MariaSaracino's Blog

The Orange Gallery is getting ready to open the doors to their new bigger and better 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.

I’m very excited to be part of this exhibit. I will be participating as one of the featured artists, with 15 original figurative sculptures. I hope you have a chance to drop by.

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 square foot 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.

I’m in Virginia this week visiting with my daughter and her family, in particular some quality time with my granddaughter. I flew with Air Canada. Before I left I made two decisions – only pack carry-on luggage to avoid the baggage charge and to bring along some polymer clay to work on a few things while sitting in front of the TV. Well I guess I didn’t think it through very well. Clay, especially uncured clay is a big no-no, especially in carry-on luggage. Well after much explanation, some photos and several phone calls by the customs officials to understand the properties of polymer clay, they accepted my stupidity defence and let me through with my clay. Lesson learned! Here are some hands I sculpted while sitting in front of the TV in Virginia 🙂

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

The jury’s comments on my work . . .
“Warm, vulnerable and touching – insisting on staying human . . . “

Check out the Gallery For.Me, online Art Gallery.
Take a look at the pages “Art Master This Month”, “News” and “Digital Files of Artists”
http://galleryfor.me/home

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

A few months ago my husband and I were struggling with our old cell phone and my son said something that struck a chord. He said we have a responsibility to stay up-to-date with technology. He’s right – everything revolves around technology and if you don’t stay current, you get left behind or you need your kids to do things for you. So at the risk of becoming helpless, we are forcing ourselves to learn how to use things we have no understanding of. That was the inspiration behind “The Selfie”. This sculpture shows an older couple trying to stay current by taking a self portrait with their new phone. The contradiction between old and new is evident not only from their lined faces, but also their surroundings, from the old braided carpet, the neat and pressed clothes to the woman’s puffy feet.

I search for those moments that bring peace and comfort to our everyday lives. My art reflects those moments. 

Through sculpture I capture candid snapshots of life’s simple pleasures. I want my audience to feel the connection to their own experience.

My work is realistic with a touch of whimsy.
I sculpt in polymer clay and use textiles, wood and resin to complete my sculptures.

An Amazing Night!

“The Bath” wins First Prize at the 2013 Figureworks Competition!
Jury marks (max 10 points per juror) and remarks:

Visual impact: 8-10-9
Concept/originality: 10-10-10
Technical skill: 10-8-9

Juror Comments: Infinitely accessable, deliciously bizar, beautifully whimsical, sensuous, humourous, exquisitely crafted and simply brilliant!!

My original sculpture “The Hopeless Romantic” was part of The Timeless Treasure’s Exhibit at the Museum of Civilization from 2000 to September 2003. The exhibit took a look at the last 200 years of doll making and doll art in Canada. The sculpture was featured in a US publication in early 2000 and within days of the magazine release, a collector got in touch about purchasing him. After explaining the exhibit the collector still wanted to purchase “The Hopeless Romantic” and agreed to wait patiently until the end of the exhibit. He is now part of a private collection in the New York area. You can see the original sculpture at http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/dolls/doart01e.shtml

With Valentine’s Day only a few weeks away, I thought I would revisit this theme.

I would  like to introduce “The Hopeless Romantic of Windsor Manor”. Windsor Manor is a retirement residence in my hometown. I’ve had the opportunity to visit several times and what struck me was the resort like feel of the facility. Seniors are engaged in social activities and a beautiful dining area. There’s a Happy Hour Bar, bowling lane, movie theatre and all the trappings for new friendships and possibly a courtship.

My new sculpture is of a gentleman with a little mischief in his eyes and a hopeless romantic side that every woman finds charming, no matter what the age. A dozen roses, a gift and a card is all it takes to sweep a woman off her feet.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Here’s a delicious recipe you can make for your sweetheart.

Red Velvet Ricotta Torte 

Crust
8 ounces chocolate wafer cookie
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup ground almonds
¼ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup of melted butter

Combine all ingredients except butter in food processor until well chopped and combined. Place mixture in mixing bowl and add 1/3 cup melted butter. Stir to combine.
Press crumbs onto the bottom and about 2” up on the sides of a 10 x 13” spring form pan. Set aside

Filling
4 oz. milk chocolate chopped
¼ cup of butter
In a saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Transfer to a mixing bowl and cool completely.

