Welcome Back!

We are very fortunate to have two celebrities back in the gallery again. My wonderful husband and "Spring Dance" by Karl Jensen. Each has me smiling with their presence.

Quent has returned to the easel and is painting in the gallery on the weekends much to the delight of our gallery guests. He is currently working on two small wine country themed pieces. And with all of the surrounding inspiration, who could blame him.

"Spring Dance" has been a very special part of the gallery for many years. When I arrived in Burlingame nearly 6 years ago, "Spring Dance" was there and one of the first QCFA sculptures that I fell in love with. We used her image in advertisements for the gallery and enjoyed how the neighborhood children would respond to her when they walked by with their parents. We eventually sold that casting and have since missed having her about. I could hardly wait for her to be uncrated when she arrived recently. She is every bit as lovely as I remember.

Autumn is in full swing in wine country. The grapes have all been picked, the rains have arrived and the ornamental pear trees outside the gallery have shed most of their leaves. Soon all that will be left are the twinkle lights that illuminate the sidewalk in the evenings. The tourists and locals have traded in their shorts and flip-flops for sweaters and scarves and their evening strolls for fireside chats. As a result, we are no longer keeping the extended evening hours on the weekends but we gladly make the gallery available by appointment most anytime.

The Art of Cooking

The rains have finally arrived in Napa, washing the summer's dust from the streets and unveiling a rainbow of umbrellas that have spent the last several months in seclusion. By mid-afternoon, sheets of water fell from the sky creating little rivers that cascaded down the streets towards the drains, carrying with them a flotilla of leaves on their way to the bay. While walk-in traffic was definitely down today, this season's first downpour did not prevent some of the tourists from venturing into downtown to enjoy their Napa Valley vacation. Some of the guests in the gallery today were from Vermont, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida and even Norway.

When the weather turns cold and damp, my thoughts turn to comfort food. Chicken soup with grilled cheese, fresh baked breads, homemade mac-n-cheese, lasagna, osso bucco, stuffed pumpkin and oh, so much more. Put away the salad spinner and bring me some warm and yummy goodness. What does this have to do with art? Not much unless you really know me. I am as passionate about the food that I love as I am about the wonderful art we represent. Our art fuels my spirit and my love of food fuels my tummy. That being said, it will be hard to resist sprinkling this blog with the occasional recipe. Consider it my tasty gift to you just for stopping by.

One of my favorite ingredients is pumpkin. It's not just for pies anymore! This week I made my annual stuffed pumpkin to celebrate Halloween. Ok, I worked on Halloween so we had it a couple of days early. I recommend using a small pumpkin, often referred to as sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins. Cut off the top and scoop out the inside, reserving the seeds for toasting later. Prepare your favorite stuffing. I make mine by sauteing onions and celery in butter with some pressed garlic and fresh pork sausage. This time I added some chopped fresh eggplant that I had in the fridge along with about a cup of white wine and a little chicken stock. Toss with salt and pepper to taste, some poultry seasoning and a half-loaf of whatever bread you have on hand cut into one-inch pieces. Pack the stuffing loosely into your pumpkin shell, replace the top and bake in a 375-degree oven for about 1 hour. Any stuffing mixture that did not fit into the pumpkin can be baked in a greased casserole dish for 30 minutes and enjoyed as a side dish later in the week.

To serve, cut the pumpkin in half from top to bottom creating two beautifully filled bowls of steamy stuffing goodness. Enjoy with a glass of wine, your favorite person and in a room where you can enjoy your favorite work of art. See, I did not forget to come back to the art. And speaking of art, here's my favorite pumpkin painting, "Pumpkin Festival" by Dale Momii.

Where's Linda?

I'm here, I've just been very busy marketing the beautiful art in our gallery and enjoying life in Napa. It has been an exciting month at QCFA. The Napa Valley is buzzing with tourists enjoying this year's harvest and the gallery is brimming with beautiful new art. We are honored to have Michael Wilkinson join our family of artists.

