about the artist

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An apprentice in the studio of a noted painter starting at the age fifteen, Vail’s solid traditional background in drawing and painting earned a full, four-year scholarship based on artistic merit. With a B.F.A. in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA she then worked as a freelance illustrator and sculptor primarily in New York and Philadelphia.

With an exceedingly active, twenty plus year history of public sculpture commissions, Vail's work can be found in a number of public and private collections in this country as well as overseas, where several distinguished hotels have installed her fountains and sculptures.

She has been honored with a number of solo and group exhibitions and her work appears in a variety of venues from galleries and museums to corporations and universities. Her sculptures have appeared in exhibits at Temple University, PA.and are part of the permanent collections of the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in CA and the Berman Museum in PA. Three of Vail's public sculptures are listed as sites on the National Museum of Women in the Arts tour in the Washington, D.C. area. Five of Vail's bronzes are included in the Vatican Library's permanent art collection in Rome. 

Vail’s original designs of high fashion women’s shoes are realistically sculpted and painted miniature collectibles, about 4” long. In the eighteen years they have been produced, Just the Right Shoe® has won a dozen nominations and awards, and thousands of fans worldwide.

EDUCATION / AWARDS

2012-15 Marin Museum of Modern Art, CA

2011-12 College of Marin, CA

1997 Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA: Faculty

1996 City College of San Francisco, CA

1984-86 Fort Mason Art Center, San Francisco, CA 

1983-85 San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA

1973-75 University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA: Bachelor of Fine Arts

1972-75 Camden County College, NJ 

1972 Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

1971 Full four-year scholarship, Scholastic Magazine National Art Competition

2002 “Decorative Collectible of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Ltd Edition Dealers

2002 “Artist of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

2002 “Collectible of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

2001 “Collectible of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

2001 “Recognition for Excellence” award: Mt. Vernon Historical Association

2001 “Artist of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

2001 “Collector’s Club of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

2001 “Decorative Collectible of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

2000 “Collectible of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

2000 “Award of Excellence” nominee: Collector Editions Magazine

2000 “Collector’s Club of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

1999 “Line of the Year” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

1999 “Rising Star” award: National Assoc. of Limited Edition Dealers

1998 “Best New Collectible of the Year” award: UK Guild of China and Glass Retailers

1998 “Outstanding New Line” award: International Assoc. of Limited Edition Retailers

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS and GALLERY AFFILIATIONS

2015 Hanson Gallery, Sausalito, CA 

2015 Coast Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA

2015 Marcus Ashley, Tahoe, CA February solo show

2014 Borsini-Burr Art Gallery, Montara, CA ongoing

2014 Dreamworld Publishing, Montara, CA ongoing

2014 Marcus Ashley, Tahoe, CA ongoing

2014 Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay, CA ongoing

2014 Borsini-Burr Sculpture Garden, Half Moon Bay, CA ongoing

2008 Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, CA “Figurative Drawing Show”

2008 City of Cloverdale, CA “Regional Art Show”

2007 Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Sacramento, CA “ Curtain Call”

2006 Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA “Drawn from Life”

2002 Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Sacramento, CA "Masque Parade"

2002 Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Sacramento, CA "Horse is a Horse"

2000 One Bush Street, San Francisco, CA "The Art of Lost Wax"

1999 CFM Gallery, New York, NY Solo Show of bronze sculptures

1999 Sausalito Art Gallery, Sausalito, CA Solo Show of bronze sculptures

1999 111 Minna Street Gallery, San Francisco, CA group show

1998 Hayward Arts Council, Hayward, CA "Sculptors of Artworks"

1997 Art Avenue Galleries, Cleveland, OH "Solo Sculpture Exhibition"

1997 Hitachi Data Systems, Palo Alto, CA "Solo Sculpture Exhibition"

1997 Academy of Art College, San Francisco, CA "Faculty Exhibition"

1997 CFM Gallery, New York, NY International Artists' "Peep Show"

1996 Art Avenue Galleries, Cleveland, OH Solo Sculpture Exhibition

1996 Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA Group Show and Auction

