MARY ZERAN
  • home
  • Portfolio
    • Exhibitions >
      • Mission Happiness, December 4, 2020 - January 16, 2021
      • Mary Zeran: Ten Years, August 29th, 2020 - January 3rd, 2021
      • Keeping the Bubble Happy, December 6th, 2019 - January 17th, 2020
      • Loud and Proud, November 30th, 2018-January 18th, 2019
      • #100dayproject, 2018
      • A Rainbow Colored Dream, December 1st , 2017- January 31st , 2018
      • Kachow! December 2nd , 2016- February 3rd , 2017, Gilded Pear Gallery
  • Available Work
    • Available Work
    • Available at Gilded Pear Gallery
    • Available at Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art
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"Advise and Select", Ann Landi, Vasari21, July 29, 2018

7/30/2018

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I was interviewed by Ann Landi of Vasari21 along with several other artists on how we prepare for a studio visit.

"Advise and Select", Ann Landi, Vasari21, July 29, 2018

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Art & Life with Mary Zeran,  Boston Voyager

7/30/2018

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Studio Visit: Mary Zeran on Gilded Pear Blog

7/30/2018

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Suzy and Lauren of Gilded Pear Gallery  joined me in the studio for a visit. While they were checking the progress of the above commission, Lauren took lots of photos. All these ended up in a really nice blog post. To read the article, go here: http://www.gildedpeargallery.com/blog/studio-visit-mary-zeran
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Local Cedar Rapids Artist's Painting Featured on Boston Online Magazine

7/30/2018

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Feeling so excited. One of my #100dayproject pieces was featured on Boston Voyager Magazine's online publication. The article was part of their Boston City Guide/ "The Boston Arts & Culture Weekly Review" 
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Artist Talk with Local Artist Mary Zeran at Gilded Pear Gallery

1/4/2018

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Lauren Tucci- Gallery Assistant
            E: lauren@gildedpeargallery.com
            P: 319-366-0205 (Tues-Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat: 10am-4pm)

Gilded Pear Gallery presents...
A Rainbow Colored Dream!    
January 11th 5:30-7pm. Artist Talk with Mary Zeran 
-Doors open at 5:30 and the discussion will begin at 6pm
Exhibition continues until January 19th

Gilded Pear Gallery is located at 808 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.  

Solo show of works by Mary Zeran

Gilded Pear Gallery
Address: 808 THIRD AVE. SE CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA 52403
Phone: 319-366-0205
Email: Suzy@gildedpeargallery.com
​
Lauren@gildedpeargallery.com

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Artist Mary Zeran and Suzy McGrane-Hop of Gilded Pear Gallery Interviewed on KCCK's Culture Crawl

1/4/2018

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Suzy McGrane-Hop of Gilded Pear Gallery and I were honored to be interviewed about my upcoming artist talk at Gilded Pear. Each week Dennis Green, interviews local people about their latest work and how they're helping make Iowa's Creative Corridor one of the best places to live and create. 

To see the interview, go to this link.

Special thanks to Suzy McGrane Hop of Gilded Pear Gallery for making this happen. Super thanks to Dennis Green and KCCK!!!!

Details:
"A Rainbow Colored Dream" Mary Zeran Solo Exhibit runs through January 19th at Gilded Pear Gallery.
Join Mary for a free Artist Talk on January 11, from 5:30-7:00p.m.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Artist Mary Zeran  Upcoming Solo Show in Cedar Rapids, IA

11/28/2017

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
Contact: Lauren Tucci- Gallery Assistant
            E: lauren@gildedpeargallery.com
            P: 319-366-0205 (Tues-Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat: 10am-4pm)

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Mary Zeran Listening Shift 24” x 36”. Acrylic, Duralar on Cradled Panel
Kick the Winter Blues with an Art Exhibition in the Full Spectrum
 
Gilded Pear Gallery presents...
A Rainbow Colored Dream!    
Opening Reception: Friday, December 1st 5-7pm at Gilded Pear Gallery
An Artist Talk will follow on Thursday, January 11th, 5:30-7pm
Exhibition continues until January 19th
 
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.--Gilded Pear Gallery presents its annual solo exhibition from local artist, Mary Zeran. She is the recipient of several awards and honors and her works are in numerous public and private collections as well as many notable corporate collections. The collage works have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the United States and abroad including  the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art; Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art, in Kansas City; SOIL Gallery in Seattle; Higher Art Gallery in Michigan; and Chaing Mai University in Chaing Mai, Thailand.
 
