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    Home » James Ratliff Gallery in Sedona Exhibits the Interpretative Art of Christine DeSpain Schroeder
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    James Ratliff Gallery in Sedona Exhibits the Interpretative Art of Christine DeSpain Schroeder

    July 19, 20222 Comments4 Mins Read
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    Christine DeSpain Schroeder
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    Sedona, AZ — The James Ratliff Gallery in Hillside Sedona is proud to announce its new exhibition, featuring multi-media artist Christine DeSpain Schroeder’s Acrylic Interpretative Abstract art.

    Abstract art is defined as the kind of art that emphasizes the use of non-representational forms to create meaning and reality — that it doesn’t necessarily represent objects in the physical environment, like the sun, trees, or people.

    Famed abstract artist Arshile Gorkey said the art of abstraction “allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes.”

    DeSpain’s abstract interpretative paintings perfectly encapsulate that definition, as she follows in the footsteps of Wassily Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, and Francis Bacon.

    Each of her abstract paintings takes the observer into a depth-of-field subjective journey, as her art stirs within the conscious and subconscious mind an experience unique to the viewer alone.

    Colorful, whimsical, moving and flowing her works breath as if they are alive, arousing emotions and stirring memories long thought forgotten.

    For DeSpain, stepping into the world of abstract art was a God send, as her deteriorating eyesight reached a point where she could no longer create art in the arena of traditional, painting or sculpture, as she had done before.

    She had thought she would have to give up her passion and her world had darkened, that is, until she met gallery owner James Ratliff, who reset her artistic path to the realm of abstract art.

    Ratliff had heard of DeSpain’s dilemma and after meeting her he suggested she try a new approach to her art.

    “I knew she was feeling down,” he said. “I suggested to her that she try acrylic abstract painting, which allows the artist to create art by pouring paint onto a canvass. I explained to her the pouring process. She said she would try it. It clicked.”

    He went to her home and saw the small abstract paintings she had experimented with before. He realized her potential. He suggested she work on much bigger canvases, like 38×46 inches, and that set her creative wheels in motion.

    “I gave her a little challenge and she met it,” he said. “And I am hard to impress.”

    For DeSpain, Ratliff’s encouragement and advice rekindled her passion for art and gave her new hope.

    “He is my mentor,” she said. “He taught me so much. I am so grateful. Some paint to live. I live to paint. I was brought back to life, thanks to him.

    She was so motivated by Ratliff, that art once more became an essential part of her daily experience.

    “I got up one night at 1:30 in the morning after waking from a dream,” she said. “I went to my studio and started pouring and before I knew it the sun was coming up.”

    She said that in creating her abstract compositions, she uses the natural forces and the natural flow and grace of Mother Nature, employing the natural processes of wind, flow, gravity, and erosion, to create abstracts of the Sedona geography she lives in.

    She said the result is the viewer is drawn into the canvas, which is a living landscape reminiscent of viewing a canyon from on high or flying over waves.

    She said she allows the paint to move naturally across the canvas and uses wind and flow as her paintbrush.

    “One of my favorite pastimes is watching the paint dry on my canvass,” she said, with a twinkle in her eye.

    Through the centuries, some of the world’s most beloved artists were stricken by adversity, like Vincent van Gogh, Emily Dickinson and Beethoven, yet moved on to create the great works we admire today.

    For DeSpain, overcoming her diminished eyesight and finding a new medium to express herself breathed new passion and purpose into her life.

    “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” DeSpain said. “Thank you, James Ratliff, for teaching me how.”

    For Ratliff, hosting her exhibition is both a pleasure and an honor.

    “Christine is a wonderful artist,” he said. ‘We are grateful and proud to exhibit her acrylic interpretative abstract art.”

    Over the last 50-plus years owning an Arizona Gallery, with more than 30 of those years in Sedona, the name James Ratliff has been synonymous with fine art.

    James Ratliff has had years of experience selling the art of many now famous artists such as Calder, O’Keefe, Gorman, Zuniga, Tamayo and Scholder, to name a few. He will not settle for inferior or mass-produced works. He is always about looking out for the art lover as well as the artist.

    James Ratliff Gallery is located at 671 S.R. 179, Suite A – 1 & 2, Sedona Arizona 86336.

    Phone # 928-282-1404.

    Website: JamesRatliffGallery.com

    Email: FineArt@JamesRatliffGallery.com

    To learn more about DeSpain’s multi-media art creations visit https://artofdespain.com/bio.html.

     

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    2 Comments

    1. Diane P. on July 25, 2022 2:35 pm

      I thank Christine for gifting us with such beautiful art. I urge people to stop in at the James. Ratliff Gallery and enjoy the depth of her works.

      I also hope to see her prior paintings shown in galleries as well. She is a true Sedona talent.