Once it has cooled, add the following ingredients to the chocolate mixture:
16 ounces of ricotta (drained)
½ cup of vanilla Greek yogurt
½ cup of sugar
¼ cup of buttermilk
1 oz. red food coloring
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
Beat with an electric mixer until combined and velvety.
Pour filling into crust.

Place spring form pan on a shallow baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees until 2 inches of outside edge appears set when shaken gently. About one hour.
Cool in spring form pan for half hour. Use a small, metal or rubber spatula to loosen cake from sides of pan. Cool 30 minutes more.
Remove sides of pan and cool for one more hour.
Cover and chill at least 4 hours.

You can sprinkle with powdered sugar or cocoa powder, chocolate shavings or fresh raspberries or strawberry. You can also spread a chocolate ganache coating over the top and decorate with fresh fruit.

Simple Chocolate Ganache
8 ounces of semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp of unsalted butter

Place cream in a pot and bring to a simmer on low heat. Add chocolate chips and stir continuously until melted. Continue stirring for another 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add butter. Keep stirring for another few minutes then let it rest and cool down.
Once it has cooled pour the ganache over the top of your torte. Decorate with fruit or chocolate shavings.

Keep refrigerated.

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 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

Many, many thanks to everyone who supported me by voting in the Easter Seals campaign. Easter Seals’ goal was to have 3,500 votes. They surpassed their goals 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!

Maria Saracino Chosen as One of Six Winning Artists for 2014 Easter Seals Campaign

Award winning artist Maria Saracino’s acrylic illustration “Orange Burst” was chosen as an Easter Seals Stamp for the 2014 Easter Seals Campaign. Maria is a multi-media artist who is known for her figurative one-of-a-kind polymer clay sculptures and more recent polymer-on-stone relief sculpting.

Maria Saracino’s “Orange Burst” was chosen through an annual art competition from which Easter Seals selected six winning artwork designs that will be featured on the 2014 Easter Seals Stamps. Artists from the United States, Canada and Australia competed in this event, with the winning artists being featured on a stamp which will be distributed to over 19 million homes in their spring campaign.

The six stamps will also be promoted on their website in a public competition to pick the lead Easter Seals Stamp of the Year. The lead stamp will be featured on blankets and other premiums throughout the year to raise money for people with disabilities. The competition runs from October 24-31st and the winner will be announced on November 4th. You can vote on the Easter Seals homepage, Facebook or Twitter pages after October 24th. The direct link is:

https://secure2.convio.net/es/site/SPageNavigator/ntl_2014_Lily_Seal_Vote.html?s_src=2014_lily_seal_vote_hp

Maria Saracino lives and creates her art in Ottawa. The first 18 years of her career were spent as a graphic designer. She discovered sculpting and polymer clay in the mid 1990’s and has received several awards and nominations for her work. Maria designed and developed a limited edition seasonal gift line and has appeared in countless art doll and figurative art publications in Canada and the US. Her work has been included in three museum exhibits. Regarding the Easter Seals competition, Maria stated “I am thrilled and grateful to be chosen by Easter Seals in a medium that goes back to my initial art roots. It’s exciting to be recognized by Easter Seals knowing that these stamps will raise funds to provide programs and services for people with disabilities.”

Easter Seals, founded in 1919, is a non-profit organization, which provides programs, and services to help children and adults with disabilities achieve independence. Since 1934, Easter Seals has been using decorative stamps to raise money and create awareness of its programs.
Over the years, the stamps have transformed into the organization’s logo — the lily — and have come to be known as Easter seals. Today, over 19 million households nationwide receive the organization’s seals each spring.   http://www.easterseals.com

About Artist Maria Saracino

Website:  www.saracinocollection.com
Blog:         http://www.mariasaracino.com
http://www.facebook.com/saracinocollection
http://www.sculptureottawa.ca