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Washington, D.C., USA

paula

Retired--NASA, / Art,History,Geography,TRAVEL

I was born and raised in Washington, DC.Our playground was the monuments and museums of the city. My exposure to art and history was very early. I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in History with minors in art and archaeology. My husband & I have been married forever. We have three children and two grandchildren(we like them quite a bit). Books are my weakness. If I had a time machine I would travel back to Egypt to the heyday of the great library of Alexandria(I hope I'd pick up some ancient languages on the way). I like to paint(paintings, not walls). Northern European style paintings with all their symbolism and primitive religious art are passions. Messy gardening is my preoccupation in the summer. With so many interests nothing seems to get done. My children are very creative, but most important, they are funny. After all is said and done, my favorite activity is laughing--withfamily&friends, dog or me. Oh,it was a privledge to work for NASA.

What I like most about Novica:

It started with a trip to Peru. I admired the beauty of "primitive" art already, but I was not prepared for what I saw in Peru. Needless to say there was not enough time, money or space in my bags to accomodate all that I wanted. When I returned from Peru, I knew I would not be satisfied until I could find a source of Peruvian art.What troubled me was authenticity. I wanted to know who the artisans were and why they were doing what they did. I searched, googled, yahooed, whatever, trying to find a site that met with a few of my requirements. Then NOVICA popped up--WOW! It was associated with National Geographic=stability. Detailed artist descriptions including family history and education=provenance. Demonstrated quality/craftmanship=NOVICA's knowledge of the artisans with their guarantee. There was more--incredible value and the support of artisans around the world without exploitation. It is a rich gift. A win/win, I think?

Photos of Novica in my life

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4 testimonials written and 19 Novica artists purchased from.

Testimonial for Edgar Aguirre Gomez

When my NOVICA paintings arrived I kept them wrapped all nice and tight in their plastic tubes. I was so afraid that I might be disappointed. I had just returned from Peru where I had fallen in love with Cuzco colonial replica paintings. It is difficult to describe my feelings as I finally viewed those paintings. First, I timidly unrolled 'Virgin Offering Flowers to Child'. When I saw the Virgin's luminous eyes my breath was literally taken away. There is such an aura of beauty, mysticism and spirituality that is coupled with a distinct artistic style that radiates through all three of the paintings I received, 'Uriel, the Archangel' and the stunning 'Our Lady of Mercy II'. Mr. Gomez is no mere copyist of colonial painting. He is a fine interpreter of that style along with a strong sense of Andean heritage that makes his art so powerful. Now, I must be so careful finding someone I can trust to mount these outstanding paintings.

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Testimonial for Anna Lia

Peridot is my birthstone and I see very little of it except in boring and redundant styles. When I saw Anna Lia's "abacus" style ring with random dainty peridots roped in silver, well, I was hooked. I ordered the earrings as well--beautiful of course. My ring also serves as worry beads at tense times. I catch myself rolling the little beads back and forth over my finger. Beautiful and soothing? Who could want something more? Well, I could want Anna's new bracelet and necklace, too, that I've just seen on site........

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Testimonial for Alberto Torres

My 'Mary Guadalupe' is such a little treasure. It is very difficult to find just the right 'Guadalupe' and I have been looking for years. Mr. Torres' painting captures all that I've been searching for. The serene and beautiful Mary fairly depicts her Latin American roots as well as the awe that must have accompanied her appearance. The frame is quite lovely, too, and now every time I pass her in my hall I am reminded of Mary Guadalupe housed in her own South American wayside shrine. I couldn't be more pleased.

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Testimonial for Brenda Rodriguez

I am one of those people who never changes their purses. As soon as I saw my "Andean Highlands" purse with the bold red square, out with the old and in with the new. I keep thinking I know what color the purse is, but each time I examine the bag new threads attract my attention--various shades of green, brown, yellow, red and heaven knows what else. It is rather chameleon like--fascinating! So much out of a purse! Lovely job, Brenda Rodriquez.

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