works, featuring ready-to-wear and ready-to-frame pieces.

From tranquil landscapes, to vibrant abstracts, to wearable art evocative of fall elements, we hope these pieces will bring an extra bit of warmth and energy into your life – and perhaps a much-deserved mental getaway as well.

Aftermath & update: the gallery is ok! We survived the Derecho that hit Cedar Rapids on Monday, August 10th. Our building did not take heavy damage and we are so incredibly fortunate. A billboard was swept into the park next door and bricks from the adjacent building (Phong Lan) tumbled. Our hearts go out to our business neighbors who sustained heavy damage and broken windows.

No art was damaged at the gallery. We were without power for 5 days and no phones or internet for 12 days. A sincere thanks to ALL of you for your patience. We’re still catching up on appointments and deadlines with clients and artists. We’re truly grateful for your understanding. We are touched that so many of you checked in on us during this disastrous time. We’re lucky to be a part of this community, here, with you all.

Below are photos and video (to be added) of the aftermath that we took. Also listed are community resources to help recovery efforts as well as news coverage.

We are heartbroken to have been notified that our longtime artist and friend Steve has passed. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and his wife Jane. We hope that they are surrounded with love in this time.
We will miss him dearly.

Click HERE for Steve's obit.

Read more below about Steve.

There is a plethora of symbolism and iconography loaded into Mary Koenen Clausen's artwork. For the curious minds and who want to know more, read below for a few snippets about her work and download a PDF filled with terms and definitions. You can also catch her artist talk under 'videos' and artworks in Peculiar Reality.

Due to the nature of Mary's process, it's difficult to capture the intricacies of her process in a typical Studio Visit. Enjoy a little reading below about her inspirations.

We're calling this a Studio Visit but we didn't have the opportunity to see Jillian Moore's progress in person for her new line of sculptures (thanks COVID-19). Instead, Jillian shared these process photos of her work so we could get the inside scoop on how these are constructed! To see how all the works turned out, check out the finished wall pieces in Peculiar Reality.

View the rest of the studio photos below.

Fresh new works have arrived for July with plenty of colorful pieces for you to peruse. Keep an eye out as more will be added in the coming weeks.

Make sure to visit the artists' pages for more available works and information.

Usher in the summer season by adding a splash of color to your life! We have fresh works from Ann Royer and Mary Zeran that have newly arrive in the recent weeks.

Visit the artist's page to view more available works

Click the button below to read the article about John Beckelman's solo exhibition Stillness and Occurrence during the Covid-19 pandemic.