Well, the wait is over… the final California Rice Commission (CRC) Vessel has been decided on! The final piece entitled "Fields of Inspiration" can be seen here as it will appear on CRC's 2009 gift cards. Below you can see the two other candidates, which although just as beautiful did not evoke quite as much of an emotional response as "Fields of Inspiration" did.  The subject matter of the piece was inspired by Richard's hikes in the Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area in the Sacramento Valley. When asked how he got his idea for the piece Richard responded, "I guess the best research I did was hiking to the top of the Sutter Buttes for the Snow Goose Festival last year.  It was a phenomenal view!" Encased in the glass you see his interpretation of the Sutter Buttes, Butte Creek and rice fields in the foreground.

"Fields of Inspiration" will be debuted on March 11th at the 2009 CRC Leg Day. This is an annual event and next year's artist has already been decided on. Merle Axelrad Serlin, best known for her works hanging in the California EPA building www.axelradart.com, will be creating a custom fabric collage for next year's Leg Day event. Stay tuned towards the middle of this summer for an update on her proposed design. You can visit her studio at 1021 R Street, Sacramento CA, 95814 at The Building (upstairs).