Thank you for visiting the website of Martha Rea Baker.
For information on any of the paintings, please contact the artist by leaving a comment or inquiry below.
Martha Rea Baker
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Thank you for visiting the website of Martha Rea Baker.
For information on any of the paintings, please contact the artist by leaving a comment or inquiry below.
Linda Sommer said:
I just love your work! Do you teach?
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Thank you, Linda. I am sorry, but I am not teaching at the moment. I appreciate your interest!
Martha
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Rhonda Dore said:
Your work has such inspiring color handling. I shared it with my Facebook friends last night on my page. (They can use some relief from seeing mine! 🙂
All the best to you!
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Thank you Rhonda. I appreciate your positive comment! I enjoyed your site and paintings, as well.
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Joan Warner Stivers said:
How wonderful to find your blog and your beautiful acrylics. Congratulations on your amazing and prolific work. I wanted to tell you mom (Jo Warner) passed away peacefully this week at the tender age of 99! She drove until 2 years ago but stopped painting her watercolors at least 10 years ago. She loved her days of learning from you and local artists and we have her beautiful watercolors to treasure. All the best in your beautiful retirement. Keep up the energy. Warmest regards, Joan Stivers (still on Westbrook Dr.)
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Joan. Thank you for letting me know about your mother. I thought I had already replied to you, but I don’t see that my reply went through. I was with Maryanne Reeves in Kerrville at the Hill Country Arts Foundation when I got your note and we have many fun and fond memories of Jo and your dad, as well. She was a wonderful artist and special person.
Thank you for your positive comments about my work. Martha
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Erin Ruddy said:
Hi Martha,
My name is Erin Ruddy and I am an Art Resourcer with Wendover Art Group. We are a wall décor manufacturer based in Central Florida. Our company creates and frames high-quality giclée reproductions for wall décor in retail, hospitality and healthcare markets.
I recently came across your website and feel that your work would be an amazing addition to our line! I am currently looking for new abstract art for our Spring Tradeshow in High Point, North Carolina. To clarify, we do not license the original work of art, only images of the work. Our license agreement is non-exclusive which means that you would be able to work with galleries, create reproductions of your work and sell the originals. Please, let me know if this would be something that you are interested in pursuing and I would be happy to discuss our process with you in further detail.
Many thanks!
Erin
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Thank you, Erin, for your interest in my work. I would not be interested in pursuing, but I appreciate you asking.
Best regards,
Martha
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Paul said:
I really enjoy your series created while in Malaga, beautiful color, design, and compositions. I’ve also been experimenting with pouring wax with less than successful results. I don’t know if you’ll entertain a few questions about your technique. If so, I’d greatly appreciate any advice you can give.
Q1: Is there a ratio of encaustic paint to medium that you use?
Q2: How do you keep the paper from buckling or warping?
Q3: When applying multiple colors, do you allow the previous color to set?
Q4: What about the typical question of fusing? Is it necessary?
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Paul.
Thank you for your kind comments about the Malaga poured paintings. I am happy to share a little knowledge.
1. The paintings you saw were done with R&F encaustic medium in which the proportions of beeswax to damar are proprietary. However, when pouring (on paper especially) it is better to use less damar than usual so the wax will be more flexible.
2. I use white Stonehenge paper (usually used for printing). It stays perfectly flat.
3. I usually let the colors set slightly but pour the next layer while first layer is still warm so it will adhere, requiring less fusing. You can also pour immediately and get interesting “running” of color if it is the effect you want.
4. Sometimes you don’t need to fuse at all if colors have adhered. I often fuse very slightly to be sure layers are stable. Obviously, over fusing can burn the paper.
Good luck and happy pouring!
Martha
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Julie Bloom said:
Hi Martha,
Like everyone before me, I love your work and am taken with the layers of complexity, your use of color……etc., etc. I’m sorry to hear that you don’t teach as I would love to learn from you and would fly to Santa Fe in a heart beat to take a workshop. Do you recommend any other cold wax/oil painters in either New Mexico or in California who teach this medium?
Thanks.
Julie
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Julie.
Thanks so much for your comments, very nice words, indeed!
Rebecca Crowell lives in Wisconsin, however travels to other areas to give workshops. Although I work slightly differently with the oil/cold wax technique, she offers a world of knowledge and you would benefit from studying with her. Good luck, Martha
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Lisa Burgess 954.542.2100 said:
Dear Martha,
I am a gallery owner in Florida and would like to discuss representing your work in the gallery. We carry 20th Century, Post War and Contemporary masters as well as established Contemporary artists. My contact info is enclosed. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Lisa.
