©"Our Carousel Study" - A Legacy of Wonder and Preservation
Works in progress with several animals❤️
Step into a world where childhood dreams dance eternally, where majestic creatures frozen in time carry the laughter of generations, and where art becomes a powerful force for historical preservation. "Our Carousel Study" represents far more than a collection of paintings - it is a passionate love letter to America's disappearing carousel heritage and a desperate plea to save one of our nation's most treasured amusement park landmarks.
Born from the magic of California's Great America's legendary Double Carousel, this extraordinary collection captures the soul of a dying American tradition. Installed on March 20, 1976, this magnificent Chance Manufacturing masterpiece has welcomed millions of riders through its gates, creating countless memories beneath the Santa Clara sky. But time is running out - this beloved theme park is scheduled to close forever after the 2027 season, taking with it a piece of our cultural heart.
Our three-generation art dynasty - Clarissa, Vanessa, and Kierah - has answered the call to preserve this vanishing treasure through the transformative power of art. Each brushstroke is an act of rebellion against forgetting, each watercolor wash a prayer for preservation. From the fierce majesty of our golden-maned lion carrying his tiny rider, to the regal elegance of our purple horse adorned in ornate splendor, every carousel animal tells a story of craftsmanship, wonder, and the eternal human desire to capture magic.
The zebra, resplendent with precious gold leaf accents, stands as a testament to the luxury and artistry that once defined American carousel craftsmanship. Our tiger prowls with fierce beauty, while our elephant - that rare and cherished carousel creature - reminds us that imagination knows no bounds. Each horse, whether gray with floral garlands or brown with patriotic stripes, carries the dreams of countless children who have gripped their painted manes and soared through carousel time.
This is art with a mission. A portion of any sales will be donated directly to California's Great America with a heartfelt plea: reconsider the closure, preserve this Double Carousel for future generations. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this carousel represents more than entertainment - it is living history, a connection to our past, and a bridge to wonder for children yet to come.
"Our Carousel Study" stands as proof that art can be activism, that beauty can be rebellion, and that sometimes the most important thing an artist can do is refuse to let magic die. Every child deserves to experience the thrill of carousel music, the joy of choosing their perfect steed, and the timeless magic of riding through dreams on a painted horse.
Come, be a kid again. Visit Santa Clara. Ride the carousel. Help us save American history, one magical revolution at a time.
To see us in the National Museum of Women Artist, please visit the Clara Database (please copy and paste and allow time for loading): https://wayback.archive-it.org/2972/20181114151849/http:/clara.nmwa.org/
The Clara Data Base is very old and not longer being updated, however we are there🤩