      Reply
    2. Joan Mansfield on August 3, 2022 12:53 pm

      Such passion and talent. Her art draws me in. I can see and feel movement as well as light. I am proud to own one of her works.

      Reply

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    Paid Political Ad Paid For by Samaire for Mayor
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    Paid Political Announcement by Samaire For Mayor

     THE MOMENT IS UPON US

    Dear Sedona,

    The moment is upon us. The time for a united effort to shift the focus back to our community is now.

    The ability to thrive in our community, our environment, our workforce, and the tourist industry, is entirely possible because we have all the resources needed for success.

    Still, we need a council that isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, that makes decisions based on data and facts, and through discussion, rather than moving and voting in group unison as they so regularly do.

    This is my home. I have been a part of the Sedona community for 28 years. I witnessed the road debacle, the lack of planning, the city circumventing the local businesses ability to thrive, while making choices to expand the local government and be in direct competition with private industry.

    I am a unique candidate because unlike the incumbents, I don’t believe the government should expand in size, nor in operations, nor would I attempt to micromanage every aspect of our community.

    City government should stay in its lane and allow the competitive market of local private industry to prosper. And it should defend our community from corporate takeover and infiltration of our town.

    I do not agree that we should sign onto International Building Codes and regulations by signing Sedona up to the ICC. It is imperative that we remain a sweet, rural community.

    Where are the arts? Where is this organic thriving element that we allege to be animated by. Where is our culture? Where is our community?

    The discord between the decision making process and the desires of the community have never been more clear. It has been nearly a decade in the making.

    It is time for a new era of energy to take charge. An energy that is reflective in the ability to succeed rather than be trapped in out of date consciousness.

    It has been a great honor meeting with each of you. I hear your concerns over the insane and out of control spending and I echo them. A budget of $105,000,000 in a town of 9700 residents is completely unacceptable. A parking structure (that looks like a shoe box) originally slated to cost 11 million, now projected to cost 18 million, is incomprehensible. Especially, considering there is no intention of charging for parking.

    For those who are concerned that I lack the political experience within our established system- that is precisely what Sedona needs… Not another politician, but instead a person who understands people, who listens to the voices within the community, and who will act in service on their behalf with accountability, for the highest good of Sedona. What I am not, will prove to be an asset as I navigate the entrenched bureaucracy with a fresh perspective. Business as usual, is over.

    Creative solutions require new energy.

    Every decision that is made by our local government, must contemplate Sedona first.

    • Does this decision benefit the residents?
    • Does this decision benefit the local businesses?
    • Does this decision actually help the environment?
    • Will this decision sustain benefit in the future, or will it bring more problems?

    What we have now is a city government that expands to 165 employees for 9700 residents. Palm Desert has 53,000 residents and 119 city employees. Majority of our city department heads are not even in town. I find this problematic.

    Efforts towards championing in and courting new solutions for our medical needs are imperative. We are losing our doctors. We must encourage competition with other facilities rather than be held hostage by NAH, who clearly have their own set of dysfunctions.

    We must remember that so many move to Sedona for its beauty, hiking, and small town charm. Bigger, faster, and more concrete does not, in broad strokes, fit the ethos of Sedona.

    The old world must remain strong here in balance, as that is what visitors want to experience. Too many have noted that Sedona has lost its edge and charm.

    As Mayor I will preserve the rural charm of our community, and push back against the urbanization that is planned for Sedona.

    As mayor I will make it a priority to create opportunities to support our youth.  After school healthy, enriching programs should be created for our kids, and available to the Sedona workforce regardless of residency and regardless of school they belong to.

    As Mayor, I will create an agenda to deliberately embody the consciousness of our collective needs here, allowing private industry to meet the needs of our community rather than bigger government.

    I hope to have your vote on Aug 2nd. I am excited and have the energy to take on this leadership role with new eyes, community perspective, and the thoughtful consciousness that reflects all ages of the human spectrum.

    Thank you deeply for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

    Samaire Armstrong

    Sedona elections
    Armstrong vs. Jablow: The Main Event
    Ready to Rumble

    By Tommy Acosta
    In the Blue Corner stands Scott Jablow and in the Red Corner of the ring stands Samaire Armstrong, ready to rumble to the bitter end in their fight to become the next Sedona mayor. Jablow weighs in with 1,137 primary election votes (36.13%) under his belt, having wielded his advantage as sitting Sedona City Council vice-mayor to his favor. He brings his years of serving in that capacity into the fray and waged a solid fight in his campaign to make it to the run-off. Armstrong, however withstood a blistering smear campaign from the other opposing candidates and their supporters to make it to the final bout with 967 votes under her belt (30.73%), an amazing feat for a political newcomer. Unfortunately, for the other two candidates, Kurt Gehlbach and sitting mayor Sandy Moriarty, neither put up enough of a fight to make it to the championship bout. Read more→
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