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Artist's Statement:
Art has been the major driving force of my life. My studies in
Graphic Design furthered my vision of my work in terms of color,
line, shape and rhythm. Photography gave me a consciousness of
light and spatial relationships. My study of the history of art
and architecture has given me an appreciation of the many directions
the human mind has taken in on its artistic voyage.
Up until about 7 years ago my expressions have been mostly two
dimensional. When I discovered the gourd as a new “canvas”
it seemed a logical progression for me. When I start a piece,
I do not know what the results will be, I don’t do preliminary
sketches on paper or on the gourd, what happens, happens. Beginning
with color, a possible theme or subject, my piece evolves to its
finish.
Some of my influences come from many years of travel in the American
Southwest especially in New Mexico and Arizona and my love and
study of Native American culture, ancient and modern. Living in
San Diego has given me exposure to the Hispanic culture and the
proximity to Baja, California meant easy access to the border,
and the rich culture beyond.
My work is my reaction to what I see, hear and feel in the world;
my small voice.
Geraldine Liermann
March 2008
About the Artist:
Geraldine Liermann was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois.
She attended grammar and high school on the northwest side of
the city. Art classes were always her favorite part of her schooling,
and in order to expand her talent and skills in that area, she
attended summer classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. After
3 years at the University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana,
majoring in Graphic Design and taking various classes in painting,
drawing, design, color, anatomy and calligraphy with a minor in
French, she set off on a new adventure and made the move to California.
She lived in the desert for 9 months and knowing that waitressing
was definitely not her forte’, she moved on to San Diego,
returned to school, and received a B.A. in graphic arts from San
Diego University.
After graduation, Geraldine went to work in the office products
industry, involved in purchasing and advertising layout. She then
went into retail packaging, first in purchasing and then was promoted
to Art Director. After a successful career in this field, Geraldine
took a turn into the non-profit sector and worked for the American
Red Cross. At the same time she began experimenting with gourd
art. In 2003 Geraldine left the Red Cross to devote herself full
time to her art. She resides in San Diego.
In addition to commissions and juried shows, Geraldine is now
exhibiting her gourd art in galleries, museum and other shops
in the Southwest. Her work can be found in the following locations:
Art Divas Gallery, Taos, NM
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Shop, Tucson, AZ
Desert Botanical Garden Shop, Phoenix, AZ
Arizona State University Deer Valley Rock Art Museum, Phoenix,
AZ
Farmington Gateway Museum, Farmington, NM
Salmon Ruins Museum, Bloomfield, NM
Spanish Village Art Center, San Diego, CA
Bazaar del Mundo, San Diego, CA
San Diego Historical Society Serra Museum Shop, San Diego, CA
San Diego Museum of Man Shop, San Diego, CA
Quail Botanical Gardens Shop, Encinitas, CA
Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, CA
Wines of the San Juan, Blanco, NM
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