After yesterday's momentous day, things like art seem less important, but... I wanted to remind you that this Saturday, the 23rd...is the last day to see my solo show at @gildedpeargallery Mission Happiness is an exhibit made up of over 20 paintings and 20 prints. This show debuts my prints. Each one was created at the Cherry Building during COVID lockdown. They were a way for me to work through my fear and anxiety. Instead, I discovered a new way of working that gave me joy. @gildedpeargallery 's recent studio blogpost contains photos of the process, photos of the Cherry Building Studio, and descriptions of my process. Go to @gildepeargallery 's website to read the post. Richness Below the Surface Acrylic on paper Art dimensions: 12" x 12" $395 Framed This piece is available at @gildedpeargallery. Contact Lauren, Suzy, or Linda to purchase. Mission Happiness @gildedpeargallery Now until January 23th, 2021 Gilded Pear Gallery (319)366-0205 
This piece has a weird name....even for me. Looking at it now, I'm not sure why I chose the word placid. I can see where the hump comes from, but placid? Especially since it's meaning is: (of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited. "this horse has a placid nature" or (especially of a place or stretch of water) calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity. "the placid waters of a small lake" If you knew me...placid is not a word that describes my personality. Maybe I chose it as a life goal? Placid....... Placid Hump acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper 30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm) Mary Zeran copyright 2019 $1000.00 unframed This piece is available at @gildedpeargallery. Contact Lauren, Suzy, or Linda to purchase. Reminder: I have a solo show @gildedpeargallery right now. Details below. To see a virtual walkthrough, go to the link in my bio. Mission Happiness @gildedpeargallery Now until January 23th, 2021 Gilded Pear Gallery (319)366-0205 
Last year my solo show was titled "Keeping the Bubble Happy"...people kept saying, "What does that mean anyway?" Remember that phrase, "sticks and stone may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."? How many of you hated that phrase? I did...because names can hurt...sometimes more than a fat lip... So...what does "Keeping the Bubble Happy" mean? Imagine yourself surrounded by an invisible bubble. Suddenly someone says something mean...as the words head toward you, they hit the bubble and bounce off. The bubble keeps those words from getting to your heart. Keeping the Bubble Happy Acrylic, Dura-Lar on cradled panel 24 x 36 x 2 in (60.96 x 91.44 x 5.08 cm) Mary Zeran copyright 2019 Keeping the Bubble Happy $1,200 This piece is available at @gildedpeargallery. Contact Lauren, Suzy, or Linda to purchase. Reminder: I have a solo show @gildedpeargallery right now. Details below. To see a virtual walkthrough, go to the link in my bio. Mission Happiness @gildedpeargallery Now until January 23th, 2021 Gilded Pear Gallery (319)366-0205 
I've always loved everything about corduroy fabric... *the texture *its softness *how it makes a swishing sound when I walk...TMI? maybe... I also love the sound of the word. Courduroy. Corduroy acrylic, Dur-Lar, on paper 30 x 22 in (76.2 x 55.88 cm) copyright Mary Zeran Reminder: I have a solo show @gildedpeargallery right now. Details below. To see a virtual walkthrough, go to the link in my bio. Mission Happiness @gildedpeargallery Now until January 23th, 2021 Gilded Pear Gallery (319)366-0205 
This piece is another one of those....title 'em like you see 'em....but with a twist. Sometimes I play this word game with my husband. We try to come up with funny phrases...or we think of word combos that would be good titles. For instance, this week we're mulling over "Escape Hatch" and "Big Stuff" for future show titles. I think the below title is pretty obvious... Lumpy to the Left Acrylic, duralar on paper Art dimensions: 30" x 22" $1,000 Framed This piece is available for purchase at @gildedpeargallery Reminder: I have a solo show @gildedpeargallery right now. Details below. To see a virtual walkthrough, go to the link in my bio. Mission Happiness @gildedpeargallery Now until January 25th, 2021 Gilded Pear Gallery (319)366-0205 