Thank you so very much for your interest in my art. I am honored by your inquiry, however, at this time I would not be able to join another gallery. My plate is full with two galleries and family. Thanks again, Martha
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Chris White said:
Hi Martha – I manufacture a premium cold wax medium in Austin Texas called Daneridge Wax. It is biodegradable, very low in toxicity, smells only of beeswax, and is food safe. It is also incredibly stable when incorporating encaustic. My wax is listed on Rebecca Crowell’s website as a product to use. She is very supportive of my wax endeavor’s. I would love to be your cold wax supplier and would like to send you a sample if you are interested.
Kind regards – Chris
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Chris. Thank you for your kind offer of a sample of your cold wax product. I would love to give it a try. Martha
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Marian Lokey said:
Martha Rea Baker is a wonderful artist and person. Using any medium she gives her paintings such clarity and meaning.
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April Richardson said:
I love your work!
About a year ago I started painting and love the textured look of you and Rebecca Crowell but something was missing and then I realized that just acrylic was not it.
I have a studio with everything except encaustic so my question to you is what combos work ?
Acrylic first and then cold wax or can you use encaustic with cold wax ( thinking no be of oil).
I am so frustrated !!!!an I use encaustic gesso on top acrylic ?
hoping to see your place one day!
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi April. Thank you for your nice comments about my work. I can see why you are frustrated with so much conflicting information on the web. I am sending you an email with the answers to some of your questions.I hope it helps. And I would recommend taking a class with Rebecca if at all possible. Martha
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Paul said:
Dear Martha,
I am writing from our Gallery in Key West Florida, Gildea Contemporary Gallery. Please feel free to look us up. 90% of our artists are contemporary and we are committed to doing strictly contemporary art. Our info in listed below. Thank you for your time.
Gildea Gallery
gildeagallery@gmail.com
(305) 797 6485
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Paul said:
We are definitely interested in showing your art here is Key West. Let us know of your interest.
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Thank you, Paul. I appreciate your interest in showing my work in Key West, however I am unable to support an additional gallery at this time.
Cheers,
Martha
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Ginger Kritz said:
Hello, Martha. I am interested in Barranca I & II. Is it available for sale, and if so can you please tell me the price? Thank you.
Ginger
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Ginger. Those paintings have sold. Thank you for your interest. Martha
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Jamie hoffman said:
Interested in your work..need large piece..would love to see what you have that is available..beautiful work!,,,
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Jamie.
Thank you for your interest in my work and lovely comment about it. My paintings can be purchased through my two galleries. Karan Ruhlen Gallery ( http://www.karanruhlen.com ) and Brown’s Fine Art ( http://www.brownsfineart.com ).
Kind regards,
Martha Rea Baker
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Bobbi Henson said:
Are you offering any workshops? Your work is so stunning.
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Bobbie. Thanks for your nice comment and query. No, I don’t have any teaching scheduled.
Cheers, Martha
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Georgia Gibbs said:
Is it by design? You do not have a contact form. I love your artwork. I have even been drawn to it numerous times when seeing it in a sea of images on Pinterest.
I have a technical question. Today I saw a photo of you working on a large scale piece. I am curious what you use as a support for large works. Thank you very much.
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Georgia. Thank you for pointing out the lack of a contact form. And I appreciate you kind words about my art!
I use both cradled panels and stretched canvas for large scale works. For 48 x 60 and larger, I tend to use stretched canvas due obvious reasons of weight and ability to handle the work in progress.
Happy creating,
Martha
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James Poppell said:
Hi Martha,
We purchased Haiku IV and Haiku V a few weeks ago in Santa Fe. They are a beautiful addition to our Austin home! Keep up the great work!
James
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi James.
Thank you for your very nice comment and support of my work. I am pleased that the pieces found a great home in Austin!
Cheers,
Martha
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Henrij Marsman said:
Thanks for the wonderful paintings and the extra work you had to make it possible to bring Jardin 3 and Jardin 4 to The Netherlands.
We proudly show them to our friends they find them very beautiful.
We appreciated it very much and say once again thank you (dank u wel).
Henrij and Hermine Marsman
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Martha Rea Baker said:
It was my pleasure! And I thank you both for your continued interest in my art. What a joy to have my paintings residing in The Netherlands with special collectors! Martha
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Sandi said:
Your painting Cliffhanger III—-72″ x 24″ is very lovely. Is it available for purchase?
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Cliffhanger III is available at Ruhlen – Owen Contemporary in Santa Fe, NM. Please contact Tim or Suann at art@owencontemporary.com
Thank you for your interest.
Martha
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jen said:
hello,
I found one of your paintings on pinterest. I love your artwork & it speaks to me. I would like to know where and how much do they range? I am a novice and am eager to start collecting art. I’m from Los Angeles. Thank you.
Jen
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Jen. Thanks for the nice comments about my work! You can inquire about and purchase my paintings at Owen Contemporary in Santa Fe and Brown’s Fine Art in Jackson, MS. They both have websites showing available work. Many thanks, Martha.