Mr. Wilkinson is the pre-eminent figurative sculptor working in clear acrylic today. Represented in private and corporate collections world-wide – with literally thousands of collectors – he has created a body of work known for its unique beauty and universal appeal.

With international shows and numerous one-man gallery exhibitions, in two decades Michael Wilkinson has become one of the prominent sculptors of our time, creating beautiful and powerful works unique in the history of art.

When asked about his work, Mr. Wilkinson said, "I believe art should uplift the human spirit, show us what is possible. That is why I seek the ideal in my art; the ideal illuminates our potentialities and acts as an affirmation of the best within us."

I've posted the image of one of my favorite Wilkinson sculptures."Forever depicts the moment of anticipation and profound connection just before a kiss." - M. Wilkinson

Forever is from an edition of only 200 and is currently being offered at $2800. As the edition sells the price will surely increase. If you would enjoy owning one or gifting one to a treasured loved one, please place your order now before the price changes.

Person Michael Wilkinson

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Attitude Adjustment

This morning I found myself enjoying one of my favorite paintings by my wonderful husband. "Molly's Swing" hangs in the living room of our new home. While relaxing by the fire, and enjoying the warmth and aroma of the cup of coffee I held in my hands, I recalled the day that Quent gave me this beautiful print. I had admired it for so long and now it was mine. It's not the original painting, (that is proudly displayed in the home of our friends in the East Bay) but it is one of my favorite possessions.

Rather than dwell on what's happening to the US economy these days, I'm choosing to take the high road and appreciate who I am and how Quent and I are able to provide such a wonderful uplifting place for our fans and customers around the world. When I need an attitude adjustment or a change of atmosphere, I often find myself longing for a hammock on a sunny beach, (cabanna boy optional) along with a pitcher of tropical refreshment and some homemade guacamole. Relaxing on a hammock in Puerto Vallarta is not an option this week, but being in the same room with "Molly's Swing" can transport me to a happy place in my mind's eye. A beautiful place where I can enjoy the wind in my hair, the beautiful scenery at hand and the freedom to enjoy my moment, my day, my life. Today's strife can wait until after I enjoy this pleasure.

We've had a few Napans (that's what we call the locals around here) stop by the gallery for their attitude adjustments this week too. Just crossing our threshold can be a breath of fresh air, especially for some of our neighbors in the banking and investment businesses. Quent Cordair Fine Art is and will always be a warm and inviting place; one that can offer temporary refuge from all of the current economic nonsense and help one remember that life is wonderful and should be celebrated.

We'll all get through this mess at hand, but in the meantime, Quent and I are happy to share our sunlit world with those of you who share our passion for beautiful art. Consider gifting yourself something wonderful from the gallery; you deserve it. If an original work of art is outside the current budget, consider one of our very affordable fine art prints on canvas. The artists will appreciate it and so will we. Most importantly, you will add something wonderfully positive to your life that you can treasure and enjoy for years to come.

It's a Man!

How do you fit a 10' sculpture through a 7' door? (Those of you who traveled with us on the QCFA Arts Cruise just smiled as visions of a 7' piano in a 6' elevator crossed your mind.) :)

This week we became the proud foster parents of a 800 lb, 10-foot cast bronze, Self-Made Man by Bobbie Carlyle. Bobbie and her fiance drove him here from Colorado, strapped to a flat bed trailer along with a host of other sculpture. What a vision he was rolling down First Street on the way to his new
home away from home. It took several of our new neighbors and two friends visiting the gallery to
move him from the trailer, down the sidewalk and through the gallery doors. Then there was the exciting task of helping him stand. Once that was completed, we all stood back in awe and admired our accomplishment.
Our good friends Joe Sanders and Ali Howard were on hand for the event. And I do mean "on hand." Both of them pitched in to help move the sculpture and were most happy to pose with him for his first official QCFA portrait.

Available in 10 sizes from 12 inches to 14 feet, this sculpture definitely makes a statement. When I admire him, I often think about my wonderful Quent; he is the most amazing Self-Made Man that I have ever met.

