RC Gorman / Cloud Nine Fine Art Gallery and Custom Framing
When Serendipity Strikes Twice
Partnerships in business and relationships can be tricky . When they work , the result is something much greater than either could have conceived of or created on their own . Such is the case of married artists and business partners John and Ali Schooley , owners of the RC Gorman / Cloud Nine Fine Art Gallery and Custom Framing .
Their gallery in La Entrada is warmly welcoming , spacious and enveloping , brimming with phenomenal wall art : originals , giclees , prints of watercolors , abstracts , and photography . Gorgeous jewelry , bronzes , pottery and unusual rock art round out the gallery . Much of the art is their own work — John ’ s vibrant , masterful watercolors seesawing between arresting photorealism and impressionism and Ali ’ s bold abstracts and her highly imaginative and compelling photographic art . She grew up surrounded by art — her mother was an artist in many mediums , a playwright , and her own creative force . It ’ s in her genes .
Vibrating off the walls of the gallery are the almost indescribable paintings — of legendary Navajo artist RC Gorman . His use of brilliant color and line is unmatched . Most of his subjects are female , having been influenced greatly by his grandmother . Often placed in starkly beautiful landscapes their faces reveal a grounded inner wisdom and strength . “ RC Gorman captured the native woman like no one I have ever seen , depicting her in a way that is just really beautiful ,” says Ali who became familiar with the artist in the 1980 ’ s .
For John and Ali the mysterious cosmic force we call serendipity has graced them in many ways . It ’ s how they first met in an art gallery in Las Cruses , New Mexico . It was February , 2013 when their eyes locked , souls stirred and by May , three months later , and “ together ” they embarked on an extraordinary life adventure . Ironically both had just retired
14 = La Entrada de Tubac