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Josie Eastwood said:
We have just come across your work, which we LOVE and feel it would sit very well at our gallery in the UK. Having ready them comments above, it sounds like you already have enough on your plate. If not, would you ever consider showing in England? we would very much like to include some of your work in a forthcoming exhibition. If you have time do take a look at our website is http://www.josieeastwood.com. We work throughout the year collecting on behalf of private clients and interior designers all over the UK.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Josie Eastwood
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Greetings, Josie.
Thank you for your kind words about my work. Forgive me for the delay in responding to your query.
I am honored that you would be interested in representing my work in the UK. However the logistics of shipping work overseas and my current workload are prohibitive for me at this time.
Thank you for your interest in showing my paintings in your gallery.
Martha Rea Baker
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Barbara Lohbeck said:
I wonder if you would be interested in being a juror for the MasterWorks of New Mexico 2018 Fine Art Show, held each April, now in its 20 year. Entries are digital and packets for the three jurors are delivered to your address for the jurying process.
It would require your attention around the first week in February. I think your style and expertise and background would be a wonderful addition to our jury.
Thank you for considering this! I can email a summary of what we are about if you like.
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Good morning, Barbara. Thank you for your invitation to serve as a juror for your upcoming Masterworks Fine Art Show. Regretfully, I will not be able to accept. Ongoing obligations would prevent me from giving the project the time and attention it deserves. I appreciate your consideration and wish you a very successful exhibition! Cheers, Martha
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Janell said:
Do you do custom work? I love your wave paintings. Thanks, Janell
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Martha Rea Baker said:
HI Janell. Do you refer to the La Mer encaustics at Brown’s Fine Art when you mention my wave paintings? Happy that you like them. What sort of custom work do you have in mind?
Thanks,
Martha
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Angel wynn said:
Do you teach one-on-one? Any workshops coming up? Thx Angel 505-819-1103
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Angel. Thanks for the inquiry. I am not teaching at all these days. Cheers, Martha
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Lia Rothstein said:
Hi Martha,
Rebecca Crowell and I will be giving a presentation at this year’s 12th International Encaustic Conference in Provincetown, MA in early June on artists using cold wax medium and those who are also combining cold wax and encaustic in their work. Here’s a link to the conference site for more information: https://www.castlehill.org/2018conference-info/schedule.
Our presentation is on Sunday. Rebecca has expressed interest in showing your work during her portion of our presentation and asked me to be in touch with you on her behalf. She is currently working in Ireland, as many of you likely know, so I am contacting artists and taking care of putting together our PowerPoint presentation. In my portion of our talk, I will be focusing on artists who combine cold wax and encaustic and/or work mostly 3-dimensionally while Rebecca will be focusing mostly on more 2-dimensional work. Please email me if you are interested and I will send you additional information.
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Lia. Thank you for contacting me and please thank Rebecca for her interest in using my work in the presentation. Yes, I would be honored for any images to be shown. If she needs larger resolutions I can provide them.
Cheers,
Martha
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Lia.
I am writing to confirm that you received my reply sent through the website comment section on April 7 or 8. I am honored and would love to be included in the presentation. Please let me know if you received my reply. Thanks, Martha
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Lauren Hall said:
Hi. I have a painting that is signed M REA BAKER and I am wondering if it is an early work of yours. On the back is written “Iris Music” I live in Dallas, Texas and read that you used to live in Plano. It shows some similarities to a few of the pieces on your website, but I don’t believe it is waxed. It is small, approx 9 x 6 but has been framed and matted, so I am not sure of the exact size.
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Lauren. Yes, that sounds like my early work. If you could send a picture of the painting, I could verify it for you. Thanks, Martha
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Anonymous said:
Stumbled across your work – nice. Thought you might like my new work:
https://www.michaelgreenspanartist.com
cheers
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Thanks, Michael. I checked out your site and I like your work, as well. Very nice line work!
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Charles Barry said:
Hello Ms. Baker, Wanted to let you know that some of your works from the mid 1990’s will be coming on the market in early October. My neighbors, Marge and Pat are selling their home of 30 years and liquidating their possessions. Unfortunately Marge passed away a few years ago, and Pat told me that Marge used to love to visit the studio you shared in Plano. Marge has one of your works called “The Courthouse Wall” the Isle of Rhodes, Greece, oil based ink monoprint 4/95 and another which looks to be an angel with blonde hair. She also has works by Nancy Ware and Priscilla Krejci. Pat told me that you shared space with Ms. Ware and Ms. Krejci. I can’t express how much Pat said Marge cherished your work. If you or anyone you know are interested in these wonderful works, I can send pictures.
Lovely!