East Meets West

As I approach my office each day, I am greeted by one of my favorite paintings in the gallery. Ok, so I have a lot of favorites, but how adorable is "Hometown?" What a fun way to start my day. I especially enjoy the reactions from young and old as they discover this delightful jewel that graces the wall outside my door. It's not a small painting, measuring 57" x 43", but the person who comes along with the right amount of wall space that needs adorning is in for a lifetime of joy from this original painting by Han Wu Shen. I'll be a little sad to see it go, but then we're really just foster parents and enjoy finding homes all over the world for our wonderful 'children.' Han Wu's collectors are snapping up his originals as some of his paintings make it to auction and are bringing higher than his normal asking prices. If you have been contemplating purchasing an original oil painting by Han Wu Shen, treat yourself soon. You'll be glad you did.

Summer Nights

The beginning of what we hope will be a very busy season in Napa is upon us. While it has been very warm during the day, (my apologies to those of you who live in Las Vegas) we are enjoying some beautiful summer nights. It has been perfect weather for evening strolls, dining on the terrace or walking to an amazing art gallery in downtown Napa. :) Seriously, you'd have a hard time finding more pleasant evenings than the ones that we have been enjoying lately. Being from Burlingame, where an evening stroll in the summer required a jacket or sweater, Napa continues to delight us. In an effort to cool things down a little, I have designed a new gallery window display featuring Quent's "Autumn" and Danielle's "Les Filles D' Avignon" to celebrate the approach of fall. "Autumn" is available as a limited-edition print on canvas and "Les Filles De Avignon" is available in three sizes; 26", 36" and 5'6".

This evening, we will be open late, and look forward to the tourists dropping in on their way to or from dinner. Our little corner of the neighborhood is delightfully diverse. Besides fabulous art, Ceja's tasting salon and wine bar is across the street, as is Ben and Jerry's ice cream store. Cafe Cicero is on the opposite corner and our friend Bernie Zipp's store, Accents Napa Valley,(I'm still trying to convince him that he needs a web site) is two doors down. So come visit us; wine, dine, shop and enjoy dessert all on one corner. Afterwards, stroll down one of the many lovely tree lined streets to one of Napa's lovely historical bed and breakfast inns. They're expecting you, we already told them that you would be visiting soon.

Thanks for the Ride

Like many Americans, I have spent the last 2 weeks glued to the television watching Michael Phelps and his fellow Olympians earn medal after medal at this year's Summer Olympics in Bejing. In celebration of their achievements, I created a tribute to these amazing atheletes using some of the wonderful Olympic sculptures created by Danielle Anjou. Three of the sculptures, "The Archer," "The Swimmer" and "The Gymnast" are prominantly displayed in our front window. I have adorned "Mr. Phelps" (The Swimmer) with eight gold medals, designed by yours truly and have enjoyed the reactions of those who stop to enjoy the display. The Olympians are available in four sizes and are a lovely way to remember your favorite athelete or Olympic moment. The reflection on the gallery windows has made it difficult to get a good picture of the display, but I've posted the best ones for you to enjoy.

As the games of the XXIX Olympiad came to a close last night, I found myself wondering what I was going to do on Monday night. That question was quickly answered when I realized that I had a garage full of boxes to unpack. Quent and I closed on our new home in Napa last week and today was the first day that either of us has had any time to begin moving in. Quent spent the day changing locks and I tackled the kitchen this evening. There were no diving, no hurdles, no volleyball or swimming events to keep me glued to the television this evening. Instead, I participated in my own Olympic events. Box toting, mop wielding and furniture arranging are among the many events taking place in the Cordair household this week. By week's end, we should be well settled and enjoying our new home. 2008 has been quite a year for us; we are looking forward to many more adventures around the corner.

Looking Good!

This week we took another step towards becoming a fixture in downtown Napa. Quent added our exterior signage which looks quite wonderful. We may eventually add a logo to the left, but for now, people approaching from down and across the street will be able to identify that there is a fine art gallery on the corner of First and Randolph.

