from "BANTHA TRACKS"
	Number 18, November 1982

		Over the past 5 1/2 years, Merana*** has been working with ceramics,
	a clay-based art form.  She works mainly from her imagination, creating 
	various ceramic people.  These include checkers players hunched over a playing
	board, ballet dancers paused in mid-step and several well known musicians 
	performing at their pianos.  Recently, Merana started working on a STAR WARS 
	collection, which we have pictured here.  She says she based her work on "All 
	the photos, newspaper clippings,...that I can get my hands on."
		Each of Merana's figures is highly detailed.  The lightsabers glow with
	the aid of light-relective tape.  Yoda's hair is made from individual feather 
	vanes.  George Lucas has a watch, ring, glasses, lens, and notes in his back 
	pocket.  Both R2 and Darth Vader are partially glazed to achieve the proper shine.
	The design of the bases also reflects the attention to detail: Luke, R2 and Yoda
	are situated on a base cut from a tree stump fit with appropriate foliage-painted 
	sawdust, green feathers and teased fiberfill.  Obi-Wan and Darth fight on a silvered
	carved wood base, the silvering reflecting light to the lightsabers.  The borders
	are painted black and the lettering blue, to retain the desired "set" look.  When
	viewed separately or as a whole Merana has captured the essence of the characters
	and the spirit of the STAR WARS saga.
		Merana is a 23-year-old wife and mother currently living in Vermont, USA
	She plans to continue with her ceramics, expanding her private pantheon, and to
	enter local art shows.  by Mary Paterno, Katherine Catalano


	from "STARLOG" magazine
	Number 104, March 1986

				  "A GALAXY FAR A-CLAY"

		George Lucas built the "Star Wars" universe from scratch.  Now it's sculptress
	Merana ("rhymes with piranha") turn to mold it from clay.  (She) has fashioned mini-
	atures of many scenes from the "Star Wars" trilogy as well as her other favorite movies.
  	(Her) homemade gallery features Indiana Jones facing off against a "Raiders" snake and
	E.T. touching fingers with his creator and friend Steven Spielburg.
		The sculptures are fired to 1750 degrees or more, then colored with bisque
	stains enamels and acrylic paints.  Extras like glasses and jewelry are added later.  
	(Her) artistry has created some off-beat domestic situations.  "My husband tolerates my
	mud-pies as long as I wash up before cooking supper," says (she).  "And my children 
	steal my clay whenever I'm not looking."
		"When they saw "The Empire Strikes Back" after I had aready made some statues,
	my children did not gasp in awe at George Lucas's characters and ideas-they looked at 
	me and exclaimed to the surrounding audience, 'Mommy made them!'"