1996 May Phantom Galleries, Sacramento, CA Show in collaboration with Crocker Museum

1996 CFM Gallery, New York, NY Solo Show of bronze sculpture, jewelry, and paintings

1996 Blackhawk Automotive Museum, Danville, CA Permanent Collection

1995  Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA Herold Gallery and Auction

1995  Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Sacramento, CA Solo Show of bronzes and paintings

1995 Public ARTernative, San Luis Obispo, CA Exhibition of Public Art

1995 USArt Fort Mason Pavilion Building, San Francisco, CA 

1983-95 Raymond E. Holland Automotive Art Collection, Allentown, PA Permanent Collection

1994 Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA Benefit, "Paint-A-Plate"

1994 S.O.F.A. (Sculpture, Objects & Functional Art) Chicago, IL 

1994 Hitachi Data Systems, Palo Alto, CA "The Frog and the Princess"

1994 Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Sacramento, CA "Living with Sculpture”

1985-97 Artworks Foundry-Gallery, Berkeley, CA

1993  Big Horn Galleries, Southport, CT Solo show of bronze sculpture

1992-93 Bay Arts Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1992-93 Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Rockville, MD

1992 Synopsis Corporation, Mountain View, CA

1992 Civic Center Plaza and Courtyard, Mountain View, CA

1992 Wm. F. Harrah National Museum, Reno, NV "Motor Car in Art"

1985-91 Hatley Martin Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA 

1990 The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Wash. DC Art in Public Places (3 sites)

1989 Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA "Art and the Automobile"

1988 Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA "Honor the Auto"

1987 Gallery 30, San Mateo, CA 

1984-86 Contemporary Exhibitions, San Francisco, CA

1985 Bank Street Gallery, Palo Alto, CA

1983-84 San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA

1983-88 Franklin Town Sculpture Show, Philadelphia, PA

1982 Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

PUBLIC COMMISSIONS & COLLECTIONS

2019 Stanford University, CA

2015 City of Pittsburg, CA

2011-12 National Football League

2010 Time Factory Publishing, Indianapolis, IN

2005-15 Andrews McMeel Publishing, Kansas City, MO

2003-04 Just the Right Shoe for Kids® licensed brand of collectible sculptures, global distribution

2000-03 Beverley Feldman Designs

2000-02 Biltmore Estates Historical Museum, DE

2000-02 Mt. Vernon Museum, VA

2000 Fashion Footwear Assoc. of NY and QVC cable network

1999 Vatican Library, Rome, Italy

1999-01 Raine Collection®, licensed brand of jewelry UK, Japan, US

1999-01 Take a Seat®, licensed brand of collectible sculptures, global distribution

1998-15 Just the Right Shoe®, licensed brand of collectible sculptures, global distribution

