Momentos of the Soul

Stacey's work reaches far down into me, pulling memories forth from faded days, creating new fantasies and begging a nod to nostalgia. Her work -- her "Momentos" have a depth of soul that fascinates me as much as Stacey Bear does herself. She is luminous, with that dark side that is so compelling to ever ebullient me. Her work is as wonderfully full of feeling as she... sensitive, with longing and a lust for adventure and the treasured button in a jar-full of castoffs.

She sings in her work with painterly details and delicate brushwork that begs a closer look. Stacey's talent is exceptional, with a divine edge of unfettered imagination. Her work is story deftly told to the listener in a visual and tactile harmony. A great gal pal confessed to me that we both need to build additional walls in our homes to fit in more of Stacey's creations... I couldn't agree more. I love her and all that she makes. Some of the pieces I have sold for her haunt me still...

Stacey lives and works in a brick home that has been in her husband Doug's family since the 1840s. Built in 1812, it has three foot thick walls that hold captive memories and the gorgeous patina of time. The steps to her studio rise past the family portraits and old photos, themselves worn down to concave depressions. So many footfalls up and down over the years....so much time spent in those rooms gathering tales. Old walls may ache for new plaster, but never mind, they are festooned with bright colors from Stacey's palette and pockets of her fancies are strewn about. This house is canvas to her beloved collections of old toy monkeys, shells, antique dolls, wee doggies, and her minds eye for color and texture. There's the dollhouse in the dining room, the tavern bar in the den, the fabulous spool tower in the living room, the bowl of felted fruit, the fabulous wallpaper, and more...(This is the stuff of magazine layouts so watch for a peek into the Bear home and Stacey's studio later this year. Jane Dagmi, Editor-at-Large for "Country Living" magazine is preparing a piece...)

We made a road trip to York, PA last summer during a heatwave...Rory, me and Rosanne headed west to hang in the Bear's backyard, hunting for shade and slugging icy cold cokes under the trees where an old chandelier hung from a party we missed. We walked the dirt roads that lead off their backyard into a never ending horizon of soybeans, splashed in the town pool and slept in old twin beds with cool linen sheets. The morning was heaven. Those wide wooden floor boards underfoot, the coffee...I could have stayed the summer.

Stacey's work is fabulous, with many layers and sides to see. Dimensional, passionate and true, as sure as the talent of the artist. And here's my advice, get on Stacey's good side....she knows every best antique shop and hunting ground from Baltimore to Boston. And she is seriously fun to be with.

I have to thank Stacey for all she has done for me and the Earth Angels' artists...It was Stacey who brought Jane Dagmi to our event last May. Three cheers for Stacey and her gal pal networking that resulted in our 6 page spread in the March 2007 issue of Country Living. And many thanks too Stacey for the wonderful batch of new work. E-mail us of you'd like a sneak peek before they are posted to the website....

xxoo Jen

Earth Angels Toys