Keely Berry-LeBlanc is a “2008 Art in the Round Contest” participant.
Gourd vessels by Keely Berry-LeBlanc (copyright Keely Berry-LeBlanc)
Artist’s Statement: Life is moving at an increasingly fast pace. Instant messaging, email, reality – everything seems to require instant response and results.
My work allows me to slow down and just “be”. I have a get-in-there-and-do-it way of creating; my pieces evolve until they reveal how they “want” to be finished. For me, the process and contemplative nature of working with natural materials is a release from the quickness of everyday tasks.
My most recent works have focused on form, using only simple embellishment to highlight the shape of the piece. My work reflects my fascination with organic forms and nature.
I have been making gourd vessels and basketry for 14 years, and have been a graphic designer for 22 years.
Artistic medium: Sculptural basketry and gourd vessels. Gourds fascinate me – the inherent “vesselness” of each gourd begs to become something different. I am drawn to natural materials and work mostly with gourds, raffia, and jute. I enjoy the feel of the materials and the quirks and variations they present.
Artistic Resume:
Education -
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BFA, Visual Communications, 1986, Maryland Institute, College of Art
Recent Shows & Awards -
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2008, May – 12th Annual National Gourd Fine Art Show, Fallbrook Art & Cultural Center, Fallbrook, California
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2008, May - Rock, Paper, Scissors, Escondido Municipal Gallery, Escondido, California
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2008, March - Recent works, Solo Exhibition, Escondido Municipal Gallery, Escondido, California
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2008, March – Honorable Mention, “What you See is What You Get”, Escondido Municipal Gallery, Escondido, California
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2007, July – Cultural Fusion, California Center for the Arts Museum, Escondido, California
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Honorable Mention, The Color Purple, Escondido Municipal Gallery, Escondido, California
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2007, May – Award of Excellence & C.A.S.E. Award, 46th Annual Outdoor Art Fair, Hutchinson, Kansas
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2007, July – Basketry as an Art Form, The Fine Art Center/Bascom Louise Gallery, Highlands, North Carolina
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2006, April – First Place, Director’s Cut – Reuse, Recycle, Redux, Escondidio Municipal Gallery, Escondido, California
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Featured on Lynette Jennings, Design; Discovery Channel; Jennings, Lynette (Executive Producer); “La Jolla Contemporary Jewel”, September 2001, Selected Exhibitions & Awards
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Your stuff is fantastic…as the owner of at least 15 pieces I always look forward to what fascinating, wonderfully, thought-provoking vessel will come next. I love every single piece.