1997 Sheridan Plaza, Palo Alto, CA

1997 Nemicoln Hills Resort, Farmington, PA

1995 Goddard Center for the Arts, Ardmore, OK 

1994 East 21 Hotel, Tokyo, Japan

1994 Westin Hotel, Tokyo, Japan

1993 Toyo-Cho Hotel, Tokyo, Japan 

1992 Sherwood High School, Sandy Spring, MD 

1992 Burnt Mills Elementary School, Silver Spring, MD

1992 Toyo-Cho Hotel, Tokyo, Japan 

1990-92 Advanced Micro Devices, Sunnyvale, CA

1992 Burning Tree Elementary School, Bethesda, MD

1990-91 Olney Elementary School, Olney, MD 

1990 Westbrook Elementary School, Bethesda, MD

1989-90 Watkins Mill High School, Gaithersburg, MD

1988 The Behring Museum, Danville, CA

1988 Quince Orchard High School, Quince Orchard, MD

1988 Clearspring Elementary School, Damascus, MD

1986 Atrium Building, Walnut Creek, CA

1986 Sacramento Parks and Recreation, Sacramento, CA

1985    Hog Heaven Restaurant and Bar, San Francisco, CA

1985 Butts Pontiac-Cadillac, Seaside, CA 

1982 Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA

1981 Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art, Ursinus, PA

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 

2015 Contemporary Patination 2nd Ed. for Bronze and Copper, book – photos

2015 Explore 2015 Edition book - photos

2015 Marcus Ashley gallery – winter catalog

2014 Southwest Art magazine July, – article, photo

2014 Art World News magazine May, – article, photo

2014 Treasures Magazine March, - article

2014 Borsini-Burr gallery – catalog

2012 NFL Team Sports America catalog - photos

2007 San Francisco Chronicle newspaper– article, photo

2004 Oprah’s O magazine fall edition – article, photo

2004 Collector Editions magazine fall edition – article, photo

2004 Star magazine fall edition – article, photo

2004   Fine Art magazine  – photo

2003 Collector Editions magazine spring edition - photo

2003 Collectors’ Information Bureau magazine – article and photo

2002 Metroactive newspaper May 2 – article, photo

2002 Bohemian newspaper February 2 – article, photo

2002 Renninger’s Antique Guide newspaper PA April 8 – article

2001 Antiques & Collectibles magazine January – article

2001 Cincinnati Post newspaper January 25 – article

2001 Post – Journal newspaper NY February 3 – article

2001 Wheeling News - Register newspaper WV January 25 – article

2001 Rockford Register Star newspaper IL January 26 – article

2001 Erie Daily Times-News newspaper PA January 25 – article

2001 Idaho Statesman newspaper ID January 28 – article

2001 Post & Courier newspaper SC January 26 – article

2001 Richmond Daily Journal newspaper NC January 31 – article

2001 Knoxville News-Sentinel newspaper TN January 25 – article

2001 Standard-Speaker newspaper PA January 30 – article

2001 Country Victorian magazine Summer edition – article, photos

2001 Hot! Magazine March/April – article, photo

2001 Sun Baltimore newspaper DE February 4 – article, photo

2001 Collector Editions magazine April, August, and Oct. issues – photos

2001 LA Times newspaper CA April 27 – article, photo 

2001 Pittsburgh Tribune newspaper PA January 25 – article

2001 Collector’s Mart August – article

2001 Chicago Sun-Times newspaper Jan 19 – article, photo

2001 Bloomingdale’s catalog – photos

2001 Marin Independent Journal newspaper CA February 5 – article, photo 

2001 Herald newspaper PA January 28 – article 

2001 Sun Chronicle newspaper MA January 28 – article

2001 Sunday World-Herald newspaper NE January 28 – article

2001 Kentucky Advocate newspaper KY January – article

2001 Daily News Journal newspaper TN January 30 – article

2001 Hoosier Times newspaper IN January 26 – article, photo 

2001 Courier-Times-Telegraph newspaper TX February – article, photo 

2001 Petaluma Argus Courier newspaper CA January – article, photo

2001 Chattanooga Press newspaper TN February – article 

2001 Sunday Observer newspaper NY February – article, photo 

2001 Enterprise newspaper MA January 23 – article

2001 Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper OH January – article 

2001 Kennebec Journal newspaper ME February 3 – article, photo 

2001 Gazette newspaper IA January 24 – article 

2001 Sun Metro newspaper CA February – article 

2001 The Classic Duck catalog –photos

2000-05 InStep 32-page magazine for Just the Right Shoe® fan clubs published quarterly in several languages