Mary Zeran grew up in a family of women artists whose textiles, embroidery, and woodcarvings, existed as their visual language; enigmatic shapes and forms were their words.  Each time she picks up a brush or scissors she immerses herself in the language of her family, which brings her ever closer to their traditions, histories, and stories. Abstracted flowers, trees, and all the colors of nature, speak her mother tongue. “When I conceived A Rainbow Colored Dream!, I dreamt of exploring colors I’d always feared and mixing new ones I’d never seen.  I had hopes that it would be a bold visual jump. Instead, the small increments and minor gradations captured my eye. I delved deep into layers, creating more unfamiliar patterns. Painted multi-colored dots that ran and beautiful expanses of patterned strips- I dared to form new relationships with these, as I cut new shapes,” says Zeran about the upcoming exhibit. Mary Zeran received her B.F.A and M.F.A from University of Iowa. She was born in Iowa City in 1964 and now lives and works in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
 
Gilded Pear Gallery is located at 808 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.  
Solo show of works by Mary Zeran

Gilded Pear Gallery
Address: 808 THIRD AVE. SE CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA 52403
Phone: 319-366-0205
Email: Suzy@gildedpeargallery.com
​
Lauren@gildedpeargallery.com
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The University of Iowa Alumna Mary Zeran's Art included in The Daily Palette Archive

11/14/2017

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Thank you to The Daily Palette

My work has been added to the list of prestigious artists who graduated from The University of Iowa School of Art and Art History.
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When Your Art Photobombs a TV Interview

11/14/2017

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Suzy McGrane-Hop of Gilded Pear Gallery was interviewed on channel FOX 28.

Notice how my pieces photobombed a recent interview of Suzy McGrane-Hop/ Gilded Pear Gallery on Fox News. Congratulations to Suzy for sharing her expertise and for always supporting my work! Go to this link to see how a local man purchased art at a thrift store worth possibly hundred of dollars.
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Three Works by Artist Mary Zeran added to Manion, Gaynor & Manning, Miami, FL Collection

11/7/2017

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Rolling Rolling Rolling, 22"x30", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2015 copyright Mary

Law Office, MG & M/ Manion Gaynor & Manning has added 3 of my works on paper to their corporate collection! 

MG & M/ Manion Gaynor & Manning has eleven locations throughout the country. These pieces will be gracing the walls of their Miami, FL office. 
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Their Undiscoverd Pearl, 22"x30", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2015 copyright Mary Zeran
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Fostering Opportunity, 30"x40", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2016 copyright Mary Zeran
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Lumpy Swoosh Solo Show Featured

10/25/2017

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Press has been extremely plentiful this season

I'm delighted to share. My solo show at Higher Art Gallery was featured on GrafixArts Newsletter.  
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Upcoming Group Show at Higher Art Gallery

10/24/2017

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Come Celebrate!

Higher Art Gallery is having their One Year Anniversary Soiree and "Give the Gift of Art" Holiday Exhibit. I have 5 small works on paper included in this show.

Opening Reception:
November 3rd, 11am-7pm
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Upcoming Solo Show in Traverse City, MI

8/24/2017

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Shanny Brooke, gallery director
126 S. Union Street
Traverse City, MI 49684

Tel: Gallery- 231-252-4616

https://www.higherartgallery.com

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United Fire Group Adds 5 Collage By Local Artist to Corporate Art Collection

7/21/2017

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UFG has added several of my collage to their corporate collection.

I love hearing stories about why a piece gets purchased. When Suzy saw the bold colored wall in UFG's new space, she said, "Mary Zeran". They agreed. 

Thank you to Debbie of UFG and Suzy of Gilded Pear Gallery for all your hard work!
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Floaty, 27"x50", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2015 copyright Mary Zeran
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Feisty, 27"x50", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2015 copyright Mary Zeran
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Lofty, 27"x50", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2015 copyright Mary Zeran
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Irezumi #2, 27"x50", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2015 copyright Mary Zeran
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Yardage #4, 26"x62", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2015 copyright Mary Zeran
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New Works on Paper from Mary Zeran

7/3/2017

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She Had Wide Hips, 20"x16", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2017 copyright Mary Zeran

I've been exploring a new color palette.

I've limited it to tones of teal, burgundy, orange, blue, and green.  It's been challenging, but exciting all at the same time. 
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Where She Was, 20"x16", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2017 copyright Mary Zeran
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Maybe in the Forest, 20"x16", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2017 copyright Mary Zeran
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Goody, Goody, 20"x16", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2017 copyright Mary Zeran
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Mary Zeran's Art Collected By Solomon McCown in Boston

6/29/2017

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Safe and Steady, 30"x22", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2017 copyright Mary Zeran, Solomon McCown Corporate Collection

Public Relations Firm Solomon McCown has added 3 of my works on paper to their corporate collection!

Solomon McCown is based in Boston, MA, but has an office in New York City. Their specialties are working with Corporate, Healthcare, Real Estate, Education, and Non-Profit groups to:

"define who they are, earn the recognition they deserve, and protect their reputations."
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Frenetic Action, 30"x22", acrylic, Dura-Lar on paper, 2017 copyright Mary Zeran, Solomon McCown Corporate Collection
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Inspiration From the Desert: TEXTURE and PATTERN!

5/3/2017

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Blurred Mojo, 36"x48"x2", acrylic, Dura-Lar on cradled panel, 2017 copyright Mary Zeran

I first became aware of how much I loved texture in Seattle.

