Jean Sullivan paintings
Exhibited November, 2007
Painting
is enough of a challenge on the two-dimensional surface of a canvass; Globe
resident Jean Sullivan takes that a step further -- painting "in the
round" on gourds. The artist included some of her gourd artworks with
an exhibit of Sonoran desert landscapes during the month of November, 2007.
"I remember the exact moment
that I became an Arizonan. It was the summer of 1954. My father, mother (who
was pregnant with my brother), my sister and I had traveled across the country
from Virginia in a rickety old Ford pickup with all our possessions in the
back. Our destination was Sacaton, Arizona where my father was to be employed
as a teacher. My first few weeks in Arizona were miserable ones. I was terribly
homesick for the lush greenery of Virginia. Then, one magical afternoon, my
family and I took a picnic supper to a little foothill called "Sacaton
Mountain" where I climbed to the top and witnessed my first Arizona sunset.
That was the exact moment when I became an Arizonan and knew that this was
to be my home for the rest of my life. Many of my pastels, watercolors and
oil paintings reflect my love of the Arizona sunset. As far as I'm concerned,
there are no other sunsets like ours."
"I
studied art at Northern Arizona University and I wanted desperately to be
a full time artist. Unfortunately, I listened to the "wisdom" of
my elders who told me I would never be able to make a living as an artist
and that I needed to be a teacher instead. Now, at the age of 62, I am finally
on the verge of achieving my dream. I will be retiring next summer from Arizona
State Prison in Globe where I teach GED and literacy."
"This
opportunity to show my work at Arboretum (my first solo exhibit) is very symbolic
for me. Throughout my youth in the 50's and 60's, my family came to Arboretum.
It has always been a magical place to me and Picket Post has always been my
sacred mountain. One of my works in this exhibit is a watercolor of Picket
Post."
I go through phases with my art. I will
work with oil, watercolor, pastels, pen, pencil drawings and decorated gourds.
I also design sweater patterns which I am hoping to publish. My subjects are
also varied. I do landscapes, portraits, animals and still life."
"I
live in a 1945 bungalow-style home in Globe, Arizona which I am slowly restoring.
It has a garage in the back that will become my studio. I have three grown
sons and two beautiful granddaughters," she added. Participating
artists donate a percentage back to Boyce Thompson Arboretum to help support
botanical education and conservation. If you have questions about ordering
prints, please contact Jean by phone at 928-425-2488 or via email to jeansullie@yahoo.com
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
is located at Highway 60 milepost #223, just three miles west of the town
of Superior - a drive of about one hour east of Phoenix or two hours from
Tucson (take Oracle Road North to Highway 79 past Florence to Highway 60,
then East for another 12 miles). Monthly exhibits may be seen at our Visitor
Center gallery daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Summer hours 6:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. from May-through-August). The Arboretum is an Arizona State Park
and daily admission must be paid to enter the Visitor Center where the gallery
is found. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $3 for ages 5-12. Annual memberships
at the Arboretum begin at $45, and include a year's access, guest passes for
your friends and family, along with many other benefits. A membership may
be purchased in the gift shop on the day of your visit. To review other recent
gallery shows from...
October, 2007 CLICK HERE
September, 2007 CLICK HERE
July-August, 2007 CLICK HERE
June-July, 2007 CLICK HERE
May, 2007 CLICK HERE
March-April, 2007 CLICK HERE
February, 2007 CLICK HERE
December, 2006 - January, 2007 CLICK HERE
November, 2006 CLICK HERE
October, 2006 CLICK HERE
September, 2006 CLICK HERE
July-August, 2006 CLICK HERE
June-July, 2006 CLICK HERE
April-May, 2006 CLICK HERE
March, 2006 CLICK HERE
February, 2006 CLICK HERE
January, 2006 CLICK HERE
December, 2005 CLICK HERE
November, 2005 CLICK HERE
October, 2005 CLICK HERE
September, 2005 CLICK HERE
July/August, 2005 CLICK HERE
June/July, 2005 CLICK HERE
May, 2005 CLICK HERE
April, 2005 CLICK HERE
March, 2005 CLICK HERE
February, 2005 CLICK HERE
January, 2005 CLICK HERE
December, 2004 CLICK HERE