2000-05 Collector’s Mart monthly magazine numerous articles, photos

2000 San Francisco Chronicle newspaper CA June 6 – article, photo

2000 Collector Editions magazine April, October, and December issues – articles, photos

2000 State Gazette newspaper TN January 12 – article, photo 

2000 Wisconsin State Journal newspaper WI January 9 – article, photo 

2000 San Gabriel Valley News newspaper CA January 4 – article, photo 

2000 Antique Trader Weekly newspaper January 5 – article, photos

2000 Collector’s Value Guide book for JTRS® and Take a Seat® 

2000 Figurines & Collectibles magazine April – article, photos

2000 Wildlife Art March magazine – article

2000 Flax Art & Design fall and holiday catalogs - photos

2000 Bloomingdale’s catalog – photo

2000 Bridal Guide magazine Jan/Feb. – article, photo

2000 Herald-Journal newspaper GA January 14 – article

2000 Continental News-Review newspaper January 12 – article

2000 Identity magazine April – article, photos

2000 Collector Editions magazine February and April editions – article, photos

2000 Florist’s Review magazine February – listing, photo

2000 Evening Leader newspaper February 8 – article

2000 Sonoma Business magazine March – article, photos

2000 St. Charles Journal newspaper MO April 21 – article, photos

2000 Joy of Collecting magazine Jan/Feb. – article, photo

2000 Antique Trader Weekly newspaper January 19 – article

2000 Shuz magazine Fall/Winter – article, photo

2000 Sonoma Business magazine March – article, photo

2000 Clarity magazine Feb/March – article, photo

2000 Coral Gables Gazette newspaper FL April 12 – article, photos

2000 Idaho Press Tribune newspaper ID April 21 – article, photos

2000 Sentinel newspaper NH April 2 – article

2000 Northlake Herald-Journal newspaper IL May 3 – article, photos

2000 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper AK May 4 – article, photos

2000 Gurnee Review newspaper IL May 4 – article, photos

2000 Evanston Review newspaper ID May 4 – article, photo

2000 Herald News newspaper MA May 1 – article, photos

2000 Tampa Tribune newspaper FL May 4 – article, photo

2000 Vernon Hills Review newspaper IL May – article, photos

2000 Chicago Sun-Times newspaper May 5 – article, photo

2000 Detroit News newspaper MI May 5 – article, photo

2000 Herald newspaper CT May 5 – article, photo

2000 Press-Republican newspaper NY May 6 – article, photo

2000 Independent newspaper IL May 6 – article, photo

2000 Times-Union newspaper IN May 6 – article, photo

2000 Marion Star newspaper OH May 7 – article, photo

2000 Bluefield Daily Telegraph newspaper WV May 7 – article, photo

2000 Island Packet newspaper SC May 7 – article, photo

2000 Beaufort Gazette newspaper SC May 8 – article, photo

2000 East Valley Tribune newspaper AZ May 8 – article, photo

2000 Birmingham Post-Herald newspaper AL May 8 – article

2000 Daily Jeffersonian newspaper OH May 9 – article, photo

2000 Fresno Bee newspaper CA May 9 – article

2000 Telegraph newspaper IL May 9 – article

2000 Evening Telegram newspaper NY May 10 – article, photo

2000 Windsor Star newspaper Ontario, Canada May 10 – article

2000 Herald newspaper SC May 10 – article

2000 Daily Messenger newspaper NY May 10 – article

2000 Alexandria Journal newspaper VA May 11 – article

2000 The Blade newspaper OH September 25 – article, photo

2000 Gift & Decorative Accessories magazine June and September issues – article, photo

2000 McCall’s magazine July – article, photo

2000 Figurines & Collectibles magazine August – article, photo

2000 Collectibles Report newspaper summer issue – article, photo

2000 The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper PA September 29 – article, photo

2000 Collector Editions newspaper October – article

2000 Joy of Collecting magazine May/June and Nov/Dec – article, photo

2000 The Providence Journal newspaper May 3 – article, photo

2000 Figurines & Collectibles magazine April and June editions – article, photo

2000 Effingham Daily News newspaper IL August 15 – article, photo

2000 McCall’s magazine July and December issues – articles, photos

2000 Diann’s Gifts and Collectibles newsletter NJ fall – article, photo

2000 Democrat and Chronicle newspaper September 25 – article, photo

2000 Discoveries magazine Jan/Feb. – article, photo

2000 Gift World magazine October – article, photo

2000 Lapidary Journal magazine November – article, photo

2000 Entertainment Teen magazine October – article, photo

2000 101 Hairstyles magazine September – article, photo

2000 Country Business magazine July/August – article, photo

2000 Collector’s Editions magazine June – article, photo

2000 Cincinnati Journal newspaper OH February – article, photo

2000 Figurines & Collectibles magazine March/April – article, photo

2000 Giftware News magazine NJ January – article, photos

2000 Courier Post newspaper NJ October 16 – article, photo

2000 Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper NV April 27 – article, photos

