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Austine Wood Comarow

1942 - 2020

Austine Wood Comarow obituary, 1942-2020, Las Vegas, NV

BORN

1942

DIED

2020

Austine Comarow Obituary

Pioneering artist Austine Wood Comarow, longtime Las Vegas resident and inventor of a new art medium, died unexpectedly July 31, 2020 at Nathan Adelson Hospice from ovarian cancer at age 77. Austine, formerly Austine Barton Read was born in Louisville, KY in 1942 and was the daughter of the Acting High Commissioner for Refugees in the United Nations and thus largely grew up in Germany and Switzerland. Austine attended the International School in Geneva, Swarthmore College and Indiana University majoring in Russian Language and Literature. Later she obtained an MFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. Austine is most well known for being the inventor of an entirely new art medium she named "Polage," using polarized light and optically active materials to create changing colors and figurative images. In the 1980's she made her studio in Boulder City where she also had a gallery. After moving away for several years while her husband David Comarow attended law school, they returned to establish an art studio in Las Vegas. Austine found her greatest success creating private and public commissions with her work, sometimes creating monumental magical "invisible" works that spring into full color when viewed through a polarizer. The most recent such public work in Nevada is the windows of the Kyle Canyon Visitor Gateway on Mt. Charleston. Austine created works for science and nature centers and for many art collectors worldwide, and her work is in the collections of numerous art museums. She is survived by her daughters, Erika Wood and Cara Wood Ginder and her husband of 44 years David Comarow. The family intends to continue Austine's studio featuring work from her private collection and her daughter, Cara's work in the art medium Austine invented. Their studio website is www.Austine.com. Austine was a proud founding member of the philanthropic organization "Impact Las Vegas." A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date to be announced. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be made to Nathan Adelson Hospice. Services will be private.

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Published by Las Vegas Review-Journal on Aug. 9, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Austine Comarow

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Anne Bradford

July 30, 2023

Anne Bradford

July 30, 2023

I had known Austine in San Diego just before she moved to Las Vegas, and honestly I was upset about that; I didn't want her to go. I had found a new friend who was amazingly talented and bright and creative and enthusiastic about everything life had to offer and she showed that in her artwork which to me was stunning! I worked with her to design an interactive art catalogue for "Labyrinthe de Lumiere" at La Cite des Science et de I'industrie, Paris. I don't remember all the details, but it was something people could walk away with and probably a kiosk as well.
So today as I was thinking about Austine and wondering how she is doing, I am stunned and saddened about her passing. I'm so sorry.
Austine shared her insight of the best of our world, our existence and the presence of the Divine in All through her extraordinary work.
I am honored to have known her and to hope that her contribution to the world of art will continue to be known and shared because we need it.
I would like to add the proposed art catalogue if that is acceptable.

Milt H Heger

January 24, 2021

I apologize profusely for having not written this sooner. :( I thought I had. I'm so sorry, it was unintentional.
I was thinking about Austine yet again today. I have a series of 6 drawings she had conceived while I was an assistant to her and I looked at the design and detail in them for a long time. This caused me to seek out what others had said here.
It is a shock to me that she has left us. When I learned of her way too young passing I was in full denial...I am still.
I have always been proud to have known her and to have been her fabrication assistant. I loved that she would conceive unusual displays for her art which allowed me to be creative myself in bringing them to fruition for her. She always praised me for this and it was wonderful to hear, to say the least. She wouldn't ever fail to do such a heartfelt thing for her assistants and others. To corroborate with her on what she needed a display to look like, and have the functionality she desired, was precious to me. I'll never forget all she has done for me, as well as having allowed me to travel with her to Boston and to Paris for those installations. I happen to have a hand-held card type Polarizer, right next to me now, for Le Labrinthye de Lumiere at La Cite des Sciences et de l´Industrie in Paris.
She caused me to be a better person for her presence in my life. I will miss her as I always have despite my loss at not having seen her for quite some time.
Sincerely, Milt

Peter Christiansen

August 18, 2020

Dave I am so sorry to have learned of the loss of Austine. I know how much she was to you, and she was such a beacon of light and cheerfulness to the rest of the world I remember meeting her way back in the day when you both were in Boulder City then later again in the Las Vegas studio. We (Paula and I) still admire the polages we purchased back then, and people are amazed when we show them off. I didn't know the rest of the family but please pass on my condolences to them as well. Stay well Dave.