Beneath the signage, in the window, you can almost make out our Olympic tribute featuring three of Danielle Anjou's Olympian sculptures. Special recognition is being given to Michael Phelps, who is centered in front of the American flag and is surrounded by eight gold medals. Due to reflections from across the street, I have yet to get a good picture, but have I plans to try again this evening. If all goes well, I'll post it here.

Yesterday, Napa resident, Donny Robinson, earned a bronze medal in the Olympic BMX competition in Bejing. Congratulations Donny!

The Carefree Days of Summer

"Carefree" was used in an earlier blog post, but I could not resist featuring her again after Alexandra made friends with her outside the gallery this week. Walking down the sidewalk with her Mother, Alexandra gasped with delight when she saw her new friend. Without missing a beat, she removed her own sandals and took hold of "Carefree's" hand, all while insisting that "Mom" take a picture. Alexandra's Mother attempted to capture the moment with an uncooperative cell-phone camera, while Alexandra, without disturbing her pose, gave detailed instructions on how to take a proper picture. Seeing that this lovely moment might be heading south, I reached for our gallery camera and leapt to the rescue. As I snapped the picture, a wave of relief swept over "Mom's" face and Alexandra's smile was as sweet as the ice cream that stained her rosy cheeks. Following the photo shoot, I was joined in the gallery by two of its newest fans. Everyone was happy, especially me as I was able to enjoy someone new discover our sunlit world.

Life's Small Pleasures...What makes you smile and warms your heart? In the midst of getting our new Napa location open, I am reminded why we brought the gallery to Napa. In addition to it being a wonderful place to showcase the art, it is a beautiful place to live. I found myself gazing at Damon's latest work today and reflecting on how much I enjoy being here. Yes, it has been a lot of work and there is still much ahead, but the reward is worth all of the effort and energy that we have put into this project.

Each day brings with it fabulous weather, good people and the opportunity to keep our artists working as we find new homes for their amazing work. Yesterday's walk-in traffic consisted of people from all over the country. Some celebrating special occasions, others just enjoying a slice of paradise Napa style. Many of whom took home with them a little QCFA in the form of our catalogue and the knowledge that while their vacation may be limited to only a few more days, once home, they will be able to continue to do business with us from the comfort of their offices and living rooms.

Quent is enjoying a much-deserved round of golf today with Bernie. Sarah is home taking a nap to recover from a late night of Salsa dancing with her new California friends. And me? I'm enjoying another lovely day surrounded by some of the most beautiful art in the world. So if you find yourself wandering around Northern California, driving by the many thousands of acres of juicy orbs destined for a long soak in an oak barrel, stop in and say hello and enjoy Life's Small Pleasures with me. :)

Taking a Break

The "baby" came to visit us this week. Sarah, 21, is a criminal justice major at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. She will be here for 2 weeks, exploring Napa and taking a well deserved rest from her studies. She graduates in December with what will be her third degree (you go girl) and is trying to decide if a Master's Degree in Psychology is next or if it's time to get out there and strike some fear into the criminal population.

Last night, after closing the gallery, we strolled across the street to Ceja's tasting salon and wine bar for "Hot Salsa Nights." I have been telling Sarah how much fun salsa can be, but have been met with the usual resistance when a parent suggests that something is "fun." I know my daughter, all she needed was the right environment, and a terrific salsa partner to help her loosen up a bit. To my delight, both were present and as it turns out, she's a pretty quick study. Ariel Ceja had her on the dance floor and doing fairly well almost immediately. The best part was the smile that stretched from one side of her face to the other for the whole evening. She was having fun and so was I.

When they are small children we marvel at their accomplishments, console their pains and encourage their growth. Last night, I watched my daughter take "first steps" of a different kind and found myself enjoying parenthood all over again. Afterwords, we talked and laughed about the evening's events and made plans for this evening's encore.