One of the powers of art is it's ability to take us out of ourselves. Do you know what I mean? It's not a distraction. To me it feels like elevation....a way to "rise above" pain and suffering. Corny as it sounds...art can be about love. When I was making this piece, my dog Stella was dying from kidney disease. It was heartbreaking. I was torn between selfishly wanting to keep her around as long as possible and moving towards helping her go into the great unknown. I've had the opportunity to be with several beings on their last days on earth. What I'm always overcome with is the the amount of love that's felt. It seems like everyone feels it. All the work of 2019 became wishes for a good journey...a bon voyage send off.... A Greater Number Acrylic, dura-lar on cradled panel Art dimensions: 20" x 24" $750 This piece is available for purchase at @gildedpeargallery Reminder: I have a solo show @gildedpeargallery right now. Details below. To see a virtual walkthrough, go to the link in my bio. Mission Happiness @gildedpeargallery Now until January 25th, 2021 Gilded Pear Gallery (319)366-0205 
Hello everyone! Just wanted to tell you a few things about myself. I've been making stuff all my life. It was something I did with my mom, gramma, and siblings. Although, we didn't label ourselves artists. I went to college at University of Iowa. My major was Journalism with a minor in Politics. After my first year, I soon realized those weren't my people. Around that time, I wandered into the art department to take an elective in metalworking and jewelry. That class was one of those lightning bolt moments where I understand what it was I wanted to do. Art making felt right. Like something I was born to do... I know that sounds dramatic, but...it was one of those moments. After that first class, I changed my major to art...without telling my parents, I might add...and have been on a life time journey from there. I got my BFA and MFA from University of Iowa in metalworking and jewelry with minors in sculpture and drawing. After damaging my lungs with chemicals from metalworking, I migrated to found object sculpture and installation. I didn't start doing my current work until 10 years ago. I've always wanted to paint and work with color, but was afraid to abandon all those years of working in 3D. Working in 2D came slowly. I stated to realize that sculpture cost a lot more money to make and took up a lot more space. Plus...there is the "engineering component". Making collage was a way to use all my interests. I get to use my assembling skills and combine them with color. The techniques simple enough that they don't interfere with my ability to be spontaneous. I feel really lucky that 10 years ago, I was able to quit working my day job and devote all my time to making art. So that's me. Reminder: I have a solo show @gildedpeargallery right now. Details below. To see a virtual walkthrough, go to the link in my bio. Mission Happiness @gildedpeargallery Now until January 25th, 2021 Gilded Pear Gallery (319)366-0205 
A couple of years ago, I had a solo show coming up and no time left. I needed to title 8 pieces. Because of the pressure my brain went blank. No matter what I did, I couldn't "unblank" my brain. My solution? Title the pieces after the colors in the piece. Sometimes the easiest answer is to just call it like you see it. That's why this piece is called Watermelon and Magenta. Watermelon and Magenta acrylic, Dur-Lar, on paper 30 x 22 in (76.2 x 55.88 cm) 2018 copyright Mary Zeran $1,000 Framed To purchase, contact Lauren, Suzy, or Linda @gildedpeargallery. Reminder: I have a solo show @gildedpeargallery right now. Details below. To see a virtual walkthrough, go to the link in my bio. Mission Happiness @gildedpeargallery Now until January 25th, 2021 Gilded Pear Gallery (319)366-0205 
This piece has a pretty poetic title...Her Thoughts are Like Ribbons. It comes form a guided meditation class. I thought it was such an amazing way to describe how thoughts float through out head. It's like they weave and flow through the empty moments of "being"...that quite time when our brain isn't "thinking" and "talking. Her Thoughts are Like Ribbons acrylic, Dur-Lar, on paper 30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm) 2018 copyright Mary Zeran $1000.00 unframed DM me to gallery location and contact info. Reminder: I have a solo show @gildedpeargallery right now. Details below. To see a virtual walkthrough, go to the link in my bio. Mission Happiness @gildedpeargallery Now until January 25th, 2021 Gilded Pear Gallery (319)366-0205