2000 Inside Bay/Area newspaper CA April 18 – article, photos

1999-15 Giftware Business monthly magazine numerous articles and photos

1999-01 Raine Collection® catalogs, two per year

1999-01 Take a Seat® catalogs, two per year

1999 Bride magazine January – article, photo 

1999 Gallery & Studio, NY May/Jun. Ed McCormack – review

1999 Past Times catalog - photos

1999 Dallas Morning News June 23 Tracy Achor Hayes – article, photo

1999 Collector’s Journal newspaper September 7 – article, photo

1999 The Sunday Oregonian newspaper Aug. 22 – article, photo

1999 Daily News LA December 2 – article, photo

1999 Times Union newspaper NY– article, photo

1999 Tribune newspaper AZ November 1 – article, photo

1999 Phoenix Home & Garden magazine November – article, photo 

1999 Times Union newspaper NY– article, photo

1999 Columbian newspaper WA December 5 – article, photo 

1999 Times Union newspaper NY– article, photo

1999 St. Petersburg Times newspaper FL December – article, photo

1999 Just the Right Shoe® newsletter and premier edition of Just the Right Club magazine

1999 The Frank Collection book pub. Photo

1998-14 Just the Right Shoe® catalogs, two per year

1998 Blackhawk Automotive Museum catalog - photo

1998 Anderson’s Collectibles catalog - photo

1997 Sculpture magazine January, February - photo

1997 ArtSpeak newspaper NY Jan. Ed McCormack – review

1996 Sculpture magazine November – photo

1996 Wildlife Art magazine July/August - photo

1996 ArtSpeak newspaper NY Spring Tony Cavanaugh – review

1995 Garden Design magazine October, November - photo

1995 American Craft magazine April - photo

1995 Sacramento Bee newspaper CA Apr. 14 Ken Magri - review

1995 Hot Springs Village Voice newspaper AR Mar. 29 Craig Moodie - review

1994 Sculpture of Lorraine Vail catalog Bruce Nixon, Editor-in-Chief of Artweek Magazine

1994 Sacramento Bee newspaper CA Dec. 8 Patricia Smith, -review

1994 Arkansas Celebration of the Arts AR newspaper Nov. – article, photo

1993 Fairfield Citizen-News newspaper CT Sept. 24 – article

1992 Home & Garden magazine April and July issues - photos 

1992 Courier Post newspaper NJ Sept. John Bohn, AP photo

1992 San Jose Mercury News CA May 6 AMD – article, photo

1992 San Jose Mercury News CA May 5 Valerie Rice – article, photo

1991 The Free Press newspaper MD Sep. 26 Cheryl Clemens – article,photo

1990 Olney Courier-Gazette newspaper MD Dec. 26 Kaye Coursen – article, photo

1990 Montgomery Journal MD Mar. 27 David Naimon, – article, photo

1990 The Montgomery Journa, MD Apr. 6 Elliot Pfanstiehl, Public Speaking - editorial

1990 Olney Courier-Gazette MD Apr.11 Healan Barrow – article, photo

1990 The Montgomery Journal MD Mar. 22 Opinion – article

1990 Bulletin newspaper MD Feb. 20 - photo, article

1989 The Montgomery Journal newspaper MD Aug. 23 Jackie Avin & Andrea Carlos - article

1989 The Journal newspaper MD May 1 Susan Hedling Evans – article

1989 The Washington Post newspaper DC Apr. 24 Amy Goldstein – article, photo

1989 San Francisco Chronicle newspaper CA Jan. 14 Sylvia Rubin - photo 

1988 The Washington Post DC Dec. 31 John Waters – article, photo 

1988 The Montgomery Journal newspaper MD Dec. 15 – article

1988 The Washington Post newspaper DC Dec. 14 Amy Goldstein – article, photo

1988 Sacramento Bee newspaper CA Dec. – article, photo

1987 Sacramento Bee newspaper CA Mar. 16 Randy Pench, front page photo