Deliberation

Sometimes you know when something wonderful is going to happen, and the mere anticipation can have you behaving like a child at Christmas. We celebrated our own little Christmas in July this week when the much awaited "Deliberation" by Bryan Larsen arrived. She had been perfectly crated, and it appeared that the shippers had paid mind to the fragile stickers that called for special handling. I carefully removed each of the 3 dozen or so wood screws, knowing that each brought me closer to the moment I had been waiting for since March.

Quent and I had the pleasure, no make that honor, of visiting Bryan, Sara and Asher Larsen in their home earlier this year. While there, Bryan treated us to a sneak peek of "Deliberation" yet unfinished in his studio. There among the brushes, easels and paint was a site to behold. A vision so lovely despite its being incomplete. For me, it was love at first site. This was to become one of my favorite paintings ever and I know the artist! How cool is that? Thank you Bryan Larsen for creating and creating and creating. :)

I already had a spot reserved for "her" prior to her arrival. An alcove right next to the area where I often write these posts, greet gallery guests and return e-mail. She keeps me company and reminds me how wonderful life is and how much there is to enjoy. Sitting next to the painting, I find myself remembering to breathe and relax in the midst of our very full schedules and daily agendas. There has been much deliberating for us these days, both as we've created this beautiful gallery and as we continue to make major changes in our lives with respect to our Napa relocation. "Deliberation" is an ideal moment in time. Whoever purchases this painting is in for a lifetime of joy and inspiration and maybe an occasional guest. ;)

Another Milestone

Thursday afternoon we took another step towards making Napa our official home. After months of preparation, perspiration and even a little trepidation, Quent and I celebrated our new location with a ribbon cutting ceremony surrounded by our new friends and business acquaintances. We hope to have a Grand Opening event later in the year after we have completed all of the details that remain on our to-do list. This event was the city's way of welcoming us to downtown.

Each day it seems like the number of tourists grows, which is a welcome site. Although, I'm almost convinced that the price of gas alone is affecting the amount of foot traffic in downtown. Area merchants have confirmed that things are definitely slower than usual and that the number of visitors from elsewhere in California is down compared to this time last year. I am however, optimistic that we will still enjoy a very busy summer.

This afternoon a gentleman in his 80's took rest on one of our comfy sofas while the two ladies that he was with wandered through the gallery. He motioned that I should come over. "Young Lady," he said (I loved that part), "you may not believe me, but I have never been one to appreciate art. Today, that changed. As you can see, I am not a young man, but sitting here looking at these two beautiful paintings, (Deliberation and Rendezvous) I feel young again. What beauties they are and what talent it took to create them. Thank you for being here and for making an old man smile. "

I have nothing that can follow that. :)

Good News...No Snooze

Over the last several weeks we have only taken a day off here or there, and now that the doors are open, we scheduled yesterday as our first official day off and closed the gallery. I'm not sure what Quent had planned, but I was looking forward to a day of jammies, movies and lounging. Mix in a little reading, a nap and maybe a mani-pedi and voila, instant revitalized Linda. Ok, yes that seems like a lot to squeeze into a relaxing day, but it would likely be another week before I got another one so I had to make the best of it.

The day turned out a bit differently than I planned. Tuesday morning when I rolled out of bed, Quent greeted me with a cup of coffee and a newspaper. As it turned out, the local Napa Valley Register had decided to place us on the front page of Tuesday's edition. So...off to work we went. The employees had the day off since we were supposed to be closed, so it was Mr. and Mrs. Cordair, side by side, all day. Thanks for being there Babe! We enjoyed a fair amount of foot traffic as a result of the article and the traffic has been pretty good again today.

Today's gallery pic is of our lovely "Carefree." She stands outside the gallery welcoming those who pause and contemplate a stroll through the gallery. She has been a very popular and patient model for those who have posed with her to have their picture taken. More than one dog out for a walk has barked at her in frustration when she will not move or respond to them. Thank you Karl Jensen for such beautiful work. We love "her" and it appears that Napa loves "her" too.