During that time, I didn't have a physical studio. At first, I made most of my art on the bus. Eventually, I switched  I noticed was texture was a very useful tool for designing gardens and picking fabric for a room.

Everyone who's ever gardened knows that after the blooms are gone, texture becomes the star. The best gardens include different sizes and shapes of leaves to create different sections of texture. A large patch of grass next to a patch of daisies creates contrast that gives a late season garden something subtle to ponder.
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Looking at my reference photos, I realized many were devoted to leaf texture. I especially like them when they're dried. There's something about that process that creates even more variation in texture.
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​There's a direct connection between what I see in nature and what comes out the end of my brush. Of course color aways brings something to the party, but notice how easy it is to see the texture and pattern when we look at these photos in black in white.
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Exploring what happens when I combine two patterns together is a recent challenge. Transparency makes it possible for me to really push things and create new textures.
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Inspiration From the Desert: COLOR!!!

5/3/2017

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The fruit of the Pindo Palm can be used for jelly.

It never ceases to amaze me how vibrant color is in the desert.

From the car or an airplane, it can appear so....brown...dry...dusty. On foot, its true complexity reveals itself.

Jeff and I just returned from our annual vacation. Normally, we go to Mexico and relish all it has to offer. This year we decided to shake things up and visit Tucson, AZ. One of our favorite things to do is walk. Or second vacation pleasure is taking tons, and tons of photos of anything that strikes our fancy. We like to call these "hiking tours", photo safaris. Over the years, I've noticed some ongoing themes are architecture and nature. Sure there'll be the occasional food, person, or dog photos, but most of the pics tend to be plants and architecture. We also tend to look and re-look at our images throughout the year.  These reference photos seem warm us during the cold Winter months.  

This post is the first of a few that I'll be doing about color, texture, form and pattern. It's my chance to show you some of the "reference" photos from our trips and see how they inspire my work. 

Enjoy!
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The magenta on this flower was electric!!!
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This dusty blue, combined with the red fence tops, yellow Palo Verde blossoms, and orange adobe wall  just sang to me.
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I love how the green of this cactus is silver or gray in parts and then vivid yellow in others. Don't over look that amazing blossom. I love how the light shines through its opaque petals.  Wow!!!
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This is possibly one of my favorite color combos. I love how the teal trim balances or soothe the acid yellow adobe. Delicious!
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Decisions Are Difficult

4/26/2017

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The Season Had Changed, 48"x72"x2", acrylic, Dura-Lar on cradled panel, 2017 copyright Mary Zeran

Have you ever wondered what sort of changes a piece of art goes through before it's done?

Sometimes people think that because a painting has a minimal composition, that is was easy and quick to create. The reality is that the more  simple the composition, the longer it takes. Determining the thickness or a line or the shade of a color can take hours. It always amazes me how just shaving off a 1/2 inch can make all the difference between a successful piece and one that's just "meh".

The photos below show some of the decision making process for creating my new piece "The Season Had Changed". You can see how the pieces extended passed the cradled panel and had to be trimmed. How It took me a while to settle on the exact color of the purple rectangle and eventually ended up layering a piece of magenta woodgrain overtop to give it more depth.

There can be a lot of back and forth. For instance, should I have a blue vertical line or a yellow or maybe both. Notice the black swatches. Do you see how I must have adjusted them a million times before I settled on the final marks. Looking back at the first image, I liked the organic form on the bottom better, but by that time I'd stolen bits to add the black ball above the blue pour, and above the red and white rectangle.

It's amazing how long all this subtle tweaking can take. I keep hoping I'll get faster, but...I'm so seduced by the search for the perfect arrangement. Going through the motions is necessary to making sure I haven't left any idea unexplored.

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Mary Zeran's Painting Featured in Local Design Blog

4/5/2017

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Photography by: Elena from Dust Studios

Here's a nice surprise!

One of my paintings was recently featured on Melanie By Design's blog.  This fantastic bathroom reno was designed by local designer Melanie Olson. Go to this link to see the before and after shots. This classic and funky space is one that anyone would love to have in their home.  

Thank you Melanie Olson for the feature!
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Photography by: Elena from Dust Studios
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  • home
  • Portfolio
    • Exhibitions >
      • Mission Happiness, December 4, 2020 - January 16, 2021
      • Mary Zeran: Ten Years, August 29th, 2020 - January 3rd, 2021
      • Keeping the Bubble Happy, December 6th, 2019 - January 17th, 2020
      • Loud and Proud, November 30th, 2018-January 18th, 2019
      • #100dayproject, 2018
      • A Rainbow Colored Dream, December 1st , 2017- January 31st , 2018
      • Kachow! December 2nd , 2016- February 3rd , 2017, Gilded Pear Gallery
  • Available Work
    • Available Work
    • Available at Gilded Pear Gallery
    • Available at Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art
  • In Situ
  • about
    • biography
    • CV
    • artist statement
    • news
    • publications
  • contact