Artist Bio
Calan Ree was born and raised in Long Island, NY. She spent a number of years traveling throughout Europe, Britain, India, Canada and across the United States before returning to New York to get her B.A. in Psychology. Outside of studio classes taken at the university, Calan is a self-taught artist.
Calan’s work includes an ongoing comic that incorporates haiku entitled GingerDead and Friends which has run online for over 5 years and has branched off into an independent greeting card line. Her quirky style and gift for character creation has worked it’s way on to hand-formed polymer to create one-of-a-kind illustrated jewelry. Calan’s clay works include mixed media art dolls which incorporate found objects and lightweight clay, creepy finger puppets and hand-built ceramics such as sgraffito pottery, skull bud vases and figurative sculpture.
Calan’s work can be found in a number of eclectic boutiques and gallery shops as well as private collections. She has participated in group exhibitions and regularly takes part in juried art and fine craft shows.
Artist Statement
When I was in elementary school, I entered a Halloween contest that required each participant to dress up as their favorite character from a story. During the week prior I practiced several times, trying to perfect the makeup application required to transform my face into a skull. On Halloween day, I proudly applied my make-up with no assistance from volunteer grown-ups. I felt so proud of my creativity and independence. I was smart. I was creepy. Everyone was going to love me!
When my turn came I shuffled across the stage in my black robe and took the microphone. “I am death” I exclaimed proudly. ‘I come to you from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol’. Certain that my grown-up book choice and hand painted make-up would wow the judges, I was stunned when not only didn’t I place, but I got some disapproving looks. First place went to a kid in a plastic Snoopy mask.
As an adult I think my art pays homage to the little girl in pancake make-up holding a sickle. She’s cute and creative and thoughtful. She is sometimes drawn to dark subject matter. Strange things fascinate and amuse her. Sometimes she is a little weird. But, she is also sweet and thoughtful and has a very big heart. Every time her work is appreciated or invokes a smile, she wins the biggest prize of all.