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Karen Conner said:
Hi Martha….
I have a beautiful clown framed in gold that is your work
It was given to me by a friend
Please is this your work..Original?
How much should I value this piece?
My husband and I spend time in SANTA fe
Would love to see your gallery when we return in December!
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Karen
Thanks for your inquiry. Could you please send a photo of the clown painting so I can verify if it is mine?
Send to mbakerart@gmail.com
Thanks,
Martha
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Paula Verona said:
Hi , my name is Paula Verona. I am a member of EAI and have been since the beginning . I live in Taos . I know we had met…. I think we even took at class together with Ellen Komet several years ago. Anyway, I would love to connect with you . I have a few questions that I know you could answer.
I just started to work with cold wax and require a bit of guidance. Could you give me a call at your convenience….575-770-3306. I’d really appreciate it. I love your work by the way!! It was great to see your featured in Wabi-Sabi!!
Many thanks,
Paula
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Paula. Yes, I remember you and would love to chat. We just returned from travel and I will give you a call later this week. What day is good for you?
Thanks,
Martha
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Jim Nichols said:
Hi Martha…it was fun meeting and chatting with you and your husband at the UPS store in Eldorado today. Walking we out found ourselves wishing we’d traded emails or some such, which is out of the ordinary for we reserved New England types, so just for fun I Googled “Baker” and “Art Barn” and there you were! Really enjoyed looking at your work. Our friend Betsy Eby works in encaustic, are you familiar with her? We’ve traded Anne’s veggies and baking artistry and my books for Betsy (and her husband Bo Bartlett’s) sketches for years (they spend summers on Wheaton Island in Maine and we’ve been living nearby on the mainland). Anyway, it was nice meeting you folks, and hopefully we’ll run into one another again.
Best,
Jim
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi Jim. What a nice surprise! Bill and I enjoyed meeting you and Anne, as well. And now, I have read a bit about you, your books and Anne’s interests. I can’t wait to read your latest one.
Thanks for reaching out. We have a busy travel schedule coming up, but would love to meet again in the future.
Cheers,
Martha
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Anonymous said:
I’m sure we’ll bump into one another down the road. Safe travels!
best,
Jim
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Barry said:
Hi, Martha.
I hope you and your family are safe and doing well. Such crazy times!!!
I recently rescued a “photographic” copy (that’s the way it’s described on the COA) of your watercolor painting, “Heritage Farmstead” of the old Ammie Wilson House at the farmstead in Plano from a re-sale shop also in Plano. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever. . .”
i was interested to know how and why your style developed from where you were in 1989 to where you are in 2020. It’s good to evolve, but something must have inspired you to change.
And, was the Heritage Farmstead commissioned or was it something you just wanted to capture since you must have been living in close proximity to the site?
Thanks in advance for your response.
Barry
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Martha Rea Baker said:
Hi, Barry.
What a happy surprise to receive your email this morning on my website. And thank you for rescuing the Ammie Wilson House print. There may not be many of those still around. I was very interested in old houses and architecture around that time in my art career and painted many in and around Plano were we lived for about 35 years.
It does look like a huge shift in style, however it was a gradual transition over those 30 years. I began abstracting my favorite subject matter of architecture, figures and close-up florals. In 1993 I was fortunate to travel to Europe, the first of many such visits, and began a series of contemporary interpretations of Classical subjects, an endeavor which lasted ten years. The subject matter began to become less recognizable and gave way to use of color, shapes and textures to convey the essence of a place or experience. I also shifted from watercolor (my first love) to acrylic and collage, searching for more texture.
There was however as you mention, a defining event that has inspired the work I am currently creating. In December of 2006 we moved to Santa Fe, NM, and like many artists before me, I am influenced by the light, colors, landscape and cultures of this amazing place. Here, I have transitioned to oil paint and encaustic, a technique I had long wanted to explore. If you have visited http://www.owencontemporary.com (the Santa Fe gallery representing me) you see that I am still inspired by travel in my contemporary landscapes.
Thank you for your interest in my journey.
I also hope you and your family are doing well during this time of Covid-19, crazy times, indeed!
Cheers,
Martha
PS-Please let me know if you receive my reply. It seems that some my replies to comments on the website link have not gone through. Many thanks—-
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Bekah Kolbe said:
Hi Martha!
I’m writing to you from Telluride, where I manage one of our two galleries called Slate Gray. We also showcase the work of Amy Van Winkle, who you show alongside with at Owen Contemporary, which is how we discovered your paintings. We absolutely love your pieces and feel that would be an excellent fit for our market and clientele.
If you have availability and interested, please email me to set up a time to discuss more. In the meantime, you can get a sense of who we are as a gallery by visiting our website at slategraygallery.com.
Hope to talk soon,
Bekah
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