94/365 Isabel Bloom

Have you heard of Isabel Bloom?  She was a wonderful scuptor who was born in Galveston, TX but raised in Davenport, Iowa.  She had a studio in East Davenport.  I think they still have a shop there, but there is also a large Isabel Bloom store in Moline, IL.  As a girl, Isabel Bloom used to sculpt animals from clay dug up from the banks of the Mississippi River.   To this day, many of her designs are animals.  She also has many sculptures of children.  She uses local concrete mixes and river rocks in her designs.  I use the present tense; however, Mrs. Bloom died in 2001.  Donna Young is the artist who carries on today, yet the designs still carry the Bloom name.  This quail was a gift to me from my husband.  He bought it for me when we were in Moline visiting my aunt.  My aunt also gave me an Isabel Bloom scultpure many years earlier, and I will most likely include a photo of it during the year.  It was purchased at the little shop in East Davenport and was actually signed by Isabel Bloom herself!  If you ever get to Davenport or Moline, you must check out the wonderful sculptures.  In the meantime, you can check out the website www.ibloom.com