Spirit Flight by Rebecca Tobey

Rebecca Tobey’s nature-inspired ceramic sculptures will be featured March 26 at Karin Newby Gallery in Tubac. Rebecca is considered one of the west’s leading artists from Santa Fe. This special exhibition spotlights her first new ceramic creations in years.Among those remarkable new sculptures is “Spirit Flight,” where birds soar across a moonlit, star-filled sky on the surface of a ceramic buffalo. Unlike other Tobey ceramics that have a glossy finish, this particular buffalo has a more natural surface

The event represents a major turning point for Rebecca, who stopped creating ceramic sculptures in 2002 due to her late husband’s adverse reaction to the dust created in the process. This year, Rebecca decided it was time to bring them back.

Guiding Star by Rebecca Tobey

Known for her dynamic bronze wildlife sculptures, Rebecca will appear at the gallery, 19 Tubac Road, on Saturday, March 26 from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. The show, which also features painter and sculptor Nicholas Wilson, runs from March 25 through April 17.

“Art should be an evolutionary process, and I have happily returned to creating the ceramic sculptures which Gene and I loved so much,” Rebecca said. “I am truly excited to reveal this new work in a city that truly embraces the spirit of creativity and the power of inspiration.”

Rebecca Tobey in her studio

Flowing with spiritual intensity and a style that is both sophisticated and primal, the wildlife sculptures of Rebecca Tobey reveal a passion for the natural world and a fascination with the unbridled freedom of the west. Her bronze and ceramic interpretations are enhanced by a rich palette of subtle patinas, and a surface alive with shapes, symbols, starlit skies and mountain ranges. The Santa Fe artist’s uniquely stylized works transcend taste, time and trend and are appreciated by distinguished collectors worldwide.

Kokopelli (Bronze) by Rebecca Tobey

Five years after her husband Gene passed away she continues to create her unique style sculptures.

Fat Tuesday by Rebecca Tobey

Karin Newby Gallery carries a spectrum of Rebecca’s work, both large and small, as displayed indoors and at the gallery’s outdoor Monumental Sculpture Garden.  If you have never visited this exceptional outdoor sculpture garden then you are in for a real treat. I consider it one of the best in Arizona.

For more information about Rebecca Tobey, go to http://www.RebeccaTobey.com

Opening reception: Saturday, March 26 from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m

The gallery address is:

Karin Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden

19 Tubac Road,

Tumacacori-Carmen, AZ 85640

Phone: 520-398-9662

Website: http://www.karinnewbygallery.com/

When I asked WHY she creates what she does she answered, ”Creating with my hands, making ideas, stories, concepts into tangible forms is really about language. It is my language…the way I express views and observations.  Without this language of visual art I would be silenced and sad.”

Through her art she continues to explore human interactions as well as those of nature and science.  She continues to ask questions and is forever curious.  Like many artists the process of making art calms her senses and takes her to that blissful place we often call Nirvana.  Most artists of all types of creativity whether painters, musicians, dancers etc. experience this loss of time and escape into this magical zone while they are creating.  It is the point of their greatest creations.

Below is a slideshow of a number of Rebecca’s art forms.

Slide 1 of 35.
The Phoenix (Phoenix, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 2 of 35.
Longley-Cook Memorial Seating (Ithaca, NY)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 3 of 35.
Rillito River Lounges (Tucson, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 4 of 35.
Rillito River Seating/Bronze Still Life (Tucson, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 5 of 35.
Detail Bronze Still Life (Tucson, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 6 of 35.
Rillito River Seating (Tucson, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 7 of 35.
Centennial Garden (Ithaca, NY)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 8 of 35.
La Puerta (Tucson, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 9 of 35.
The Opponents
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 10 of 35.
Sarvodaya Garden (Oro Valley, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 11 of 35.
Scientific Graph (Oro Valley, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 12 of 35.
Artist & Scientific Graph (Oro Valley, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 13 of 35.
Rainwater Feature (Oro Valley,AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 14 of 35.
Artist & Bronze Inlay of Medicine Maze ( Oro Valley, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 15 of 35.
Maze ( Oro Valley, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 16 of 35.
Maze (Oro Valley, AZ)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 17 of 35.
Marriage Of The Pine (Ithaca, NY)
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 18 of 35.
Contemplation
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 19 of 35.
Aubrey
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 20 of 35.
Detained
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 21 of 35.
Waiting For Manna
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 22 of 35.
Book of Numbers
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 23 of 35.
Noh Girls I
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 24 of 35.
Noh Girls II
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 25 of 35.
The Fury
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 26 of 35.
Top View
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 27 of 35.
October Sky
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 28 of 35.
The Veil Of Mary
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 29 of 35.
Twighlight
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 30 of 35.
Embrace
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 31 of 35.
The Hills
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 32 of 35.
Peaks
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 33 of 35.
Pink Sky
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 34 of 35.
Dusk
Source: Rebecca ThompsonSlide 35 of 35.
Medicine Maze
Source: Rebecca Thompson

As you can see from the works above the artist constantly strives to create work that is dedicated to connecting to the viewers or to connect communities with themselves or their environments. Art for her is about connections on many levels. It is about discovery, discovering what has always existed and bringing these treasures to the surface of our consciousness.

Rebecca Thompson has won numerous awards, received several grants and has a vast portfolio of public art commissions as well as gallery exhibitions.  Her art has been featured in numerous publications including Sculpture International.

For her public art she draws on the rich history of the designated site to develop the theme for her creation. She has become a master of metal casting, wood and stone cravings as well as architecturally designed monuments and garden areas.  She often combines all these skills to make memorable public art.

Her monumental work in downtown Phoenix, about the City’s history, titled “The Phoenix,” is the first of its kind. The 28-foot high rammed earth and bronze structure required code modifications from the City of Phoenix planning department. Her dedication to details and the collaborative process with others made this monument in its unique form possible.

Artist Rebecca Thompson

She is an active member of Tucson’s art community and often takes on projects that require community involvement.  Presently she is involved in creating contemplative work such as commemorative garden spaces and meditation gardens for public parks, corporate and educational establishments.

For more information please contact her at:

Pendulum Studios (located at Citizens Art Studios in the historic warehouse arts district)

Website: rebeccathompsonsculpture.com

Phone: 520-260-0922 FAX: 520-615-8882