Over the Rainbow

Honorable Mention, 2020 Just Faces - People, Pets & Other Creatures, Medford Arts Center, Medford, NJ.

109th Annual Thumb-Box Exhibition, Salmagundi Club New York, 2017

LOVE – An Online Exhibition of the National Sculpture Society, 2011-2012

New York Times, January 18, 2007, Home & Garden cover,

"In Death as in Life, a Personal Space" by Patricia Leigh Brown.

Funeria, 3rd International "Ashes to Art" at The Ice Box at Crane Arts, Philadelphia, PA.

I had been thinking about wall displays, masks if you will, of the heads of my favorite sculptures, when one of my gallery owners told me of a couple that would like a profile of the eight-month-old face of "Guinevere," for a memorial. I thought about two seconds, said, "Yes!" and even constructed it so it can be used as an urn, if desired.

I understand this couple's grief. After I buried my first dachshund Anna, I kept the sculpture of her, "Dreaming of Tomatoes," on the end of the kitchen counter for weeks. I stroked it every time I passed it, and I am happy that my piece reminds them of their departed friend. In it, her memory will be celebrated with each passing glance.

In Spring 2005, I saw my model Guinevere for the first time in years. She'd grown long hair on her ears. WOW! A mystery was solved! My discovery of longer hair on the ears of five-year-old Guinevere helped me understand why "Over the Rainbow" was adopted by those who love Labs, and why "Three Faces of Guinevere" has been adopted by lovers of Labs, as well as those who know and love young Goldens.

"Over the Rainbow" is signed and numbered. Each includes my mark, Joy Beckner Bronze Sculptor and a copy of the poem "Rainbow Bridge." May this piece bring you peace and help you celebrate the life of your four-legged friend. Sincerely, Joy

Dear Joy, Our very beautiful Rainbows has reached us here in Sydney in completely perfect condition ... What can we say! Marie is quite overcome! We are absolutely enchanted by your artistry ... Rainbows has been placed on a plain wall overlooking our exquisite Circular Quay waterfront. Johnson used to lie in the cool here and contemplate the shipping movements (and his tucker). For some events words are insufficient. Rainbows is just such a happening. Thank you Joy ... With our special thoughts and our very best wishes from down under ... Grahame and Marie, Sydney, Australia.