1987 Union Square newspaper CA Jun. Therese Poletti – article, photo

1985 Art & Antique Collector magazine CA Jul. – article, cover photo

1985 Times Tribune newspaper CA Jul. 12 Bank St. Gallery - photo

1985 San Jose Mercury News CA Jul. 10 S.L. Wykes – article, photo

1985 Metro Guide CA Jul. Landscape Sculpture Show - photo

1985 Palo Alto Weekly newspaper CA Jun. 12 - photo 

1983 Third Annual Franklin Town Sculpture Show catalogue PA – article, photos

1983 Antique Toy Magazine IL Jul. - cover photo, article & photos

1983 Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper PA May 6 Chuck Isaacs - article

1982 Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper PA Jun. 4 - photo & article

1981 The Temple News newspaper PA Oct. 7 Jackie Ward – article, photo

1981 The Morning Call newspaper PA Sept. 11 Myra Goldfarb – article, photo

1981 Temple University Alumni Review newspaper PA Sept. - photo

1981 The Bulletin newspaper PA Jul. 17 Barbara Pachter – article, photo

1981 The Bulletin newspaper Jun. 21 Jonathan Katz, Art & Antiques Section – article, photo

1981 The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper PA Jun. 10 James McGarrity – article, photo

1980 Features magazine PA Lou Pilla, by Robert C. Lee - photo

1979 Reading Anthology book published by Scholastic Book Services, NY- photos

1978 American Way Magazine Jun. - double page spread, sculpture illustration 

1977 Eternity Magazine PA Mar. - cover photo and double page spread, sculpture illustration

1977 Innovations in Paper catalogue Weyerhaeuser Co., Gray & Rogers Adv. Agency, PA - photo

1975 Sunday Bulletin newspaper Nov. NJ - photo 

Media & Miscellaneous 

2014-15 Several video shorts for Borsini-Burr and Swan King websites 

2002 Avon cosmetics company, Fundraising Partnership for cancer awareness and research

2001-05 QVC Japan, several hour-long live shows selling sculptures sometimes with artist as guest

2001 National Wildlife Federation, Fundraising Partnership for recovery of endangered species

2001 Home Shopping Network, hour-long live shows selling sculptures sometimes with artist as guest

2001 Individual Investor.com Worldwide Web Edition NY February 13 – article

2001 CNN.com Worldwide Web Edition NY January 24 – article

2001 DailyBulletin.com worldwide Web Edition NY January 25 – article

2000-05 Local morning news segments, USA and UK usually 10 min. in length, interview with sculptures

1999-14 Fan Clubs formed around the sculptures of the Just the Right Shoe® line of figurines in; Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Japan, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the U.S.

1999-12 Susan B. Komen cancer awareness Fundraising Partnership 

1999-05 QVC UK, many hour-long live shows selling sculptures sometimes with artist as guest

1999-05 QVC USA, many hour-long live shows selling jewelry and sculptures with artist as guest 

1997 Radio Station, Cleveland, OH interview

1992 KMVT Channel 30. Mt. View Community Television, interview, sculpture shown at the Civic Center 

1992 San Jose 6 & 11 O'clock News. Item on sculpture installation 

1988 Channel 35, San Francisco. "Familiar Faces- Sculpture of Lorraine Vail" documentary.

1987 Sacramento 6 & 11 O'clock News. Item on sculpture installation

1985 San Francisco 6 & 11 O'clock News. Item on sculpture dedication