Sometimes a sculpture reveals itself to the artist while it's being sculpted, and sometimes an object triggers an idea and the artist has to coax it into being. This piece was the result of finding a wrought iron bistro set. It took 14 days to complete from start to finish. I documented it along the way so you can see the process. The finished dimensions are 22" wide x 18" tall x 15" deep.

Step into my studio and watch the process on my YouTube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHn3DHF7ld4

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Last night was the opening of the Orange Art Gallery. It was an awesome night with hundreds of people coming through the exhibit and the new building. It was so exciting to see and hear people's reactions to my work. Most people were not familiar with my medium so there were lots of questions.
What I always enjoy is how people connect with the sculptures. Often they see something familiar in the face - sparking a memory of someone they love. There is often an emotional response - mostly smiles and laughter, ocassionally tears. People always share these memories or stories which often leads to ideas for my next sculpture. For an artist there is nothing more satisfying that seeing your audience connect with the art.
Sometimes art mirrors real life -

At the Orange Gallery opening, these three friends connected with "Gossip in the Park" . They saw themselves right down to hair colour and how they dressed. The lady on the left is a school teacher and she entertains her friends with stories about her students all the time. They recognized themselves and to my delight, reinforced what I was trying to capture in the piece. Friendship . . . hanging out with your girlfriends . . . laughter . . . Life's simple pleasures. Add a little wine, like these ladies did, and it's a perfect night.

This man attended a demonstration I gave last weekend. I was sculpting a head and he was watching. Suddenly people around us starting pointing out how much they looked alike. He was a great sport, hammed it up and let me take a picture.

People often ask me if I model my sculptures after anyone in particular. The answer is always yes and no. Subconsciously I think certain features keep popping up from my own memories or from people I know. Sometimes I meet someone who's features strike me and sometimes it's deliberate.
Don't forget to check out my facebook page at www.facebook.com/saracinocollection

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The Orange Gallery celebrates their grand re-opening in a new location. They've taken over a historic 5,000 sq.ft. building at 290 City Centre Avenue in Ottawa's Hintonburg Area. To celebrate they are holding the New Orange Anniversary Exhibit from April 10 to May 11, 2014.

Maria Saracino will be participating as one of the featured artists, with 15 original sculptures.

Orange Art Gallery has become a permanent player in Ottawa's growing arts scene since opening in April 2010. They represent a very talented group of contemporary artists from Ottawa and the surrounding areas. Orange Art Gallery has relocated to the "Hipster and Trendy" City Centre Area and will re-open their doors on April 10th. Their new home is a beautiful historic building which used to house the Bank for CN rail 100 years ago. The 5000 sqft building is being renovated to feature local contemporary art and will include art studios and catering in the lower level. The New Orange will continue to offer a unique venue space to celebrate wedding receptions, parties etc. and there is plenty of parking. Orange Art Gallery is open 11 am to 5 pm from Wednesday to Sunday and open late every Thursday night until 9 pm.

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A recent submission into an International Open Call for Artists resulted in Maria Saracino being selected as one of three Art Masters for the month of March 2014.

"Warm, vulnerable and touching - insisting on staying human . . . "

G A L L E R Y F O R . M E : Home

galleryfor.me

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Figureworks curates a juried annual award shows in Ottawa, Canada. 

Both national and international artists who work with the human form as their subject matter are welcome to participate. All media are accepted. Maria Saracino’s piece “The Bath” has been accepted into the show and will be part of an exhibit with over 50 figurative works.

‘Figureworks 2013′ is the fourth annual juried Figureworks award show. It takes place at Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, 302 St.Patrick street (entrance on Cumberland street), Ottawa, from November 19 till December 1, 2013. The vernissage will take place on November 19, from 6-10 pm, with the award ceremony at 7.30 pm.

Figureworks aims to provide an opportunity to celebrate the visual art of the human form. The organization puts the spotlight on artists, their works and the life models, which are essential to nurture their creativity and whose profession is an art on itself.

More information is available at http://www.figureworks.org

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Many, many thanks to everyone who supported me by voting in the Easter Seals campaign. Easter Seals set a goal of 3,500 votes. They surpassed this goal with close to 9,000 votes, thanks in part to all of you.

The winner of the public vote is Sandra Westmoreland with her lily, “Sunny Day”. Even though I didn’t get the public vote, my illustration will be appearing on an Easter Seals stamp. I’m thrilled to be in the company of these other artists and I’m excited for the release of the six winning stamps.

Look for my “Orange Burst” in your Easter Seals envelope in the Spring of 2014.

Thanks again to everyone who voted – this was a fun experience!

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