Rob Thaman

August 16, 2020

Dear David, Cara and Erika, this news is so sad (and shocking). Austine was an extraordinary person--so full of enthusiasm, "can-do" spirit and love for life. Austine hired me way back in the 1970s in Dayton, OH and it was my first job in broadcasting. Possibly, some may not know that Austine was, besides a creative



artist, also a heck of a writer and producer for TV programming. I'll always remember Austine and the "everyday was an adventure" she brought to REACH. And I'll always remember Austine (and Dave) for those fun days so long ago. Austine was a beautiful, unique spirit.

Gwen Castaldi

August 16, 2020

Deepest sympathies in the passing of Austine to Dave, Cara and Erika. I’ve had the honor to have known Austine since the late 70’s. Her extreme talent with art and her Polage creations made a huge impact on our visual world giving it wonder and surprise as no one else could. The world is a lesser place without her spirit, love and passion. I treasure my early piece and will look at it with a different light of gratefulness for her being. God bless her soul as she lives on through the legacy she left us all.

Jodi Schwab

August 11, 2020

I have had the pleasure of being Austines assistant for over 11 years. During this time she has been such a huge part of my life. Greeting me each day with her beautiful smile and positive outlook. This photo was taken at Halloween when Austine and I dressed up. She was Wonder Woman and all I can say is she truly was! She was the most amazing and talented person I have ever known. A true inspiration in every way! Dave, you and Austine have become like family to me and I will carry her in my heart forever. I am here for you, Cara and Erika to help keep her legacy going. Love Jodi

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Judy Treichel

Planted Trees

Douglas E. Taylor

August 9, 2020

This is a great loss; I’ve known Austine since 1979. Her artistic gifts were only matched by her heart and keen mind of a generous, gracious, kind and thoughtful person that made the world a better place.

Michael Vander Velde

August 9, 2020

David I’m so sorry for your loss. I will definitely miss Austine. She had always been a wonderful bright light in my life. She was so accepting and down to earth. We had a lot of wonderful conversations. I never really knew where they would go but they were always interesting and thought provoking. Such a talented person and always willing to share her ideas and thoughts. Thanks for bring her into the family all those years ago and for all the wonderful times we had together . It was wonderful fun seeing you both in February and seeing her incredible work and the new projects she was working on. Just as interesting was seeing what she was working on next. Peace and love. Michael

Ava and Ross Campbell

August 9, 2020

We will definitely miss her and her beautiful artwork. We have loved our piece for many, many years. We will miss her wonderful soul.

Ava and Ross Campbell

Karen DiSorbo

August 9, 2020

My deepest condolences to Dave, Cara and Erika and the rest of her family for this great loss. Austine was such an amazing person, as an artist, inventor, mentor and inspiration. Her work represents the beauty of the person she was and may that live on. May she rest in peace. She is greatly missed.

Candace Stuckenschneider

August 9, 2020

David, She was an amazing person. So talented taken to soon.

Judy little

August 9, 2020

Dear Erika and Cara,
Words can not express how I truly feel about Austine’s passage. I’m proud to have know her and blessed to have two of her pieces in addition to her gift to my daughter when she was born. May your memories comfort you and her art live on.
Love, Judy

Judy Treichel

August 9, 2020

My children and I feel so blessed to have known Austine. It is an honor to have her and Dave as long time family friends. We treasure the art of Austine's that we have and the memories of sharing fun conversations at the studio and showings. Austine truly did leave this world a better and more beautiful place.

Bonny Midby

August 9, 2020

Austine came to the UNLV Women’s exercise class led by Dr Larry Golding. She would bring some of her art with her. Such a lovely person and fabulous art. So sorry for your loss.

Jeffrey Silver

August 9, 2020

Dear David and family, you have my deepest sympathy on the passing of the kind, caring and extraordinarily creative, Austine. Her amazing work will live on forever, but you had the great fortune to be a part of that energetic spirit during her lifetime. While nothing can erase the tragic loss, it does provides some comfort to know that you were an essential part of that journey, with many fond memories to cherish. To Austine, you will be missed, rest in peace.

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