TWIN FALLS • Before moving from the Magic Valley more than a decade ago, Donna Merchant-Crooks made an impact with her art as a certified drug and alcohol counselor.

Merchant-Crooks, 58, (formerly Donna Davis) now lives in Pagosa Springs, Colo., but will visit Twin Falls to present her traveling art show, “Can You Hear Me Now?” on May 3 at the Church of the Ascension.

“Idaho is a place that once you leave you’ll spend the rest of your life wanting to return to,” said Merchant-Crooks, who raised children in Hansen and still has family in the area.

The self-taught artist will weave stories while unveiling eight original pieces during the sit-down presentation. Although the female form is prominent in each, the variety showcases Merchant-Crooks’ talent as a painter, bronze sculptor and wood carver.

Her work has been featured at Pagosa Springs’ Art in the Garden Festival, Pagosa Center for the Arts and Wild Spirit Gallery, as well as the International Arabian Horseshow in Scottsdale, Ariz. Some of her pieces fetch several thousand dollars; a $4,000 wood carving of mustangs, inspired by her time as a backcountry cook in Idaho’s Frank Church wilderness, is listed on her website, Merchant-crooks.com.

Morgan Jeno of Twin Falls remembers working with the artist decades ago, through New Beginnings Counseling and Consulting in Twin Falls.

“Donna was an art therapist in the same building, and her work is incredible,” Jeno said.

March 30, 2012

Powerful insights using the female form

“Can You Hear Me Now?”

The unveiling of the feminine

Weaving stories through voice, slides, and artwork, the award winning artist,

Donna Merchant-Crooks,

is a natural at creating a world you’ll recognize and remember.

This presentation is emotional, empowering, humorous and educational.

Friday, March 30, 6:30 p.m.

Pathways

Center for Natural Healing

40031 US Hwy 160 E,  Bayfield, Co.

(Please be seated early as the program begins promptly at 6:30)

*Limited Seating*… Reserve your space by calling Pathways @ 970-884-4718

Or email shaman2rising@msn.com    more info www.pathwaysbayfield.com

Hope to see you there

I will add final photo’s to this post asap.

The custom wood carved chair is coming along quite nicely. Visit my work shop in the video below and see just how special this chair is going to be.

More pictures to come. Stay tuned.

Cherry Carved Custom Chair

Donna Merchant-Crooks

 Picture this, two outlaws have just robbed a bank. they hurriedly ride to the bottom of a mesa where they have tied up their getaway horses and are now scurrying up the rocks to find the hidey hole to bury the loot.

Three things they aren’t aware of is the posse riding over the top of the mesa in search of them. 2nd is the hole in one of the bags that has been leaving a trail of gold nuggets all the way up the climb. Third and dire is the cougar up in the tree above their now “about to bust loose” ponies.

This entire story is being carved into this entire chair even as you read this. The chair you see in this photo is made out of cherry and is currently dry fitted so it can be taken apart to carve.

More pictures to come. Stay tuned.

The Artist Donna Merchant-Crooks has finished a custom bronze inlay fireplace mantle. This bronze inlay was inserted into a much larger wood mantle. The bronze piece is 5’ long and 10 inches wide. The finished wood mantle is 14” inches wide and 10’ long. The bronze has been carefully centered in the mantle. Shown is two sections of the bronze completed. Enjoy the photos of the finished mantle in this remarkable setting.

The front exterior doors measure 9’ high and 42” wide each. All of the custom carved doors are alder. Donna said “This was a huge bunch of fun working on this home”.

Click to view slideshow.

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After posting the finished door photo’s on the site, Donna received a number of “kuddos” from fellow artists and associates. We thought we would share this one:

Hi Donna,

Great to talk to you today and to share the pictures of your artistry this year. I really was blown away by them and remembered seeing them on your work table this summer. I remembered seeing the sketches. It really is astonishing how all of these visions and insights and intuitions organize themselves into art under your hands. It is as though you summon them out of the wood and bronze and into themselves. As you carve and sculpt these pieces, bears and wild horses are set free to live in the imagination of all who see them. How lucky are the patrons who commissioned them because now they get to live with them everyday.

When I see work like this, it transcends craftsmanship. It changes the way I see the world!

Suzan

 

Marge’s Jack

“Marge’s Jack” is a commissioned piece by his loving widow.  This sweet man’s face was such a joy to paint.  He was preceded in his passing by his two dogs.  Both of whom are shown in the painting taking a peaceful walk with Jack on his journey.

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Traveling Art Presentation

“Can You Hear Me Now!”

“Can You Hear Me Now!” is a traveling art presentation unveiling powerful insights reflected through female form presented by the Artist herself. This show is emotional, empowering, educational, and humorous.

Weaving stories through speaking, showing actual artwork, and slides, award winning Donna Merchant-Crooks is a natural at bringing you into a world you’ll remember and recognize through your own life’s experiences. Check this site for upcoming shows.

Please contact Donna to set up a show in your area.

Phone: 970-264-5092
Cell#: 970-903-3405

The Bronzing Artist

Bronzing is a fascinating worth going to a foundry and taking a free tour. Visiting www.artcastings.com will give you an actual virtual tour of the bronzing process. I create my pieces in clay beginning with a wire armature or “skeleton.” This structurally holds the piece together while the clay is being formed. Wax can also be used to create the piece. When done , off to the foundry it goes. A mold is made of the piece, a ceramic cast is made from the mold, and into this is poured the bronze. When cooled the cast is broken off and there is the original, now in bronze.

More of Donna Merchants-Crooks Bronze Art Work:

<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-9" title="Can You Hear Me Now!"